15x70's vs 20x80's

[dhumpie]

Seeing how the prices have dropped, I was wondering if it would be worth my while to upgrade my Saxon 15x70's to one of those lightweight 20x80's which everyone seems to be carrying these days. Anyone here has experience with both large binocs? Comments? Also anyone here interested in getting a secondhand 15x70's for a lower price :) well I have to sell the 15x70's if I am to get another large binoc....

Darren

[cjmarsh81]

I hope you have no plans of using the 20x80 binos handheld. I have looked through a pair of these and you cannot hold it for very long without a tripod.

Also, the Saxon's you have are a good brand. Some of the no-name binos around out there don't have very good coatings. If you are going to get a set try to find some that are fully multi-coated instead of just multi-coated. Also, make sure they are BAK4 prisms as opposed to BAK7.

Other than that it comes down to personal preference for which size you use. My Dad has a pair of 15x70's and these are a reasonable size. And I still use my trusty 10x50's I cannot imagine needing anything bigger in a bino. But I suppose as with everything else 'aperture rules'.

[janoskiss]

The FMC large (and also not so large) binos sold by AOE and some of the ones from Andrews are superior to the Saxon ones I've seen: sharper, clearer, more contrast. The 20x80 triplet still has plenty of false colour and I can only presume the 20x80 lightweight has even more. So I'd go with the triplets (which also has the reinforcing bar, albeit on plastic supports).

[cjmarsh81]

The best thing is to try and find a way to compare them side by side. I don't think there will be a significant difference between the two. Not enough to warrant changing from 15x70 to 20x80 I would think. But that is just me.

[johnno]

Hi Darren,

Just my 2 cents,

I Have Saxon 11x70s,Barska 15x70s,and the 20x80 LW,s from AOE,BLOW them BOTH away.

The False colour in mine is minimal,and this is possibly due to the longer focal length,of the 20x80lw,s.(They have Looong Barrels)

Please bear in mind,the fov,is only 3.2 deg,and after using 15x70,s,this takes a little getting used to.

Out of the 20+ Binoculars I own,for handheld I use 11x56,and for TRIPOD MOUNTED,AOE 20x80 LW,get the most use.
Since Kathy,bought the 20x80s for me at xmas,the 15x70s,now live in the spare room.

Ed Zarenski,a noted Binocular Expert,and,

One of the Moderators,on Cloudy Nights Binocular Forum,rated the Oberwerk 20x80 Standard Binoculars,as the best 20x80 he had ever used,At that time.

IF,you look at the Specs,and PICTURES,you will find the AOE 20x80 LW,s appear VERY, similar to the Oberwerk 20x80 Standards.
Enough Said.

Regards.
John

[yagon]

How much more can one see with 20x80 vs 15x70 (or 11x70)?

[yagon]

Is it possible to use the 15x70s handheld?

[Starkler]

Somebody on CN made a comprehensive study on this topic re the affects of aperture and magnification in binoculars as to the faintest magnitude stars that could be seen.
Look in CN binocular forums, best of links. If you find it, all the answers are in there.


Yes, but with some difficulty. I did a mini review here of the AOE 15x70, a search will find it.

[johnno]

Hi All,

As to how much more you can see in 20x80s compared to 15x70s,only test I have done is to look at the Pleaides,you can see many more stars in the 20x80s.

I have NEVER seen any detail on Saturn,BUT on occasions,I can make out the separation,between the Planet,and the rings.

HANDHOLDING.

ANY Binocular over about 10x is difficult to handhold,its NOT so much the weight that is the problem,it is the MAGNIFICATION.
I handhold my 11x56s all the time,BUT its a lot better if I am resting my arms.

A cheap Monopod is the way to go INMHO,
If it is tall enough,they allow you to view right at zenith,in fact I now have my 11x56s on a monopod permanently.

Regards.
John

[yagon]

Can anyone recommend a good monopod? Where does one buy a monopod?

[johnno]

Hi All,

Yagon,
I bought my Monopod off Ebay,it is a Cheapie,about $25.00,and is fine for 11x56s.

For the heavier 15x70s,and especially the even heavier 20x80s,get a tall tripod,or a similar mount,

Monopods are good,BUT,only to a point.

Regards.
John

[dhumpie]

Hey John,

How bout on nebulous objects like M42 and Eta Carina (and galaxies)? This is primarily why I feel like upgrading....

Darren

[johnno]

Hi All,

Darren,

To ME,there is a lot of WOW factor in these size Binoculars,
For eg,I can see what looks like "wing structure",in M42,with a little colour,
Perhaps grey/pink (to my eyes)

As for Eta Carina, and surrounding,I can only say the WHOLE area is a WOW,to ME.

The entire surrounding area in the vicinity of the Southern Cross,is alive with WOW objects,again, TO ME.

You,and others might not be so impressed,with the performance of 20x80 Binoculars,but as they are truly Grab,and go,I tend to use them more than ANY,other bit of gear I own,INCLUDING the ED 80,and your 9mm eyepiece.
(Which,I am VERY happy with),by the way.

I can pick up the whole tripod,and Binos,with one hand,Have a Sharp, 3.2 deg Fov,with BOTH eyes.

As I have a Breathing Problem in cold air,this is the ultimate QUICK look rig,TO ME.

As I have said before,my other set of BIG bino's, 15x70 Barska's,spend 99%,of their life in the Spare room.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards.
John

[yagon]

To Johnno: you say that your 11x56 binos are your most used, using a monopod.

Why do you use your 11x56s when you have a pair of 11x70s. Wouldn't the extra aperture be an advantage? Why do you prefer the 11x56s?

[johnno]

Hi All,

Yagon,

A good question.
There are a couple of reasons I dont use the 11x70s,
for 1, mine, are Saxon,and the quality,INMHO is not anywhere near as good as the AOE 11x56s.

For EG,BK-7 prisms,low level coatings,heavy as any 15x70,lousy FOV
compared to AOE 11x56s,
BAK-4 prisms,fully broadband multicoated,light enough to handhold,without Tripod/Monopod,Good FOV.

2nd,the Saxon 11x70s have a FOV of around 4.6 deg,where the 11x56s are around 6 deg,I happen to prefer wide FOV,s.

Also due to the larger exit pupil of the 11x70s,the sky,can appear "washed out".

As I said earlier,I use a Monopod with my 11x56s,because ANY Binocular,will show more detail when mounted,on something steady,
My Monopod is light enough,to allow you to just handhold,WITHOUT,extending the leg,if you want to.

You asked,"wouldn't the Extra Aperture be an advantage".

It May,But the larger exit pupil,ruins any gains,due to the Washed out sky effect.
I will add,on REALLY dark Skies,the Difference MAY be detected,but then, MY eyes are 57 years old,and better suited to a smaller exit pupil

Hope This Helps.
Regards.
John

[g__day]

I use a Andrews 20 * 80 triplet bino's and I think there are superb for the price. Yes they are weighty, but their light grasp leaves the 15 * 70s for dead. I was surprised as I bought both types from Andrews on the same day and ended up after 3 days loaning the 15 * 70s to a friend for as long as he wants.

Orion's sword, Jupiter, Saturn the Beehive and Eta Carina all look great in these, but you will appreciate them much, much more if you can find a steady mount for them.