Review: 20x80 Light Weight Binoculars

iceman (Mike) · #1 04-07-2006, 08:22 AM

Hi all.

Malcolm Shackleton (Scoper) has kindly written a review of the 20x80 Light Weight Binoculars.

You can read the review at the Reviews section of the site, or by clicking on the link below:

20x80 Light Weight Binoculars

Thanks to Malcolm for writing the review.

If you'd like to submit a review or article for the site, please contact me via PM or email. Your contributions are most welcome.

iceman (Mike) · #2 07-07-2006, 07:48 AM

The review is now on the site.

dugnsuz (Doug) · #3 07-07-2006, 10:12 PM

Nice one Malcolm,
I've got the 15x70's from AOE which are like the 20x80's little brother!
Thanks for the review from a fellow ex-pom. I'm from north-pom land!!
Cheers
Doug

johnno · #4 08-07-2006, 12:58 AM

Very Informative review,Malcolm,Nicely done.

Thank You,for your effort.

Regards.
John

Mick (Michael) · #5 08-07-2006, 08:59 AM

Very balanced review Malcolm, excellent work.

Starkler (Geoff) · #6 08-07-2006, 09:14 AM

Nice one Malcom.
It sounds like these binos share many of the same characteristics of the 15x70's that I bought from AOE.

Does this model not come with the mounting bar ?

beren · #7 08-07-2006, 12:09 PM

Top stuff Malcolm, I have the 20x80T {through AOE}which I really enjoy using, first light was on NGC 3372 and surrounds >breathtaking view.I concur with the focussing problem and rolling back the eyecups.For the price and performance they really are something to consider

dhumpie · #8 10-07-2006, 01:22 PM

I have the exact same binos you have and I am absolutely in love with them. I was going to put my review up but you beat me to the punch...haaha! Anyway excellent read!

Darren

Scoper (Malcolm) · #9 11-07-2006, 09:09 AM

G'day and many thanks to you all. Sorry about late reply. Been too busy at work to get online to Iceinspace.

Yes the 15x70's are excellent as well, my son has a pair. I just don't know how the manufacturer can produce their binocs at such a low price--not complaining though.

The 20x80's didn't come with the mounting bar Doug, I made mine out of a piece of scrap aluminium, just had to cut to size and drill a couple of holes. The cross bar that the barrels rest on is just a bit of wood. The height of the bar matches the separation of the barrels when the interpupillary distance is set for my eyes but there is a fair bit of leeway here.( Nice to meet a fellow Pom online by the way Doug, I'm one of those bloody southerners).

Reading the review again I realise I made a statement that needs qualifying: "The criss cross lines" effect on the Dumbell neb is rather subtle and could be an illusion, they appear to run diagonally across the "waist" of the nebula. I've seen the effect through a telescope but was surprised to see it in binocs. I do have the luxury of coal black, clear skies here at Wongarbon---no street lights. Wondering if any of you see these lines in binocs or is it just my brain playing tricks?

Cheers
Malcolm

trader10 · #10 01-03-2008, 04:28 PM

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the review Malcolm, it's very handy for me a newbie.

Now, a question. Since I've bought a similar type of binos (Skyline 18-52x80 mm Zoom), I'm having the same difficulty as you probably had when trying to stabilise it, since the adapter is in a not a well positioning point. It does comes with a tripod adapter but, because the binos tubes are so heavy, it makes a little bit unstable.

That's why I thought Malcolm had an excellent idea.

...."the problem of the binoculars oscillating if they are just mounted with the bracket alone, the barrels need to be supported as well to avoid this. Once again this is easily remedied by placing a bar under the barrels on a mounting plate (see pic)."......

I wonder if the "industry" has thought on a proper attachment for binoculars with heavier tubes/barrels to support more stability.
Surely the manifactures have tested it since they also bring a tripod adapter.

Anyone knows if there is a type of material/attachement that I can buy at a astronomy shop to a similar stabilisation as Malcolm made himself ?

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.p...76,308,0,0,1,0

cheers

erick (Eric) · #11 01-03-2008, 04:56 PM

Hi trader10

Most larger binoculars come with a central support bar that supports the barrels as well. Eg:

http://www.aoe.com.au/25x100.html

I haven't seen a commercial version of Malcolm's device.

Eric

trader10 · #12 01-03-2008, 05:06 PM

Hi Erick,

Hummm what a shame....I'm sure the industry would capitalise on a new piece of hardware. There are a market for it as so many binoculars have only a attachment for a tripod adapter.

Maybe they could call it the "stabilisator" LOL

cheers

ps: I might have to build my own just like Malcolm.....

Hey Malcolm, if you create a more fancy one I could buy it from you !

Have a nice weekend Erick and all here.