Binoculars?

[mbyrr]

Hey folks.

Firstly, I'd like to send a big kudos to all the members who told me to stick with the dob, it's working out quite nicely lately, having seen Saturn's rings and Venus's craters, so thanks for all your good advice! :thumbsup:

Now, I'm thinking of complementing my 8" dob with a pair of binocs. Again, I know absolutely nothing about them, any recommendations?

I'd like to use them to find stuff, do planetary viewing, and perhaps catch satellites as they head over (I can't follow them with the dob, no matter how hard I try!).

Thanks for your advice in advance!
:thanx:

[Allan]

Venus's craters:eyepop:

Can I buy your Dob, it must be an unbelievable bit of gear.:D

[mbyrr]

Is that unusual? I used a barlow...

[atman]

Hi Anthony

In answer to your original question binoculars are great.

Mainly use them as an easy way to scan the Milky Way.

I use a cheap pair of 15x70's and am considering getting 20x80's.

Like telescopes and cameras (and cars) you can spend almost anything on them.

15 x 70 is about the limit for hand holding - beyond that you need to support them, and suitable tripods can cost more than the binoculars.

(I used an inverted wheelie bin and and a piece of 3x2 to see Jupiter's main moons - which shows that I'm lazy and cheap).

Mark.

[brian nordstrom]

;) Yes , take a look at the venus shot on the front page here at IIS , venus is featurless , we only see its cloud tops always but it goes thru phases like the moon , only a lot smaller of course .
I have a cheap pair of 8x56's and use them all the time , a great accessory .
I also have a pair of 25x100's , these definatly need mounting , but the views of deep space are well worth it .

Brian.

[mbyrr]

Re Venus: Hmm I'm not sure what I was looking at then :D

Re Binocs: Thanks for the advice. I've been looking at the ones at Bintel:

http://www.bintel.com.au/Binoculars/Orion-Binoculars/Orion-20x80-Astro/1045/productview.aspx

Seems rather cheap? Are these any good, and is it possible to hold without a tripod?

Compared to this 15x70:
http://www.bintel.com.au/Binoculars/Orion-Binoculars/Orion-Resolux-15x70/1049/productview.aspx

Any brand recommendations or specific models? I've heard that 15x70 or 20x80 are recommended.

Thanks!

[glend]

I have the 15x70 Astro ones from Bintel and they are great, and not that expensive. However I don't like the cheap plastic tripod mount, it rocks and flexes too much. I find a tripod makes them very easy to use, you just can 't hand hold them steady enough to pick out DSOs, which they can do if you go for the brighter ones.

If I was buying now i'd probably go for the 20x80s, more aperature and a better tripod mount- but heavier and more expensive.

[mbyrr]

Hi Glen, thanks for your advice!

I'm looking at the following as options:

Orion Astro 15x70
http://www.bintel.com.au/Binoculars/Orion-Binoculars/Orion-15x70-Astro/1044/productview.aspx

Celestron SkyMaster 15x70
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/283197-REG/Celestron_71009_15x70_SkyMaster_Bin ocular.html

Saxon L15x70
http://www.astronomyalive.com.au/binoculars/large-size-binoculars-70mm-100mm/saxon-l15-x-70.html

Cast your votes, thanks! :D

[dannat]

paletary views using binos are poor- the planets are fairly small -they can be used for tracking jupiters mons position & catching phases of venus, keeo in mind anything above 10x power is difficult to hold in the hands & are best supported

[killswitch]

These are pretty good for the price. I use mine with a tripod.

[mbyrr]

Can you recommend a tripod? From Bintel perhaps?

[killswitch]

Bintel tripods are a rip. You can get a proper bino mount but they are expensive too. I just use a cheap ball head tripod from amazon and i just weigh it down for stability.

You need to decide which kind of head you want to use first and the height.

The $60 tripods from JB and Teds should do.

[AndyTee]

I use these and am very pleased with the result. Impossible without some support though! I found a tripod akward and use a robust photgraphic ball-head monopod which gives greater portability and more than enough stability. Its worth noting that although the package includes the rather ordinary plastic tripod mount mentioned above they are also fitted with a very rubust all-metal tri(mono!)pod attachment....

[OICURMT]

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/archive/index.php/t-92465.html

[glend]

I just use an old camera tripod I had gathering dust. If you get the 15x70 then try to get the steel bracket.

[mbyrr]

As far as tripods go, would something like this suffice?

http://www.teds.com.au/velbon-ex-430-tripod#.UfeTK22CDpE

[mbyrr]

After some careful consideration, and people's advice and recommendations (for which I thank you), I've come to the conclusion that it's best to get a pair that I can hold myself, as the main purpose of them would be for scanning the heavens to find things to point the dob at. To this end, a pair of 10x50s is probably the best bet.

The Orion Resolux 10x50 get good reviews tho are a little pricey. I *may* consider the Orion Mini Giants 9x63, tho likely my budget would be around $200 or so. With this in mind, any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

[Draco]

Hi Antony

I completely agree with you. You should get a pair of binos that you can easy hold. Its no point getting one that is too heavy and needs to be mounted. The weight will normally come from the bigger aperture and mag but for those you have your dob.

I bought a Andrews 11x70. It is an amazing bino though abit heavy for hand holding and is best on a tripod. I bought it first since didnt think would be able to get a cheap telescope but then I did. So now when I use my binos, it is a bit shaky at times. But I have noticed that my arms are getting used to it and the shakes are not as much ;)

But definetely, if you have a telescope already, get a bino that you can hand hold and which gives you good views for your budget. Sometimes its better to spend a bit more and get something good then to buy something that is cheap but not as good. In astronomy the saying "Good things dont come cheap" is very true ;)

The Orion mini giants 9x63 are a really good pair. I know at least one person that has it and loves it.

All the best

[mbyrr]

Thanks Niv. I think I'm going with the Orion MGs, just have to save some pennies for them.

[Draco]

all the best ;)

[taminga16]

Hi Antony,
Check the products and prices at Andrews Communications and take your Bino's with you when shopping for a tripod.
Greg.
http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-11.htm

[brian nordstrom]

:) here are my 25x100's , awesome views , but very heavy !!
Brian.

[chris lewis]

Do NOT get a cheap pair of binoculars. Binoculars at precision made instruments and astronomy test's the limits of them. 10 cheap ones are not worth the cost of one expensive one. A good pair of 10x50 will last a life time. The Orion Resolux [Kunming BA8] is a good start, they are heavy however and are best used on a tripod to maximize there abilities. The Orion Mini Giants 9x63 are OK and really and should be considered as a entry level bino. They do have a 7 degree exit pupil which is best for dark skies and / or young eyes. They have a 5 degree Tfov which gives a 'narrowish' 50 degree Afov, which you may find restrictive. [Like looking thru 2x long tubes]. They are Japanese made and FMC, they are not however W.P. I had a pair from Bintel in Melbourne which oddly enough had some Q. and .A issues, Bintel Exchanged it quickly. I no longer own it as I on sold it which was related to the the narrow Afov. Two alternatives would be the Pentax 10x50 PCF 11WP and / or the Nikon 10x50 AE, these are good binos if on a strict budget. The Pentax again has a narrow Afov of 50 degrees, the Nikon has a wider angle 65 degree Afov but displays more field curvature.

Chris

[taminga16]

The Andrews Communications MB Ultra and Orion Resolux are one and the same.
Greg.

[mbyrr]

Thanks Greg. I've decided not to get a bino that requires a tripod, as I already have a scope.

I'm looking at Andrews atm. Any recommendations?

[mbyrr]

Thanks Chris!

[brian nordstrom]

:) Sorry I have been away doing night shifts , here is a better shot of my 25x100's
Brian.

[brian nordstrom]

;)oops , here we go .
Brian.