Binocular suggestion

[sethadit]

Hi All,
I am pretty much a newbie to all of this. I have a Celestron 4se at the moment, but was also thinking of getting a good pair of binoculars. Any suggestions or things to look at when buying one would be helpful. Thanks.:thanx: :)

[Bobbyoutback]

Hi Aditya ,
Many will say 7x50 or 10x50 , both are good but I prefer a wide angle 8x40 for there low weight .

Good Luck
Bobby .

[sethadit]

Thanks a lot for your reply.I read some previous posts and was settling down for 20 or 25x80. Any thoughts on that?

[m11]

Hi Aditya,

If you prefer to hand hold the binos then Bobby's recommendation is what I would recommend.

I have found at least 15x70mm goes further and i have it on a tripod with an l bracket to stabilise the binos. I use these binos often and have them on the tripod stand to view straight away.

Hope it helps.

M11

[m11]

With the 20x or 25x binos I have found gets really heavy and then the tripod needs to be able to support the weight.

[sethadit]

May I ask which one do you have 15x70? I mean the make?

[m11]

I have the celestron and fujiyama 15x and 16x 70mm binos.

They are great for open clusters and viewing in the country.

[Ukastronomer]

I will ask the poster the usual question

How much can you spend, you have not said

[xelasnave]

The big ones are great for the money (mine were only $200 years ago) and the views are rather good.
They are heavy ...just man up...I have thought a single leg "tripod" could work or hand them on a string from something ... but I do have a smaller set as well.
Alex

[miker]

Hi Aditya, welcome to the forum. :welcome: There is a very useful IIS (Ice In Space) article here....
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-374-0-0-1-0.html

In my experience, anything above 10 x becomes very difficult to hold steady after a few minutes.

If you can get a shop to let you view through a few different sizes for a few minutes each, I think you will get a good feel for the difference in stabillity.

Using binos on a tripod does not suit all situations.

Michael.

[AstralTraveller]

I have a pair of OK 8x40 binos and later bought a nice pair of ED lens 8x32. These easily outperform the older binos and, being lighter, are easier to keep still. For daytime viewing they are on a par with my 10x50 (maybe less resolution but more contrast) but the larger aperture wins at night. However the smaller ones are still used a lot because it is easier to keep them still.

I also have a pair of old 15x80 that double as exercise weights. They are best used mounted. I sometimes try to brace them against a car or building or tree etc and that helps a bit.

[sil]

Pentax UP 8x25 WP.

I researched last year and on spec these were a rare sweet spot. Bought and never regretted. Yes they look small and cheap and most people will dismiss them on appearancer but damn they are awesome. In terms of clarity, brightness, edge to edge sharpness they exceed my Leicas. Lightweight but solid, excellent Pentax optics they suit day and night use with easy comfort on the arm and eyes. I have larger Pentax too but these are just far better in all regard except magnification. For usability and view I doubt you'll find any comparable they punch above their weight and those of larger binos. Across the board they tick all boxes except high magnification (which I know some people think is important). Unless you know exactly what you need these will not disappoint.

[FI93]

Most good size binoculars have a camera thread in the centre hinge, just unscrew the cap.
Now for the cunning bit, go the Bunnings or Home and get a telescopic branch /twig cutter that has a movable head, mine was a cheap $20.00 job.
Then get rid of the jaws and cutter actuator rope.
Mount a right angle camera post and voila a adjustable height and angle binocular steady!!

[Kuz]

I have only just started out myself I went for a pair of celstron 70 x15 binoculars they were only $129 dollars on ebay I than bought a tripod from national geographic for $94 best money I have spent they are excellent for finding targets quickly . I made a adaptor that connects binoculars to mount out of aluminum as the plastic one is a bit flimsy although you can buy one on ebay if you need
All prices in Aussie dollars

[Ukastronomer]

Again you need to say what you can afford to get an answer

[xelasnave]

Check the classifieds...some 80mm are available.
Alex