PLEASE Recommend 15X70 Binos for $500.00AU?

[Davekyn]

Hi All,
Need some advise on getting a pair of QUALITY! 15X70 Binoculars. I am prepared to spend up to $500.00. Australian Dollars. (could I get a triplet “15X70”?)......20X80 to big thanks!

I have heard the the celestron Skymaster 15X70 have quite a few lemons among them and that many people have had to either send them back more than one, or have had to make their own repairs on them? I like quality gear, so this has kind of put me off the Skymasters.

Basically at this stage the only quality pairs I can fid in Australia is at AOE:
http://www.aoe.com.au/15x70mx.html (http://www.aoe.com.au/15x70mx.html)
MX Ultra $459.00 Australian Dollars.
Could anyone comment on the type of quality one would expect from a pair of binos like these?

The only other Brand that seems to offer quality off the bat is Garret Optic in the USA. I have contacted them about their international dealings...looks as if they do a lot of overseas sales.

Perhaps you could persuade me in another direction, that will still be of quality or even better than what I have listed?

Any help would be great...Thanks!
Dave

[Astro78]

http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=589901

[Chippy]

Standard AOE 15x70. I have no affiliation with AOE - just a happy customer.

[GrahamL]

I believe those ultras are very high quality for the price
andrews sell them also..
http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-11.htm
I think theres mention of them here somewheres
if you have a search through the archives... as for weight I think You will find both
the 70s and 80s both pretty heavy.

[madwayne]

I'm with Nick. My 15x70's from AOE are great, as is the service from AOE as well. Think about a tripod for them though as they do have a bit of weight about them.

Wayne

[Davekyn]

Thanks wayne...all,
It was not an easy to make my mind up...but it's all in the thread..."Need Advice On Lare Binoculars"

I fully agree, that AOE seem to be the better place to by Binoculars.
Thanks for all your help...Time for me to look at materials to make my own bino mount.

Later
Dave:)

[centroid]

I've had a pair of Celestron Skymaster 15x70's for about 18 months now, and have been very impressed with them.

They came out as "Best Buy', in a Sky at Night magazine review of several makes of 15x70 binos, hence the reason I bought them.

Dave

[astropolak]

Hi
I have the 15x70 Ultras from AOE. Tested them against same aperture and magnification standard binos and the Ultras were noticeably brighter with more detail. Few of my fellow observers noticed this also....
Buy from AOE, their support is better and they know the products well...

[chris lewis]

I would strongly suggest getting then Ultra 15x70's they really have excellent optics and build qualities. They are heavy. They have the highest specs available. Pin point on axis and field curvature occours about 80 % out there is mild pincushioning. There are no other obvious aberrations. The contrast is excellent. They are equal in brightness to my Japanese 80mm binos. The Skymasters are good for the price. They are however only 'Multi Coated' lens only - they do display some internal reflections. Light transmission is not as good as the Ultras.
I had 3x skymaster 15x70's - all where mildy mis-collimated - you have to pick a good one. Celestron's Q.A. could be improved.
The 15x70 Ultra's are highly recommended.

[Kevnool]

Just dont let TNT deliver your binoculars................cheers Kev.

[mrsnipey]

Go with the MX Ultras. I love mine.
You get to do a free workout when you use them too.
I find the extra weight stops the fireflies though.