I have a pair of AOE 15x70 binos. I've used them hand-held with limited success. If you can support them by resting your arms on the arms of a reclining chair for example then binos of this size can be more user friendly than those attached to a tripod. I've always found craning my neck at the zenith using a tripod to be a painful = unenjoyable experience.
Sweeping the milky way with the 15x70's is amazing compared to my 10x50's. Star clusters and DSO's on nights of good seeing have a pronounced 3-D effect which I enjoy so much. I love the "grab and go" freedom of binocular observing.
Good luck - I can recommend the AOE 15x70's.
They are excellent for the price.
Also, 11x70's are getting a bit close to the magic 7mm exit pupil limit.
With the 15x70's all the light falls into the 4.67mm exit pupil which my 41 year old pupils can easily accomodate.
Cheers
Doug Robertson
