I'm after a good pair of binos. I already have 2 AOE binoculars (8x42, 10x50) and I'm extraordinarily happy with them. However, I'd really like a pair of
(relatively) big binoculars. I'm wondering if I'd be better going for the triplet "Model - AOE 20x80T (Triplet Lens)....$219.00" or the "Model - AOE 20x90....$299.00" I'm mainly thinking about the triplet lens in the 20x80s. Would the triplet feature of the 20x80s make them a bit better? I'm thinking (like a newb) that the value for money would be found in the cheaper ones? It's only a 10mm difference and I assume that the smaller pair would have less aberration.
The 20x80 sounds great. Nice price, much lighter, triplet lens ideally provides better color correction/optics, more eye relief, and the same FOV as the 90mm.
I don't consider the 10mms of aperture and .5mm exit pupil differences to be dealbreakers.
SJS
Last edited by saberscorpx; 14-10-2007 at 07:56 AM.
The other issue is mounting - the 20x80 is 2.4 Klgs. and the 20x90 is 3.1 Kgs.
What mount have you got ? considering ? With the 80mm size bino you can use a tall 'heavy duty' camera mount but the 90mm size will require a larger Bogen / Manfrotto type mount that will be expensive.
I would go for the 80mm triplets myself and if you do want to go bigger at a later stage move to the 100mm size for a noticable light gathering increase.
I have used both on a number of occasions. I'd go with the triplet. It has a flatter field and is considerably lighter and less bulky. Note that there is now two types of triplets one cheaper than the other - I've used the old cheaper version - I'm pretty sure the newer one is worth the extra cost. (... there is also the new 'poor-man's-fujinon' 15x70...) I found the guys running AOE to be very helpful and honest about what they are selling so I'd recommend you thoroughly interrogate them to your satisfaction ;-)
Yes, the 20X90's were advertised as triplets originally for quite some time, but later they dropped the "triplet" description. I bought a pair from Andrews and found out later they weren't triplets! I could have had my money refunded, but in the end, they worked really well, so I didn't want to send them back. Compared with Celestron 25X100 Skymasters, the 20X90's were sharper, and less colour problems, although not quite as bright an image of course. That's why I kept them.
They are heavy though and definitely need a good mount. Triplets should be better though, assuming good design and materials.
