Hi
I thank you for the last few buying advices, but I actually bought the Zhumell 25x100 binos 5 days ago, as reported here the same day. I received them yesterday and of course I very pleased they were delivered so fast, considering they have been shipped from US.
By luck, yesterday I received a Manfrotto tripod I bought 2nd hand four days ago on eBay, from a Brisbane guy, so not that far from Toowoomba. This tripod was exactly as described, that is mint as a new one.
So, last night I finally used them for my very first star gazing, with something way more powerful than my old Tasco 10x50 binos.
Here my impressions from this first experience with them.
I used them in my backyard which is exposed to some light pollution, even if Toowoomba (QLD), where I live, is way smaller, than all other Australian cities. Moreover, it is located at ~800 mt above sea level.
Last week I searched, for a suitable dark sky location, in a few Km range around Toowoomba and I think I individuated a few. However, I have yet been there at night time to test them.
As far as I can tell, the binos collimation is fine, the exit pupil distance makes it comfortable using them and everything is in focus from edge to edge. If there is color aberration, or other lens defects, I didn't see any. However maybe because I'm color blind and my lack of optics technical knowledge may not allowed me from recognizing any, in case they were there. The only problems I found are: it is not straightforward to focus targets (both terrestrial and astronomic uses) and the mount adapter even when strongly screwed in, doesn't completely block the binos to the tripod mount and even left right inclination on its own central support (that is the aluminum bar that run in the middle between eye pieces and lens.
I firstly pointed the binos to the Orion Nebulae and sadly felt some disappointment.
I was expecting to see the nebuale more close than what I was observing. The binos could resolve the 3 main stars inside it and displayed some cloudish, but not dramatically more than I was already observing with my 10x50binos.
Of course this has nothing to do with the binos quality, but my inexperience with anything bigger than my old binos. So I'm not winging about it.
I know, several of you, unfortunately after I ordered the binos, highlighted that with the same amount I may have bought a decent second hand dobs for sale here in the IceSpace marketplace. But I don't regret my decision. I'm attracted by the lack of maintenance and easy to grab and use giant binos own. Moreover I have 2 teenager girls, who aren't attracted from too technical equipment in general.
I looked around in Orion for other nebulae, as I understand there several and one in particular (can't remind its name right now), featuring a horsehead like shape, not that far South East from the Orion one, but couldn't find it. Not sure if this has to do to with this binos magnification up limit and or my inexperience or whatever else.
Then I pointed it to the Crux and here I was amazed from the density of stars around there. Although currently I have no idea what exactly I was admiring, I can tell having observed several star clusters (at least I believe they were star clusters based on the pictures I saw from many sources). Happy again, from there I start to randomly navigate around the Milky way and I believe I also saw a few Nebulae, although again I have no idea what they could be. Moreover, I liked the feeling of being up there this binos have given me.
At this point however, I sadly started to realize this tripod was not suitable at all for astronomical use. It is surely perfect for terrestrial observation, but definitely it is not suited for observing targets above say 30 or more degrees above the horizon. Above this threshold, it becomes very uncomfortable and shaky. It is rated to support up to 5 Kg (the head actually 4), which clearly is not enough for the binos 4.7 Kg.
Moreover trying to use it while seating makes it even more difficult to enjoy the show. At least this is true for me and I believe I will find the same problems with any tripods. They just aren't intrinsically tailored for being used by a comfortable seating. I decided my only alternative is going on with the projected ergonomic revolutionary seat design...
In conclusion, I learned that even a 25x100 binos is not not that powerful as one may expect, based on the many reviews available online and not limited to this specific binos brand.
However, I'm happy with my Zhumell giant binos, because once I realized what to actually expect from it, it delivers.
Moreover, I was quite worried about problems, that could arise due the risk of receiving a binos affected by manufacturing defects and or to the shipping from US to Australia. However, maybe I have been just lucky, but it doesn't show any problems at all (so far
) .
As far as I can tell, the lens quality is very good and considering they cost me 320 AUDs including shipping (they are 229 USDs without it), I'm satisfied with this buying.
I Hope this report may be helpful to other beginners as my self. If I will find others facts about it, I will updated this thread in the future. I was wandering if I should have post this report in the Equipment reviews, but it due to my lack of optics technical knowledge, this not be the case.
Finally, English is not my first language (I'm Italian) and I hope my writing is clear enough for you.
Cheers,
Giorgio
