Quote:
Originally Posted by dannat
i would think either a 8x42-10x50 will be a better option
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I agree 100%. I would have chosen from either 8 x 42, 10 x 42 or 10x 50. With my preference being towards 10 x 50's. I believe recommending 7 x 50 binoculars to beginners as astronomy binoculars is 30 years out of date. I just don't see a place for astronomy binoculars having an exit pupil over 6mm these days. 10 x 50's have better contrast and better resolution than 7 x 50's, notwithstanding they have a slightly smaller field of view. Beginner, or expert, if you can't put targets in the FOV of a pair of 10 x 50's, which will generally have a FOV of over 5 degrees, you may as well stay indoors. I have an exceptional quality pair of Steiner 7 x 50 Admiral Golds that I haven't used for Astronomy in well over 15 years, preferring to use the more powerful and smaller exit pupil 10 x 42's, 10 x 50's and 16 x 60's, which I own. The Steiner's despite costing $1,000 plus nearly 20 years ago have in fact been relegated to the centre console of the boat. They are a marine binocular and well suited to this purpose.
With a $225 budget, I would have been jumping all over these for about $207 shipped.
http://www.ryda.com.au/Pentax-10-x-5...rs-p/65808.htm
These are a quantum leap up quality wise from the Pentax XCF's and some of the other cheaper options mentioned. Besides owning the previous series Pentax 16 x 60 PCF WP, I have also owned the 8 x 40 Pentax PCF WP and the 10 x 50 Pentax PCF V, which preceeded the WP series. The Pentax PCF WP series and the WP II series are a clear step ahead of the majority of the cheap and middle grade Chinese and Taiwanese binoculars, notwithstanding they are both made in China. The PCF V's I owned were made in Japan then production moved to China with the new series but to be honest I couldn't see any change in terms of optical or mechanical quality. Pentax specifications and quality control to the Chinese manufacturer must be pretty good. These have a lifetime warranty.
Cheers,
John B
