Just two quick Bino questions

[Esseth (Alan)]

I’ve just got a quick question/s.

First I’m new the this whole scene so I was looking to get some cheap beginner binos. I was looking at AOE as they had some nice 10x50s and 12x60s (both having FMC and BAK4 prisms) that I was going to get, however they have not gotten back to me in over a week so I called Andrews and the guy recommended their 8x60s over the 12x60s so that’s the first question, what would the difference between the two be and what is preferable.

Second most of the cheaper binos (that they still have in stock) at Andrews are only multi coated, is there a noticeable difference between FMC and MC for someone in my position?

Cheers

[rmcpb (Rob)]

For years I used an old set of Tasco 7x50s before getting my first scope. They were great, I enjoyed Jupiter and its moons, lots of clusters and, of course the moon. They were well and truely hand holdable which is worth considering.

I now use a pair of 9x60s which are great so I would say the 8x60s would be a fantastic introduction to astronomy and if you decide you don't want to continue you have some very usable binos for terrestrial use.

[dannat (Daniel)]

I personally think 12x is too much to hand hold - 10x really is the limit.

I really prefer FMC - the MC ones tend to have a little reflection/light bouncing on bright targets which is reduced with FMC.

8x60 - how much do they weigh -1kg is about the most you can hold for long periods. Also note the exit pupil will be 7.5 - if you are over 50 it is possible your exit pupil only open to 5 or 6mm so some of the aperture will be wasted.
IF you want to see the most 10x would make a small difference over 8x. Do you live in the city or country ie whats light pollution like.
Strange that AOE didn't get back to you - usually give good service - did you try calling them..they inspect their binos whereas andrews don't i believe - which is important when buying the cheaper models

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

Hi Esseth,

As the people at Andrews would have mentioned, the higher the magnification, the narrower the field of view. Also, unless you have some way of holding the binos really steady, the shake in the binos will make them near impossible to use. There is also the issue that the higher the magnification, the dimmer the image will be. Binoculars are really two 'rich field telescopes' side-by-side. With a 50 or 60mm objective, I would keep the magnification down. If you then go for 'astro' binoculars, say 80 or 100mm, increased magnification of 16 or 20 is necessary because of principles of optics, & you will also be using a tripod to hold them. But you then have a large piece of glass to gather light.

FMC & MC I don't think will make a great deal of difference. These coatings are designed to reduce internal reflections within the glass elements of the optics, thus reducing 'ghost' images. Unless you mistakenly look at a flood light at night, I doubt you will really notice any difference. If you have the dollars, well, up to you.

Here is one thing that blew me away with binos, even a 30mm finder. Last month I took my viewing to a dark site. I have two finders fixed to my big dob, a 6X30 & a converted 7X50 monocular (was a set of binos, a cheap set from Andrews). From this site, 2hrs from Sydney, I was still able to view galaxies, like M83 & Centuraus A, through the 6X30 finder! They obviously presented no challenge to the 7X50.

From my home in Sydney, I NEED 50mm binos to find anything in the sky first. It is the only way I can see enough stars to star hop.

Should you get your mits on a 8X60 pair & mount it onto a tripod, you really have a wonderful setup to view the heavens. You will also very quickly learn to find your way around the sky.

[Esseth (Alan)]

Thanks for all the quick responses guys, now I am leaning towards the 8x60s.

Dannat - I checked them out and they only weigh approx 1kg, and I’m only 25 so the exit pupil will be fine. However with AOE they don't list a contact phone number I'd gladdly go with them if they got back to me.

Mental - if do live in the city (however its only Brisbane I used to live in Melbourne 3.8million vs. 1.9million) and the light pollution can be bad or very bad if there is an event on, however on a normal night while I can't see anything on the horizon a can see alright the further up I go, I was surprised how bright Jupiter was/is atm even in the city.

But i plan on taking weekends away far more often to use them, and we live on the 3rd floor with a balcony, so when I get a tripod for it I will be setting it up outside with a chair and away I go