Scott Smith
newbie
Reged: 01/09/07
Posts: 1
Loc: I live on the coast of New Eng...
|
|
Hi, this is my first post here, and I was hoping that you guys could help me out in selecting a new pair of binoculars. Currently the only pair I own is a Nikon Ation 10x50. While they were great for starting out, they are not as big as I would like and are not FMC  . I have started looking at bigger binos and have decided that for my needs, 20x80's are the best for me. I was wondering if anyone here could point me in the direction of a good pair. Also, if anyone knows anything about the Zhumell 20x80's I would love to know since they look like a good pair from what I've read.
Thank you
|
Erik D
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 4066
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
|
|
Scott,
A warm welcome to CN.
The 20X80 bino is my favorite giant bino configuration. Big enough to have the light grasp and image scale I want for seeing many DSOs yet with wide enough 3-3.5 deg FOV for me to find my way without a finder.
I suggest you visit www.bigbinoculars.com or www.garettoptical.com and check out their 20X80 offerings. These two importers have a very good track record with quality giant binos at competitive prices.
Your decision is mainly between a 20X80 LW model weighing 3.6 -4.5 lb, (3.2-3.5 deg FOV), OR a 7.8 lb 20X80 Triplet waterproof model with built in tripod a adapter, very good edge sharpness but narrower Field Of View(2.9 deg).
The difference between 3.5 deg FOV and 2.9 deg may seem small at first glance but that's 70 deg APFOV and 58 deg or nearly 45% more coverage in sky AREA. I am willing to accept slightly more edge distortion for the wider APFOV.
My own preference is for a LW 20X80 with wider FOV and pair it with a higher powered 10 lb 25/30X 100 later. Yours may be different.
Post again after you narrow down your selection to 2 or 3 models....
Erik D
|
conus
Post Laureate
Reged: 10/12/03
Posts: 3038
Loc: OC, Calif
|
|
The thing I like about Garett Optical is that every pair of binoculars is checked for miscollimation.
--------------------
Steve R.
Orion XT12
Fujinon 10x42
Oberwerk 12x60
Garrett Optical 15x70
http://www.telescopesinhistory.com
|
later
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/16/05
Posts: 617
Loc: Posen, Michigan
|
|
"The thing I like about Garett Optical is that every pair of binoculars is checked for miscollimation."
I believe that is being done at Oberwerk also, but I could be wrong. Anyone know for sure if Oberwerk does this?
Gary
--------------------
Oberwerk BT100-45
|
charen
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/28/05
Posts: 1446
Loc: New Zealand
|
|
Just to second the 20x80's - my favourite binos as well.
I have 3x 80's - a 11x a 15x and a 20x.
The 20x are my most used followed by the 15x then the 11x.
The 11x tend to have a too narrow A.f.o.v.['Apparent field of view' which is the 'breadth' of the view when seen thru the eyepiece which is F.O.V. x magnification ie. 3.5* x 20 = 70 degrees Afov.]
My 11x give 49.5* Afov, the 15x give 67.5* and my 20x's give 70* - the last 2 been considered a 'wide' A.f.o.v.
The Garrett 20x80 'lightweights' [3.2 F.O.V.] have a 64* degree Afov and weigh just over 4lbs the Triplets [2.8 FOV] have a 58* Afov which is obviously 'narrower' and they weigh 7lbs 8 oz.
80mm size binos esp. the 20xs are allways recommended to be tripod mounted but the 'Lightweights' could be hand held for short periods as some observers do.
You do have to factor in a tripod and suggest reading the CN reviews.
I personally would prefer the LW version as I enjoy a wider Afov.
Try to view as may 80mm binos as possible at night and find the one that suits you the best.
Good luck
--------------------
30 binos.
Celestron C8
Skywatcher Equinox ED120 / Goto HEQ5.
Edited by charen (01/10/07 02:53 AM)
|
DJB
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/23/05
Posts: 1742
Loc: Lisle NY
|
|
Hi Scott,
Welcome agin to you. Yes, as it has been, I am confident that both OB and GO check collimation before shipment to the customer.
I am quite happy with the OB 20x80 triplet, as well as others of their offerings. Also, you will find the prices are quite reasonable, in my opinion. FYI.
Best regards,
Dave.
|
gdakin
member
Reged: 11/14/06
Posts: 66
Loc: Canada
|
|
I too am new around here and posted a similar question that got alot of really good responses that may help.
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/1330002/page/1/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1
--------------------
8" SkyWatcher Dob
Celestron Nexstar 6SE
80mm Skywatcher ST on AZ3 mount
15 x 70 Barska binos
20 x 80 Barska binos
|
John Jarosz
Astro Gearhead
Reged: 04/25/04
Posts: 3026
Loc: Chicago area, IL
|
|
One of my all time favorite views is Orion's sword in the 20x80's.
Even in light polluted skies it's a fine view, a dark site makes it fabulous.
John
--------------------
6" F4.6(w/Paracorr) Reflector , 8" F11 Dall Relay Scope ,
6" F5 RFT Refractor w/Istar Obj , G11 Mount Gemini1 Level 4
|
edcannon
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/19/03
Posts: 693
Loc: Austin, Texas
|
|
Scott, I hope you have seen also the thread "what are the 'best' 20x80 binoculars to purchase?", which is currently active. The thread was started by CamVan.
--------------------
Ed Cannon - Austin, Texas, USA
Bushnell H2O 8x42, Celestron Skymaster 12x60
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
[Re: