Quote:

---

Hello friends of Cloudynights:

I want a 15x70 binocular, so I would like to know the real differences beetween Orion Resolux and Celestron Skymaster models, besides the strong differences in cost.
Is really Orion Resolux much better than Skymaster?
Thanks in advance. Mariano

---

Post Extras:

Quote:

---

The Ultra/Signature/Resolux binos are VERY solidly built....like a tank, as they say. You will certainly need a tripod (or monopod) for these, they are far too heavy to hand-hold for more than a couple of seconds.

Clear skies,

Jim

---

Actually, the 15x70's can be hand held for much LONGER periods then a few seconds. Mounting them will no doubt reduce the "wigglies", but it depends on how steady your hands can hold them. I prefer to hand hold 15x70's and mount my 25x100's. On occaision, I hand hold my 25x100's by grabbing the right barrel with my left hand and let the left bino-barrel rest on my left arm.

Ok, back to the original topic at hand, I would get the Orion Resolux instead of the Skymasters.

--------------------
Markus


10" F/4.7 Modified Skywatcher Reflector, 38mm Orion Q70, 22mm Vixen LVW, 14mm Denkmeier, 10mm Pentax XW, 7mm Pentax XW, 5mm Vixen LVW, 2" GSO 2x ED Barlow, 2" DGM O-III, Custom Laminated Star Charts, Uranometria 2000 Custom made maps with custom made rotating map holder, Astro Cards, Seen All Messier, Hundreds of NGC, Working on Herschel 400, Star hopper for over 30 yrs.

Post Extras:

Quote:

---

Yea, the Skymasters are no bad "joke". This is all that some ppl can afford. If you get to try a few pairs out at a store, you can usually get to a good pair that u can use.

---

Post Extras:

Quote:

---

... Garrett and Oberwerk also carry similar 15X70s to the Celestron Skymasters.

---

Post Extras:

Quote:

---

Are there any other models equivalent to the regular Garrett and Oberwerk?

Also, where does the $230 FMC Orion GiantView 15x70 fit in?

---

Ed,

Other models equivalent to Go and Oberwerk in looks and dimensions, but not necessarily in quality, would probably come from companies such as Barska, Celestron, Meade, Zhumell, etc.

Orion's pricing does seem to be alittle confusing when comparing certain models to the GO and Oberwerk.

The Orion 15x70mm GiantView bino is not listed as waterproof in their spec sheet. However, it does have Individual Focusing. Just the same, it is difficult to know where they are coming from, as their 15x70mm GV does not seem to offer anything that would justify their pricing.
Even the warrany isn't very attractive.

--------------------
Nikon7x35GoldSentinel 9.3*(2)+Pentax8x40PCFWPII+MinoxBD10x44BP+FujinonFMTRSX7x50
Nikon10x50GoldSentinel+Pentax12x50 5.5*Japan+Pentax12x50PCFWPII+Vixen8x56Geoma
Fujinon12x60HB+Pentax16x60PCFWP+Pentax20x60PCFWP+Pentax20x60PCFWPII
Tento20x60USSR+Orion12x63MiniGiant+Spectrum I 20x65+Orion15x70LittleGiant II
Orion20x70LittleGiant II+Orion16x80Giant+Orion30x80MEGAView+Barska30x80X-Trail
BurgessOptical20x90SeriesII

Post Extras:

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Are there any other models equivalent to the regular Garrett and Oberwerk?

Also, where does the $230 FMC Orion GiantView 15x70 fit in?

---

Ed,

Other models equivalent to Go and Oberwerk in looks and dimensions, but not necessarily in quality, would probably come from companies such as Barska, Celestron, Meade, Zhumell, etc.

Orion's pricing does seem to be alittle confusing when comparing certain models to the GO and Oberwerk.

The Orion 15x70mm GiantView bino is not listed as waterproof in their spec sheet. However, it does have Individual Focusing. Just the same, it is difficult to know where they are coming from, as their 15x70mm GV does not seem to offer anything that would justify their pricing.
Even the warrany isn't very attractive.

---

The other larger Orion GiantView binoculars are the same as the Oberwerk 20x80 Deluxe II and the Obie 25x100 IF. That's the same as the GO Gemini 20x80 and Gemini 25x100. The two Oberwerk models, the Oberwerk 20x80 Deluxe II and the Obie 25x100 IF, are built on the exact same body line as the smaller Oberwerk Mariners. (The smaller GO Gemini binoculars are not members of this same family). The Orion GiantView 15x70 looks exactly like another size that would fit in the Mariner line, only larger than those Oberwerk picked to feature as Mariner's and smaller than the 20x80 Deluxe IIs. But the prism housing is identical.

edz

--------------------
Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21

Post Extras:

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Are there any other models equivalent to the regular Garrett and Oberwerk?

Also, where does the $230 FMC Orion GiantView 15x70 fit in?

---

Ed,

Other models equivalent to Go and Oberwerk in looks and dimensions, but not necessarily in quality, would probably come from companies such as Barska, Celestron, Meade, Zhumell, etc.

Orion's pricing does seem to be alittle confusing when comparing certain models to the GO and Oberwerk.

The Orion 15x70mm GiantView bino is not listed as waterproof in their spec sheet. However, it does have Individual Focusing. Just the same, it is difficult to know where they are coming from, as their 15x70mm GV does not seem to offer anything that would justify their pricing.
Even the warrany isn't very attractive.

---

The other larger Orion GiantView binoculars are the same as the Oberwerk 20x80 Deluxe II and the Obie 25x100 IF. That's the same as the GO Gemini 20x80 and Gemini 25x100. The two Oberwerk models, the Oberwerk 20x80 Deluxe II and the Obie 25x100 IF, are built on the exact same body line as the smaller Oberwerk Mariners. (The smaller GO Gemini binoculars are not members of this same family). The Orion GiantView 15x70 looks exactly like another size that would fit in the Mariner line, only larger than those Oberwerk picked to feature as Mariner's and smaller than the 20x80 Deluxe IIs. But the prism housing is identical.

edz

---

Thank you Hal and EdZ. So it seems that there may be at least four -- and possibly five (maybe even six?) -- levels:

1. the Best
2. GO Signature, Oberwerk Ultra, Orion Resolux
3. Orion GiantView, Oberwerk Mariner -- different sizes
4. GO Gemini, Oberwerk "regular" (fully multicoated)
5. Celestron Skymaster et al. (only multicoated)
6. the Worst (not even multicoated)

Mariano, if for some reason your only choice is between Orion Resolux and Celestron Skymaster, then if you can afford the Resolux buy it. However, the Garrett Signature and Oberwerk Ultra are known to be the same level of quality of the Orion Resolux. But note also that there are some models between the Skymaster level and the Resolux level, in case your budget can't quite reach the Resolux level.

--------------------
Ed Cannon - Austin, Texas, USA

Bushnell H2O 8x42, Celestron Skymaster 12x60

Post Extras:

Quote:

---

I have had 2 pairs of the Celestron 15 x 70 & had some great views with them.I recently received the Orion Resulox 15 X 70 and can say, the optics are alot better.I highly recommend them.Veiwing Comet Holmes there were more faint stars surrounding the comet then in the Celestrons, due to the bigger prisms.

---

Quote:

---

The Celestrons are a great bargain but so are the Orions.Zummel has the exact same binoculars for $49.00 on some website's.

---

Post Extras: