BillP
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/06
Posts: 9093
Loc: Vienna, VA
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FYI...was in Sharper Image store at mall recently and saw this item on display. For only $49 it is quite incredible. Can focus as close as 18 inches for incredible close ups. Comes with a belt looped carry case. Forward ring operates the close-focus mechanism. Rear collar is the conventional focus knob. Eye cap has a twist-up adjustment for eye placement needs. AFOV seems very nicely wide and reminds me of my Hyperions. Unit also has tripod mount. Daylight views are very bright (more than I expected from a 32mm objective) and sharp across the FOV with no pincushion/barrel distortions evident. Under the stars about central 2/3 was nice and sharp. Poked around Orion with it a little and found it more convenienct than using my 10x40s for orienting for telescope and locating things outside naked eye reach. I was considering the Pentax Papilio 6x21s but this unit was a lot of fun and less than 1/2 the price and more light gathering...plus I'm in monocular mode always with the scope so just felt more natural staying in monocular mode. Onlt drawback is no end caps provided...but does have the belt-case.
http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/product/sku__CN307
-Bill
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Bill
The KING: Any Eyepiece in the Focuser
The SUBJECTS: XT10i Dob---Meade 2080 SCT---TSA-102 S APO---Onyx 80EDF APO---SkyLight 60mm F15m---P.S.T.
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe. - Carl Sagan
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ronharper
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/14/06
Posts: 2065
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Bill,
Thanks for that very useful review. This interesting little monocular clearly competes in bino territory, and is hardly appropriate for the refractors forum. The lack of responses so far reflects our extreme bias towards the double-barreled binocular. Weird, since most of us have telescopes too. Now, if you were to compare it to a 7x32 bino, and the bino walked all over it, that would be a different matter, we'd love that!
Ron
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Tony Flanders
Postmaster
Reged: 05/18/06
Posts: 8212
Loc: Cambridge, MA, USA
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Quote:
The lack of responses so far reflects our extreme bias towards the double-barreled binocular.
Not me! My 8x32 monocular is by far my favorite piece of ultralight astronomy gear. Not only is it much smaller and lighter than 32-mm binoculars, but the convenience of having only one adjustment (focus) rather than three (focus both eyes, adjust interpupillary distance) makes it much more convenient for quick looks.
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Tony Flanders
First and foremost observing love: naked eye.
Second, binoculars.
Last but not least, telescopes.
And I sometimes dabble with cameras.
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BillP
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/06
Posts: 9093
Loc: Vienna, VA
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Ron...Tony....
Finally....the silence is broken. 
I was wondering whether to post this under here or Equipment. Kind of figured bino preferences were scoffing at the thought of a monocular and just staying silent to be polite.
I must say though, it is very hard not to have too much fun with this thing....ending up taking a close up look at every and anything. Pleasantly pleased that it worked so well under the stars also. Fun unit...feels like build quality is good and nothing flimsy about it...and great price! Some night I'll do a drift test on it to determine exactly what the AFOV is, but is very very generous.
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Bill
The KING: Any Eyepiece in the Focuser
The SUBJECTS: XT10i Dob---Meade 2080 SCT---TSA-102 S APO---Onyx 80EDF APO---SkyLight 60mm F15m---P.S.T.
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe. - Carl Sagan
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tonyd
super member
Reged: 05/12/04
Posts: 104
Loc: Springfield, OR
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Hmm...very interesting. I've often thought of something like this, could carry hiking or canoeing when you aren't in a 'carry the binoculars' mood. I alway look at the one in Orion's catalog (an 8X32), but it's $139.
The Sharper image site says it has 395' at 1000 yards FOV. What's that come out to in degrees?
You say they work good in the daytime, and not too bad at night, this could be hard to resist 
Did you try them in low light, like dusk?
Thanks
Tony
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Rebuilt 12.5" Truss tube dob -
- balanced for Denk binos
10" F5.6 dob on wheels
6" F5 - alt/az mounted
WO 66-SD refractor
11 X 56 Oberwerk binocs
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BillP
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/06
Posts: 9093
Loc: Vienna, VA
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OK...My Bad! Amazing how 1st impressions can be way off. Drift tested it today and it specs out at 7.3 deg TFOV. Held it up to one eye and my Tak LE up to the other and AFOVs were equal @ 52 deg. Given both of those the magnification would come out to 7.1x
Basically, looking at Orion, if you placed Bellatrix at one end of the FOV then the central star of the Belt would just make it in the opposite end of the FOV. And again, about 2/3 of the AFOV nicely sharp.
In its close focus mode, if you put the top left corner of a dollar bill at the left center edge of the FOV, then the entire letter "F" of FEDERALRESERVE at the top would also make it into the FOV...so about 1.75" fills the FOV.
Fun unit...great stocking stuffer or gift.
Have not tried it at dusk.
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Bill
The KING: Any Eyepiece in the Focuser
The SUBJECTS: XT10i Dob---Meade 2080 SCT---TSA-102 S APO---Onyx 80EDF APO---SkyLight 60mm F15m---P.S.T.
If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe. - Carl Sagan
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DJB
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/23/05
Posts: 1742
Loc: Lisle NY
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Hi Tony,
As per your question, 395'/1000 yds. equates to 7.544*.
Best regards,
Dave.
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lynntx
sage
Reged: 03/25/04
Posts: 301
Loc: Texas, USA
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I believe Jason Bourne carries one of these!
;>)
Lynn
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Texas, USA
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Orion ST80
127mm F8 Burgess Refractor
8" F6 Dob
8X21, 8X30, 8X42, 7X50, 10X50, 15X70 Binoculars
(Psalm 19:1)
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ragebot
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/26/05
Posts: 1852
Loc: Tallahassee, FL, USA
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They are $US139 shipped from Adorama for the 8X21s and can focus at 18 inches, and provide nice views for night time stuff, as well as being good for birding. And they are small enough to fit in the shirt pocket of my BDUs. IMHO there is a real benefit from using a binocular instead of a monocular.
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Meade ETX 90, Meade AR5, Orion ED80, Atlas GT, 8 in Newt, Coronado DS SM40, Garrett 10.5X70, Sigma SD10, SD14, Canon 1D2, Xti, Nikon CP4500, C-14
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Joe Ogiba
Postmaster
Reged: 02/14/02
Posts: 5446
Loc: NJ USA
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Quote:
IMHO there is a real benefit from using a binocular instead of a monocular.
I agree, I just love the ultra close binocular views with my 6.5x21 Pentax Papilio's and they fit in my vest pocket.
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Pentax PF-80ED,Meade 102ED APO,Orion EON 72,120ST
Apex 127,C6 XLT,CR150,C9.25,XT10 ,Celestron Regal 100 F-ED, CT152
Zeiss 7x42 FL,Canon 10x42L IS WP,15x50 IS
12x36 IS II , Pentax 8x32 ED
Garrett Optical 28x110 HD-WP Signature Series
Oberwerk BT-80 45, Apogee RA-88-SA
Denk II Power x Switch binoviewer w/13mm Ethos, 20mm Pentax XW's, 20mm Widescan III's.
21mm Ethos,17mm Ethos, 22mm Nagler, 40mm Pentax XW, 14mm Pentax XL, 5.2mm Pentax XL, 8-24mm Pentax XL Zoom, 31mm Axiom LX
Member #17
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 18806
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Quote:
just love the ultra close binocular views with my 6.5x21 Pentax Papilio's
When the 6.5x21 Pentax Papilio is used in ultra-close focus it is actually operating at 8x21.
Same thing is happening with any monocular and in fact any binocular. It only operates at the specified magnification at one specific distance. As you turn focus to extreme close focus, it operates at a higher magnification.
My 6x18 Audubon monocular operates over a range of approximately 5.75x21 to 6.5x21.
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
Edited by EdZ (11/29/07 08:17 AM)
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Joe Ogiba
Postmaster
Reged: 02/14/02
Posts: 5446
Loc: NJ USA
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Quote:
My 6x18 Audubon monocular operates over a range of approximately 5.75x21 to 6.5x21.
How does it go from 18mm to 21mm ? 
oopps
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Pentax PF-80ED,Meade 102ED APO,Orion EON 72,120ST
Apex 127,C6 XLT,CR150,C9.25,XT10 ,Celestron Regal 100 F-ED, CT152
Zeiss 7x42 FL,Canon 10x42L IS WP,15x50 IS
12x36 IS II , Pentax 8x32 ED
Garrett Optical 28x110 HD-WP Signature Series
Oberwerk BT-80 45, Apogee RA-88-SA
Denk II Power x Switch binoviewer w/13mm Ethos, 20mm Pentax XW's, 20mm Widescan III's.
21mm Ethos,17mm Ethos, 22mm Nagler, 40mm Pentax XW, 14mm Pentax XL, 5.2mm Pentax XL, 8-24mm Pentax XL Zoom, 31mm Axiom LX
Member #17
Edited by EdZ (11/29/07 09:46 AM)
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 18806
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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oopps
cunfusion between monocular and Papilio
should read 5.75x18 to 6.5x18.
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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alins
member
Reged: 02/23/08
Posts: 59
Loc: Seattle, WA
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This monocular appears to be the same as the Carson X-View XV-732 (looks are identical, specs are almost the same).
The Sharper image one claims to use BAK-7 roof prism, with a field of view of 395 feet at 1,000 yards, and weight of 7.5 oz. The Carson specs claim BAK-4 prism, 381 feet at 1,000 yards and weight of 8 oz. Perhaps the Carson is a more up to date version of the one sold by Sharper Image?
BTW the Sharper Image price is down to $39.95.
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Roadbike
super member
Reged: 12/02/06
Posts: 174
Loc: Virginia, USA
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Interesting review, thanks for posting it. 
Here's a website devoted to of all things...monocular collecting. I've actually owned a couple of the 1960's models over the years.
http://www.monocular.info/
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CESDewar
GorillAstronomer
Reged: 01/16/05
Posts: 2085
Loc: Blue Ridge, GA, USA
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What's the eye relief look like on this monocular? I have an older Celestron 8x21 monocular which is ok except the ER is awfully tight and you have to jam your eye into it to see the whole FOV. I did see the similar Carson's have an ER of 15mm (which would be quite reasonable).
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Edited by CESDewar (03/04/08 01:36 AM)
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