Dubboy
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/05/05
Posts: 2398
Loc: Western Kentucky
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Hi All,
Just got in from a 10 minute session with my new OB 20x80 LW's.
The bino's have been sitting by the back door since Dec.29th waiting for something resembling a clear sky. 
Even though the full moon was overwhelming and the thin clouds were drifting about, I did get a good look at the Orion Nebula, the Pleaides, the beehive cluster, and Saturn.
WOW!!! 
I do not have my homemade mount completed yet so I slumped in a lawn chair and rested my elbows on the arms of the chair. This seemed to steady the images somewhat but not as much as I'd like. I'd say that the 20x80 LightWeights are handholdable only for a quick glimpse but certainly not for any serious observing. It was a real treat observing the Orion nebula with two eyes. Very comfortable. (Of course you guys and gals already know this, but I'm new to bino viewing)
I was also impressed with the striking orangish color of Betelgeuse and bluish Rigel.
The Pleaides and Beehive clusters were indeed made for bino viewing!
Saturn showed the elongation of the rings easily but I'm anxious to check it out once the 20x80's are mounted.
Looks like were going to get some more nasty weather in the next few days  so I'll have plenty of time to work on a mount.
Thanks to you all for your expertise, reviews, and ideas. 
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Don
"Don't worry about what telescope you own, or its quality. Just get out under the night sky and enjoy God's wondrous universe" Thomas Back.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Congratulations! I feel that your new bins will serve you well. Just wait until you have it mounted...it gets better!
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Glassthrower
Vendor - Galactic Stone & Ironworks
Reged: 04/07/05
Posts: 17931
Loc: Oort Cloud 9
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Don -
Take your sense of excitement and multiply by 100. That will be the end result when you get those big boys on a steady mount. The mounted view is soooo much better.
Two ideas :
If you have a deck rail or something similar nearby, put a towel down on the rail and set the binoculars on the towel. Now pull a chair up behind the binocular eyepieces and look through. By fiddling with the towel, you can adjust the angle of the binos. Just be careful not to let them slide off the towel and onto the deck below! This will give a steady view, but the observing angles are limited.
Or, lean up against the side of your house and brace your shoulder on it. Make sure to hold the objective end of the binos, this will increase the stability a bit.
May your skies be dark and clear....
MikeG
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Michael Gilmer - Member of the Meteoritical Society & Collector of Falling Stars.
☄ ⒼⒶⓁⒶⒸⓉⒾⒸ ⓈⓉⓄⓃⒺ ☞ www.galactic-stone.com
Edited by Glassthrower (01/13/06 10:25 AM)
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johnno
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 807
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Hi Don,
As NW,and MIKE,say the views through these,when Mounted,Will be a TOTALLY different experience,to Handheld,
Hope you complete you mount soon.
Regards.
John
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Dubboy
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/05/05
Posts: 2398
Loc: Western Kentucky
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The Obies went for another test drive tonight. Skies are clear but wind is blowing at about 30mph  (can't hardly have everything here in Northern MI.)
I finished the parallel mount and tripod tonight and wanted to give it a try. EXCELLENT!!
Now I'm anxious to try them with no wind interference. Something above 20 degrees F would be nice also
Thanks for your tips.
--------------------
Don
"Don't worry about what telescope you own, or its quality. Just get out under the night sky and enjoy God's wondrous universe" Thomas Back.
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