Anonymous
Unregistered
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Hi
I have a pair or Wind River 8X42 binoculars. My question is this pair of binoculars useful for Astronomy or should I keep it in the closet for Birdwatching? Would a 10X50 be a huge improvement to what you can see in the sky? Thanks Mike
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Just about ANY binoculars are good for astronomy. The better question is, which binoculars are best for the type of astronomy you want to do for your usual seeing conditions. Most people new to the hobby would like a pair of binoculars that's good all around without it being specifically taylored. For given seeing conditions, the 10x50 would be an improvement over the 8x42 bins in terms of increasing your limiting magnitude via the increased magnification. The FOV would still be relatively wide too. A huge improvement? I'm not sure about "huge", but an improvement, yes.
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 18806
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Quote:
A huge improvement? I'm not sure about "huge", but an improvement, yes.
I agree. It's not huge.
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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KennyJ
The British Flash
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 20139
Loc: Lancashire UK
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For HAND HELD viewing , I actually prefer a 8 x 42 size to a 10 x 50 , as the images are easier to hold steady , the TFOV is USUALLY wider , eye relief often longer ,and the binocular often lighter .
WIND RIVER can mean several things , as there has been more than one model from Leupold given the same name .
According to our absent friend Mike Swaim ( light trap ) the earlier versions were superior , but I'm sure ANY version would be just fine for hand - held astronomy .
Kenny
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Milton Wilcox R.I.P
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Phil Wheeler
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/31/05
Posts: 2018
Loc: 3 miles WNW of Celestron
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Quote:
Hi
I have a pair or Wind River 8X42 binoculars. My question is this pair of binoculars useful for Astronomy or should I keep it in the closet for Birdwatching? Would a 10X50 be a huge improvement to what you can see in the sky? Thanks Mike
Three factors.
1) Binocular quality. Not all 8x42s and 10x50s are the same. An excellent 8x42 may be better than a poor 10x50
2) Magnification: From 8x to 10x is not all that big an increase (25%). You could see a bit more, but handholding would be a tad more difficult
3) Aperture: Area increase is 42% (did I get that right?), so you would definitely capture more light.
If the Wind Rivers are good binos, I would not upgrade .. unless you go to 11x70 or 15x70 (e.g., Oberwerks).
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Phil / W7OX
NexStar 8SE
WO 10th Anniversary ZS-80FD APO, UA Microstar; Manfrotto tripod
Celestron ASGT Eq Mount
Celestron C5+ on original Equatorial Mount
Stellarvue SV50 "Little Rascal" for air travel; UA DwarfStar and small photo tripod
Coronado P.S.T., used on NexStar 8SE mount or Manfrotto 410 geared head
Lunt LS60/B1200/C/PT mounted as above
Binos: Ob 15x70, UA Unimount; Canon 12x36 IS II
Cameras: DMK31; Canon 7D & 60Da; Panasonic FZ200; Celestron NexImage; Vixen Polarie mount
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