CN FORUMS ARCHIVE Telescope Reviews: Small Binoculars

Small Binoculars Light Transmission
as measured by Limiting Magnitude

Limiting magnitude of faintest stars seen are listed under the columns titled nelm. Not all binoculars were tested each night, so in some cases space is filed with xxx. Top of column over Limiting Magnitude readings gives the naked eye limiting magnitude (nelm) for those nights. nelm of 5.2 and 5.4 are estimates. Actual measured aperture is listed and rank showing illumination of the exit pupil is listed, 5 being best, as both these have some impact on total light transmission and the ability to see magnitude limits.

It's worth noting here that it took considerable effort to see these faintest stars. For instance, in a group of binoculars where the faintest star seen on any night is mag 9.1 or 9.2, the faint stars easily seen are only mag 8.8 or 8.9, several tenths brighter than the ultimate faintest seen. Stars at mag 8.8 would be seen in the first 10-15 seconds, mag 8.9 with little effort. But it would take several minutes to confirm a sighting of a mag 9.1 or mag 9.2 star.

act * illum *nelm *nelm * nelm * nelm *
Aper * ep * 4.9 * 5.0-2 * 5.2 * 5.2-5 **
50 ** 5 ** xxx ** xxx ** 10.1 * 10.3 * Nikon SE 12x50
49 ** 3 ** 9.8 ** 9.9 ** xxx ** 10.3 * Nikon Action Extreme 12x50
69 ** 4 ** 9.8 ** xxx ** 10.0 * xxx ** Fujinon FMT-SX 10x70
53 ** 2 ** xxx ** 9.5 ** 9.6 ** 10.1 * Oberwerk Mariner 10x60
50 ** 4 ** 10.0 * 9.8 ** xxx ** 10.3 * Fujinon FMT-SX 10x50
49 ** 2 ** 9.6 ** 9.6 ** 9.9 ** xxx ** Leupold W R Mesa 10x50
48 ** 3 ** xxx ** 9.6 ** xxx ** 10.0 * Nikon Action Extreme 10x50
49 ** 3 ** xxx ** 9.6 ** 9.6 ** 9.8 ** Pentax PCF WP 10x50
49 ** 3 ** xxx ** 9.5 ** 9.4 ** 9.8 ** Orion Ultraview 10x50
46 ** 2 ** xxx ** 9.4 ** 9.5 ** 9.9 ** Oberwerk 10x50
45 ** 3 ** 9.5 ** 9.6 ** 9.8 ** 9.5 ** Garrett Genesis 10x50
41 ** 2 ** xxx ** xxx ** 9.5 ** 9.6 ** Nikon Monarch ATB10x42 Roof
41 ** 1 ** 9.3 ** xxx ** 9.5 ** xxx ** Pentax DCFHRII 10x42 Roof
42 ** 4 ** 9.4 ** xxx ** 9.6 ** xxx ** Bushnell Legend 8x42 Roof
42 ** 4 ** 9.1 ** xxx ** 9.1 ** xxx ** Garrett DCF 8x42 ApoRoof
37 ** 1 ** 8.9 ** xxx ** 9.1 ** xxx ** Oberwerk 8x42 Roof
49 ** 1 ** xxx ** 9.4 ** 9.6 ** xxx ** Oberwerk 8x56
40 ** 5 ** 9.2 ** 9.1 ** 9.4 ** xxx ** Fujinon BFL 8x42
41 ** 1 ** 9.1 ** 9.1 ** xxx ** xxx ** Swift Ultralite 8x42
40 ** 1 ** xxx ** 9.1 ** xxx ** 9.6 ** Pentax PCF WP II 8x40
39 ** 2 ** 9.2 ** xxx ** 9.4 ** xxx ** Garrett Classic 8x45
38 ** 5 ** 9.3 ** xxx ** 9.4 ** xxx ** Nikon Action Extreme 8x40
38 ** 4 ** 9.1 ** 9.1 ** xxx ** 9.1 ** Nikon Action VII 8x40
32 ** 3 ** 9.1 ** 9.1 ** xxx ** 9.1 ** Oberwerk Mariner 8x40
32 ** 4 ** xxx ** 9.1 ** xxx ** 9.1 ** Nikon SE 8x32
44 ** 3 ** xxx ** 9.2 ** xxx ** 9.6 ** Oberwerk Mariner 7x50
50 ** 5 ** 9.1 ** 9.1 ** xxx ** xxx ** Captain's Storm King 7x50
50 ** 3 ** 9.2 ** 9.2 ** xxx ** xxx ** William Optic 7x50 ED
49 ** 4 ** 9.2 ** 9.1 ** xxx ** xxx ** Captain's Helmsman 7x50

Edited by EdZ (12/02/07 05:07 PM)

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