Jim7728
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 4009
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
|
|
Well, how bad can they be?
Meade 10x50 binocular
Unless the objectives are made of plastic.
And they're also including a pair of 8x22's
Might be worth having these "throw aways", just to keep in the car.
--------------------
Jim
TV-76 -40mmHa/5mm BF
Vixen NA-140
|
KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10146
Loc: Lancashire UK
|
|
Jim ,
Just be aware that the eye relief is only stated as 11mm !
Regards , Kenny
--------------------
If everyone is thinking the same thing , no-one is thinking - General George S.Patton
Zeiss 7 x 42 BGAT
Captain's Helmsman 7 x 50
Nikon 10 x 42 Superior E
Swift Audubon Kestrel 10 x 50
Helios 15 x 70 Observation
Strathspey 20 x 90
Televue 76 APO
Zeiss 85 Diascope
Helios 102 f5 refractor
Various eyepieces barlows tripods mounts etc.
Panasonic Lumix DMC - TZ5 digital camera
|
Jim7728
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 4009
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
|
|
Yeah, definitily not for using with eyeglasses.
Here's the mini review.
Meade 10x50
They seem okay for the money. 
--------------------
Jim
TV-76 -40mmHa/5mm BF
Vixen NA-140
|
KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10146
Loc: Lancashire UK
|
|
Jim ,
If they're as good as the 10x Bressers I got for £9.99 from Lidl last winter ( see my CN mini - review ) they'll be MORE than worth it , --
-- if you don't need to wear glasses , of course !
The Bressers actually have adequate , LONG eye relief , and TWIST - UP eyecups ( which is more than I got with the £500 Nikon SEs ! )
Regards , Kenny
--------------------
If everyone is thinking the same thing , no-one is thinking - General George S.Patton
Zeiss 7 x 42 BGAT
Captain's Helmsman 7 x 50
Nikon 10 x 42 Superior E
Swift Audubon Kestrel 10 x 50
Helios 15 x 70 Observation
Strathspey 20 x 90
Televue 76 APO
Zeiss 85 Diascope
Helios 102 f5 refractor
Various eyepieces barlows tripods mounts etc.
Panasonic Lumix DMC - TZ5 digital camera
|
Glassthrower
Vendor - Galactic Stone & Ironworks
Reged: 04/07/05
Posts: 14686
Loc: Hurricane Alley
|
|
This is a prime example of what we have discussed in several prior threads : about importer/vendors choosing the level of quality they want in a particular binocular. This Meade chassis looks similar to many other imported 10x50 binos. Some have Bak4 prisms and multicoating, or in this case we have BK7 prisms and single coated MgFl lenses. This is an example of an entry from the bottom rung of binocular ladder. Perhaps a good, low-cost introduction to binocular observing, but certainly not a serious stargazing instrument when compared to similar models which sport better specifications at a higher price tag.
Clear dark skies...
MikeG
--------------------
Michael Gilmer - Member of the Meteoritical Society & Collector of Falling Stars.
Galactic Stone & Ironworks - Buy/Sell/Trade Meteorites, Moon Rocks, Mars Rocks, & 35 different falls and types!
|
KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10146
Loc: Lancashire UK
|
|
Mike ,
In THEORY , I cannot disagree with what you have just written above .
BUT ( and I re - checked this only LAST NIGHT ) the cheap , single coated , Bresser 10x 40 which I got for a tenner , REALLY DOES , for reasons I can neither fully understand , let alone explain , show SHARPER stars , throughout a WIDER area than my Swift Kestrel 10 x 50 !
Perhaps MY Swift Kestrel is just a VERY bad specimen , but I can tell you , I DO also have Nikon , Swarovski and Zeiss binoculars at my disposal , AND the Captain's Helmsman , so I have good idea what QUALITY is SUPPOSED to " look like " !
My 20 year son literally CANNOT appreciate ANY difference between the Bresser and the Nikon SE when looking at STARS !
For DAYTIME use , it's an ENTIRELY different story !
Kenny
--------------------
If everyone is thinking the same thing , no-one is thinking - General George S.Patton
Zeiss 7 x 42 BGAT
Captain's Helmsman 7 x 50
Nikon 10 x 42 Superior E
Swift Audubon Kestrel 10 x 50
Helios 15 x 70 Observation
Strathspey 20 x 90
Televue 76 APO
Zeiss 85 Diascope
Helios 102 f5 refractor
Various eyepieces barlows tripods mounts etc.
Panasonic Lumix DMC - TZ5 digital camera
|
richtea
sage
Reged: 02/01/05
Posts: 208
Loc: UK Yorkshire
|
|
Hi Mike
I can confirm Kenny's comments regarding the Bresser 10 x 50 (40 ish really)
I also have the Meade variant which appears to have the same coatings and design but has rubber eyecups rather than "twist ups"
Both these bins are bak 4 prisms
I am always baffled when i use either of these two binoculars as the coating and price would suggest "bargain bin foggy's" but in reality they are anything but
Basically very sharp not bad contrast 6.5 degree fov (good for 10 x ) and an absoloute bargain for a beginner
I have found these are way beyond the £15 "roofs" or should that be "roughs" which are often found lurking behind bubble wrap or sensational looking packaging with extravagant claims
They do of course suffer from some light reflections and are not precision build quality but the commercials of such a price v performance defy logics to my thinking
Regards
Richt
--------------------
Carl Zeiss MC Jenoptem 10 x 50
Nikon SE 10 x 42
Nikon E11 8 x 30 + 10 x 35
Bresser/Meade x2 10 x 50(40)
Pentax Papilo 6.5 x 21
Minolta Activa WP FP 8 x 40
Praktica WA Lanthanum x2 8 x 25
Swift Audubon 804 FMC 8.5 x 44
Fujinon CD Phase Coated Roof 7 x 42
Opticron Minerva Porro 9 x 35
Opticron Vega 11 WA Porro 12 x 50
|
NewAstronomer
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/03/04
Posts: 2690
Loc: Scranton, PA U.S.A
|
|
Thanks for posting this! Its exactly what I was looking for. I currently use 15x70 SkyMasters to help locate objects, or "quick peeks". But boy they become heavy to hand hold after 9 nano-seconds. I needed a 10x50, cheap, and have been searching outlets for awhile.
$20 includes shipping CONUS! I just picked some up with spare PayPal money I had. Thank you!
(FYI, I know these aren't $2000 binoculars, I use binoculars to help find DSO's or star hop or quick peeks, no need for a serious pair in my case, if their coating is as good as the $70 SkyMasters, or half as good, I'll be happy).
--------------------
Chris
AT66ED f/6
C80ED f/7.5
10" GSO Dob f/5
SVP w/ autoguide mod
Oly E-500 DSLR, DSI-P, DSI-C, NexImage
|
kwalker
sage
Reged: 08/22/06
Posts: 293
Loc: Oklahoma City, OK
|
|
I ordered a pair. I was needing something rather cheap just to look around with my Zhumell.
--------------------
Keith
Zhumell 10" dobsonian with $12 "Push-To"
4mm & 9mm BO/TMB Planetary, 13mm Stratus, 17mm Stratus, 32mm Widefield
Orion shorty plus 2x barlow
Catseye Xl Triple Pro Pack
Glatter Laser
Celestron 15x70
|
Glassthrower
Vendor - Galactic Stone & Ironworks
Reged: 04/07/05
Posts: 14686
Loc: Hurricane Alley
|
|
Yeah, shoot, for $20.00 one can't go wrong.
And if nothing else, if it falls out of collimation, take it apart at the hinge, add crosshairs, and you have two 10x50 correct image finder scopes!
Clear dark skies...
MikeG
--------------------
Michael Gilmer - Member of the Meteoritical Society & Collector of Falling Stars.
Galactic Stone & Ironworks - Buy/Sell/Trade Meteorites, Moon Rocks, Mars Rocks, & 35 different falls and types!
|
mooreorless
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/05/05
Posts: 1543
Loc: Cornpropst Mills,Huntingdon,Pa
|
|
Quote:
Thanks for posting this! Its exactly what I was looking for. I currently use 15x70 SkyMasters to help locate objects, or "quick peeks". But boy they become heavy to hand hold after 9 nano-seconds. I needed a 10x50, cheap, and have been searching outlets for awhile.
$20 includes shipping CONUS! I just picked some up with spare PayPal money I had. Thank you!
(FYI, I know these aren't $2000 binoculars, I use binoculars to help find DSO's or star hop or quick peeks, no need for a serious pair in my case, if their coating is as good as the $70 SkyMasters, or half as good, I'll be happy).
Hi Chris,I don't know about anybody else,but I don't want to take my Nikon 10x42SE out when I have my telescope and have it knocked around,I use a Nikon 7x35 Action for this.So this Meade 10x50 should work ok just to star hop etc.
Steve
--------------------
Regards,Steve M
"the eights are better" Jim Carmichel of Outdoor Life magazine
|
kwalker
sage
Reged: 08/22/06
Posts: 293
Loc: Oklahoma City, OK
|
|
Quote:
And if nothing else, if it falls out of collimation, take it apart at the hinge, add crosshairs, and you have two 10x50 correct image finder scopes!
Yeah, I didnt think about that!
--------------------
Keith
Zhumell 10" dobsonian with $12 "Push-To"
4mm & 9mm BO/TMB Planetary, 13mm Stratus, 17mm Stratus, 32mm Widefield
Orion shorty plus 2x barlow
Catseye Xl Triple Pro Pack
Glatter Laser
Celestron 15x70
|
kwalker
sage
Reged: 08/22/06
Posts: 293
Loc: Oklahoma City, OK
|
|
I just recieved these today in perfect collimation. Im really suprised how nice these are at $19.99. The small pair thrown in is also nice.
--------------------
Keith
Zhumell 10" dobsonian with $12 "Push-To"
4mm & 9mm BO/TMB Planetary, 13mm Stratus, 17mm Stratus, 32mm Widefield
Orion shorty plus 2x barlow
Catseye Xl Triple Pro Pack
Glatter Laser
Celestron 15x70
Edited by kwalker (10/04/06 03:40 PM)
|
Jim7728
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/10/05
Posts: 4009
Loc: Stoop Landing Observatory, NYC
|
|
Cool!
They don't seem to be listed anymore at the E-Bay site. Either someone bought the remaining lot or Meade made an error of the number available, which was about 40 something.
--------------------
Jim
TV-76 -40mmHa/5mm BF
Vixen NA-140
|
Glassthrower
Vendor - Galactic Stone & Ironworks
Reged: 04/07/05
Posts: 14686
Loc: Hurricane Alley
|
|
Quote:
I just recieved these today in perfect collimation. Im really suprised how nice these are at $19.99. The small pair throwm in is also nice.
Cool deal. At that price with free shipping, you really can't go wrong if they arrive in good condition - which they did.
Clear dark skies...
MikeG
--------------------
Michael Gilmer - Member of the Meteoritical Society & Collector of Falling Stars.
Galactic Stone & Ironworks - Buy/Sell/Trade Meteorites, Moon Rocks, Mars Rocks, & 35 different falls and types!
|
solshaker
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/06/06
Posts: 1305
|
|
Quote:
Cool!
They don't seem to be listed anymore at the E-Bay site. Either someone bought the remaining lot or Meade made an error of the number available, which was about 40 something.
yep. been out for a few days now. i was going to order some to replace the 9.99 cheapos i bought from walgreens, but i guess i missed out. 
--------------------
My Gallery
|
E.B.
member
Reged: 06/26/06
Posts: 30
|
|
They were out when I checked a couple of days ago, but I noticed that their ebay store had others of different power and aperture listed.
|
upsguy
Uff da
Reged: 10/01/05
Posts: 3104
Loc: schaumburg, il.
|
|
Quote:
I just recieved these today in perfect collimation. Im really suprised how nice these are at $19.99. The small pair thrown in is also nice.
just don't drop them, if you do,then you'll see why their inexpensive.
--------------------
Jim
Meade lx90 8" uhtc
Meade 80mm refractor
Orion 70mm refractor
Barska 15x70
Obies 11x56
Canon 400D
Canon SX100IS
|
starramus
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 1124
|
|
I want to spend just this much time on $19.99 Meade binos.....the end
|
starramus
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 1124
|
|
|
NewAstronomer
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/03/04
Posts: 2690
Loc: Scranton, PA U.S.A
|
|
Well mine arrived, just tried them on the moon (both the 10x50 and the 8x22) , no major problems at all. Odd, was expecting bad color/serious light scatter, but the light scatter (which I really hate) is minimal. Stars are pinpoint (moon is full, some clouds, no peak at M31).
Here are some pics (only complaint, need to hold 10x50 away from eyes a bit more than SkyMasters to keep single image, and they are not as light as I had hoped for, but OK considering):
--------------------
Chris
AT66ED f/6
C80ED f/7.5
10" GSO Dob f/5
SVP w/ autoguide mod
Oly E-500 DSLR, DSI-P, DSI-C, NexImage
|
NewAstronomer
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/03/04
Posts: 2690
Loc: Scranton, PA U.S.A
|
|
More pics:
--------------------
Chris
AT66ED f/6
C80ED f/7.5
10" GSO Dob f/5
SVP w/ autoguide mod
Oly E-500 DSLR, DSI-P, DSI-C, NexImage
|
NewAstronomer
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/03/04
Posts: 2690
Loc: Scranton, PA U.S.A
|
|
Coatings, and down the barrel
--------------------
Chris
AT66ED f/6
C80ED f/7.5
10" GSO Dob f/5
SVP w/ autoguide mod
Oly E-500 DSLR, DSI-P, DSI-C, NexImage
|
NewAstronomer
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/03/04
Posts: 2690
Loc: Scranton, PA U.S.A
|
|
more
--------------------
Chris
AT66ED f/6
C80ED f/7.5
10" GSO Dob f/5
SVP w/ autoguide mod
Oly E-500 DSLR, DSI-P, DSI-C, NexImage
|
NewAstronomer
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/03/04
Posts: 2690
Loc: Scranton, PA U.S.A
|
|
The 8x22's
--------------------
Chris
AT66ED f/6
C80ED f/7.5
10" GSO Dob f/5
SVP w/ autoguide mod
Oly E-500 DSLR, DSI-P, DSI-C, NexImage
|
Mike_I
super member
Reged: 08/03/04
Posts: 125
Loc: Macomb County, Michigan
|
|
Interesting thread. I bought a pair of Bausch and Lomb 10x50 "K-Mart Specials" many years ago. They give surprisingly sharp views for such an inexpensive instrument, I think I shelled out 25 bucks for them.
I took them to a star party 2 years ago and nearly everyone who looked through them commented on how sharp they were. They resided full time behind the seat of the truck for the last 10 years to no ill effects. You never know when you come upon that diamond in the rough.
Back on topic... I purchased a set of Meade Outlet 8x42's for the wife last year. They are the waterproof roof prism design and looks to have decent coatings. Very nice for the price, about 40 bucks or so. They look identical to the Orion Trailhead 8x42's.
edit: I see the 8x42's are back on the outlet page. probably better for birding than for astro use though.
Meade Outlet 8x42
Edited by Mike_I (10/05/06 09:27 PM)
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
[Re: 