unistar81
member
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 27
|
|
Hello guys,
I am looking to buy a nice set of binoculars for distance vieweing observing and also for astronomical observing. I nailed it down to this 3 choices:
1. Kowa Highlander Flourite 32x82
2. Miyauchi 26x100 "Galaxy" Bj-iCE APO Binocular
3. Garrett Optical 20x110 HD-WP and 28x110 HD-WP Signature Series Binoculars
I read that Kowa's are realy good binos but they are 82mm does that mean that the image wont be as bright in them as it will be on the Garrett 110mm?
Can anybody help me make a choice with which to go?
I think that to me resolution and detail is more important then colour accuracy...
Thank you!
Oleg
|
camvan
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/02/05
Posts: 2086
Loc: British Columbia
|
|
for the money you're ready to invest, have you thought about a binoscope? the 110's will definitely let more 'light' in, but optics that are higher quality but smaller can beat more aperture due to coatings letting a higher % of light through. I would expect the Apo and FL model's to work better and in day time viewing, the Apo will be very handy due to better color correction (less flare, halo etc).
I'm envious 
--------------------
Cameron
"Aperture can only be replaced by even more aperture. Dark transparent skies cannot be replaced by anything else." - Stathis Kafalis
|
Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2554
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
|
|
Oleg,
Welcome to the CN Binoculars Forum.
You are in an enviable position of been able to make your selection from among the top 80-110mm binoculars made today. However, it's not that easy to make a recommendation. You are asking us to help you select binoculars priced from under $600 USD to over $4500, of vastly different configuration and design objective.
1. The $600 GO 28X110 will offer you the biggest aperature for your money but have straight thru, fixed power EPs. WaterProof.
2. The $3,500 Miyauchi more comfortable 45 deg interchangable EPs, semi-APO 100 mm objectives. Resonable price for a pair of optional higher power EPs. Not waterproof.
3. The most epxensive $4,550 Kowa Highlander FL has the best quality optics. 45 deg EPs. Is waterproof and very expensive optional EPs!
Really depends why you want a pair of giant binos and how do you plan to use them.
If you plan to use your binos for long range terrertrial views and some astromony, and can live with 28X Straight thru EPs you may be very happy with a pair of GO 28X110s.
If you want the Leica/Swarovski of giant binoculars you should go for the 82mm Kowa Highlander FL. The only thing better will be a pair of 88mm Highlander Ultras. ...You can still order the GO 110 because they cost less than the price of a pair of optional EPs for the Kowa.  )
Don't forget to look up the thread asking for advice between the 82mm Kowa FL and the 100mm Miyauchi Saturn III. Saturn IIIs can be fitted with 150X EPs.
Budget another ~$750 for the Manfrotto 516 fluid head and a 028 Triman/3246 tripod. You'll need the 516 fluid head($525)for any of the 13-16 lb binos you select. You'll need the extra tall 3246 tripod for the extra long GO 110 binocular.
Erik D
|
unistar81
member
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 27
|
|
where can I see some info on the binoscope ?
THANKS!
|
camvan
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/02/05
Posts: 2086
Loc: British Columbia
|
|
look at www.bigbinoculars.com and www.garrettoptical.com
at Garett, you should see a binoscope listing, which shows you Zach's 80 and 100mm model's (these take your standard 1.25" EP's) and at bigbino's, look at the 'expensive' stuff
how much are you willing to spend on this? having a price and knowing how much play you have with it will help us give you some pointers to consider
--------------------
Cameron
"Aperture can only be replaced by even more aperture. Dark transparent skies cannot be replaced by anything else." - Stathis Kafalis
|
Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2554
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
|
|
http://www.bigbinoculars.com/100bt45.htm
Erik D
|
unistar81
member
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 27
|
|
Thanks, yeah those look huge! =) I want a set that I can use from inside of my house at times. Well to me quality is more of a consern then the price (to an extent of course). The Kowas are the most I can probably afford to pay for. Was just concerned that the lenses are 82mm and the Miyauchi are 100mm and somewhat cheaper with the apo lens...
|
unistar81
member
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 27
|
|
BTW I do own a Steiner 7x50 Commander V HD optics
http://www.steiner-binoculars.com/binoculars/marine/392.html
and the Fujinon Techno-Stabi 14x40
http://www.fujinonbinocular.com/cgi-bin/prod/list?p=71
|
Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2554
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
|
|
Oleg,
Do you or your friend have a collection of Astronomy Magazine going back to May 2003? If so, you can look up a comparison of the Kowa 82mm FL, Miyauchi 100mm APO and a Oberwerk 25/40X100 by Phil Harrington.
http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?id=398&c=i
The Kowa FL was ranked slightly ahead of the Miyauchi 1/2 APO. The Kowa Higlander is made by joining a pair of Very High qualtiy Flourite Spottiing scopes. It will have less false color in day time viewing, and focus closer than the Miyauchi 100mm. The Oberwerk was a "best buy". You can expect better performance from the newer Oberwerk BT 100 45 if you use high quality 1.25 inch telescope EPs.
Erik D
|
unistar81
member
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 27
|
|
Nope can't get that magazine, but you basically summarized it. Thanks! 
|
Mike Rapchak
sage
Reged: 11/17/06
Posts: 450
Loc: Indiana, USA
|
|
Hello, Oleg!
I am going to throw in my vote with the others who recommened the Oberwerk/Garrett BT/GT100 binoscope. From all that I've read and heard, these are wonderful instruments - especially for the price.
http://www.bigbinoculars.com/100bt45.htm
Mike Rapchak Jr.
|
KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10146
Loc: Lancashire UK
|
|
Oleg ,
Welcome to the forum !
I'm not going to even try to sway your thoughts either way from the three models on your shortlist , but one thing about your STATED INTENDED USAGE acted as a kind of catalyst to mention something I've been thinking about for a while .
I hope that yourself and any other reader will forgive me for diversifying from the original , central query .
You probably won't " know me from Adam " , so let me explain that although I've spent an outlandish amount of time over the past five years or so reading and writing to astronomy related forums , around 90% of my time spent looking through binoculars and spotting scopes is NOT carried out during the sunset hours .
I've been fascinated by LONG RANGE TERRESTRIAL VIEWING through binoculars and scopes for well over 40 years now .
I currently use a Zeiss 85mm diascope with a 20 - 60x zoom lens and a variety of good to excellent quality binoculars ranging from 7x to 15x in magnification , ALL preferably tripod MOUNTED .
Having binoculars mounted not only provides rock steady views , which increase and improve what I can SEE compared with hand - holding binoculars , but probably even MORE importantly , it completely FREES UP my hands and arms with which to do whatever I please , which certainly includes keeping arms vertical , a position in which they tend NOT to tire or ache , making notes , keeping hands in warm pockets on very cold days and holding maps to consult whilst viewing .
All this may seem like a wander too far from the question I'm supposed to be answering , but the point is this :
Until relatively recently , I've always thought that the MAIN reason I prefer looking through binoculars to looking through scopes was because , as my long standing signature line has proclaimed , I simply prefer to use BOTH EYES when viewing .
And I still do !
BUT -- what I'm finally beginning to realise , is that for MOST of MY type of terrestrial viewing , any TRUE field of view of less than around 5 degrees ALWAYS leaves something to be desired .
Another thing I've realised is that on more than half of the HUNDREDS of occasions on which I've looked through binoculars and / or scopes in the daytime , heat haze or mirage caused by evapouration have rendered magnifications of above around 15x all but self - defeating .
Until recently , I've been unable to compare views through my Diascope at FIXED magnifications , with views through the zoom lens , and perhaps the biggest surprise of my conclusions after doing so is that I must have become so used to using the ZOOM feature that I've found all the fixed eyepieces I've tried so INFLEXIBLE by comparison as to be almost " boring " .
When I get frustrated by the either the lack of field of view or excessive " mirage effect " when looking through , for example a 10mm e.p yielding 50x magnification , I'm finding it equally frustrating , burdensome and fiddly , having to start unscrewing eyepiece adaptor retainers , carefully put the e.p away in it's container , open up another , screw in the adaptor , screw the retaining collar into the e.p holder , then re - focus .
Even when I AM using the zoom lens in VERY GOOD , CLEAR seeing conditions , I've found that I probably spend around 75% of that time with the zoom set at it's MINIMUM magnification , approximately half again of which I find myself WISHING the zoom would REDUCE to a magnification of around 10x and ENLARGE the FIELD OF VIEW accordingly , up to at least 5 degrees .
Now for night time star gazing ( I always feel rather guilty using the word ASTRONOMY ! ), I'm increasingly finding myself questioning why anyone would wish to spend
sums in excess of $5000 US for views limited to magnifications below what I can use in my 85mm scope .
I actually ENJOY sitting or lying on my back , casually taking in RELAXING views of our galaxy through lower magnification binoculars , but when I look at what can be seen at 60x magnification through my scope , it's a wholly different scenario to ME .
All that does is make me want to see what I can see at 100x , 150x , 200x , 250x and above .
Given my preference for using TWO EYES , and my ( admittedly limited ) knowledge of traditional binoculars and how they work , if it were ME with several thousand dollars to spend on TWO EYED ASTRONOMY instruments , I am currently of the opinion that my money would be better spent on a DEDICATED astronomy telescope and the highest quality BINOVIEWER and HIGHER POWER eyepieces I could afford . ?
Irridational , or irrational ?
Clear skies ,
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
|
edwincjones
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 4423
|
|
look also at the size and weight of each binocular AND mount, which is more portable, easly broken down for moving and more suitable for your use
for value and aperature, clearly the GO wins
for quality of optics the Kowa is better than the Miyauchi, both are better than the GO
the miyauchi with extra eps and mount will be $4k, the Kowa with both extra eps $5-6k
you do not say anything about your level of experience with binoculars and astronomy. if you are fairly new at this game, I would suggest the GO as a start, then moveup at some point to the more expensive binoculars depending on your interest i started with 10x70s, loved them, went up to the 20/26/37x100 miyauchis, loved them, and finally got the 25x150 fujis; but I am the exception-most would rather go to a large telescope
edj
--------------------
n w arkansas
Binocular, Solar, General Amateur Astronomy
|
CESDewar
GorillAstronomer
Reged: 01/16/05
Posts: 1811
Loc: Morganton, GA, USA
|
|
Quote:
Budget another ~$750 for the Manfrotto 516 fluid head and a 028 Triman/3246 tripod. You'll need the 516 fluid head($525)for any of the 13-16 lb binos you select.
I've been observing now for over a year with my Saturn III's on a 503 head/475 tripod, and the 503 head easily handles the 13 lb S3's. I can move from horizontal to the Zenith without any slippage of any kind, so I'm not sure you have to spring for the 516's at the 13lb range (which is where the Miyauchi and Kowas fall, and they are significantly shorter than the S3's). The Garrett's are 16lbs, so heavier, but it would not be a stability issue per se as the magnification is not that high - the question is whether the spring is strong enough to counterbalance the heavier weight, and that would likely be an issue. The 475 tripod itself is rated up to 26.5 lbs., and the 503 head is typically rated a bit over 13lbs, but pushed to the limit, it is still completely stable - so I only think you'd need to consider the 516 for the Garrett's. Another issue with the Garrett's is the straight-through viewing - it would need a tripod that was quite a bit taller to handle viewing near the Zenith.
Personally, I find 45° so compelling that I would only consider the Garrett's on a P-mount as craning one's neck to look near the Zenith gets old rather fast (a chair that leans all the way back under a p-mount goes a long way towards minimizing that problem).
Between the Kowa's and the Miyauchi's, it makes a big difference if extra EP's are needed as the Kowa EP's run $1,000 for a pair, vs. less than $300/pair for the Miyauchi's.
So the Garrett's will have the edge in light-gathering power, but lose in quality of optics, higher weight, no optional EP's and straight-through viewing.
The Miyauchi's have the edge in having optional 37x EP's at a low price and ability to include a good finder-scope (which is quite useful when you get up to 25x and above), but only offer magnifications of 26x and 37x.
Then the Kowa's have the edge in having the best optical quality, but least light-gathering power, and have EP's at 21x 32x and 50x, but at a very high price.
Of course, there is a huge variation here in price. Buy a Kowa and the two pairs of optional EP's and you are at $6,500 - some ten times the Garrett's. Are they ten times better? Obviously not.
You say that "resolution and Detail" are most important to you, but how about cost?
If price is not really an object here, I might well opt for the Kowa's. They will provide the sharpest view and have the magnfication edge with 50x. The excellent contrast will mitigate the issue of light loss to some extent, and the higher magnfication will allow one to see fainter stars as well.
But if you are seriously considering a pair of binoculars that is one tenth the price, unless price is really not an issue, you have to agree that the Garrett's are the best "value" here with your options.
And then it's worth considering that for the price of the Kowa's, you can get the Miyauchi's, the extra pair of EP's and the Garett's as well  - on that basis, the Kowa's definitely have more competition as you would have the Garrett's for astronomical observing and be able to benefit from the greater light grasp.
And if the idea of having different magnifications is appealing, consider that both Kowa and Miyauchi have proprietary EP's which limits choices and makes them expensive. A binocular such as the Oberwerk BT-100-45 is a lot heavier than the Kowa/Miyauchi (actually twice the weight), but takes standard 1.25" EP's and thus opens up a really wide range of choices. But hefting 26 lbs vs. 13 lbs. would be enough to dissuade me from that.
If I had to choose, and price is not a non-issue? I would pick the Miyauchi's with the optional 37x EP's largely because my experience with the Saturn III's has been so positive, and because I would be hard-pressed to justify the extra cost of the Kowa's. And if the difference could be spent, I'd spent it on a pair of 15x50 Image stabilized Canon binos, for wider-field, handheld astronomical viewing.
I often say this: the question is not whether it's worth spending $X more on one piece of equipment over another - the question is: is this the best way to spend an extra $X? The Kowa's are a thousand dollars more than the Miyauchi's (more if you add optional EP's) - are there better ways of spending that $1,000 than purchasing a pair of binoculars that are optically better, but whose optical edge is probably overcome anyway by the larger aperture.
Edz has often commented on this forum that even a pretty mediocre pair of 25x100mm Binoculars will provide more detailed views and more "ooomph" than quality 20x80's and ultra-premium 15x50's.
Ooops, time to stop ramblin'...... 
--------------------
|
edwincjones
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 4423
|
|
DESDewar,
Have you had the chance to compare your Saturn IIIs to the Miyauchi 26x100? I wonder how much difference.
edj
--------------------
n w arkansas
Binocular, Solar, General Amateur Astronomy
|
Silvio
super member
Reged: 04/26/03
Posts: 166
Loc: Gilbert, Arizona.
|
|
Oleg, allow me to share the thought process that I went through to arrive at my recent decision to purchase the Kowa 32x82 Highlander.
I am the owner of an 80mm Binocular Telescope (BT) which gives adequate performance but the image quality does not match what I get from my 6" Takahashi APO nor what I get from my Canon 12x36 IS nor from my TMB 115 APO. Image quality is paramount to me, and since my primary targets would be Sun Moon, planets and double stars I decided to go for an instrument with the best quality possible.
I once owned the Miyauchi 100mm but I sold them because I had them mounted on a HEAVY mount & tripod. I never used them much because of the bulk of the entire set-up, but I did learn a valuable lesson from this - compactness and ease of set-up was important to me.
I also recently owned the 22x60 Takahashi binoculars - these provided the best binocular images that I have ever seen but the straight-through viewing configuration made viewing literally a pain in the neck. For me, it really detracted from the viewing experience. So I need a 45 degree viewing angle. I sold the Takahashi.
The Saturn III was a serious contender, but I eventually discounted that as on option for two reasons - it is an achromat susceptible to colour fringing at high powers, and it a very bulky instrument (not heavy, but bulky). I also wanted something with better perfomance at high power on Moon, planets, double stars & the Sun. Had my targets been deep sky where false colour is not an issue and where light grasp is important, then I may well have bought them.
I use a binoviewer on my 6" Takahashi - wonderful views, but there are a few issues with this set-up. Firstly, the set-up time is more than I like, and the minimum magnification that I can get just over 100x. I could go lower by removing the OCS but the drop in the focal ratio from f/22 to f/8 produces a significant decrease in image quality.
So where did that leave me? Right to the Kowa's! All the reviews I've read of them and all the correspondence I've had with owners of them say the same thing - there is just not a better quality binocular on the market with the attributes of top notch quality, compactness and 45 degree viewing angle. There are two downsides to them - firstly they are EXPENSIVE. But I have never regretted spending top dollar on anything both in my hobby and outside my hobby - it hurts only once, when I write the check, but for evermore after that the pleasure is very high! The other downside is the cost of extra eyepieces but I'm working on this!! Kowa told me that users have found a way to use standard eyepieces and I'm contacting a previous owner who has modified a pair of Nagler 4.8mm eyepieces to yield around 90x that he says delivers great views.
I hope that I have not rambled on too much..........
Silvio.
--------------------
TMB 115 LW Refractor
APM 80/480 CNC Refractor
8" F7 Reflector
Kowa 32x82 Highlander Fluorite Binoculars
Canon 18x50 IS Binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS Binoculars
Tasco 7x35 Widefield Binoculars
|
unistar81
member
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 27
|
|
Thank you Silvie that was a great post with lots of good info! I also never regreted spending top dollar on a quality equipment. I would like to know as soon as you find out how to get the Nagler eyepices on the Kowas. I am wondering why are Kowa's eye pieces so expensive (well as opposed to quality I am thinking they are also charing mostly for the brand name?) I've seen their tripod for Kowas which is aroung $1000 as well. Which tripod and head do you use on your Kowas?
Oleg
|
unistar81
member
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 27
|
|
Thanks!
|
unistar81
member
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 27
|
|
Quote:
look also at the size and weight of each binocular AND mount, which is more portable, easly broken down for moving and more suitable for your use
for value and aperature, clearly the GO wins
for quality of optics the Kowa is better than the Miyauchi, both are better than the GO
the miyauchi with extra eps and mount will be $4k, the Kowa with both extra eps $5-6k
you do not say anything about your level of experience with binoculars and astronomy. if you are fairly new at this game, I would suggest the GO as a start, then moveup at some point to the more expensive binoculars depending on your interest i started with 10x70s, loved them, went up to the 20/26/37x100 miyauchis, loved them, and finally got the 25x150 fujis; but I am the exception-most would rather go to a large telescope
edj
Thanks!
|
unistar81
member
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 27
|
|
Quote:
Edz has often commented on this forum that even a pretty mediocre pair of 25x100mm Binoculars will provide more detailed views and more "ooomph" than quality 20x80's and ultra-premium 15x50's.
CESDewar thanks for the post!
So the GO's 110mm will give more detail then the Kowas' 82mm? I've heard that 80mm quality optics can outperform the 100mm cheaper quality optics..... (therefore placeing the Kowas' in front) confused...
|
Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2554
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
|
|
Oleg,
I know of 3-4 members of CN who own the Kowa 82 mm FL. All of them are using the the Bogen 516 fluid head with 16.5 lb counter balance spring. Here is a review:
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1120
Milt Wilcox is a regular member of CN, so is Rich N. You could send them PMs if you have more questions.
As CES mentioned, you could probably use the less expensive, more compact 503 fluid head. There is a bit of confusion about the wt rating of the 503 head. Bogen Imagining web site lists it as 13.2 lbs. Manfrotto web site show 8 kg/17.6 lbs. The 503 head is very similar to the less expensive 501 head but has 2.5 kg counter balance spring. I think you will do fine with the Kowa and 503 head. I HIGHLY recommend getting the optional 2nd pan handle and at least one addtional Quick Release Dovetail Plate. 503 Fluid Head
I have a copy of Astromy magazine May 2003 I can fax you a copy of the article if you like.
The GO Signature Series is probably the best among the Chinese giant binoculars today. Optical quality is superior to mid priced Japanese 100mm binos costing $1k a few years ago. If I didn't have two 100mm binos already I would not hesitate to buy the GO 28X110 today. The key consideration is how comfortable are you observing objects near zenith. I am fine up to with straight EPs up to 75-80 deg up, don't spend a lot of time viewing objects above that. However, there is no question 45 deg EPs are more comfortable.
I thought about the BT 100 45 deg for quite a while. Never did go ahead with the purchase because of the bulk and 26 lb+ wt. I have a 6 inch APO with 29 lb OTA. Used it about 3 times last year. I can go out the door with a pair of 13 lb bino in one hand, my bogen 3246 tripod and 516 head in the other. Slide my bino with QR plate on the mount and I am observing under 60 sec. Can't do that with a BT 100.
I went thru the same analysis as CESD. For me it's not just an issue of $$$$s. It's what's best for MY viewing preference. I can afford $13K for the Miyauchii BR 141 but I would like to reach higher than 45 X..... I like the Kowa FL but would want more than 82mm objectives and 50X for my $6K. I don't want to deal with 40 lb+ OTA of the Fuji 150mm and be limited to 25X so I wont get one even if it's 1/2 the price of the BR-141. Your wants & needs will be different.
The Kowa is a better choice if you want to use it 50% of the time as a spotting scope. Nearly no false color at all and useable near focus. The 100mm and bigger Miyauchis are optimized or astronomy with infinity focus. The Saturn IIIs will show false color in day time viewing but not an issue unless you are looking at Sirrius or Vega. Close focus is over 100 yards. Purple fringing is obvious in the day time at 54X. However, it has a big advantage in price. You can get the Miyauchi S3 with optional 54X EP for under $3K. I would NOT advise getting the Miyauchi S3 if you intend on doing a lot of day time viewing.
Erik D
|
Mark9473
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/21/05
Posts: 2699
Loc: 51°N 4°E
|
|
Quote:
Quote:
Edz has often commented on this forum that even a pretty mediocre pair of 25x100mm Binoculars will provide more detailed views and more "ooomph" than quality 20x80's and ultra-premium 15x50's.
CESDewar thanks for the post!
So the GO's 110mm will give more detail then the Kowas' 82mm? I've heard that 80mm quality optics can outperform the 100mm cheaper quality optics..... (therefore placeing the Kowas' in front) confused...
There's a difference between showing more stars, which I think the 110 mm will likely do, and showing more detail i.e. better resolution, which I think the Kowa will do best - it's got optical quality and higher magnification on its side.
--------------------
Mark
Leica 8x20; Vixen 8x42; Swift 8.5x44, 10x50 and 20x80; TS 7x50; Orion 15x63
WO Megrez II 80 FD + Baader 90° T2 Amici
|
EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12581
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
|
|
Quote:
There's a difference between showing more stars, which I think the 110 mm will likely do, and showing more detail i.e. better resolution, which I think the Kowa will do best - it's got optical quality and higher magnification on its side.
Well, I agree a little bit. BUT
a 110mm binocular has 80% greater light gathering power than a 82mm binocular. And the signature series is no slouch as far as quality goes, contrast is right up there. That much greater LG power is so much more brute force and coupled with a fairly high quality, when it comes to faint extended objects the 110s could make childs play out of an 82mm.
edz
--------------------
Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
|
Silvio
super member
Reged: 04/26/03
Posts: 166
Loc: Gilbert, Arizona.
|
|
Oleg,
I use a Quickset Hercules tripod ($2,000 new; $600 used) and a Giro 2 mount. Very easy to set up and wonderfully smooth even with the 35 pound weight of my 6" TAK/Binoviewer combo and 20 pounds of counterweights. This is overkill for my binoculars and for the TMB 115, but it is a 'one thing for everything' set up.
I used to have a Takahashi EM200 mount, but that was expensive, heavy and cumbersome; also, it occasionally required maintenance, and that was also expensive. I'm an addicted alt/az guy, even at 180x !!!
Best regards,
Silvio.
--------------------
TMB 115 LW Refractor
APM 80/480 CNC Refractor
8" F7 Reflector
Kowa 32x82 Highlander Fluorite Binoculars
Canon 18x50 IS Binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS Binoculars
Tasco 7x35 Widefield Binoculars
|
Silvio
super member
Reged: 04/26/03
Posts: 166
Loc: Gilbert, Arizona.
|
|
Oleg,
I use a Quickset Hercules tripod ($2,000 new; $600 used) and a Giro 2 mount. Very easy to set up and wonderfully smooth even with the 35 pound weight of my 6" TAK/Binoviewer combo and 20 pounds of counterweights. This is overkill for my binoculars and for the TMB 115, but it is a 'one thing for everything' set up.
I used to have a Takahashi EM200 mount, but that was expensive, heavy and cumbersome; also, it occasionally required maintenance, and that was also expensive. I'm an addicted alt/az guy, even at 180x !!!
Best regards,
Silvio.
--------------------
TMB 115 LW Refractor
APM 80/480 CNC Refractor
8" F7 Reflector
Kowa 32x82 Highlander Fluorite Binoculars
Canon 18x50 IS Binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS Binoculars
Tasco 7x35 Widefield Binoculars
|
Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2554
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
|
|
Quote:
Oleg,
I use a Quickset Hercules tripod ($2,000 new; $600 used) and a Giro 2 mount. Very easy to set up and wonderfully smooth even with the 35 pound weight of my 6" TAK/.
..... I'm an addicted alt/az guy, even at 180x !!!
Best regards,
Silvio.
Me too. I used my Giro 2 DX/QuickSet Hercules and 6inch F8 APO with 8-24mm TV zoom and 2X barlow. That's 100-300X and I can track the planests easily. Often times seeing the the limitation not the mount.
I prefer to use a lighter 9.5 lb Bogen 3246 tripod instead of the 23 lb Hercules tripod with binoculars up to 13 lbs though. I have a 2nd Herculse tripod waiting for a BT 120mm 45 deg and my retirement. ;-))
Erik D
|
Mark9473
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/21/05
Posts: 2699
Loc: 51°N 4°E
|
|
EdZ, I thought that's what I was saying, i.e. the 110 mm will go deeper. But don't you think the Kowa will show slightly higher resolution?
--------------------
Mark
Leica 8x20; Vixen 8x42; Swift 8.5x44, 10x50 and 20x80; TS 7x50; Orion 15x63
WO Megrez II 80 FD + Baader 90° T2 Amici
|
|
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
[Re: 