messyboy
newbie
Reged: 04/23/09
Posts: 4
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I am considering purchasing one of the two above binos to be used for astronomy almost exclusively. They will be hand held and mounted about 50% of the time each. I am 45 years old and understand the 5 mm exit pupil desirability. I also wear glasses. Which bino would be better for my desires? Does this brand stay in focus when you put your eyes up against the eyepieces? Thanks in advance!
Mike
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pcad
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/05
Posts: 1768
Loc: Connecticut
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Welcome to CN Mike.
The 12x60 was my first big bino and still works great. It's never given me any trouble. They came well collimated and still are after several years. The focuser doesn't creep unlike other less expensive versions.
Having said that, I spent the weekend at NEAF and had time to spend comparing the various Oberwerk binoculars. The 11x56 is also a very nice binocular. It has a slightly greater FOV than the 12x60. It's a little easier to hold since it has marginally less mag. It's also noticably more compact and a bit lighter than the 12x60.
Both would need some sort of mount to get the most out of them, but it wouldn't need to be a big expensive one. For hand held viewing the 11x56 might be a little better than the 12x60. You won't go wrong with either of them, but at the moment I'm inclined to recommend the 11x56's.
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Peter
Telescopes 25 - 318 mm
Binoculars 15 - 88 mm
Microscope 50x - 1000x
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messyboy
newbie
Reged: 04/23/09
Posts: 4
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Thanks for the nice welcome, Peter. Are the Oberwerk's of a better build quality than the Garrett line of bino's? The specs seem about the same.
Mike
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 12910
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Hello Mike and welcome ,
The Oberwerk brand has been established for about twice as long as Garrett .
Both have and continue to offer lines of varying ( and roughly parallel ) quality , so it would be misleading to suggest that any of these brands offers better build quality than the other , and particularly with older models such as the 11 x x 56 and 12 x 60 which you are considering .
Three years ago , Peter ( who posted above )very kindly loaned me his 12 x 60 Oberwerk for several weeks , and I thought it represented good value for money .
For mainly hand held use I would go for the 11 x 56 .
Good luck !
Kenny
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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
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pcad
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/17/05
Posts: 1768
Loc: Connecticut
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My experiences with Oberwerk have all been positive. I have no first hand experience with Garrett. The 11x56's are the same price from either, so are the 12x60's.
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Peter
Telescopes 25 - 318 mm
Binoculars 15 - 88 mm
Microscope 50x - 1000x
Edited by pcad (04/24/09 12:51 PM)
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Man in a Tub
Not Retired!, But a little cranky!!!
Reged: 10/28/08
Posts: 2059
Loc: San Francisco, CA
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In a week, I will have had the Oberwerk 15x60 model for a year. They are doing quite well. They have just a wee bit of focus drift, but not a disastrous amount of drift. I believe that the 9x, 12x and 15x are basically the same binocular (not the 20x60 as far I can see).
Overall this binocular is a good friend. For the price, I am pleased and keep my Oberwerk 15x60 available at all times. I've located many open clusters while sweeping the night sky and, for example, planetary nebula, M27, in Vulpecula was very easy to catch. Considering that I have to deal with light pollution, I found the views of galaxies M81 and M82 in Ursa Major a few nights ago very gratifying.
Welcome to Cloudy Nights!
Clear Skies!
Todd
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Todd
Brunton Eterna 15x51 ° Garrett Optical Signature Series 15x70
Nikon Action EX 12x50 ° Oberwerk 15x60 and 20x80 Standard
Orion Paragon Plus Mount and Paragon XHD Tripod
Garrett Optical Series 2000 Grip-Action Monopod
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Walt9129
member
Reged: 03/10/07
Posts: 37
Loc: Curitiba, Brazil
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Hello and welcome, Mike.
As we share some characteristics (glasses, age) I think the info below may be of some help.
I own three Oberwerks, being one of them the 12x60 model. No complaints about it - a very good equipment. I use it mainly for observing multiple stars, star clusters and of course, the Moon. Also a good instrument for observing the Jupiter moons. In a good phase, it also will show you a very reasonable view of the Saturn rings and also Titan. Do not expect, however, to see surface details, even of the closest planets.
Also of great value will be Phil Harrington's binocular column here in CN.
Hope this helps,
Walt
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Lat 25º 25’ S
Long 49º 16’ W
980m (3215 ft)
-3 UT
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curitiba
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petropolis
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messyboy
newbie
Reged: 04/23/09
Posts: 4
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I just ordered the 11x56's this morning from Opticsplanet.com for $99.95, and I also ordered the Zhumell metal tripod mounting bracket. There is a coupon code- 'bx5sm9t1' that yielded 5% off the entire order. The binos qualified for free shipping. Thanks to all of you for your great advice, I will write an update after first light!!
Mike
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Robert A.
sage
Reged: 01/21/05
Posts: 294
Loc: Milwaukee, WI Northern USA
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Hi Mike,
Those work for me too! I like the star views in them. After you use them a few times, let us know how they fit you.
Rob.
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Oberwerk 11x56, Nikon 12x50se, Fujinon 16x70, William Optics 22x70, Oberwerk 25/40 45degree 100mm
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DJB
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/23/05
Posts: 1590
Loc: Lisle NY
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Hi Mike,
You have made a good choice at a great price. Enjoy.
I have one. They are so lightweight and so easy to handhold. You will get a great deal of pleasure out of this one, I'm sure.
Best regards,
Dave.
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CESDewar
GorillAstronomer
Reged: 01/16/05
Posts: 2069
Loc: Morganton, GA, USA
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Good choice!
These are the most inexpensive binoculars in my collection, and yet they get almost as much use as any of them. They are indeed a superb value. Center sharpness is very good - they are light, show virtually no CA on the Moon and have a nice wide field for starfield gazing. I think you'll be happy for a long time with these!
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messyboy
newbie
Reged: 04/23/09
Posts: 4
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Well, after having to wait 11 days since ordering, the binos arrived yesterday. To my disappointment, the dead center of the right objective lens has a 1/2 inch long smudge/smear/scrape on it. I have authorization from OpticsPlanet.com for an even exchange. So, I guess I will be waiting another couple of weeks before I can look at some stars with a replacement set of binos.
The objective caps did not fit real tight either. Are the equivalent Garrett binos of any better quality?
Mike
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Robert A.
sage
Reged: 01/21/05
Posts: 294
Loc: Milwaukee, WI Northern USA
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Did you try to clean off the smudge to see how much of a scrape was left? If it cleans up, and is collimated, I would be satisfied. You could use a barely moistened soft cloth with Windex or isopropyl alcohol or light solution of dishwashing soap (followed with alcohol). Rub very gentlely. Don't let it bleed onto the mounting rings!
This binoculars does not have a 400 dollar chassis. What I like about it is that the details of the optics are treated right. Sometimes my objective cap is left in the case when I remove it. I don't worry about it.
I like ordering direct from Bigbinoculars.com. Opticsplanet has been good to me for some items. Garrett Optics 11x56's are almost the same thing-- I would not know the difference.. I like Kevin's Bbinoculars store. He pioneered the niche first!
Thinking of better manufacturing? You would get it with a Cannon 12x36IS, Nikon 12x50SE, Steiner 12x56 Night Hunter. The Nikon 12x Action Extreme looks fancier, so it might have more money in the body.
What I like about Oberwerk is that you get a decent binoculars in the size you like without paying the big bucks. If it really excites you, you could eventually get a heirloom quality binoculars!
Let us know how things turn out!
Sincerely,
Rob.
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Oberwerk 11x56, Nikon 12x50se, Fujinon 16x70, William Optics 22x70, Oberwerk 25/40 45degree 100mm
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BobinKy
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/27/07
Posts: 1683
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Quote:
Are the equivalent Garrett binos of any better quality?
...messyboy
My understanding--and I may be wrong on this--is the 11x56 binoculars from Dealers Oberwerk and Garrett come from the same (or similar) factory in China. In the past, both dealers have stated they inspect these binoculars at their U.S. distribution point before shipping to their customers. If that quality control inspection takes place--and products with damage to the glass are sorted to a "do not ship" pallet--then products received from the two dealers should be similar on the size you ordered.
What may have happened in your case is you ordered the Oberwerk product from another dealer. Only a handful of people can say--and this is pure speculation on my part--if your Oberwerk product purchased from Optics Planet originated from the Oberwerk inspection point in Ohio. It is also possible that the binoculars were damaged along the way after the inspection point. It would be interesting to track the product backwards and find out (if possible) the flow of the 11-day order-delivery route. As the customer, I think you deserve an answer to that question.
My recommendation is to purchase this grade of Chinese binoculars as close to inspection point as possible. In my opinion, the fewer hands that handle the product, the better. Unfortunately, as successful companies expand operations, the function of quality control in the distribution channel can become a sticky wicket.
Just my two cents worth.
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Bob
38°N
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CESDewar
GorillAstronomer
Reged: 01/16/05
Posts: 2069
Loc: Morganton, GA, USA
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Quote:
The objective caps did not fit real tight either. Are the equivalent Garrett binos of any better quality?
Any difference in quality is more likely to be a difference in what are basically identical binos... And yes, the lens caps are often loose. I put a dot of glue at regular intervals on the inside of the lens cap to fix that.
Bad news about those binos, but you should definitely get a good pair when all is said and done..
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Karl_Bonner_1982
sage
Reged: 05/13/09
Posts: 308
Loc: Springfield, Oregon (4.5ish ma...
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Messyboy, keep us informed how those Oberwerks treat you after you finally get a proper set delivered and can put 'em to the test. Perhaps it'll give me some inspiration when I go bino shopping.
Personally I've always been mesmerized by big binoculars. Before they were stolen (yeah...:< ) my Orion 9x63 worked wonders on the night sky, even on nights when light pollution was pinching off the effective aperture a bit. Though I understand that at your age you probably wouldn't want a 7mm pupil.
I would imagine that an 11x56 isn't that much harder to hold and steady than a 10x50, at least not with a bit of practice. I'd probably still opt for a 6mm exit pupil due to my younger age - either a 10x60 or 11x66 if such a size even exists!
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A lot of signatures are just there because people think they are "supposed" to have a signature.
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DJB
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/23/05
Posts: 1590
Loc: Lisle NY
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Hey Karl,
I do have the OB 11x56. I must reiterate that this unit is so easy to use--light, and the ergos are just great. Also, for a binocular of this size, the optics are more than fine, more than adequate, especially for the cost! However, I can not speak to your other consideration.
If I had to make a choice, again, I would go for the OB 11x56. Definitely. Just my humble opinion.
Best regards,
Dave.
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Karl_Bonner_1982
sage
Reged: 05/13/09
Posts: 308
Loc: Springfield, Oregon (4.5ish ma...
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Dave, I seem to recall reading about a study done on several binoculars where it was discovered that the Oberwerks had effective aperture loss of 5-10mm on certain models. I wonder if this is true of all their binocs or just certain models, or even just certain specimens within a model?
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A lot of signatures are just there because people think they are "supposed" to have a signature.
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14732
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Quote:
Dave, I seem to recall reading about a study done on several binoculars where it was discovered that the Oberwerks had effective aperture loss of 5-10mm on certain models. I wonder if this is true of all their binocs or just certain models, or even just certain specimens within a model?
It is not true of all their binoculars. Also it is not brand specific, but it is model specific, so it wouldn't matter from whom you purchase that particular model. I tested the 8x56. It is effectively 48mm. The 11x56 simply uses a different eyepiece.
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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DJB
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/23/05
Posts: 1590
Loc: Lisle NY
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Hi Ed and Karl,
Ed is quite correct, and, in fact, Karl, I feel that you are talking about Ed's report itself.
I have to admit that probably most binocular specs are a bit overstated! This is why Ed's report is so useful.
I mean, when you look at the Mfg. specs, WHY do they always seem to come up in basically round numbers? This sure makes me a bit suspicious.
But, I (guess), these are the numbers that most consumers want to see. Now, go figure.
Best regards,
Dave.
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