edwincjones
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 5671
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We have a least three new 150mm binoculars hitting the market-UO, APM, Garrett, ? others.
Are these basically all the same?
What are the differences?
edj
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n w arkansas
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KBK
member
Reged: 08/05/09
Posts: 68
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Just an observation, but..if they are just hitting the market..then... nobody knows -- yet.
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It is the image of the ungraspable phantom of life; and this...is the key
to it all.
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RobertPL
member
Reged: 03/04/08
Posts: 35
Loc: Austin, TX
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Yeah, I've been asking in another thread about the 100mm 45 degree binos APM is also coming out with. But somebody has to take the plunge first...
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Fujinon 16x70 FMT-SX
Canon 10x30 IS
Orion MegaViews 30x80
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Rich V.
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/02/05
Posts: 1395
Loc: Carson Valley, Nevada, USA
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The APM and Garrett both appear to be the United Optics BA 6 series. If you look at the photos the external housings look the same right down to the IPD scale on the prism turrets. UO makes the BA 6 in both 45° and 90° models.
They are built to different specs for each dealer it seems; Garrett claims doublet objectives while APM claims to use a triplet.
There have been reports on these from a couple of CN members- Andresin150 and Watchever; we need more members to plunk down the $4k and report back.
Remember the 6 page thread in May?- APM America 150BT/45 coming soon
Markus Ludes of APM said: "The chinese I have tested yet at daytime only, night time testing follow next week". What happened to his evaluation of these under the stars? I don't recall reading anything. You'd think he'd be gushing all over the place about these; it makes me wonder as months have passed. Did I miss something? 
Rich V
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Binoculars:
33/50/75/150x100 Saturn III, 16x70 FMT-SX, 10x50 PCF-V, 10x43 DCF-SP, 10x35 E2, 7x35 E, 8x30 E2, 7x26 Custom, 8x23AS Diplomat, 8x23 Travelite
Scopes:
C9.25, 6" f8 reflector, SV80S
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Gordon Rayner
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/24/07
Posts: 971
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When/where can we see cross sections, such as Miyauchi showed in its Tenmon Guide ads, and Tenmon Guide showed in its in-depth expositions and analyses,often including glass types and even radii and ZEMAX or OSLO , etc. level analyses, far above the often superficial treatment,non-quantitative, by Sky and Telescope in recent years, and light years above the pretty picture treatment in Astronomy?
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Andresin150
sage
Reged: 08/14/07
Posts: 305
Loc: Bogotá - La Calera / Colombia
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sorry, I cant place my opinions on this 150mm since I'm considered now a vendor (I decided to start a very small business here in Colombia when imported these giants and bought some others also).
I think I can tell you this: As I know, the 150mm are built to the same specs only by UO, and are triplets. For the price and expectations for a 150mm binoculars, they don't offer different coatings but their premium ones.
What may be different are the accessories; for example, you can ask them with different types of oculars, adapters for 1 1/4" oculars, with or without tripod and fork mount, and of course, different colors and branding.
As for the fork mount, I have to say that I would have preferred the longer one that appears with the newer 90º version, because the shorter one that came with mine doesn't allow to look at the zenith, in fact, it goes up only 70º aprox., before the binoculars body stops against it. I think I'll be cutting and prolonging it soon.
Comparisons with Fujinons by me are not allowed here, but lets say that I'm in the quest of finding a "used in perfect conditions" 40x150ED, that probably may not be beat in quality.
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25x150 MT
30-50x120's
Ultra 15x70's
GOTO NEX Planetarium
1 Macaw, 1 Toucan, 1 parrot and many other little ones...
And the nicest greenhouse!
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edwincjones
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 5671
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Andresin150,
Thank you for the reply.
I am very happy with my fuji 25x150mts-except for cost and weight,
and am not looking for a replacement;
but I am interested in the competetion,
and I am very happy that others will be joining me in the 150mm ranks.
I doubt that these will beat my fujis, YET; but expect in time that they will.
edj
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n w arkansas
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Gordon Rayner
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/24/07
Posts: 971
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I am not aware of anyone else in Colombia who has contributed to this forum. It seems likely that you are probably the only Colombian who reads it regularly . Had you not told us about your importation of those, nobody would know.
It is unfortunate that you have chosen to disqualify yourself from giving value and comparative performance reports at this time when many ears are cocked for credible, unbiased information.
Perhaps you have a colleague whose judgment you trust, who could make appropriate comparisons and report, in Spanish if convenient or necessary, after joining the group. The hypothetical reporter might call him/herself El Dorado or La Dorada, giving geographic coordinates which the interested might note.
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14732
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Quote:
It is unfortunate that you have chosen to disqualify yourself
Andresin did not choose to disqualify himself. He is abiding by the rules of vendor engagement on Cloudy Nights.
It is a requirement of Cloudy Nights forums that vendors are restricted in their comments such that vendors may reply to specific questions asked about the products they sell, however, to eliminate the potential appearance that vendors may be pushing product on the general forums, vendors may not offer unsolicited comments about the products they sell.
Vendors may post about the products they offer for sale in the Vendor Forum.
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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Andresin150
sage
Reged: 08/14/07
Posts: 305
Loc: Bogotá - La Calera / Colombia
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I'm really pleased when I read posts from newcomers to this forum and say that after looking for binoculars information, this place seems to be the best of all in every aspect.
Vendor rules and other rules are the ones that help keep this place like that, because among other qualities, they help to preserve objectivity.
Passing to another subject related to this giants, its really a shame to know that Fujinon is not producing their 150mm ED line anymore....  (read it from bigbinoculars some weeks ago...)
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25x150 MT
30-50x120's
Ultra 15x70's
GOTO NEX Planetarium
1 Macaw, 1 Toucan, 1 parrot and many other little ones...
And the nicest greenhouse!
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edwincjones
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 5671
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"...it really is a shame to........"
yes it is
Tak made one great binocular and stopped
Miyauchi went out of business
Fuji seems to be cutting back, or at least resting on their laurels
The other premium binoculars makes are limited to birding, mostly
Anyone know the status of Nikon and their 20x120s?
Clearly not much money to be made for large astrobinoculars-we should be thankful to China that they are stepping up to the plate.
edj
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n w arkansas
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alessandro71
super member
Reged: 09/04/07
Posts: 147
Loc: Rho (Milan - Italy)
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Quote:
Clearly not much money to be made for large astrobinoculars
I think that the quotation above explain it all.
I believe that Tak, Miya, Fuji and other finest brand have decided to back out of making large binoculars because there is little or no demand for this kind of binos.
Making 150mm binos dosen't seem to be a very profitable business.
I've been told that in Italy only 3 people have bought the new 150mm model made from UO.
Sixty million people but only 3 binos sold, and no further request; the vendor obviously stopped the import.
If this scenario is common around the world, it would not be a surprise if producers focused their means on something else.
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alessandro
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watchever
member
Reged: 05/18/09
Posts: 30
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Just for you information, I have the long version of fork with my 150mm UO binos and it is possible to look at zenith, I don't say it is the most confortable position but it is possible.
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watchever
member
Reged: 05/18/09
Posts: 30
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If some people here on this forum want me to make some optical test on this binos (double stars, ...), I can do it, just ask me which one you want me to do and I will with pleasure, and I will give you objectively the result.
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Ian Robinson
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/29/09
Posts: 1165
Loc: Gateshead.NSW Nth Coast,Austra...
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Andresin150 , I may not be in the market for 6" binos anytime soon , got better things to spend my money on.
That said , could you post some details on the ones you are importing cf better known more respected brands of equivalent size ?
Edited by Ian Robinson (09/10/09 05:25 AM)
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edwincjones
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 5671
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Quote:
Quote:
Clearly not much money to be made for large astrobinoculars
I think that the quotation above explain it all.
I believe that Tak, Miya, Fuji and other finest brand have decided to back out of making large binoculars because there is little or no demand for this kind of binos.
Making 150mm binos dosen't seem to be a very profitable business.
I've been told that in Italy only 3 people have bought the new 150mm model made from UO.
Sixty million people but only 3 binos sold, and no further request; the vendor obviously stopped the import.
If this scenario is common around the world, it would not be a surprise if producers focused their means on something else.
I have heard an estimate of maybe 500 fuji 150mm binocs sold in the US,
not counting military
edj
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n w arkansas
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alessandro71
super member
Reged: 09/04/07
Posts: 147
Loc: Rho (Milan - Italy)
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500 binos sold seems to be a good figure; so, there should be a niche for giant binos on the market, at least in US.
Maybe manufacturers are just waiting the end of these rainy days.
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alessandro
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Luigi
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 4947
Loc: MA
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Contrary to what common sense might suggest, the FOV of bins (and telescopes) is principally determined by the magnification and what goes on near the EP end, not diameter of the objective. Wider FOV requires larger prisms and more complicated EPs. Sometimes you'll see that bins of a given power in a given series will have wider TFOVs for the ones with smaller objectives (e.g. 8x32 compared to 8x42). This can happen because the smaller diameter objectives reduce the size of the light cone in front of the EPs and produce somewhat lower edge of field aberration.
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17.5" f/5 Dob. IM-715 MCT. 120ED. Lunt 60mm Ha.
Zeiss, Leica, Fujinon, Nikon, Pentax, Bushnell bins
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Andresin150
sage
Reged: 08/14/07
Posts: 305
Loc: Bogotá - La Calera / Colombia
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Yes Luigi, but light gathering can only be increased with apperture, and you know that there is a lot to do with large glass regardless of magnification.
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25x150 MT
30-50x120's
Ultra 15x70's
GOTO NEX Planetarium
1 Macaw, 1 Toucan, 1 parrot and many other little ones...
And the nicest greenhouse!
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Gordon Rayner
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/24/07
Posts: 971
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Can you share with us the source of that estimate? What about Panama? Or Canary Islands? Or Taiwan? Or Korea? Or other places where big seiners get their nets? Of course, the Japanese seiners get theirs in Japan. Are there any Chinese seiners? What about Israel or Iran or Iraq, for aircraft identification (where inclined view is an advantage), as well as straight view border recon? What about the Border Patrol, on the Mexican border with the U.S. ? Border patrol to me, in the mountains, after I am dark adapted, with his light aimed at me:" Are you sure that you are not searching(with those huge binoculars) for people you expect to guide or pick up?". But that is mostly nighttime incursion, so night vision electronics are indicated. Police surveillance? Illegal drug traffickers and growers for security and recon? Scenic view residences? Lifeguards? Fixed location birdwatching ( Condor watch? I did some of that with 150mm. right angle, between astro exhibitions in 1984, but no sales resulted among the condor watchers. Perhaps because they spent too much time chasing condors, instead of working.) But there are many well-heeled birdwatchers who travel the globe .
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edwincjones
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 5671
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Quote:
Can you share with us the source of that estimate? ....... .
no, I really do not remember. This was an estimate (wild guess) from a dealer I was talking to a while ago, I think, but not sure which one.
But what I recall is 500 fuji 150mm binocular in the US and non military.
Who knows, but not enough for fuji to upgrade the models.
edj
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n w arkansas
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Rick
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/12/05
Posts: 3047
Loc: Tokyo, Japan
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FWIW, the Fuji 25x150ED still seem to be available here in Japan. Maybe they are just working thru inventory, but most vendors I know indicate it is no problem to get them. Too bad the cost ~US$12k!
cheers,
Rick
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www.japanastro.com
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edwincjones
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 5671
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I am very happy with the quality of glass in my 25x150MTs-I cannot see paying 2 or 3 times more for the EDs or 45-EDs
edj
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n w arkansas
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Joad
Wordsmith
Reged: 03/22/05
Posts: 12889
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When I first began participating on Cloudy Nights a good number of years ago, Binoculars was the forum in which I participated. In those days Fujinon was pretty much the only choice for 150mm binoculars (yes, there were elusive alternatives, like the really giant Russian 7 inch binoculars that appeared on the internet and then vanished from sight, as well as the 125 Vixens, 120 Nikons, and 142 Miyauchis), but for 150mm, Fuji was it. Now, we are seeing what happened a few years ago with 100mm. angled-ocular binoculars: the introduction of an affordable choice in the 150 mm. size. I would probably be tempted by the new really big binos, but I find that my 26 pound Oberwerk 45° 100mm. binocular is at the limit of what I can lift onto a raised tripod. I certainly could not manage 46 pounds.
I've also been much impressed with our own Mr. Bill's experience. It was his review of an Oberwerk 45° 25X100 triplet on Cloudy Nights that helped me spring for the Oberwerk 45° 40X100 triplet that brought me to Cloudy Nights. He also had a Fujinon 150mm. binocular on a p-mount. Eventually he found the thing to be too much to handle and got the newer model Oberwerk 45° 100 mm. triplet (which I also have now).
I think the 150mm. binoculars now on the market are exciting. I do not know if they will be successful, due to their weight, however.
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12.5 inch Portaball + Osypowski platform
LX10
Oberwerk BT100 45° binocular
Orion binoviewer + ScopeStuff extender (so it focuses at f/4.9)
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KrisZ
member
Reged: 03/29/09
Posts: 32
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Check this out.
APM is finally showing its 45deg binos!
APM 150 mm 45 binos
They look super cool! I can’t wait for my 90 deg version to get shipped to me;
Expect nice newbie review somewhere in late November.
Cheers
Very excited "soon" first big binocular owner!
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Kris
12x56 Monarch
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TONGKW
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/16/07
Posts: 572
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I know an amateur astronomer in Macau who is suffering from “aperture fever” in binoculars. He has built many large aperture binoculars himself and 150 mm binocular is already too small for him.
The link below shows the 200 mm binoculars he recently completed and in use. He is now in the process of making a 250 mm binoculars (250 mm f/5.5). This 250 mm binoculars, when completed, should be included in the Guiness book of records.
The link is in Chinese and I am sorry the “Google” translation is terrible and so please just look at the pictures.
http://translate.google.com.hk/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fforum.hkas.org.hk%2Fviewthread.php%3Ftid%3D1018%26extra%3Dpage%253D1%26page%3D1&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
K W TONG
Telescopes: C8+CG-5GT, TSA102+HEQ5 PRO, MK67+Voyager, NexStar 6SE, C5+Mizar K, WO ZS80FD+Kenko NES, Megrez 72FD+Kenko KDS, Mini Borg 50, PST
Binoculars: 7x50, 8x25, 10x42.
Edited by TONGKW (09/12/09 12:55 AM)
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Gordon Rayner
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/24/07
Posts: 971
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Re: Weight of 150mm binocs as a limit for sales: Fishermen regularly lift the Fuji I, with trunnions, at 60 to 65 lbs, up onto the bungee cords on a two fork support, twice a day. I have done it many times for astro use, up and down on boat stairways, etc. The trunnions provide convenient grips. Many of us are probably obese, superannuated(but remember Jack LaLanne and the one-armed pushups by Jack Palance at the Academy Awards a few years ago), or just plain out of shape. "Normal" males should be able to handle 50 lbs.
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edwincjones
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 5671
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Quote:
Re: Weight of 150mm binocs as a limit for sales: ........................................... "Normal" males should be able to handle 50 lbs.
Maybe, but I built an observatory around my big fujis so I would not have to lift them.
Lifting is not so bad, but the thought of dropping them is terrifying.
edj
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n w arkansas
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Joad
Wordsmith
Reged: 03/22/05
Posts: 12889
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Quote:
Re: Weight of 150mm binocs as a limit for sales: Fishermen regularly lift the Fuji I, with trunnions, at 60 to 65 lbs, up onto the bungee cords on a two fork support, twice a day. I have done it many times for astro use, up and down on boat stairways, etc. The trunnions provide convenient grips. Many of us are probably obese, superannuated(but remember Jack LaLanne and the one-armed pushups by Jack Palance at the Academy Awards a few years ago), or just plain out of shape. "Normal" males should be able to handle 50 lbs.
Well, I'll challenge you to a ten kilometer foot race then. I run on mountainous trails every day for a total of about 25 miles a week and am 5'6" tall 135 pounds. I just did a one armed pushup to check and yes, I can do that too.
I still would not want to lift a 50 pound binocular in the dark to the top of an extended tripod or have to buy trunions and become a fisherman to do so.
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12.5 inch Portaball + Osypowski platform
LX10
Oberwerk BT100 45° binocular
Orion binoviewer + ScopeStuff extender (so it focuses at f/4.9)
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Gordon Rayner
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 03/24/07
Posts: 971
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On the cited APM 150mm 45 deg inclined page, they say "Exit pupil 4.5mm. " , with a 27mm eyepiece. My calculator says 150/27 =5.5mm. ??
When do we get to see a cross section? When do we get a discussion of the aberration balancing compromises' significance or insignificance, with interchangeable eyepieces of differing provenance, in the context of an approximately f/5 or f5.5 cone passing through thick prisms? Is the system balanced between the objective and the prisms(or prisms plus mirrors?), then allowing the eyepiece to bring what it may?
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KrisZ
member
Reged: 03/29/09
Posts: 32
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Quote:
On the cited APM 150mm 45 deg inclined page, they say "Exit pupil 4.5mm. " , with a 27mm eyepiece. My calculator says 150/27 =5.5mm. ??
They are using 32mm eyepieces as far as I know, and that will give you 27x with 4.5 ep 
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GlennLeDrew
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/18/08
Posts: 1296
Loc: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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The specs on the APM web site are conflicted. They state an objective focal length of approx. 824mm (the figure supplied is to two decimal places!!), and the eyepiece is a 32mm. Instead of the 27X claimed, the magnification should be 25.75X. And the exit pupil should then be 5.83mm. So how do they get an exit pupil of 4.5mm? Is this a typo, or an actual measurement?
I suspect this is the reason for the discrepancy.... With objectives of f/5.5, I do wonder if the prism train can fully field the on-axis light cone. If the stated exit pupil of 4.5mm is indeed not a typo but rather a statement of fact, the effective aperture is not 150mm, but instead is 116mm (taking the numbers literally). In any case, I consider it a very real possibility that there is not insignificant aperture loss.
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Home-made 11X50 right angle bino, 8.1 deg. FOV
Modified 26X100 bino, 3.5 deg. FOV
Home-made Mk II RA bino, using interchangeable objectives and eyepieces
My Gallery
Mediocre minds discuss people. Good minds discuss events. Great minds discuss ideas.
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Andresin150
sage
Reged: 08/14/07
Posts: 305
Loc: Bogotá - La Calera / Colombia
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By the way, has anyone seen and/or used the 150mm Fujinon 150 ED-D/N (look at company seven: http://www.company7.com/fujinon/binocs/25150eddn.html) that can change eyepieces???
I´m not interested in the controled night vision capability but in the fact of using 25 and 40x in the same 150mm ED Fujinon. If so, that should be the top of the quality... I think.
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25x150 MT
30-50x120's
Ultra 15x70's
GOTO NEX Planetarium
1 Macaw, 1 Toucan, 1 parrot and many other little ones...
And the nicest greenhouse!
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edwincjones
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 5671
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the link did not work for me-what was the price?
(sounds like the first new big fuji in a long time)
edj
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n w arkansas
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Robert A.
sage
Reged: 01/21/05
Posts: 294
Loc: Milwaukee, WI Northern USA
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Take the parenthesis off the link in your browser address line. It works fine then.
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edwincjones
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 5671
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thank you-it does work then
it would be nice to have two eps, but I do not know how much I would use the 40x
edj
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n w arkansas
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OBERWERK
Vendor
Reged: 06/24/03
Posts: 104
Loc: OH
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Quote:
By the way, has anyone seen and/or used the 150mm Fujinon 150 ED-D/N (look at company seven: http://www.company7.com/fujinon/binocs/25150eddn.html) that can change eyepieces???
I´m not interested in the controled night vision capability but in the fact of using 25 and 40x in the same 150mm ED Fujinon. If so, that should be the top of the quality... I think.
We tried to buy one and only demo unit in the USA (at Fujinon USA in Wayne, NJ)- and they said it was not for sale. The other ED models are also no longer available, even by special order. -Kevin Busarow
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edwincjones
Postmaster
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 5671
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teasing us?
I do not understand Fujinon-love their products, but customer service sucks
edj
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n w arkansas
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Andresin150
sage
Reged: 08/14/07
Posts: 305
Loc: Bogotá - La Calera / Colombia
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It's been advertised in the company seven web for some years and I remember correctly "not to be sold to mere mortals!".
Somehow, I ended in that address again and my interest revived ...
Anyway, I asked about it without the controlled night vision eps, but now, knowing that Kevin at Oberwerk couldn't buy one, I guess I already know the answer if they even answer....
I wonder how many products Fujinon may sell if they have someone of us at customer service? 
I found there even a camera that you can add to the big fujis and take shots or videos.... interesting...
I guess I'll concentrate my efforts in getting a star chair 3000
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25x150 MT
30-50x120's
Ultra 15x70's
GOTO NEX Planetarium
1 Macaw, 1 Toucan, 1 parrot and many other little ones...
And the nicest greenhouse!
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Mr. Bill
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/09/05
Posts: 3149
Loc: Just passing through.....
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Quote:
Re: Weight of 150mm binocs as a limit for sales: Fishermen regularly lift the Fuji I, with trunnions, at 60 to 65 lbs, up onto the bungee cords on a two fork support, twice a day. I have done it many times for astro use, up and down on boat stairways, etc. The trunnions provide convenient grips. Many of us are probably obese, superannuated(but remember Jack LaLanne and the one-armed pushups by Jack Palance at the Academy Awards a few years ago), or just plain out of shape. "Normal" males should be able to handle 50 lbs.
Harrrrrr... matey
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10x50 Fujinon binos + 16x70 Fujinon binos + UA UniMount
Oberwerk BT100 45 degree +24mm Pans + Hercules fork mount
120mm f/5 Orion achromat + Moonlite focuser
130mm TMB 130SS f/7 APO refractor
140mm f/5.7 Vixen NeoAchro Petzvel refractor
150mm f/8 homemade achromat
8 inch newt with f/5 Swayze mirror
10 inch f/4.7 Orion newt + Paracorr
15 inch f/5 Discovery "Galactic Cannon"
Member IDA
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mkates
journeyman
Reged: 09/21/09
Posts: 5
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I'm new to this forum, although I've been shadowing this and other threads about the new 150mm binoculars. My first scope was a 4" Tasco reflector, that I bough as a teenager. 40 years later, with more time, patience and resources I've revisited the hoby. I'm not an optical expert, and certainly not an expert observer, just keenly interested in most things astronomical. I've had and used the APM 150, 45degree binoculars for just over a week now. Had them set up on my heavily light polluted driveway twice. The mount looked like a weak link, but it functions well, considering the heft of this beast. The fork mount is extended allowing pointing at the xenith, albeit crouching or on my knees is not the most comfortable viewing position. Speaking of heft, getting the binoculars onto the mount's dovetail is not for the weak of heart or limb. The supplied eyepieces are 32mm with 70 degrees of apparent field. Views showed no distortion at the edges, and I did not perceive any vignetting. Eye relief was comfortable. Interocular spacing may be a problem for some. I could just get the oculars close enough together to fuse Jupiter's image. The views were pleasing. Not as sharp as looking through an apo, but nice wide expanses of suburban washed out sky. Jupiter showed some fringing and colour, but less than I would have expected from a fast achromat. I tried some brigthter Messier's, M13, M22, M31. They were there, but pretty washed out by Sky glow. A trip to darker skies should prove more meaningfull. This binocular should perform well for wide field viewing in a dark site. Overall I'm happy with them so far. They're definately at the heavy end for a grab and go set up.
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Tamiji Homma
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/24/07
Posts: 1092
Loc: California, USA
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Quote:
I'm new to this forum, although I've been shadowing this and other threads about the new 150mm binoculars. My first scope was a 4" Tasco reflector, that I bough as a teenager. 40 years later, with more time, patience and resources I've revisited the hoby. I'm not an optical expert, and certainly not an expert observer, just keenly interested in most things astronomical. I've had and used the APM 150, 45degree binoculars for just over a week now. Had them set up on my heavily light polluted driveway twice. The mount looked like a weak link, but it functions well, considering the heft of this beast. The fork mount is extended allowing pointing at the xenith, albeit crouching or on my knees is not the most comfortable viewing position. Speaking of heft, getting the binoculars onto the mount's dovetail is not for the weak of heart or limb. The supplied eyepieces are 32mm with 70 degrees of apparent field. Views showed no distortion at the edges, and I did not perceive any vignetting. Eye relief was comfortable. Interocular spacing may be a problem for some. I could just get the oculars close enough together to fuse Jupiter's image. The views were pleasing. Not as sharp as looking through an apo, but nice wide expanses of suburban washed out sky. Jupiter showed some fringing and colour, but less than I would have expected from a fast achromat. I tried some brigthter Messier's, M13, M22, M31. They were there, but pretty washed out by Sky glow. A trip to darker skies should prove more meaningfull. This binocular should perform well for wide field viewing in a dark site. Overall I'm happy with them so far. They're definately at the heavy end for a grab and go set up.
Thank you for your report. I am about to place an order of this big binoculars, upgrading Vixen 20x125 bino. I haven't decided 45 or 90 degree version yet. I have looked at (not looking through unfortunately 45 degree version at PATS last month. Finish was beautifully done. I asked APM America about prism aperture. They said it is 41mm, larger than I thought. I probably use magnification between 25x and 75x with AFOV 70-ish degree eyepieces.
Have you tried higher magnification with yours?
Tammy
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mkates
journeyman
Reged: 09/21/09
Posts: 5
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Hi Tammy,
Mine are the 45 degree model. I tried a pair of 19mm Panoptics, that I use for a binoviewer. The images were equally pleasing, with no loss of detail. The binos came with 2" to 11/4" adaptors. At present I don't have any other 2" eyepiece pairs, but would consider 24mm widefields. Burgess, who is also marketing 150mm binoculars(probably from the same source) have 24mm 70 deg. apof oculars that won't break the bank. The Baders, might also fit the bill. Below 24mm there aren't many 2" eps available, although the Baders supply interchangeable barrels. I'd be interested if anyone else has tried different eps. APM describes using pairs of Ethos, although I suspect few people are going to front the price of a medium apo refractor for two eyepieces to use in this beast.
Martin
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Tamiji Homma
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/24/07
Posts: 1092
Loc: California, USA
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Hi Martin,
Yes, Pano 19 is very good. I like mine in binoviewer, too. I decided to get 90 degree one. It is on my way. Delivery is some time in November if all goes well. What tripod do you use? I am planning to use it on Losmandy HD/FHD tripod. I also live in light polluted residential area. I would have to travel to dark site to appreciate the big binoculars.
Tammy
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Wes James
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 3460
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Quote:
Burgess, who is also marketing 150mm binoculars(probably from the same source)
Where did this information come from??? Nothing on his website, and on the Yahoo Burgess Refractor newsgroup- where all his latest products are announced, the largest bino coming down the pike that's been announced are 70mm's.
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Wes
Atlantic Beach, FL
Some bino’s from Miyauchi 5x32 Binon's up through Garrett 20x110 Signature's,
Some telescopes from a Stellarvue 80mm NHNG up through a couple of 8” reflectors…
And a wonderful 4.25" Delmarva Shiefspiegler!
Some good friends, made here on C/N.
Oh- several cats and a wonderful wife!
Anyone want a cat???? :-O
"When your work speaks for itself- Don't Interrupt" -Gamble Rogers
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Andresin150
sage
Reged: 08/14/07
Posts: 305
Loc: Bogotá - La Calera / Colombia
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for me, the use of 1 1/4" eps with the adapters is better because my nose will fit in. For not so dark skies you can try higher magnifications, but for my tastes I wouldn't go beyond 60x. I had excellent results with the 21mm Denkmeiers, and are saving to try a pair of 14mm Denks too.
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25x150 MT
30-50x120's
Ultra 15x70's
GOTO NEX Planetarium
1 Macaw, 1 Toucan, 1 parrot and many other little ones...
And the nicest greenhouse!
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mkates
journeyman
Reged: 09/21/09
Posts: 5
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Sorry Wes, to send you off on a futile search. Make that Garrett Optical, not Burgess. Mia Culpa
Martin
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Wes James
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 3460
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Martin-
No problem... it was no wild goose chase, I already knew what was on both sites! That's why I knew it couldn't be a Burgess. No problem-o!
Wes
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mkates
journeyman
Reged: 09/21/09
Posts: 5
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Hi Tammy,
I'm using the tripod, that was bundled with the binocs. They're of Chinese Manufacture. The fit and finish is a bid coarse in areas, but they're functional. With the legs fully extended the binoculars are at a comfortable height for my 5'5" height. The mount allows the binoculars to easily point to the zenith without hitting the fork base. Vibration is not an issue, and the tension controls work well. I also asked about encoders for the mount, but nothing is in the works, although I'm sure something could easily be adapted. Overall they work better than I expected. Again lifting onto the dovetail is a bit of a challange, especially with the legs extended.
Martin
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APM America
Vendor - APM America
Reged: 11/07/05
Posts: 2777
Loc: Madison. NJ. USA
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I hope you have been working out at the gym as I suggested Martin
--------------------
Morris Bagnall
Sales Manager
www.apmamerica.com
A whole room full of APM refractors......
Seymor Rosin F/4.5 Astrograph in the making
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Tamiji Homma
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/24/07
Posts: 1092
Loc: California, USA
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Quote:
Hi Tammy,
I'm using the tripod, that was bundled with the binocs. They're of Chinese Manufacture. The fit and finish is a bid coarse in areas, but they're functional. With the legs fully extended the binoculars are at a comfortable height for my 5'5" height. The mount allows the binoculars to easily point to the zenith without hitting the fork base. Vibration is not an issue, and the tension controls work well. I also asked about encoders for the mount, but nothing is in the works, although I'm sure something could easily be adapted. Overall they work better than I expected. Again lifting onto the dovetail is a bit of a challange, especially with the legs extended.
Martin
Thanks Martin for information.
I checked united-optics.com to find out weight of 90 degree version. It appears that 90 degree version is about 13lb (6Kg) heavier than 45 degree version, making it 60lb binoculars. I guess I need more workout than I thought.
Tammy
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