Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums
Privacy Policy |
Please read our Terms
of Service | Signup and
Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User
Saptarshi
member
Reged: 04/20/05
Posts: 93
Loc: Pune, India (Currently Boston)
|
|
Hi,
Initially I was planning to buy Canon IS or some premium bino, but currently I have postponed it, so I need a bino until I actually get those. I have used 11x56 Oberwerk, I have found that I can not hold it steady, I would like something smaller and hand-holdable. I looked at the Mini reviews forums and found "Swift Ultra Lite 8 x 42" (it has got good review, bright image and little distortion), Are there any others I should think about?
I am planning to spend somewhere near $150, can stretch it to $200 (Swift Ultra Lite are just above it)
Thank you
Shailesh
--------------------
DSH 8"
Oberwerk 11x56 bino
|
KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10155
Loc: Lancashire UK
|
|
Shailesh ,
It would do you no harm to read this collection of suggestions for lower priced binoculars , from the CN mini -reviews section , and contributed by Mike Swaim ( a CN moderator ) in February 2004 .
Small Binoculars Review
Indeed , the entire mini -reviews section may well be worth " scanning " .
Considering it's been two and half years since Mike's report , there ought to be even MORE choices within your price range by now , but from what I've read ( as opposed to TRIED personally ) it would seem the Swift Ultra - Lite 8 x 42 would be far from the WORSE choice you could make .
Good luck , Kenny
Edited by EdZ (08/02/06 07:23 PM)
|
Saptarshi
member
Reged: 04/20/05
Posts: 93
Loc: Pune, India (Currently Boston)
|
|
Hi Kenny,
Thanks. Yes I went thro' those two documents, I understand that getting something very good in this budget would be difficult.
I found few other options
1. Carton Adlerblick, - Initially I thought I can not find them, but further research revealed that I can buy it from Canadian Dealers.
2. Fujinon 8x42 BFL Birding Rubber Armored, Waterproof Binocular, There is one 7x50 WPC-XL Marine WP (center focus or individual focus) as well in my price range, but I could not find how good it would be for astronomy. Anyone has used it?
3. Nikon Sports Marine
4. I just read your review of Captian Helsman 7x50, looks like it might be very good option.
This is going to keep me busy evaluating all these options especially for eye relief(I wear glasse so I will need good ER but I dont want too much ER which causes blackouts and you have to hold the binocular away from eyes to view properly, it was very annoying)
Any inputs on any of these bino (helping me choose) or any other suggestions are highly appreciated.
Thank you
Shailesh
--------------------
DSH 8"
Oberwerk 11x56 bino
|
Mark9473
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/21/05
Posts: 2703
Loc: 51°N 4°E
|
|
We've enjoyed a record hot month of July, with an uncommon number of really clear nights. On every night I was out, it was an absolute JOY to sweep along the Milky Way with my 8.5x44 Swift Audubon.
For me, this 8.5x magnification is absolutely perfect for handheld astronomy. If the Swift Ultralite 8x42 are anywhere near the quality of my Audubons, I'm sure you'll enjoy them immensely.
--------------------
Mark
Leica 8x20; Vixen 8x42; Swift 8.5x44, 10x50 and 20x80; TS 7x50; Orion 15x63
WO Megrez II 80 FD + Baader 90° T2 Amici
|
Mark9473
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/21/05
Posts: 2703
Loc: 51°N 4°E
|
|
Shailesh, you could also look into the William Optics 8x40 triplet 'apo' with phase coatings; these have had good reviews.
--------------------
Mark
Leica 8x20; Vixen 8x42; Swift 8.5x44, 10x50 and 20x80; TS 7x50; Orion 15x63
WO Megrez II 80 FD + Baader 90° T2 Amici
|
Saptarshi
member
Reged: 04/20/05
Posts: 93
Loc: Pune, India (Currently Boston)
|
|
Hi Mark,
I agree with your comment that
"For me, this 8.5x magnification is absolutely perfect for handheld astronomy"
That is why I have decided to try low Mag bino.
In the section to which KennyJ has posted the link, it is mentioned that Swift Audubon have severe sperical edge distortions due to their wide angle eyepieces. What is your experience about it and in general about Swift binoculars since I see you have many, I would like as much good edge performance as possible (within my budget of course).
Thanks
Shailesh
--------------------
DSH 8"
Oberwerk 11x56 bino
Edited by Saptarshi (08/03/06 05:07 PM)
|
KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10155
Loc: Lancashire UK
|
|
Shailesh ,
I recently removed the modest list of binoculars I own for the reason of happening to agree with those who consider a single line to be sufficient for each member's signature line , but if it still existed you would have seen that amongst them is a Swift Audubon Kestrel 10 x 50 .
There is a review of them which I posted to the CN mini - reviews forum two and a half years ago .
I agree entirely with Mike Swaim -- for anyone who DOES NOT wear glasses when using binoculars , the Swift Kestrel is a VERY good binocular for DAYTIME , but for astronomy -- I'm afraid the " edge performance " DOES leave something to be desired , at least for MY eyes !
Perhaps the 8.5 x 44s are not as poor in this respect , because although both have 70 degree AFOVs , most of the problem is due to DISTORTION ( outer field magnification being different to on - axis magnification ).
I agree that 8.5 is a GREAT , if not the OPTIMUM magnification , for MOST hand - held binocular applications , probably including astronomy .
But I've always found star - gazing to be a very stiff test for hand - held binocular observing , and a COMPLETELY different ball game to daytime use , which is why I prefer 7x binoculars for the purpose .
The neck monopod ( my review of which is , I believe , SOMEWHERE in the BEST OF section ) has increased my options to up and including 15 x 70s , but 10x to 12x binoculars up to 50mm size probably represents the SWEETEST spot for neck monopod applications .
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
|
Saptarshi
member
Reged: 04/20/05
Posts: 93
Loc: Pune, India (Currently Boston)
|
|
Hi Kenny,
Your review of Captian Helsman 7x50 is great, Would it be very good choice? Which one would you choose between it and other options I have
1. Swift Ultralite
2. Carton Adlerblick,
3. Fujinon 8x42 BFL Birding Rubber Armored, WP Binocular
Thank you.
Shailesh
--------------------
DSH 8"
Oberwerk 11x56 bino
|
Mark9473
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/21/05
Posts: 2703
Loc: 51°N 4°E
|
|
Shailesh, I have posted reviews of my three Swift binoculars on this forum; they are linked through the mini-reviews thread. I like all of them!
--------------------
Mark
Leica 8x20; Vixen 8x42; Swift 8.5x44, 10x50 and 20x80; TS 7x50; Orion 15x63
WO Megrez II 80 FD + Baader 90° T2 Amici
|
Saptarshi
member
Reged: 04/20/05
Posts: 93
Loc: Pune, India (Currently Boston)
|
|
Thanks Mark, I will go through them.
Shailesh
--------------------
DSH 8"
Oberwerk 11x56 bino
|
Rat8bug
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/07/05
Posts: 1358
Loc: Michigan
|
|
I like the William Optics 8 x 42mm APO binos. Great optics, easy to handhold, solid construction, and superior eye relief. I was checking out M31, Hyades, and M45 (Pleiades) with these binos and the view was astounding.
Ciao...Barry
--------------------
Nikon D40/D50/D70 DSLR
WO 105mm Triplet APO
WO Zenithstar 66SD APO (Black 'n Blue)
WO 8 x 45mm APO Bino
UO 20 x 80mm Bino
Vixen 80SS Refractor
Orion 127mm Apex Maksutov
Vixen GP-DX with Skysensor 2000
SBIG STV and e-finder
|
Saptarshi
member
Reged: 04/20/05
Posts: 93
Loc: Pune, India (Currently Boston)
|
|
Hi Barry,
Thanks, I will consider it as well.
Shailesh
--------------------
DSH 8"
Oberwerk 11x56 bino
|
|
7 registered and 32 anonymous users are browsing this forum.
Moderator: EdZ
Print Thread
|
Forum Permissions
You cannot start new topics
You cannot reply to topics
HTML is disabled
UBBCode is enabled
|
Thread views: 590
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
