Telescope Reviews: Binocular Star Parties

I don't know of any that are formally organized in the NW part of the US where I live. However, the group of quys I usually go observing with now all have at least one nice pair of 70mm binoculars, a Unimount Light Deluxe, a LaFuma recliner and a Tele Vue apo refractor with a TV Bino Vue. When we all go together the "dream team" of 60mm and 70mm binoculars are all on the same field.

One night down at Mt. Saint Helens we did a binoculars-only night and it was relaxing to never have to get up out of the LaFuma recliner and the observing was great as well. I suspect we will do more of those types of star parties in the future altough it is hard to leave apo refractor/bino vue combination at home given some of the things it can do so much better than our binoculars.

When I now go on my summertime observing excursions at far away very dark sky sites, I usually do a pair of back-to- back all-nighters then return home both exhausted and with my observing thurst quenched for about a month. On my last trip this July I tried a new approach to observing. On my first night I did nothing but observe with binoculars and enjoyed that very much and on the second night I just observed with the telescope or telescope/bino vue combination. That method worked well and it is easier than alternating back and forth during the same night between different pairs of binoculars and the telescope.

Perhaps in future years I may try to organize a regional binocular star gaziers party here in the Northwest, but my job keeps me too busy right now to even want to think about something like that. Also, I generally prefer to observe alone or with a small group of not more than about 5 - 8 people. Right now I'm very satisfied with my current gear and there isn't another telescope, mount, eyepiece or binocular that I would really like to have to either replace something I presently have or to supplement it. However, if I ever got the chance to look through a pair of the Nikon 20x120s, Fujinon 25x150s or 40x150s then I know that it would drive me crazy afterwards debating whether or not to get a pair regardless all other practical considerations.

I don't smoke or do drugs. I'm mature enough that I drive carefully. I drink and cuss but both quite moderately. I don't womanize or physically or verbally abuse anyone that I care about. My profession as a Computer Systems Analyst requires/develops logical thinking. Two of my other interests (philosphy and psychology) further enhance my skills in the areas of rational thinking and in self-knowledge. But, show me a good optic and my powers of resistance just evaporate. Knowing this on the one hand and being content with the gear I have now on the other, I think I prefer not to know what I may be missing. So ironically that gives me a good reason not to want to go to a binocular star party where I might get a chance to look through the super giant Nikon and Fujinon binoculars. And for me it isn't just the cost issue. Even if those Nikon or Fujinon binoculars were obtainable for half their current prices I'd still resist them (unless/until I looked through them) because of their size, weight and the hassle factor of storing them, transporting them, setting them up and taking them down.

John Finnan

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Leica 7x42 Ultravid
Nikon 7x50 Prostar
Swarovski 8.5x42 EL
Nikon 10x70 Astroluxe
Leica 12x50 Ultravid
Zeiss 15x60 B/GAT
Takahashi 22x60 Astronomer
NP-127 w/Bino Vue