Anonymous
Unregistered
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I need to get a nice set of binos to be a companion to my dob... sometimes its easier to use binoculars then go to the scope. I have read and people agree that 12X60's are pretty good. I don't want to spend more money than I have to but whats a descent pair. Thanks for helping this binocular newbie.
Tom
Edited by Shmals (06/06/04 07:27 PM)
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 11944
Loc: Cyber Space
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http://www.bigbinoculars.com/brand.asp?sqlq=Oberwerk
http://www.opticsplanet.com/
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I am sure that these aren't "premimum," but if you're looking for something inexpensive...
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?cat=4138&dept=4125&product_id=895522&path=0%3A4125%3A4138%3A4143%3A5178
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Or, maybe consider these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7307&item=3681160006&rd=1
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werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 7560
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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You can get the Celestron 15 X 70's for about $75.00 + shipping. Can't go wrong there. Pete
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Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55 - "The Beast"
Starhopper 6" Dob - "Shiva"
Spaceprobe 130 EQ - "Spacey"
Bushnell Fatboy
The Abomination
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
10X25 Bushnell Camo Roofies
7X35 Tasco Classic Plastic (good views though)
7X42 Tasco Rare Bird
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters - "DroolMeisters"
One ratty old IBM 600E LapTop
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Thanks, I think I made it sound Like I want a real cheap pair. I want something I can take out instead of the dob some nights so I need some power and aperture while staying under $200.
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wilash
Fairy Godmother
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 5746
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The cost of binoculars can be as simple as the type of prisms. Porro prisms are excellent but much less expensive than roof prisms.
Now one thing to consider is that the bigger the binos and the higher the magnifiction the more you will need a mount for them. That will add to the cost. I need to mount my 20x80s. There is one way around it. I think the threshhold for hand held binoculars is around 10X with 50mm objectives (some people even think those are too big).
So how do you want to use these - hand held or on a mount. Do you have a mount?
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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OK, this violates your 200 price rule, but I got this combination for $307 (220 for the 20x100 binos and 87 for the tripod). What's another 100?
http://www.apogeeinc.com/binos.html
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30094&item=3819100176&tc=photo
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Looking for handheld, I had a pair of 9X63 orions once, no problem holding those.. my set wasn't collimated that great though.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I should qualify my endorsement of the apogee binos and clone tripod. I have not received them yet.
I can't wait to tell you guys about them though.
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lighttrap
Reged: 02/06/04
Posts: 3833
Loc: cloudy, foggy, humid NC, US
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I haven't tried the newer generation Leupold Wind River porros, now renamed Mesa, but I was VERY happy with a previous edition of the Leupold Wind River porro prism 10x50s for $200. Since then, they've updated them with twist eyecups and locking focus, added the Mesa designation and dropped the price to under $200 through several discount optics places. They sound like just what you might be looking for. Leupold Wind River Mesa 10x50s
Mike Swaim
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18" Starsplitter II f/4.5
8" Hardin Dob f/6
C5 workhorse mini SCT f/10 or f/6.3
70mm TV Ranger dual purpose birding/astro
77mm Leica Televid APO
16x70 Fujinons on UA Deluxe Mt.
12x50 Nikon SE
8x30 Nikon E2s
and many others
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I would recommend getting well crafted binos with the largest aperature that's under $200. 12x60 binos might due for you. They are under $200, they are right on the limit of hand held use so you won't need a tripod (which could blow your budget), and the aperture size is decent. However, the exit pupil size may or may not be best for you and your viewing conditions.
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Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2707
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
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I purchased the Oberwerk 12X60 in 2002 for use without a tripod. (After getting the Orion 20X80/3.5 deg FOV and the ProOptics 25X100/2.6 deg FOV). I wanted a pair with higher power and bigger objectives than the popular 10X50 but had reasonable wide FOV and is still hand holdable. The Oberwerk 12X60 with 5.7 deg FOV met all those requirements. In fact, the Oberwerk 12X60 model has slightly wider FOV than their 9X60(5.5 deg). I feel comfortable hand holding the 12X60 for brief looks and with my elbows supported for longer views. I Was able to split Alberio just hand holding the 12X60. I consider this pair an excellent value at just over $100. The $99 Oberwerk 11X56 should be a good choice if you want something a little smaller. I like higher power binos with 4-5mm exit pupil for astronomy. They darken the background sky just enough to make dimmer stars visible.
Erik D
PS. My Oberwerk 12X60 has a slow focuser so it's not great for terrestrial use if you need to refocus frequently. I am considering 12X50 Roof prism, waterproof, phase coated binos as my next dual use astronomy/hi power biring bino but the slesction is limited.
Edited by Erik D (06/07/04 02:28 PM)
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Case in point. Thanks Erik.
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