Telescope Reviews: Small binoculars? Need some help!

Answering the original question, I feel we need more specifics on what is meant by "large field". Virtually all binoculars have a large field compared to a typical telescope field at typical telescope powers. However, compared to a wide field pair of binoculars, a standard angle pair which can often give fairly good edge of field definition up to the field edge, suffers by comparison. A pair such as the Orion Vista 8x42 probably comes closest to fulfilling the requirements of the original post, however it is standard angle. Even so the 6.5 degree true field should serve well. These binoculars are also light weight. The Carton Adlerblick 8x42 are essentially the same binoculars, but with a more durable rubber (vs. leatherette) skin. Swift Ultralites of the same size would also work well.

In an earlier post, Kenny said - "For a multitude of very good reasons , the majority of contributors to this forums have seldom compared the views through REALLY good binoculars to those through much less expensive instruments such as Chinese binoculars retailing typically for less than $100 US. To and through MY eyes , there continues to be a significant difference between the image quality of certain models of binoculars bearing name tags such as Fujinon ,Kowa , Leica ,Miyuachi , Nikon, Swarovski , Takahashi and Zeiss and a miriad of others."

There is a significant quality gap between premium binoculars and cheap imports. These differences do become glaringly evident in critical observing situations. The differences are not confined to just the optics and the optical train, but to other little things such as focuser feel and movement, eyecup construction and comfort and smell(yes smell, ever walk thru a warehouse full of tires and you will know what I mean). Some of these little things that may seem very minor at first, quickly become major when the binoculars become intimate companions for long periods of time. I have spent the past 27 years buying binoculars. I have upgraded from one pair to the next because of those little things which quickly became major aggravations with use.

One word of advise to anyone happy with a lower priced pair of binoculars - do not look thru a truly premium pair of binoculars. Your significant other and your wallet will be sorry that you did!

Kenny also said - "Given equal optical qualities in every other respect, for astronomical purposes , apart from the hand - shaking phenomena , why ANYONE might suggest that a 8 x 42 binocular will show MORE than a 10 x 42 is quite beyond my understanding."

Kenny the lower magnification pair will not show more, unless in some cases the lower power pair has a wider field, and then it will show more at one time. Additionally a higher power pair will often have less eye relief, so then it may be critical for the prospective buyer to select the one with greater eye relief. Aside from this, the other consideration would be exit pupil which would be just about exactly one millimeter larger in the 8x pair, this may be a major consideration for some. You are absolutely right though, in that discounting potential field size differences, the 10x pair will show more.

Barry Simon