Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Cloudy Nights - Official Forums of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User   You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> Binoculars Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 Anonymous Unregistered What can I see?       #129126 - 06/18/04 05:20 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   All I have is a pair of 8x25 binoculars. Can I see anything at all with these? Post Extras:       werewolf6977 Lord High Smasher Reged: 12/15/03 Posts: 7582 Loc: Hanover, Ohio Re: What can I see? [Re: ]       #129135 - 06/18/04 06:29 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Welcome to Cloudy Nights! You should be able to see the Moon, and brighter stars, planets. Anybino is better than none! Clear Dark Skies!! Pete -------------------- 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 "Science without Religion is lame, Religion without Science is blind" A.Einstein. Post Extras:       Craig Simmons Carpal Tunnel Reged: 12/10/03 Posts: 1502 Loc: Falls Church, VA Re: What can I see? [Re: werewolf6977]       #129144 - 06/18/04 07:06 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   A larger bino in the 8x42 or 10x50 size would be a better choice for stargazing. -------------------- Craig Simmons Oberwerk 8x56, 20x90 Nikon Action IV 10x50 Barska 15x70 Galileo 20x60 Stellarvue 15x63, 20x85 Orion XT10 pre-Classic Antares 10 Stellarvue AT1010 Post Extras:       lighttrap Reged: 02/06/04 Posts: 3833 Loc: cloudy, foggy, humid NC, US Re: What can I see? [Re: ]       #129154 - 06/18/04 07:58 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   The difference in what you'll be able to see with even a fairly cheap larger binocular as compared to those 8x25s will astound you. I'd highly recommend getting a binocular with a *minimum* of a 40mm objective. Given that useable, (not good or great, but useable), 10x50s can be had for under $50, there's probably no reason to torture yourself with the little 8x25s. Now, having said that, I'll add that I've seen 2 of the 4 Galilean moons of Jupiter with just a set of 10x25s. With 7x50s, 8x40s, 10x50s, etc. it's fairly easy to see all 4 of the moons of Jupiter when that planet is high enough in the nightsky. (It won't be for awhile, now.) If you can step up into binoculars in the $100-$250 range, there are numerous superior choices that will literally open up whole new worlds for you. But, even if you can't, there are some extreme budget models that will still be vastly superior to the micro binoculars. Welcome to CN. Mike Swaim -------------------- 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 Post Extras:       Anonymous Unregistered Re: What can I see? [Re: ]       #129162 - 06/18/04 08:23 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Eric, any telescopic/binocular equipment will enhance your viewing. Granted, the pair you have may not be ideal, but it is a start. I suggest going out at night (and during the day for that matter) and get a feel for the light grab of your binos. In parallel with that, check out (if possible) a local astronomy club, star parties, and magazines/books on the subject to get more acquainted with binoculars. This will enable you to make a more informed, educated decision on how to proceed in the hobby and how to smartly make a purchase to upgrade your binoculars. Post Extras:       Craig Simmons Carpal Tunnel Reged: 12/10/03 Posts: 1502 Loc: Falls Church, VA Re: What can I see? [Re: lighttrap]       #129163 - 06/18/04 08:25 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Definitely under $50. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000YOSUY/ref=wl_it_dp/104-1129293-9779160?%5Fencoding=UTF8&coliid=I2MBI5A7JAISVC&colid=38TF0CMYECPLT -------------------- Craig Simmons Oberwerk 8x56, 20x90 Nikon Action IV 10x50 Barska 15x70 Galileo 20x60 Stellarvue 15x63, 20x85 Orion XT10 pre-Classic Antares 10 Stellarvue AT1010 Post Extras:       Anonymous Unregistered Re: What can I see? [Re: Craig Simmons]       #129189 - 06/18/04 09:48 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Try and see. Post Extras:       square_peg Postmaster Reged: 03/26/04 Posts: 24564 Loc: Maple Valley, WA Re: What can I see? [Re: ]       #130570 - 06/21/04 01:23 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Out of curiosity I just stepped outside with a pair of Bushnell 10×25's. Saw a few barely discernable features on the new moon. I couldn't resolve any of Jupiter's moons. My 10-30×50 Barskas at 10× showed much greater lunar detail and 2 of Jupiter's moons. This under so-so seeing conditions. -------------------- Tom (Pegster) DSH-8 (GSO Dob) 15x70 Oberwerks SVP 100 f/6 achro WO 66 Petzval Sears Discoverer EQ 60/900 8x42 Regals History is Philosophy teaching by examples. Thucydides Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 12 registered and 20 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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