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Joad
Wordsmith
Reged: 03/22/05
Posts: 11920
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Well, megacoupe, you see that we are so passionate about binoculars around here that we even find our feathers being ruffled here and there when discussing them. We're really just friends here  , and you can help us all out by letting us know what you think about your binocular choice. Thanks.
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mttafire
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/02/06
Posts: 1114
Loc: midwest
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Quote:
I'll take free 15x70's on a cheap tripod for astro use over free 10x50's handheld.
Agreed. I have no issues using 15x70's hand held at all. Kenny makes a good point also..It just going to be a personal preference thing..
--------------------
God Bless America
Binocular astronomy
for me ONLY.
8x45 Garretts
15x70 Skymasters
2 eyes!
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BillC
on a new path
Reged: 06/04/04
Posts: 2110
Loc: Washington, USA
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
But, Bill, this pawn shop idea works
only for people who know much about
the many brands and types of binoculars.
Amalia
I would like to respectfully disagree. Anyone, in any country can go into a pawn shop and check out the binoculars. They may draw their own conclusions about look, feel and cost.
Bill,
I have myself to respectfully disagree, and even more,
shake you a little... look:
Quote:
Anyone, in any country can go into a pawn shop
and check out the binoculars.
This is not really true. From my (short) internet research
I have found out that we actually have exactly *one*
pawn house, situated in Zürich. It accepts
(all only when cleaned)
watches (only Swiss watches)
jewelry (only gold and platin)
diamonds
gold ingots and gold coins (also international ones)
bicycles (only recent models)
music instruments (no pianos)
http://www.zkb.ch/zkb/partner/pfand/gegenstaende.html
No binoculars.
There are other shores, you know, Bill. 
Amalia
That's one!! Great job!! I was painting with a brush that was too broad--the VERY thing I would get onto others about!!
Having said that, I would like you to know that while I am pleased to be American, I have never turned my back on the rest of the world. Certainly, the Swiss have a smaller country, a higher income rate than most, and more financial discipline than most Americans.
Still, would you consider that there may be pawn shops listed under other names?
My first time in Lower Manhattan, I went grazy looking for "Pawn Shops." I knew I was in the capital of pawn shops but everyone acted like they had never HEARD of one. Finally, someone said, "Oh, he means 'HOCK' Shops." With that regional difference solved, I was directed to the HOCK SHOP district, two streets over.
Cheers,
Bill
--------------------
William J. Cook, Chief Opticalman, USNR-Ret.
Founding Editor, Amateur Telescope Making Journal
20-year vet. of Captain's Nautical Supplies, Optics Dept. Mgr.
Optics Machanic, WG11-3306, Ft. Lewis, Tacoma,WA
Yata, Yata, Yata . . .
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Djembebob
member
Reged: 02/15/07
Posts: 86
Loc: Crestline, California
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megacoupe,
If this is a gift someone is getting you and you already have plans on a scope the 10x50s could be just what you are looking for. But I agree you have to find a place to look for yourself. If it is a sight unseen thing or if someone is giving you one of the binoculars you have mentioned from their collection the 10x50s are still a good place to start.
Bob
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ZachK
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/21/05
Posts: 667
Loc: Israel
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Whatever one you decide to buy make sure you can mount it on a tripod. Even if mostly you hand hold it there will be times that the tripod option will be useful.
With my 15x70's I put them on a tripod for long sessions, but will hand hold them if I am only taking a quick look. there are a few tricks to steady them even without a tripod.
1) View sitting down.
2) Lean against a wall or the like and brace them against your eye sockets.
3) Do 1&2 together.
4) If standing put your elbows on the top of your car or the like. This will brace them quite well.
There are probably others as well. And of course these should work just as well with any binocular.
--------------------
Zach Kessin
Yesha Israel
Meade ETX 127 Mak-Cass
15x70 Celestron Skymaster Binoculars
Sinar F 4x5 view camera
Rolliflex Camera 80mm F2.8
Pentax K-1000 Camera 35,50 and 60--300mm zoom
3 kids, Large cat, small dog
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WayneO
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/16/04
Posts: 539
Loc: cloudy Pittsburgh PENNSYLVANIA
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This guy probably thinks your all crazy going back and forth like that. No wonder he hasn’t responded after his first post !
--------------------
clear skies
Wayne B.
meade 12.5 dob 4.8 (super modified "95")not really a Meade anymore :-)
TMB 105/650 LW, CG-5 GT
SolarMax 40
25x100 FMC binos w/T&T mount
Leupold 10x50 mesa
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Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2560
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
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Wayne B,
Very good point. I hope we were more helpful in your quest.
Erik D
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ChrisR
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/11/05
Posts: 518
Loc: Washington
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Uhmmmm I thought we were all crazy. Please correct me if I am wrong. 
Peace,
Chris
--------------------
Journeyman Optical Technician
Amateur Astronomer.
All around good guy
Orion, StarMax 127
Canon, 12x36 IS
Minolta, 8x25 WR
Halco, 7x50
Nippon Kogaku, Micron 7x35
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johnno
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 807
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Quote:
This guy probably thinks your all crazy going back and forth like that. No wonder he hasn’t responded after his first post !
Hi All,
I totally agree,
Just a suggestion,
But perhaps when a NEWCOMER asks a Specific Question.
In Future,He,or She,be directed to the relevant.
"BEST OF" Section
There Should be enough Info there to answer their question,without getting heaps of personal preferences,
Which is only going to confuse the heck out of them.
Basically,What I am Trying to say,
If a Newcomer CANT, learn from the best of Section,
They have Absolutely,no Hope of learning anything from Posts,containing,
Conflicting Opinions
Regards.John
Edited by johnno (03/22/07 11:32 AM)
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Bob W6PU
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/23/04
Posts: 2191
Loc: Springer-N.E.NM
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I'm very happy to see you posting here Amalia, but we really do miss your wise input on the Eyepiece Forum...Please do come back! 
Wiedersehen!
Bob
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megacoupe
newbie
Reged: 10/21/06
Posts: 2
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I would like to thank everyone for their help and opinions in this thread. There is a lot of valuable information and I do believe I have made a decision based on the suggestions in this thread.
I don't believe a tripod is in my budget, and since it is likely that I will be purchasing an Orion XT6 for serious star-gazing, I think the Pentax will be the best choice for me. I think it will be just large enough to be effective for spotting and the like, but small enough to be handheld and won't overwhelm a beginning astronomer like myself. And it doesn't hurt that I will be able to use it on other occasions (opera/ballet anyone?).
One thing I would like to add in response to johnno's post is that even though the "Best Of" section is a great resource, the information is overwhelming and the organization is a little hard to follow. Before starting this thread, I looked through the "Best Of" section for a significant amount of time, reading carefully in some parts and skimming in others. In general, I found the info to be too disjointed to help me with my query.
On the other hand, the opinions and personal experiences of the posters in this thread were very influential to my decision. I think that as long as other people are willing to post objective opinions that address the positives and negatives of any given subject, an intelligent person should be able to use that information to make an informed opinion of their own.
In regards to information in the "Best Of" section, perhaps the administrators of cloudynights.com should consider putting up a Wiki page that can modified by the posters of this forum. I've found Wiki pages on other websites to be quite well-organized and very useful for subjects I had little previous knowledge of. Examples include:
http://www.gbpvr.com/pmwiki/
http://www.ipodlinux.org/Main_Page
http://www.azureuswiki.com/index.php/Main_Page
It's only a suggestion, but I think it's a natural next step for the "Best Of" section and would be become an even greater resource for those seeking information on the subject.
Once again, thanks to everyone. I'm going to keep browsing through these forums and will hopefully let everyone know what I think of the Pentax binos once I get them.
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Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2560
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
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I think a 10X50 is a very sensible choice. Like all of us, you will experince long stretch of nights when it's too cloudy, too cold or you are just too busy to star gaze. A pair of 10X binos will be nice for terrestrial viewing.
You also have good point about the overwhelming amount of info in our best of section. A few of us long term regulars on the bino forum know where to look for info becasue we were present at the inception but most do not. I do my best to provide a link when I have the time.
Keep posting if you can't find the info you want. Sometimes new members uncover products or web sites we are not aware of in the process.
ERik D
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10155
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Megacoupe ,
I would like to thank you for taking the time to have written such a thoughtful and appreciative reply to each and every member here who has tried to help advise you .
In this case , it was perhaps a pity there seemed to be so many opposing opinions , but sometimes that is just the nature of the kind of lively conflict which can arise from time to time , when really there is no ONE SINGLE entirely correct answer to a question .
I'm also pleased you took the time to read through what has now become a HUGE back - catalogue of selected posts in the BEST OF section , which I agree is anything but easy to follow , but probably even less easy to organise and update as EdZ has done so painstakingly and honourably , free of charge , in his own time since it's inception .
It's promising that you feel comfortable enough to put forward a creative suggestion in only your second post here , even though , based upon SOME Wiki pages I've read , I'm afraid I don't agree that a " free for all " would necessarily make this BEST OF section any better resourced or easy to follow .
I've had my personal doubts and disputes in the past about the autocratic nature of the current arrangement , but came to realise it is probably the best way for it remain .
Good look with your 10 x 50s , and please DO keep in touch with us .
There have been too many who haven't done so in the past .
Regards and clear skies ,
Kenny
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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
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lynntx
sage
Reged: 03/25/04
Posts: 283
Loc: North Texas, USA
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Yea, what Kenny said. ;>)
Lynn
--------------------
Texas, USA
*******************
Orion ST80
127mm F8 Burgess Refractor
8" F6 Dob
8X21, 8X30, 8X42, 7X50, 15X70 Binoculars
(Psalm 19:1)
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Amalia
Reged: 10/16/04
Posts: 5165
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Quote:
And thanks/welcome to Amalia, enthusiastic bi-(n)ocular poly-glot.
Thank you for welcoming me, Jay!  Here I feel like coming home!
Quote:
I'm very happy to see you posting here Amalia, but we really do miss
your wise input on the Eyepiece Forum...
Bob
Bob,
you know, there are some really loud, arr, clever guys
over there, so the EP forum really does not need me anymore.
As we say here:
Better an end with a shock
than shocks without end.
 By the way, what is the meaning of "eyepieces"?
I had to forget the meaning of eyepiece
to regain my eye's peace...
Amalia 
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Amalia
Reged: 10/16/04
Posts: 5165
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Quote:
In regards to information in the "Best Of" section, perhaps the
administrators of cloudynights.com should consider putting up a Wiki
page that can modified by the posters of this forum. I've found Wiki pages
on other websites to be quite well-organized and very useful for subjects
I had little previous knowledge of.
Mr. Megacoupe, this is your second post here...
Actually I had the same wish/idea/need since a very long time. But as I
understand it, the need to get such a well-organised order is not really
felt on CN. I actually learned to forget it.
BUT *the one and only* two exceptions here are CN' Review and Report Section...
and the Binocular Forum. In fact EdZ seems to be the only one to have
organised his forum in a really useful way.
So I would say: Maybe it's up to *you* to learn to understand his organisation.
Personally I found it very easily understandable, so if you like, I stand at your
disposition to learn to understand the Binocular Forum's Best Of.
Regards,
Amalia
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Bill
super member
Reged: 11/27/04
Posts: 140
Loc: Oklahoma
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Smiles and waves to Amalia...
I just have to ask. 26.5 Marmots... Which half of a Marmot scores or was it really only half a Marmot?
Nice to see you posting again... I kinda miss the smile but the cat is OK too.
--------------------
8" f6 Celestron Starhopper Dob
80mm WO Zenithstar
10x42 Leupold Windriver Cascades
Swift 8.5x44
2 Celestron 8x32 Bins (Japan)
Garrett Optical 15x70 Signature Series Bins
LXD55 Goto
TeleVue Telepod
CG4 on Vixen Tripod
Paragon Plus Bino mount
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Amalia
Reged: 10/16/04
Posts: 5165
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Thank you, Bill!
You know, the cat is not me, and the smile was not me either...
About the marmots:
I really have observed that much alpine marmots in
a very short time. It was last summer, and as there were
amazingly many marmots, so "the jury" was not able to
correctly follow my fast discoverings.
Well, we have to imagine alpine marmots as very lively
beings, often moving, even if in the late summer they
carry a quite considerable belly. So it happened that
nobody, "nor the jury, nor me", was sure if "we" had counted
or not a specific marmot. And so "we" agreed in a compromise which
said that this marmot shall be counted as half a marmot.
All clear? 
Thank you for writing!
Amalia
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