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cmb1177
member
Reged: 03/12/06
Posts: 55
Loc: Western New York
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Hello, everyone;
My father-in-law has developed a bit of an obsession with the ISS, more specifically, watching the fly-overs, every, single chance he gets. The past few days, he's been asking me about binoculars for viewing the ISS; like which size/magnification should he get. Unfortunately, I have very, very little experience with binocs, so I told him I would ask the experts 
First, has anyone viewed the ISS with binoculars? What kind of view can be expected? I'm certain he would be disappointed if it still looks like a star, but he said that he read it's not unlikely to see the solar panels.... 
So, if this is possible, what size binoculars should he be looking for? I know he prefers hand-held, so would 10x50 be a safe "limit"? I have found a few pair of 7x50s, but I obviously want him to have enough power. Image-stabalizing are probably going to be out of the price range he wants to be in, as well. I know he'll probably want the largest pair he can hold steady, but I don't want to let him over do it. He's fascinated with the views through my telescope, so I'm sure he'll use the binocs for the moon and whatever star clusters I can point him to, but all he can think about now is the ISS.
There's enough information out there about manufacturers and their products, so all I'm really looking for is size/mag suggestions. He hasn't really settled on a price yet, anyway (probably $100 or less).
Thanks for reading
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Best,
Chris
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Clive Gibbons
Mostly Harmless
Reged: 05/26/05
Posts: 10519
Loc: Oort Cloud
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Hi Chris.
Looking at the ISS with 7x50mm or 10x50mm binocs won't show any details.
It'll look like a very bright star thru them.
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A few telescopes of dubious value.
Understanding wife and three curious cats.
"Semper ubi sub ubi"
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12789
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Even at 15x, the ISS will not look like anything more than a slightly enlarged pindot.
Really Great Space Station Pass!
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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cmb1177
member
Reged: 03/12/06
Posts: 55
Loc: Western New York
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Thanks guys 
This was the answer I expected, though not the one my father-in-law was looking for  . Hopefully, I can convince him to get a nice pair of binoculars, anyway. I know he would use them if he had them.
Thanks again!
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Best,
Chris
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