Mr. Bill
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/09/05
Posts: 2759
Loc: Just passing through.....
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After selling my beloved 150s because of back problems, I find myself "binocular deprived."
Two possible choices given these parameters...100mm and 45 degree oculars.
1. Oberwerk BT 100 45 degree
2. Miyauchi Saturn III 100mmx33
Oberwerk BTs....heavy at 26 pounds but use 1 1/4 eps that can use standard filters (UHC and OIII).
Miyauchi 100s.... weigh only 13 pounds but use proprietory eps that can't ?? use standard filters.
Any other ideas...money not an issue.
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10x50 Fujinon FMT-SX binos
15x70 AP binos + Paragon p-mount
Oberwerk 100BT 45 degree + Hercules fork mount
120mm f/5 Orion achromat + Moonlite focuser
140mm f/5.7 Vixen NeoAchro Petzvel refractor
150mm f/6.5 Antares achromat
150mm f/8 homemade achromat....EE Barnard MW Sweeper
8 inch newt with f/5 Swayze mirror
10 inch f/4.7 Orion newt + Paracorr
15 inch f/5 Discovery split tube
35mm Pan, 26mm Nagler, 17mm Nagler, 13mm Ethos, 8mm Ethos
Member IDA
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Mark9473
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/21/05
Posts: 2699
Loc: 51°N 4°E
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In that size, and with no financial constraints, I'd give serious consideration to an apo binoscope.
http://www.page.sannet.ne.jp/mazmoto/index-e.htm
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Mark
Leica 8x20; Vixen 8x42; Swift 8.5x44, 10x50 and 20x80; TS 7x50; Orion 15x63
WO Megrez II 80 FD + Baader 90° T2 Amici
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 1660
Loc: Colorado Rocky Mt. High
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Money may not be an issue, but Price may be an entirely different matter. 
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Pentax 12x50mm PCF WP II FMC/WP/FP
Pentax 16x60mm PCF WP FMC/WP/FP
Pentax 20x60mm PCF WP II FMC/WP/FP
Orion 12x63mm Mini Giant FMC/JAPAN
Orion 15x70mm Little Giant II FMC/JAPAN
Orion 16x80mm Giant FMC/JAPAN
Orion 20x70mm Little Giant II FMC/JAPAN
Orion 30x80mm MEGAView FMC/JAPAN
Barska 30x80mm X-Trail LW FC
Burgess Optical Series II 20x90mm FMC/WP/FP
Handel's Messiah**Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
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edcannon
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/19/03
Posts: 679
Loc: Austin, Texas
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Mr. Bill,
I'm very sorry to hear of another one suffering with back trouble! I hope that you will feel better. And good luck on finding the best possible successor for your observing sessions!
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Ed Cannon - Austin, Texas, USA
As of 23 August 2008 - Celestron Skymaster 12x60
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Mr. Bill
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/09/05
Posts: 2759
Loc: Just passing through.....
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Quote:
Mr. Bill,
I'm very sorry to hear of another one suffering with back trouble! I hope that you will feel better. And good luck on finding the best possible successor for your observing sessions!
Thanks Ed....at least I'm not monocular optics deprived.
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10x50 Fujinon FMT-SX binos
15x70 AP binos + Paragon p-mount
Oberwerk 100BT 45 degree + Hercules fork mount
120mm f/5 Orion achromat + Moonlite focuser
140mm f/5.7 Vixen NeoAchro Petzvel refractor
150mm f/6.5 Antares achromat
150mm f/8 homemade achromat....EE Barnard MW Sweeper
8 inch newt with f/5 Swayze mirror
10 inch f/4.7 Orion newt + Paracorr
15 inch f/5 Discovery split tube
35mm Pan, 26mm Nagler, 17mm Nagler, 13mm Ethos, 8mm Ethos
Member IDA
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Mr. Bill
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/09/05
Posts: 2759
Loc: Just passing through.....
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Quote:
Money may not be an issue, but Price may be an entirely different matter.
Money not an issue, value is.
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10x50 Fujinon FMT-SX binos
15x70 AP binos + Paragon p-mount
Oberwerk 100BT 45 degree + Hercules fork mount
120mm f/5 Orion achromat + Moonlite focuser
140mm f/5.7 Vixen NeoAchro Petzvel refractor
150mm f/6.5 Antares achromat
150mm f/8 homemade achromat....EE Barnard MW Sweeper
8 inch newt with f/5 Swayze mirror
10 inch f/4.7 Orion newt + Paracorr
15 inch f/5 Discovery split tube
35mm Pan, 26mm Nagler, 17mm Nagler, 13mm Ethos, 8mm Ethos
Member IDA
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10146
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Sorry to hear about this , Mr.Bill
Does your condition not prevent you from using any of those large scopes then ?
Regards
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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Mr. Bill
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/09/05
Posts: 2759
Loc: Just passing through.....
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Quote:
Sorry to hear about this , Mr.Bill
Does your condition not prevent you from using any of those large scopes then ?
Regards
Kenny
Hi Kenny, thanks for asking.
No, the problem was doing a "clean and jerk" over my shoulders with 43 pounds of binocular....worried about a muscle spasm causing me to drop them.
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10x50 Fujinon FMT-SX binos
15x70 AP binos + Paragon p-mount
Oberwerk 100BT 45 degree + Hercules fork mount
120mm f/5 Orion achromat + Moonlite focuser
140mm f/5.7 Vixen NeoAchro Petzvel refractor
150mm f/6.5 Antares achromat
150mm f/8 homemade achromat....EE Barnard MW Sweeper
8 inch newt with f/5 Swayze mirror
10 inch f/4.7 Orion newt + Paracorr
15 inch f/5 Discovery split tube
35mm Pan, 26mm Nagler, 17mm Nagler, 13mm Ethos, 8mm Ethos
Member IDA
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10146
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Mr.B
Thanks for the prompt and self - explanatory reply !
Would a 45 degree Kowa Highlander not fit the bill ? ( no pun intended ) :-)
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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Mr. Bill
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/09/05
Posts: 2759
Loc: Just passing through.....
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Quote:
Mr.B
Thanks for the prompt and self - explanatory reply !
Would a 45 degree Kowa Highlander not fit the bill ? ( no pun intended ) :-)
Kenny
Hi Kenny...aren't the Highlanders 82mm? 100mm are my minimum.
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10x50 Fujinon FMT-SX binos
15x70 AP binos + Paragon p-mount
Oberwerk 100BT 45 degree + Hercules fork mount
120mm f/5 Orion achromat + Moonlite focuser
140mm f/5.7 Vixen NeoAchro Petzvel refractor
150mm f/6.5 Antares achromat
150mm f/8 homemade achromat....EE Barnard MW Sweeper
8 inch newt with f/5 Swayze mirror
10 inch f/4.7 Orion newt + Paracorr
15 inch f/5 Discovery split tube
35mm Pan, 26mm Nagler, 17mm Nagler, 13mm Ethos, 8mm Ethos
Member IDA
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10146
Loc: Lancashire UK
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< Hi Kenny...aren't the Highlanders 82mm? 100mm are my minimum. >
Indeed they are -- but I was just thinking about your back really :-) ---
--- Oh -- and it's whisphered they are not at all bad , either ! :-)
Regards
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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edwincjones
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 4423
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Kenny has a good idea with the Kowa Highlander although only 88 or 82mm and eps are very, very expensive but better glass than the MT
I have the miyauchi 100mm florite (no longer made), but the replacement reportly is very good and gives a larger FOV than the Saturn III with probably better glass
if money is no object, the is the miyauchi 25x141 at about same weight as BT100-45
I have said before, if given a choice between the MT25x150 and the miyauchi, I would keep the miyauchi due to portability and better contrast. If starting over, I would probably go with the Kowa Highlander florite with 3 $1000 ep pairs (if money really were no object).
But if money is an object, the BT100s offer the best value
edj
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n w arkansas
Binocular, Solar, General Amateur Astronomy
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Mr. Bill
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/09/05
Posts: 2759
Loc: Just passing through.....
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Quote:
Kenny has a good idea with the Kowa Highlander although only 88 or 82mm and eps are very, very expensive but better glass than the MT
I have the miyauchi 100mm florite (no longer made), but the replacement reportly is very good and gives a larger FOV than the Saturn III with probably better glass
if money is no object, the is the miyauchi 25x141 at about same weight as BT100-45
I have said before, if given a choice between the MT25x150 and the miyauchi, I would keep the miyauchi due to portability and better contrast. If starting over, I would probably go with the Kowa Highlander florite with 3 $1000 ep pairs (if money really were no object).
But if money is an object, the BT100s offer the best value
edj
Thanks, edj...
your council is always welcome....
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10x50 Fujinon FMT-SX binos
15x70 AP binos + Paragon p-mount
Oberwerk 100BT 45 degree + Hercules fork mount
120mm f/5 Orion achromat + Moonlite focuser
140mm f/5.7 Vixen NeoAchro Petzvel refractor
150mm f/6.5 Antares achromat
150mm f/8 homemade achromat....EE Barnard MW Sweeper
8 inch newt with f/5 Swayze mirror
10 inch f/4.7 Orion newt + Paracorr
15 inch f/5 Discovery split tube
35mm Pan, 26mm Nagler, 17mm Nagler, 13mm Ethos, 8mm Ethos
Member IDA
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Gordon Rayner
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/24/07
Posts: 506
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What about a small observatory with a column, or a dedicated or semi-dedicated vehicle ? A used flatbed truck(even if immobile)with an anchored TV studio elevating column(Quick-Set, Matthews, Houston Fearless, etc) rollaround would suffice and be too heavy for ordinary burglars. They are not difficult to find used. If required, I have some of the heads for the top, including a monster ITE/Matthews altaz fluid head with at least 3x redundancy for your load. You could security head bolt/weld/ triple chain and padlock everything, and put one or more good canvas tarps or a plywood or steel rolloff lockable weather protection and security box over the equipment. White painted plywood would prevent overheating. Internal condensation should not be a problem,with the marine use designed construction, and if you do have a slow leak, you could change the silica gel between the tubes every few months. I put indicating (blue) silica gel , about 4 times the volume of a rice grain, into doubled panty hose. One can see through it to check the color of the dessicant beads.
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starramus
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 1124
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Quote:
After selling my beloved 150s because of back problems, I find myself "binocular deprived."
I think I would have sought out a well built nearby astronomy buddy to observe with rather than giving up those very best of binos.
By the way would you tell us just how much you got for the 150s? I am curious as to what a used pair would go for.
Regards and clear skies,
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12581
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Think $4000-6000
edz
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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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Mr. Bill
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/09/05
Posts: 2759
Loc: Just passing through.....
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Back to original question...
Miyauchi Saturn III or Oberwerk BT 100mm 45 degree ocular...
--------------------
10x50 Fujinon FMT-SX binos
15x70 AP binos + Paragon p-mount
Oberwerk 100BT 45 degree + Hercules fork mount
120mm f/5 Orion achromat + Moonlite focuser
140mm f/5.7 Vixen NeoAchro Petzvel refractor
150mm f/6.5 Antares achromat
150mm f/8 homemade achromat....EE Barnard MW Sweeper
8 inch newt with f/5 Swayze mirror
10 inch f/4.7 Orion newt + Paracorr
15 inch f/5 Discovery split tube
35mm Pan, 26mm Nagler, 17mm Nagler, 13mm Ethos, 8mm Ethos
Member IDA
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CESDewar
GorillAstronomer
Reged: 01/16/05
Posts: 1812
Loc: Morganton, GA, USA
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Well, I think you partly answered this yourself. Weight was the only reason you parted with the big Fuji's, and those BT-100's at 25lbs with a mount and tripod at an additional 25lbs are going to also seem heavy in time. I have back problems too, and it isn't getting better as I get older
The Saturn III's at 13 lbs and with a nice lifting handle is easy enough to pick up with one hand and hoist onto the mount without any fear of hurting my back. And it works great on a Bogen 475/503 combo (about 12 lbs).
Yes, it's definitely a downside that it doesn't take 1.25" EP's and filters. However, if money is not an object, there just might be some options there if you are willing to pay for some custom machine work.
My mantra is "Convenience Rules" - not "Aperture Rules" and the Saturn III's certainly do well in that department with a total weight of 25lbs for binos, mount and tripod.
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edwincjones
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 4423
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Quote:
Back to original question...
Miyauchi Saturn III or Oberwerk BT 100mm 45 degree ocular...
BT100s----heavy
Saturn III---will you be satified with FOV 2 degrees at 33x, less with higher mag?
miyauchi 26x100 APO---is 2.5 FOV worth $1000 more to you?
edj
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n w arkansas
Binocular, Solar, General Amateur Astronomy
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edwincjones
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 4423
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note to readers:
I avoided Mr Bill's problem by building an observatory around my 25x150 and leave them permently mounted.
Yesterday I took them down, packed them for trip to DSRSG-all the time admiring my 20x100s and 90mm refractors small size and portability.
size costs,
edj
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n w arkansas
Binocular, Solar, General Amateur Astronomy
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