ronharper
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/14/06
Posts: 877
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Just for learning your way around constellations, in a light-polluted place where 5th or even 4th magnitude stars can be hard to pick out, you need wide field more than anything else. I haven't used one, but the Mighty Mite Miyauchi 5x32 looks to me like the weapon of choice. 13.2 degrees, and excellent quality too, or so they say. Search on this forum for discussions of this unique instrument. I bet it would give nice views of the Milky Way from a dark site, too.
Ron
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12110
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Compare the effective aperture of the 8x binoculars in that article. Sometimes more is not more.
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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AstroRealtor
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/26/08
Posts: 538
Loc: Terra Firma
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EdZ,
Correct me if I'm looking in the wrong place; but; hasn't the price of the Celestron Regals that you review in that article gone up by over twice since the article was written?
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Clear Skies, Jim
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Discovering: Messier objects, Deep sky treasures, NGCs, Double stars, & Nebulae of all kinds.
Televue 85 "Polaris" Mount
Custom Crafted Newtonian Dob 8" f7 w/Feathertouch
Celestron Cometron Reflector 114mm f8
Zeiss Diafun 8 X 30 Binos
Zeiss 10 X 56 Binos
 Aldrich Astronomical Society
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Tony Flanders
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/18/06
Posts: 1778
Loc: Cambridge, MA, USA
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Quote:
To learn the constellations all you need to do is have a planisphere and look up.
But only if your skies are reasonably dark. Really bright constellations like Leo show well enough in the city -- though even for that constellation, the "Sickle" (lion's head) is likely to prove challenging from typical urban locations. But to make out Pisces (a pretty important constellation, being one of the 12 signs of the zodiac) binoculars are a huge help even from medium-dark suburbs.
For this particular purpose -- and this purpose alone -- I strongly recommend the lowest power and widest field you can find. Certainly nothing above 8X, and preferably 7X or lower. Even the measliest optical aid will boost your limiting magnitude by two, which is all you need to make out the signature stars of all constellations even through the worst light pollution.
If you also want to see deep-sky objects (or double stars) within the constellations, then you might want to go a little bigger. In any case, hand-held binoculars are far superior to mounted ones for learning the sky.
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Tony Flanders
eyeglasses
6x15 and 8x32 monoculars
8x25, 7x35, 10x30 IS, 10x50, and 15x70 binoculars
70mm and 100mm achromatic refractors
4.5", 7", and 12.5" Dobs
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Wes James
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 2297
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For a really widefield view, one might want to consider the Constellation View 2340 bino's from Blue Planet Optics... 2.3x40's- a good aid for viewing larger portions of the sky for only $99.00.
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Wes
Atlantic Beach, FL
Some bino’s from Miyauchi 5x32 Binon's up through Garrett 20x110 Signature's,
Some telescopes from a Stellarvue 80mm NHNG up through a couple of 8” reflectors…
And a wonderful 4.25" Delmarva Shiefspiegler!
Some good friends, made here on C/N.
Oh- several cats and a wonderful wife!
Anyone want a cat???? :-O
"When your work speaks for itself- Don't Interrupt" -Gamble Rogers
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12110
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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I was lucky enough to get the Regal during a very short sale. In fact that sale was not even extended by all dealers, so it was a one dealer sale. You will probably not see the low price I posted for the Regal anywhere else. The price is $300+.
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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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12110
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Quote:
2.3x40's- a good aid for viewing larger portions of the sky for only $99.00
But not for seeing very much deeper in magnitude. the exit pupil rules limit the effective aperture of this binoc to about 15mm. Expect about 1 magnitude gain over naked eye, perhaps 2mag, being generous. With an 8x40, you get about a 4 magnitude gain over naked eye.
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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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JAS
member
Reged: 02/26/08
Posts: 33
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Is there any consensus on the Miyauchi 5x32? Most of you recommend something like the 8x42 up to a 10x50 (max)for learning the constellations. Is a 5x32 too weak for this purpose? Do you advise sticking to the 8x42s to the 10x50s?
Thanks
js
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Rich N
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/22/04
Posts: 5176
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif...
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Just a suggestion to the OP. If we ask you a question and you answer it by going back and editing your earlier post, we aren't likely to look back at your earlier posts to find your answer. At least not if we have been reading this thread from the beginning.
Rich
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Vincent33
member
Reged: 09/18/07
Posts: 95
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Quote:
Is there any consensus on the Miyauchi 5x32?
I'm still waiting for them; but I've got a Bushnell XtraWide 5x25, that can be found on eBay for few, from 40 USD. Didn't still tried them on the sky, their major flaw is IMHO in the fact they don't accomodate for my miopy at infinity (maybe will they be the reason for me to switch to contact lenses?  ). At least, in my philosophy, it's some glass more. I don't repent. And because to their reverse Porro design, I've been able to see an entire face from 7'. Bye.
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ronharper
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/14/06
Posts: 877
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A CONSESUS!? HERE!?
Here's a recent discussion of the Baby Binon
Ron
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AstroRealtor
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/26/08
Posts: 538
Loc: Terra Firma
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Quote:
Just a suggestion to the OP. If we ask you a question and you answer it by going back and editing your earlier post, we aren't likely to look back at your earlier posts to find your answer. At least not if we have been reading this thread from the beginning.
Rich
To be clearer on my question. The Zeiss Design Selection binos that I have now have helped me in some regard to learn the sky. They are very heavy however; (over 3 lbs) and need to be mounted in order to be used for extended views. They are extremely bright for 10 X 56 mm binos. (Zeiss lists twilight factor of 23.7) I'm now looking for something lighter and I appreciate all the hard work and info in EdZ's articles on small binos. I'm leaning towards a wider field lower power bino. Is there a good, bright, sharp optics 5-7 X 40 or so that weighs close to one pound? (454 +/- grams) I would definately not need to mount them if their mass is in this category.
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Clear Skies, Jim
--------------------------------------------------
Discovering: Messier objects, Deep sky treasures, NGCs, Double stars, & Nebulae of all kinds.
Televue 85 "Polaris" Mount
Custom Crafted Newtonian Dob 8" f7 w/Feathertouch
Celestron Cometron Reflector 114mm f8
Zeiss Diafun 8 X 30 Binos
Zeiss 10 X 56 Binos
Aldrich Astronomical Society
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JAS
member
Reged: 02/26/08
Posts: 33
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Thanks Ron - I read all that, which is why I remain confused! I want to continue to learn constellations and gain perspective on the shape of the night sky etc. I only have my eyes to do so. On the thread you refer to,some advocate the widest FOV possible-votes for the 5x32. Others believe that anything less than 7x32 or so are not that useful for this purpose. Refining the question- To learn the sky using a star chart (and possibly ((not a requirement)) even seeing some Messier obj.)what would you advise? I know that the answer does not boil down to a single choice via mag/objective size, but I'd like to know your opinions on this question and why youi'd make your particular choice....
Thanks-
js
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Rich N
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/22/04
Posts: 5176
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif...
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Quote:
Quote:
Just a suggestion to the OP. If we ask you a question and you answer it by going back and editing your earlier post, we aren't likely to look back at your earlier posts to find your answer. At least not if we have been reading this thread from the beginning.
Rich
To be clearer on my question. The Zeiss Design Selection binos that I have now have helped me in some regard to learn the sky. They are very heavy however; (over 3 lbs) and need to be mounted in order to be used for extended views. They are extremely bright for 10 X 56 mm binos. (Zeiss lists twilight factor of 23.7) I'm now looking for something lighter and I appreciate all the hard work and info in EdZ's articles on small binos. I'm leaning towards a wider field lower power bino. Is there a good, bright, sharp optics 5-7 X 40 or so that weighs close to one pound? (454 +/- grams) I would definately not need to mount them if their mass is in this category.
Thank you!
I find that if try to use a binocular that is too light weight it is more difficult to hold steady. For me, around 740 g to 765 g works best. The Zeiss Victory 7x42 T FL is 740 g.
Even if you have a 225 g binocular you will get tired holding it for an extended period because it is your arms that weigh a lot.
Thanks again.
All the best,
Rich
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 9960
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Almost , if not everything with binoculars is a compromise .
In this particular pursuit , it's much about magnification v field of view v light gathering v hand - holdability v price v "reasonable " image quality
Increase one , and invariably another one ( or more ) suffers as a result .
While I cannot personally endorse the following particular model , as I have never actually knowingly held one in my hands , to my mind , the specifications represent a compromise which I think may be close to what the original poster is looking for ( or perhaps a more expensive version with similar specs. )
http://shopping.rspb.org.uk/mall/productpage.cfm/rspb/R0207/89101
Consider the specs :
8x is agreeable for hand - holding , as is the weight of just below 700 grams .
True field of view , at 8.2 degrees , is considerably wider than that of the Zeiss 10 x 56 .
42mm is just enough aperture to see things and a good size to hand - hold for many .
The 5mm ( ish ) exit - pupil is very comfortable , all things considered .
Porro prism models usually represent better value for money than do Roof prism models at the same price point .
Kenny
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Two eyes and a preference to use both
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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JAS
member
Reged: 02/26/08
Posts: 33
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Hi Ed- Can't find the Celeestron Regals on "Classifieds". Were they sold?
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12110
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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I never listed the Regals on classifieds
and yes, I did sell a Regal.
In fact I've sold about a dozen binoculars in the last 2-3 months.
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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AstroRealtor
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/26/08
Posts: 538
Loc: Terra Firma
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Ed,
Did you review the Celestron "Outland" model? Is this similar to the "Regal"?
--------------------
Clear Skies, Jim
--------------------------------------------------
Discovering: Messier objects, Deep sky treasures, NGCs, Double stars, & Nebulae of all kinds.
Televue 85 "Polaris" Mount
Custom Crafted Newtonian Dob 8" f7 w/Feathertouch
Celestron Cometron Reflector 114mm f8
Zeiss Diafun 8 X 30 Binos
Zeiss 10 X 56 Binos
Aldrich Astronomical Society
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 9960
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Another suggestion worthy of consideration , perhaps ?
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=2452
Kenny
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Two eyes and a preference to use both
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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ronharper
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/14/06
Posts: 877
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Having raised the possibility of the Miyauchi 5x32, and hearing no chirps from the owners of that bino here, I feel I owe at least a stab at an opinion to the interested parties, even though I haven't used it myself.
This seems like a mighty specialized instrument, which would be ideal for the claimed purpose of "learning the constellations", which would of course be preferably done with naked eye. But, in light polluted skies where the constellations are hard to make out, the widest field and the least light-gathering and magnification would be desirable.
If your skies are not that bad, and this is your first bino, you'd be much better off with an all-round useful 8x40.
Astrorealtor, you already own a fine 10x56, which counts as an "all round astronomy" bino, and perhaps should consider the 5x32 for the stated purpose only.
JAS, I don't know where you're coming from. If you are a beginner, I think you'd enjoy a more powerful instrument, for the "wow" factor, because it would let you take a close look at some star clusters, etc., even though the performance on "constellations" would be compromised by the smaller field, and the confusing, yet amazing, abundance of dim stars that it will show.
Ron
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