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AstroRealtor
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/26/08
Posts: 530
Loc: Terra Firma
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I'm looking for a binocular that is more ergonomically friendly than the Zeiss has been. I've had them for over 10 years. They have served me well and I appreciate them for what they are. I'm getting more discriminating in what works for me. For mounting on a tripod and a p-mount; the Zeiss' are just fine. Something a little more portable that can double as a good terrestrial binocular without giving up too much in the way of clarity, brilliance of the optic, and isn't too expensive. I'm sure I'm not asking too much; even if I don't quite know how to say it.
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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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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12094
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Quote:
Ed,
Did you review the Celestron "Outland" model? Is this similar to the "Regal"?
No
and
I have no idea.
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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ronharper
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/14/06
Posts: 875
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AR,
With that clarification, I agree with nearly everybody else. 8x42, or thereabouts. I don't know what you want to spend, but this could be your all around bino for a long long time. Make it a good one!
Ron
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Wes James
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 2289
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Quote:
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.
Out of a group of us around the forum that bought these, I only know of one that later went up for sale- and none that got returned to BigBinocular- where we bought them from. So I think that makes a certain statement. That said, these were not a first or 2nd binocular for any of us, either- as far as I know... which also makes a statement. That said, I don't believe I'll ever part with mine. 
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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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AstroRealtor
professor emeritus
Reged: 03/26/08
Posts: 530
Loc: Terra Firma
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Thank you everyone for your contributions to this small binocular quest. I have narrowed my search down to a binocular of the 7-8 X 40-42. The optics quality and design asthetics that I have become accustomed to are typified by what I already own with the Zeiss and Televue brand names. Can I find that kind quality and design asthetics in another brand?
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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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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 9939
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Jim ,
I'm glad you have at least arrived at some kind of definite specification range , which as made quite clear in previous posts to this thread , I happen to agree with .
There are many fine Roof prism models around , costing between 50% and 80% of a top of the pops Leica , Zeiss or Swarovski , but keep a careful eye on the field of view with many of them , which tend to be on the narrow side .
I think you could still try to find the best PORRO you can in that " mid / high - mid " price range , which is why I suggested the Swift 8.5 x 44 ED Porro .
Kowa and Minox are other brands worthy of consideration , as are some of the higher priced Opticrons , whatever their equivalents are in the USA .
Most of these , along with the European Superglasses are , sadly , models which EdZ has not had the opportunity to test .
Good luck
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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BobinKy
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/27/07
Posts: 870
Loc: Country road
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I second Kenny's recommendation of the Swift Audubon ED 8.5x44 porro. I have owned a pair for a year and they do many things well.
Here is a review.
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Bob
38° Kentucky, USA
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Rich N
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/22/04
Posts: 5176
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area, Calif...
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I'll thrid the Swift Audubon ED 8.5x44.
If you could find a good, used Swarovski 8.5x42 EL at a reasonable price, I'm sure you would enjoy the views. When they first came out their focuser was rather slow (took lots of turns lock to lock) for a birding binocular. They later used faster gearing. The older slower focuser models may be going for less on the used market.
Rich
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JAS
member
Reged: 02/26/08
Posts: 33
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In 2005, Ed Z favorably reviewed the William Optic 7x50. During the ensuing discussion, he remarked that if William ever made a 10x50 that performed as well as the 7x50s, it would be among the top performers in that size. I note that William now makes a 10 X 50. Has anyone had experience with them? If they live up to Ed's remark, they appear to be a great buy.
js
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 9939
Loc: Lancashire UK
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JAS ,
There is a remarkably comprehensive review of the W.O 10 x 50 right here in the CN Binocular Reviews library !
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=2225825&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=all&vc=1
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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