Mary
member
Reged: 01/29/08
Posts: 94
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Here we are in the height of observing season and I am finding myself grabbing my binos rather than my scopes! I don't know why I'm doing this, if it's laziness on my part or if I'm drifting back into Bino viewing. Of course there is nothing better than a scope to view the planets and split double stars and get up close and personal with the globs and the moon, but I just find sheer delight in panning the sky and Milky Way and drinking in the sight of the clusters, globs, nebula and colored stars with my 10x70 Fujis or my 10x50 Orion Vistas.
I'm almost wondering if the day will come when I part with my scopes and strictly do bino observing. That day is certainly NOT here yet as I love my scopes, but for some reason, I am getting urge to go back to basics, which is where I started.
Mary
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Protheus
Vaguely offended
Reged: 09/01/07
Posts: 4491
Loc: Illinois, US
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Hey Mary. I can relate somewhat. Don't think I'll quit observing with the scopes, but a pair of binoculars fills a strange niche in my observing habits. It's not so much laziness, though, some of it is just that. I often don't have a lot of time or energy, and I'd rather shave ten minutes (and so much work) off of the setup/break down time to do more observing, and binoculars are perfect for that.
Simply for the ease of setup, they sometimes allow me to go out and view when I would otherwise be inside stuck to the furniture.
Combine that with the kind of low-power, wide field view that it's difficult to get in most scopes, and you have a very impressive instrument (in certain ways), which is ready for use much more quickly than even the most portable scope.
I also find that it's best to have "large" binoculars and "small" binoculars, depending on just how lazy you want to be... 
Chris
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"To tread the sharp edge of a sword;
to run on smooth-frozen ice,
one needs no footsteps to follow..."
"Well, people sometimes ask me 'how did you get involved in astronomy?' I said 'I got born, what's your problem?'" -- John Dobson
"In discussing the large-scale structure of the cosmos, astronomers sometimes say that space is curved, or that the universe is finite but unbounded. Whatever are they talking about?" -- Carl Sagan
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Wes James
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 2353
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Quote:
I also find that it's best to have "large" binoculars and "small" binoculars, depending on just how lazy you want to be...
Could I quote you to my wife please???? 
(And what about all the ones in-between ???)
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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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edwincjones
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 4209
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scopes are still good-to see the things that binoculars cannot
edj
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n w arkansas
Binocular, Solar, General Amateur Astronomy
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davidmcharg
member
Reged: 05/29/05
Posts: 80
Loc: Scotland, UK
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Hi Mary,
Nothing wrong with that. A few years ago i sold all of my scopes and downsized to a little TV85 refractor and some nice binoculars. 6 years on and i still love it no regrets. I guess i reached the point where i realized you can always seek more aperture or this or that bit of kit or focus more making the absolute best out of what you have. For me its all about portability and quick setup. Sure a 8 or 10 or 20" scope can always show me more, simple physics tells you that, but i guess once you have used a few different scopes you get to appreciate the pros and cons.
Cheers
David.
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Televue 85 & Starbeam
35/24 Panoptic, 17/12 Nagler T4, 9/7 Nagler T6
8,6,5,4,3 Radian and 3-6 Nagler zoom.
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werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 7306
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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That's why I won't go over 6" in aperture. My dob is sooo easy to set-up and use, while the Beast is a pain to set up.
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Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55 - "The Beast"
Starhopper 6" Dob - "Shiva"
Spaceprobe 130 EQ - "Spacey"
Bushnell Fatboy
The Abomination
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
10X25 Bushnell Camo Roofies
7X35 Tasco Classic Plastic (good views though)
7X42 Tasco Rare Bird
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters - "DroolMeisters"
One ratty old IBM 600E LapTop
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Mary
member
Reged: 01/29/08
Posts: 94
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Well, in reading the equipment list of everyone who has so far replied, you guys got more toys than I do! Very nice toys too! It will be a long, long time, if ever, to part with my refractors. I know I will always hold on to at least two of them.
I have just been admiring the very high end of binoculars, such as the Leica and the Swarovski and I about fall over when I look at the price tag, but man o man, they sure are nice to look thru and easy on the hands to hold. I adore my 10x70 Fujis, but even these start to feel bulky after awhile. Tonight I was out with my Orion Vista 10x50's. It's a bit hazy so not much to look at. I would love to get a pair of Leica's or Swarovski's out under the night sky to see if the price tag is worth it, but then again, I must be dreaming!
Mary
SVF50
SV66
SV80S
SV102ED
TV NP101
and the hubby's TV85
Vixen 130SF reflector
10x50 Orion Vistas
10x70 Fujinon FMT-SX
7x32 Bushnell something or others
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ronharper
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/14/06
Posts: 964
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Mary,
My joy in bino observing goes beyond the logical argument of pros and cons of scope vs bino. Although I enjoy deep sky object finding and identification, double star splitting, etc., these things are mainly an excuse to do this. I love the sky, and bino observing feel like flying! It is so beautiful.
The price tag of expensive roof prism binos, which are delightful for all day jaunts in the outdoors, is not justifiable for astronomy in my opinion. I have an 8x42 Leica, but for stargazing my Fujinons (7x50, 10x50, and 16x70) are the stuff. I envy your 10x70. If you only find it "bulky after awhile" you must be very strong for a girl. Are you a girl gorilla?
Ron
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kcolter
member
Reged: 06/04/03
Posts: 55
Loc: Missouri, USA
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Quote:
I have just been admiring the very high end of binoculars, such as the Leica and the Swarovski and I about fall over when I look at the price tag, but man o man, they sure are nice to look thru and easy on the hands to hold. I adore my 10x70 Fujis, but even these start to feel bulky after awhile. Tonight I was out with my Orion Vista 10x50's. It's a bit hazy so not much to look at. I would love to get a pair of Leica's or Swarovski's out under the night sky to see if the price tag is worth it, but then again, I must be dreaming!
Mary
Mary
Hang onto your Fuji 10X70's. For the night sky no binocular with 40 to 50 mm of aperture will ever show you as much nebulosity or stars as dim as your Fuji will. For me, 50mm and 10X are about the minimum aperture and magnification that I truly enjoy when looking at the night sky. The expensive roof prism binos you mention may be worth their price when they are used terrestrially in daylight, particularly if one has to carry them a great distance. I don't think you would ever prefer their images of the night sky to what you are currently seeing through your Fujis.
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PhilH
sage
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 223
Loc: Long Island, NY
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Quote:
scopes are still good-to see the things that binoculars cannot
And vice versa! But then, who am I to talk? 
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Phil Harrington
"Binocular Universe" Columnist, Astronomy magazine
Author: Star Ware || Star Watch || Touring the Universe through Binoculars || et al...
http://www.philharrington.net
http://www.observingsites.com
"Two eyes are better than one!"
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Mary
member
Reged: 01/29/08
Posts: 94
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You guys have certainly brought up very good points regarding the very expensive binos that I really have not thought of. Thank you so much because you have saved me a lot of money that I may have spent down the road!!
I absolutely do love my Fujinon 10x70 FMT-SX binos! As Ron Harper mentioned, it truly is like flying! And I just marvel at the Ring and Dumbbell Nebulas everytime I see them in these binos. It is just so cool to see them against a large back-drop of the sky.
And yes, I can hold on to them for long periods of time! Every once in a while I do have to bring my arms down for a breather, but it's not too bad. LOL Girl Gorilla! Well, many years ago I did enjoy lifting weights and was quite good at it! I must have been subconsciencely training for my future bino days!
Again, thanks for the mention that the expensive binos would be best suited for daytime usage. It is very good to know this before handing over hard earned dollars.
Mary
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SaberScorpX
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/12/05
Posts: 4116
Loc: illinois, usa
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A exercise/weight training background would seem to be a substantial advantage for handheld viewing. Increased strength, endurance, control, and coordinative benefits.
Topic specific, it's always a good idea to bring something else along that's unique to stargazing.
I once had a lengthy encounter (more lengthy than usual anyway) with the Illinois State Police while getting back to basics in the boonies armed with only an 8x40. On this occasion, without even a star atlas or red flashlight to lend credibility, they had a very hard time believing I was simply stargazing. That I look more like a convict than a cosmologist didn't help matters.
But they eventually decided there were no houses close enough for me to be planning any pillaging or plundering, and left me to my claimed business with the stars.
Saber Does The Stars at
www.astronomyblogs.com/member/saberscorpx/
Extreme Lunar Crescent sighting data for L1059 is available at
http://tinyurl.com/2rvsbc
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10029
Loc: Lancashire UK
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< it's always a good idea to bring something else along >
Sage tip , Stephen !
I do the same when I go counting sheep .
I always take a few photos of goats along with me :-)
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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Protheus
Vaguely offended
Reged: 09/01/07
Posts: 4491
Loc: Illinois, US
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Quote:
Could I quote you to my wife please????
(And what about all the ones in-between ???)
Sure. The in-between sizes would depend on your minimum laziness resolution threshold...
Mary, looking at your list of equipment, I'd guess you have more than I do...
Chris
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"To tread the sharp edge of a sword;
to run on smooth-frozen ice,
one needs no footsteps to follow..."
"Well, people sometimes ask me 'how did you get involved in astronomy?' I said 'I got born, what's your problem?'" -- John Dobson
"In discussing the large-scale structure of the cosmos, astronomers sometimes say that space is curved, or that the universe is finite but unbounded. Whatever are they talking about?" -- Carl Sagan
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Mary
member
Reged: 01/29/08
Posts: 94
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Hi Chris,
I do have too many toys, maybe that is the problem! But I love all of them! Unfortunately, there are always more new toys coming out all the time!
Mary
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doctordub
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/11/06
Posts: 898
Loc: New Rochelle, New York
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It is back to the future for me. 40 years ago I would use my Dad's 10X50 binoculars to observe the Moon and open clusters until he bought me a 60mm Achromat for Christmas of '71. I recently purchased a Canon 15x50 IS and I can't put it down. The Moon, Jupiter and it's moons, open clusters and nebula are mesmerizing. I have tracked the ISS, and other sattlelites with ease using these binoculars. I purchased them for travel, but I use them just as much at home!
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Jonathan
TeleVue TV102 on Vixen SXW mount
Meade LXD 55 SN10/UHTC Modified
Jason 60mm F11
Canon 15x50 IS
Olympus E-510, 14-42, 40-150 Zuiko
Meade DSI, LPI
TeleVue:
Binovue & 2X Cor.
3x barlow, 2x 5mm, 2x7mm,
12mm, 17mm & 2-4mm Zoom Naglers,
2x24mm, & 27mm panoptics,
55mm Plossl & 3mm Radian
2" OIII & Nebustar filters
Siebert Power Mag wheel
Lumicon Filter selecter &
2" focal reducer
Celestron: 7 1.25" color filters
7.5mm, 26mm eps & 2X ultima barlow
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GlennLeDrew
sage
Reged: 06/18/08
Posts: 464
Loc: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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I've long ago gone "back to basics." Look at my equipment list below... 
After only a 30 minute drive from home I can get to mag. 6.4 skies and enjoy what these beauties excel at showing; the star-studded river of the Milky Way and the sheets of obscuring dark clouds that swarm our corner of the Galaxy.
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Home-made 11X50 right angle bino, 8.1 deg. FOV
Modified 26X100 bino, 3.5 deg. FOV
Mediocre minds discuss people. Good minds discuss events. Great minds discuss ideas.
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yagon
sage
Reged: 01/23/06
Posts: 204
Loc: Sydney, Australia
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For me, binoculars provide by far the most satisfying observing, particularly from dark sky sites. My 15x70 binos provide all the aperture I need for DSO observing (my favourite galaxy is the milky way, closely followed by LMC and SMC ;-)).
I find that the only area that binos let me down are on lunar and planets, but I have these areas covered with my small apo. I also occasionaly I get disappointed with globular clusters.
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leo9
member
Reged: 06/17/08
Posts: 64
Loc: Western Oregon, USA
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Gee, I am still working on getting UP to basics... lol.
Nice to hear you experienced folks discussing keeping it simple. I may not be as limited in my stargazing technology as I first thought.
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Nikon 12x50 Action; Pentax 8x40 PCF WPII
Bogen 3220 w/3way+qw
Trico SkyWindow
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12341
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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For a wonderful tour through the world of back to basics viewing with binoculars please visit this thread and enjoy yourself for a while reading some of the recorded observations by our members. Perhaps on a rainy night you can go here and see all the sky as if you were there with the observer.
edz
Binocular Observing Reports LINKS
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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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