jllinko
member
Reged: 07/23/08
Posts: 12
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Hello and congratulations to everyone involved in making this such a great site.
I'm about to jump into the bino hobby, I think.
Whats my reason, well I've owned a 8" fork mounted Celestron Schmidt for nearly 30 years. I get it out a few times a year to casually view my favorite objects. I've always used the dec/ra and have never really learned the constellations to find objects by star hopping. Thats what I want to do.
And now that I'm getting older (omg 50 something), I find myself not wanting to drag out and set up my telescope, and I have a bit of, been there and done that.
So now I see myself in lounge chair at night with a pair of binos learning the constellations and the challenge of finding objects by star hopping.
I've been on this site for the last couple of days reading the many threads trying to decide what my first pair of binos should be. I came here thinking bigger is better (like most casual scope owners would think), only to find out thats not the case.
I conclude, and correct me if I'm wrong, that most in this hobby would want at least 3 pairs.
1. A low power, wide FOV to learn the constellations, star hopping, and general gazing.
2. The highest handheld magnification possible to better see a specific object but still be convenient and steady.
3. A big boy on a tripod for serious viewing without lugging out a big telescope ( I know I will never get the views a big scope can)
So, instead of coming here to find out what big bino I might buy, I am going to start with a low power, bright, steady, wide fov, to start learning the stars. Something like a 7x42?
Am I thinking right and if not what would you recommend for my goals?
My budget for my first pair, under $250.00.
Thanks, Link
PS, I haven't updated my profile yet, but I live in Central Ohio, if the matters.
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12490
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Sounds like a good plan
Here's a few
Oberwerk Mariner 7x50 (7x42) $149
Vixen Foresta 7x50 $259
Nikon Action Extreme 8x40 $124
Pentax PCF WP II 8x40 $149
Bushnell Legend 8x42 Roof $249
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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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 1629
Loc: Colorado Rocky Mt. High
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Quote:
Bushnell Legend 8x42 Roof $249
edz
How about the Bushnell Legend 8x42mm Porro prism?
Bushnell Legend 8x42mm Porro
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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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Wes James
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 2420
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Recommend you consider exit pupil size of the binoculars- and the kind of sites you'll be using them from most of the time... dark sky site or suburban sky conditions? Dark sky site you might want to consider a 50mm bino, suburban- 40/42- taking into account your own eye's dark-adapted pupil size. Also, a lot of people feel porro prism binoculars are slightly preferred for astro use as opposed to roof's, though there's an awful lot of really good roof's out there, too. Birders seem to prefer roof's nowadays, though the Swift porro's are still very popular with them. Something else to think about in making your choice. Welcome to the forum, and hope you get a lot of enjoyment with them! They're truly a wonderful way to enjoy the skies, and I think you're smart to be looking at the option of more than one bino to do it all. You've picked a good starting point.
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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: 12490
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Quote:
Quote:
Bushnell Legend 8x42 Roof $249
edz
How about the Bushnell Legend 8x42mm Porro prism?
Bushnell Legend 8x42mm Porro
Well, I tested the 8x42 roof. I did not test the 8x42 porro, so I have no basis on which to recommend it. based on performance, I can strongly recommend the Bushnell 8x42 roof.
I did test the Bushnell 10x50 porro. Not bad optics. A little heavy.
BTW, $99 is not $80 off for the 8x40 porro, that's the normal price. I paid $114 for the 10x50.
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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: 12490
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Quote:
Also, a lot of people feel porro prism binoculars are slightly preferred for astro use as opposed to roof's, though there's an awful lot of really good roof's out there, too.
I've read the same too, but I now wonder why they say this. I have not found that at all, unless the roofs are of low quality. Some of the roofs I've tested outperformed some of the porros I've tested, near equal cost or 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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Tad S.
super member
Reged: 08/28/06
Posts: 140
Loc: SW Virginia
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I was going to throw in another suggestion for the Celestron Regal LX 8x42. EdZ gave theses pretty glowing reviews but I suppose he left them out of the short list because they have been discontinued and the price is not always within your $250 range. However if you search around, sometimes you can still find them--and if you can--you might give them strong consideration. The cheapest i see right now is $258, worth it I think, but officially higher than you requested. You also may consider the used market. Good luck, and I think you are on the right track.
--Tad
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Orion XT8i, Vixen ED80Sf, Oberwerk BT-80/45
20x80 Oberwerk Std., 12x50 Nikon AE,
10x42 Celestron Regal LX, 8x40 Pentax PCF WP
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Wes James
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 2420
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The only explaination I've read on the "roof's vs. porro" issue is that roof's are more prone to internal reflections when used for astronomy. True or not, I don't know. You have a ton more experience than I do, Edz, and will absolutely defer to your expertise. This may be one of those old tales that persist- even though upgrades in the bino's may make it no longer the case. Might be something to really look close at when using roof's. Perhaps debunk an old wive's tale.
Concur, Tad- the Celestron Regal's are great bino's as well. Probably some of the best roof's out there in their price range if you find them in the $250~ range.
Wes
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12490
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Quote:
This may be one of those old tales that persist
perhaps.
BTW, the Celestron Regal 8x42 roof would outperform any binocular I listed. It does cost a bit more though.
Bushnell Legend 8x42 Roof and Celestron Regal LX roof both weigh 25 ounces, would be the lightest among the group.
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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jllinko
member
Reged: 07/23/08
Posts: 12
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Dumb question,
Should wide FOV be the highest priority for someone learning to star hop? Which would put the Nikon Action Extreme 8x40 in the lead.
Link
Edited by jllinko (07/24/08 03:16 PM)
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12490
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Quote:
Dumb question,
Should wide FOV be the highest priority for someone learning to star hop? Which would put the Nikon Action Extreme 8x40 in the lead.
Link
For total fov, the Nikon AE is tops. If you consider usable wide sharp fov, then several of the others move ahead of the AE8x40. The Regal LX tops the list with the widest sharp undistorted fov. After that all the others are very close, the Obie Mariner 7x50, the Pentax WP II 8x40, the Vixen Foresta 7x50, then the Nikon AE8x40 and Bushnell 8x42roof.
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: 12490
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Do you wear glasses? If so, will you wear them when viewing?
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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Mary
member
Reged: 01/29/08
Posts: 95
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Welcome to binos! I also have several scopes and for the most part I don't mind hauling them out coz mine are small refractors, but sometimes I just want to view with easiest, lightest and most portable thing there is, binos. They really are the most excellent way to learn the sky and finding your way around and to objects with them is very easy and LOTS of fun!
The smallest pair I prefer is 10x50, although I think a 7x50 would work very well too. That little bit extra aperture and mag really help to bring in some of those brigher Messier objects, especially if you have moderate light pollution.
You can then get a bigger pair that is somewhere in the 10x70 to 16x70 range. Many cool things about binos in the size. Many of them are still light enough to be hand-held or you can choose to put them on some sort of tripod or mount. They will also bring in LOTS more stars and sky jewels than a smaller pair. Open clusters and globs are a joy to behold in this size!
I admit that I don't own anything bigger than 10x70. I just feel if I'm going to be hauling out a mount and a piece of equipment, I may as well just bring out the scope.
You have certainly been given great choices and you won't go wrong with any of them, enjoy!
Mary
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jllinko
member
Reged: 07/23/08
Posts: 12
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EdZ,
No, I do not wear glasses. Still have good eyes for an old man, and still have very good night vision.
Thank you and everyone else for your input.
Link
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kray
super member
Reged: 01/25/05
Posts: 134
Loc: NC, USA
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I used my new Celestron Regal Lx 8 x 42 roofs last night briefly to view Jupiter and moons last night from a motel parking lot in Corbin, KY( right off I 75). Not the darkest area by any means, however I must say the Jupiter was the tightests I have ever seen , with no flaring at all. I have not had this from any of my other binos listed in my signature. If I could have the same quality in a 15 x 70 ( and maybe Fujinon 16 x 70FMT-SX2 delivers this) , I would be in heaven.
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Ken
Celestron Regal LX 8 x 42 roof
Orion Expanse 7 x 32 (14 degree)
Nikon 10 x 35 E2
Nikon 10 x 50 Action V ( Made in Japan)
Oberwerk 15 x 70
GO 25 x 100 IF Bogen 501/3046
Celestron 102 F/5 Wide View Refractor
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GlenM
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/20/07
Posts: 1047
Loc: 53° 36'N 2° 06'W
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Hi Link,
welcome to the binocular forum. You've certainly come to the right place.Some great people on this site. ALWAYS take note of what EdZ(Grand Master) says. I know what you mean about lugging stuff around. A warning though:you may have thought that 3 pairs are enough  Not in this forum.
Clear Skies.
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Glen
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jllinko
member
Reged: 07/23/08
Posts: 12
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EdZ,
Can you explain to a novice, FOV between the Regals and Nikon?
Advertised, the Nikon claim 143@1000, the Regals claim 103@1000. Is that extra view just not there, or is it there but a little "fuzzy". If it is there, would it help me star hop, even tho a little fuzzy? Sorry to be such a novice pain.
Link
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12490
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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actual is almost always smaller than specified. every eyepiece has angular distortion. it has the effect of using up some of the actual fov.
these are the actual measured fov. Most of the ones you want are in here
Small Binoculars - notes on FOV
See also
CN Report: Small Binocular Reports A Dozen 8's
Here's a brief explanation of what I mean by sharp wide field of view.
FOV Sharpness in 3 10x50s - Nikon AE, Nikon Action & Bushnell Legend
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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: 987
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Link,
Welcome. I think an 8x42 sounds good for what you want. An 8x42 roof is the closest thing to an all around binocular. No household should be without one! The roof prism's compact design is nicer than the wide porro to carry around your neck. This doesn't, however, add much for stargazing use, and the more complex roof design costs more than a porro, in the same optical quality.
So, if you think you might use the binocular for birdwatching as well as astronomy, or would like to just wear it while trapseing around the countryside, go for a roof. But spend every penny of your $250.
Ron
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Vincent33
member
Reged: 09/18/07
Posts: 95
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Quote:
you may have thought that 3 pairs are enough Not in this forum.
Sssshhh ... !
He'll learn it by himself! :-)
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