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Tad S.
super member
Reged: 08/28/06
Posts: 151
Loc: SW Virginia
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Quote:
Quote:
MAN!! so many binoculars and only a hand full are of good quality. ok staying away from Zhumell. So I guess I'll get this one http://www.garrettoptical.com/Garrett-20x80-Giant-Astronomy-Binocular-p/g2080lw.htm and these binos will be mounted on my sturdy tripod.
Interesting that you selected that GO LW as an alternative to the Zhumell. Differences might be the coatings and these do vary in the amount of plastics used in construction (for instance the Anttler has a plastic eyepiece bridge), so the weights might vary. I think they are all built on the same housing. I wrote about this before in a previous thread. I've seen several different brands that all look identical. The GO LW 20x80 is built on a similar housing to the Anttler Optic 20x80, both models that appear identical to the Zhumell 20x80 and several other light weight 20x80s. These are all similar to the Barska X-trail 20x80.
edz
Hi EdZ--
Perhaps I am misinterpreting your post. I hope I am not putting words into the OP's mouth, but to me it seems like a logical progression to pick the Garrett over the Zhumell. If jog were interested in the Zhumell, but read the various threads about receipt of misaligned units, he(she?) may have opted for the Garrett based on the fact that they check the merchandise before they ship it out, reducing the possibility of getting a miscollimated pair. Also, as you mentioned, the coatings may be better (Garrett are FMC; not sure about the Zhumells), and hardware may be a little different, affecting the fit and finish. So, while the optical configuration and housing may be the same, I would think that the likelihood of getting a good pair of binoculars is better going with a vendor with a good record of QC. Or, am I totally missing the point you were trying to make?
--Tad
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jog
member
Reged: 10/26/06
Posts: 90
Loc: nj
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Ok here is my situation, before I started looking into binoculars I was planing on getting the Orion shorttube 80-t refractor for a grab and go scope, but then I thought that a big bino might be a better idea, but now I'm thinking twice about getting a big bino. all the one`s that I'm looking at within my price range according to all your feed back have problems. I may be wrong or I may be missing the point. I don't know anything about binoculars so I'm depending on you guys. So is it ok to go ahead and get this one http://www.garrettoptical.com/Garrett-20x80-Giant-Astronomy-Binocular-p/g2080lw.htm or no? Or let me ask, which big bino would you get within a $170 budget?
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BillC
on a new path
Reged: 06/04/04
Posts: 2237
Loc: Washington, USA
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There are many GREAT binos on the market. It's just that LIST members keep fishing on the bottom.
Bill
--------------------
William J. Cook, Chief Opticalman, USNR-Ret.
Founding Editor, Amateur Telescope Making Journal
20-year vet. of Captain's Nautical Supplies, Optics Dept. Mgr.
Optics Machanic, WG11-3306, Ft. Lewis, Tacoma,WA
Yata, Yata, Yata . . .
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2156
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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Quote:
Or let me ask, which big bino would you get within a $170 budget?
http://www.taaffephoto.com/item_detail.php?item_id=110168
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/2445151/page/7/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1  
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Celestron Traveler 8x25 & B. & H. 8x40 FC JAPAN & Revue 10x50 CF Porro FC JAPAN &
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II FMC & Pentax 16x60 PCF WP FMC &
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II FMC & Orion 12x63 Mini Giant FMC JAPAN &
SPECTRUM I 20x65 FC JAPAN &
Orion 15x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN & Orion 20x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN
Orion 16x80 Giant FMC JAPAN & Orion 30x80 MEGAView FMC JAPAN
Barska 30x80 X-Trail LW FC & Burgess Optical Series II 20x90 FMC
Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14732
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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I would certainly consider the 20x60 Pentax a higher quality instrument.
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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Parker Nite Fly
super member
Reged: 02/05/06
Posts: 102
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Quote:
Ok here is my situation, before I started looking into binoculars I was planing on getting the Orion shorttube 80-t refractor for a grab and go scope, but then I thought that a big bino might be a better idea, but now I'm thinking twice about getting a big bino. all the one`s that I'm looking at within my price range according to all your feed back have problems. I may be wrong or I may be missing the point. I don't know anything about binoculars so I'm depending on you guys. So is it ok to go ahead and get this one http://www.garrettoptical.com/Garrett-20x80-Giant-Astronomy-Binocular-p/g2080lw.htm or no? Or let me ask, which big bino would you get within a $170 budget?
Jog,
We are in the same boat. I certainly understand your feeling frustrated. I have a set of Oberwerk 11x56 and dearly love them. They were $99. I may be a bottom feeder but I didn't have to refinance the house to get them.
I am thinking I would like to find something with more light gathering ability and more magnification to come closer to the 26x view I get through my scope with a 25mm ep but with both eyes open. The Oberwerk 20x80 standards got pretty good reviews on CN and I think they would come close to accomplishing what I am after, but they are a little above both our price ranges. Feeling frustrated myself I guess I'll keep saving for a while.
Question - the Pentax recommendation would have an exit pupil of 3mm isn't that pretty small?
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Hardin DSH-8
Orion SpaceProbe 130ST
11x56 Oberwerk
7x35 Jason (don't laugh - you'll hurt its feelings)
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2156
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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Quote:
Question - the Pentax recommendation would have an exit pupil of 3mm isn't that pretty small?
Nope!
Two of MY favorite binoculars are 30x80mm, with an E.P. of 2.66mm. They work just fine. Exit pupil isn't the only thing to take into consideration.
My Barska 30x80mm has smaller prisms than my Orion 30x80, and it also has optical coatings that are not as good as the Orion, so the views are not as bright as the Orion MEGAView. However, that doesn't stop me from enjoying the Barska X-Trail throughout the year.
I got what was affordable at the time. The Barska was only $120. A birthday gift from the wife.
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Celestron Traveler 8x25 & B. & H. 8x40 FC JAPAN & Revue 10x50 CF Porro FC JAPAN &
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II FMC & Pentax 16x60 PCF WP FMC &
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II FMC & Orion 12x63 Mini Giant FMC JAPAN &
SPECTRUM I 20x65 FC JAPAN &
Orion 15x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN & Orion 20x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN
Orion 16x80 Giant FMC JAPAN & Orion 30x80 MEGAView FMC JAPAN
Barska 30x80 X-Trail LW FC & Burgess Optical Series II 20x90 FMC
Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
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Tad S.
super member
Reged: 08/28/06
Posts: 151
Loc: SW Virginia
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Quote:
Ok here is my situation, before I started looking into binoculars I was planing on getting the Orion shorttube 80-t refractor for a grab and go scope, but then I thought that a big bino might be a better idea, but now I'm thinking twice about getting a big bino.
Hi jog--
It looks like the simple advice you sought from this forum has turned out to be more than you bargained for.
Comparing big binos with a short tube refractor, each has its own advantages. Which is better is a matter of your own preferences. With the refractor, you get the possibility of changing magnification, and even some limited photography. I would not call the ST80-T the optimum lunar or planetary tool, but you will probably be able to see more with it than you could with binos that you might be considering. The binoculars will offer a wider field of view, and that WOW factor and increased perception that you get from using two eyes. Depending on circumstances, you might be able to use the binos for short (probably very short) periods of time without a mount. For instance, you might just want to do a quick survey to see the sky conditions or look for something quickly. Speaking of quickly, the binos will generally be quicker to set up and use.
Quote:
So is it ok to go ahead and get this one http://www.garrettoptical.com/Garrett-20x80-Giant-Astronomy-Binocular-p/g2080lw.htm or no? Or let me ask, which big bino would you get within a $170 budget?
For a lightweight, inexpensive 20x80, I think your suggestion of the 20x80 LW would be one that you would not regret. But just for contrast, a 15x70 would give you a wider field, the possibility for short hand-held sessions, and even greater portability. If it will always be used on a tripod, I think I would go for the 20x model.
In the 20x80 size, most of the choices in your price range are of Chinese origin. They have decent optics but QC can be spotty. Lens coatings vary from brand to brand; I would look for something with Fully Multi-Coated optics. These models sold through vendors like Oberwerk or Garrett get screened better for QC and both of these vendors have excellent customer service. For a little more money, you can find more rugged models that are WP.
If you want something a little more robust and overall higher quality, you might consider something in the Nikon Action Extreme or Pentax PCF WP series. The trade off in your price range is that they will be a bit smaller. You wont find 20x80, but Pentax has a 20x60 and a 16x60 that are reported to be quite sharp (although the FOV is particularly narrow in these twomodels). The Nikon AEx come in sizes up to 16x50. I have not heard a review of the largest size, but the others tend to score well among users.
The short tube refractor would be a little over your budget and lack the simplicity and beauty of two-eyed views, though it would allow you to see more fine detail.
Well, there you go, probably more opinion than you cared for.
--Tad
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BillC
on a new path
Reged: 06/04/04
Posts: 2237
Loc: Washington, USA
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Quote:
I may be a bottom feeder but I didn't have to refinance the house to get them.
DEAR Bottom Feeder:
Ask around, you’ll find my bark worse than my bite . . . besides, Kenny likes me . . . but then, he’s never had good taste, anyway.
Having been in optics since childhood and in it professionally all my adult life, I just speak candidly about the field—often too candidly!
But, when a guy pulls up at my store, gets out of his new F-350 (same gas mileage as the space shuttle), shows off his new custom 7mm magnum and talks about the “Elk Retreat” he is going to in Jackson Hole (the last part of the trip by plane) I have a hard time squeezing out a tear when he bemoans not being able to afford more than $69.00 for a bino.
I am NOT rich—Several times in the last few weeks I have had to choose between milk and gas and I Just had to sell my genesis for 1/3 of what it’s worth. Yet, my misfortune does not change the facts of the matter one iota! Do I always use the best? No! Do I always BUY the best? No! Likewise, I do not pat myself on the back (as many have done) bragging because I can’t afford a better instrument. I’ve been on the planet long enough to know that as a general rule we buy what we REALLY want! And, as my F-350 customer points out, often it’s not optics.
Please, buy what you want; be happy! But, please don’t belittle those who look a little further up the food chain than you. Some don’t see the difference; true. They just want bragging rights and the chance to spend lots of money. But some have a need to see the difference. . . and can. I usually can—BUT CHOOSE NOT TO—to save money! But, I don’t poo poo the rest because I CHOOSE not to see the difference.
There is room in the boat for all. Today’s novice is tomorrow’s experienced observer.
As that great American philosopher . . . Cheryl Crow . . . has stated:
“It’s not having what you want, but wanting what you have.”
Cheers,
Bill
--------------------
William J. Cook, Chief Opticalman, USNR-Ret.
Founding Editor, Amateur Telescope Making Journal
20-year vet. of Captain's Nautical Supplies, Optics Dept. Mgr.
Optics Machanic, WG11-3306, Ft. Lewis, Tacoma,WA
Yata, Yata, Yata . . .
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2156
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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Quote:
As that great American philosopher . . . Cheryl Crow . . . has stated:
“It’s not having what you want, but wanting what you have.”
Cheers,
Bill
Sheryl Crow http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheryl_Crow
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Celestron Traveler 8x25 & B. & H. 8x40 FC JAPAN & Revue 10x50 CF Porro FC JAPAN &
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II FMC & Pentax 16x60 PCF WP FMC &
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II FMC & Orion 12x63 Mini Giant FMC JAPAN &
SPECTRUM I 20x65 FC JAPAN &
Orion 15x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN & Orion 20x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN
Orion 16x80 Giant FMC JAPAN & Orion 30x80 MEGAView FMC JAPAN
Barska 30x80 X-Trail LW FC & Burgess Optical Series II 20x90 FMC
Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
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jog
member
Reged: 10/26/06
Posts: 90
Loc: nj
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Thanks to all again for such great info. I have made up my mind, I'm going to get this one http://www.garrettoptical.com/Garrett-20x80-Giant-Astronomy-Binocular-p/g2080lw.htm if it doesn't work out I can always return it.
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Scanning4Comets
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/04
Posts: 5637
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Bill C: you couldn't have said things any better!!!
hallelujah is right too !!!
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Markus
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FredEDawes
member
Reged: 07/30/07
Posts: 15
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Hello Jog, welcome to the forums!
Remember that the Garrett 20x80 LW binoculars will be unusable without a good tripod. They will be too large and heavy to handhold for extended periods, so, as you can see in the picture, they include a crossbar to allow one to easily mount them on a tripod head. If your budget is limited strictly to $170 and you buy only the binoculars, you'll find that you have a set of binoculars that you can't hold steady long enough to get a look at most things in the sky!
I recommend either saving up enough to buy both the large binoculars of your choice and a tripod, or instead purchasing only a handholdable pair of binoculars with your $170 budget. Lastly, make sure that, if at all possible, you've already done a bit of binocular or other astronomy so that you know what your interests and needs are. Best of luck in astronomy and here on the CN forums!
--Fred
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2156
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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Quote:
Thanks to all again for such great info. I have made up my mind, I'm going to get this one http://www.garrettoptical.com/Garrett-20x80-Giant-Astronomy-Binocular-p/g2080lw.htm[/url] if it doesn't work out I can always return it.
Did you also look at the tripod/head combinations?
http://www.garrettoptical.com/product-p/or-paragonhdf2.htm
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Celestron Traveler 8x25 & B. & H. 8x40 FC JAPAN & Revue 10x50 CF Porro FC JAPAN &
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II FMC & Pentax 16x60 PCF WP FMC &
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II FMC & Orion 12x63 Mini Giant FMC JAPAN &
SPECTRUM I 20x65 FC JAPAN &
Orion 15x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN & Orion 20x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN
Orion 16x80 Giant FMC JAPAN & Orion 30x80 MEGAView FMC JAPAN
Barska 30x80 X-Trail LW FC & Burgess Optical Series II 20x90 FMC
Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
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jog
member
Reged: 10/26/06
Posts: 90
Loc: nj
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Quote:
Hello Jog, welcome to the forums!
Remember that the Garrett 20x80 LW binoculars will be unusable without a good tripod. They will be too large and heavy to handhold for extended periods, so, as you can see in the picture, they include a crossbar to allow one to easily mount them on a tripod head. If your budget is limited strictly to $170 and you buy only the binoculars, you'll find that you have a set of binoculars that you can't hold steady long enough to get a look at most things in the sky!
I recommend either saving up enough to buy both the large binoculars of your choice and a tripod, or instead purchasing only a handholdable pair of binoculars with your $170 budget. Lastly, make sure that, if at all possible, you've already done a bit of binocular or other astronomy so that you know what your interests and needs are. Best of luck in astronomy and here on the CN forums!
--Fred
Thanks for the warningb but I do have a sturdy tripod that's capable of supporting up to 25lbs so I have no problem there.
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2156
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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jog/aa5te,
So, let us know which one you will decide to buy on your $170 budget. 
--------------------
Celestron Traveler 8x25 & B. & H. 8x40 FC JAPAN & Revue 10x50 CF Porro FC JAPAN &
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II FMC & Pentax 16x60 PCF WP FMC &
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II FMC & Orion 12x63 Mini Giant FMC JAPAN &
SPECTRUM I 20x65 FC JAPAN &
Orion 15x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN & Orion 20x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN
Orion 16x80 Giant FMC JAPAN & Orion 30x80 MEGAView FMC JAPAN
Barska 30x80 X-Trail LW FC & Burgess Optical Series II 20x90 FMC
Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
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jog
member
Reged: 10/26/06
Posts: 90
Loc: nj
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Quote:
jog/aa5te,
So, let us know which one you will decide to buy on your $170 budget.
I'm going to get this one http://www.garrettoptical.com/Garrett-20x80-Giant-Astronomy-Binocular-p/g2080lw.htm according to there web site and I quote...
Every Garrett Optical binocular must pass a rigorous 14-point inspection that insures a high degree of both optical and mechanical performance, including accurate collimation. Any necessary adjustments are performed by a highly experienced technician on a U.S. Navy Mark V Collimator.
I hope I won't be disappointed.
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