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Joe Z
member
Reged: 05/24/08
Posts: 37
Loc: NJ, USA
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I currently have a Burgess Optical binoviewer, not sure which model - its says FBBMC on it, had it about four years. I use it with the supplied 20mm Bino-Lites. The views through it have been very good with brighter objects but I usually use it as a supplement to my normal viewing, as something different. Last night though, I used it on the Ring Nebula and was mighty impressed. Really, really impressed.
This got me thinking(usually an expensive habit), would it make more sense to invest in 2 high end eyepieces for this unit or to upgrade the unit? What advantages could I expect by going with one of the mid-priced units on the market and what do you recommend? Thanks for any advice!
Joe
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JZ
XT6
XT12i
AT-66ED
PST
Orion Vista 7x50, GO 20x80 Binos
Ultrascopic 30mm
Hyperion 17mm
Hyperion 8-24mm Zoom
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David E
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/25/06
Posts: 1758
Loc: North Carolina
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Quote:
I currently have a Burgess Optical binoviewer, not sure which model - its says FBBMC on it, had it about four years. I use it with the supplied 20mm Bino-Lites. The views through it have been very good with brighter objects but I usually use it as a supplement to my normal viewing, as something different. Last night though, I used it on the Ring Nebula and was mighty impressed. Really, really impressed.
This got me thinking(usually an expensive habit), would it make more sense to invest in 2 high end eyepieces for this unit or to upgrade the unit? What advantages could I expect by going with one of the mid-priced units on the market and what do you recommend? Thanks for any advice!
Joe
Both.  But IMO I'd upgrade the binos first. Then build your new eyepiece collection from there, if you feel the need to. The only premium brand I've used is my Denkmeiers. I really like them, excellent fit and finish and high quality coatings.
David E
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David E
So when at times the mob is swayed
To carry praise or blame too far,
We may choose something like a star
To stay our minds on and be staid.
-Robert Frost
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Joe Z
member
Reged: 05/24/08
Posts: 37
Loc: NJ, USA
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Thanks for the reply. What will the upgrade to the Denk's do for me specifically which the unit I have now not do?
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JZ
XT6
XT12i
AT-66ED
PST
Orion Vista 7x50, GO 20x80 Binos
Ultrascopic 30mm
Hyperion 17mm
Hyperion 8-24mm Zoom
|
EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12592
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Most noticably, it will allow you to achieve a wider field of view with lower powered eyepieces.
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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Mike B
Starstruck
Reged: 04/06/05
Posts: 4460
Loc: shake, rattle, & roll, CA
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Quote:
Last night though, I used it on the Ring Nebula and was mighty impressed. Really, really impressed.
Hi Joe-
So am i... every time i try that view bino! I presume you're using your 12" Dob on that?
Not having used ANYthing bino-wise but my Denk II's, i really can't speak from experience to any comparo... but what i COMMONLY hear/read is that the surface polish & coatings on the "premium" BVers is just good enough that folks report seeing things a wee bit better... sharper, better contrast, more detail.
Yet how much is really tough to pin down- its scope, and seeing conditions, and EPs used, and individual software ... and experience- all playing together.
The least expensive element to "upgrade" in the optical train is likely the EPs. There's some really good choices out there in the $200 per eye catagory, so ya don't havta do ultra-premo there. 19mm Panoptics, 22mm LVWs, 21mm Pentax XLs, etc... and these should work fine in "upgrading" yer current BVer's views- plus, if (BIG "if"  ) you should ever decide to take the plunge into $1k BVer territory, they'll do ya just as well there!
The next upgrade jump- the one BEFORE the $1k BVers- might be to primo-out that Dob's mirror! I wonder if THAT might not have more of a recognizable effect on yer views than the BVer *OR* the EPs? And again, that benefit would follow you whether you viewed bino, or in mono.
So i guess i'm talkin' saving the BVer upgrade for last...
my 
Quote:
This got me thinking(usually an expensive habit)
Boy howdy, ain't that the honest truth!
 mike b
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Just for giggles- Next time when the money comes out the ATM, scream "I Won!, I Won!"
* * 15" F4.55 Starsplitter Dob * *
 Pacheco State Park
 Fremont Peak
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David E
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/25/06
Posts: 1758
Loc: North Carolina
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Quote:
Thanks for the reply. What will the upgrade to the Denk's do for me specifically which the unit I have now not do?
1) As EdZ mentioned, a wider field with lower power eyepieces. For example, my pair of SmartAstronomy EF27's vignette noticeably with my older Stellarvue BV1's, but I get noticeably more of the field with my Denk's.
2) The fit and finish is definately better than my BV1's, merging is easier with some eyepiece pairs that were a problem to merge in the old BV1's, especially at high powers. Your mileage may vary with that one though.
3) I like the versatility of the Denk system. You can go "whole hog" with a PowerXswitch package, or start with the Standard or even the Big Easy package and add accessories as you can afford them later. IMO the Denk Big Easy is a great step up from import binoviewers without sinking a whole lot of money into them. The import binoviewers are really nice for the money, but I'm definately enjoying my Denks more. I still keep my BV1's because they currently are the only pair that work with my Dob and I can take them to star parties or let young folks use them without as much fear of breakage. (Besides, as old as they are, I couldn't get much for them used!)
Hope this helps. The Denks are the only premium binos I have experience with. I hope some owners of Televue, Baader, etc might check in on this thread and help you out too.
David E
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David E
So when at times the mob is swayed
To carry praise or blame too far,
We may choose something like a star
To stay our minds on and be staid.
-Robert Frost
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teskridg
member
Reged: 01/15/08
Posts: 19
Loc: PA
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I have Burgess 24's and I have tried both moderately expensive Burgess Stellar 20mm eyepieces as well with the Binolite 20's. I believe that with binoviewers, AFOV is less important than light through-put and that perversely, the cheaper eyepieces with fewer glass elements work better than multiple element Naglers and whatnot.
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Tim Eskridge
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David E
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/25/06
Posts: 1758
Loc: North Carolina
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Quote:
I have Burgess 24's and I have tried both moderately expensive Burgess Stellar 20mm eyepieces as well with the Binolite 20's. I believe that with binoviewers, AFOV is less important than light through-put and that perversely, the cheaper eyepieces with fewer glass elements work better than multiple element Naglers and whatnot.
Tim,
For lunar viewing, I actually prefer my 9mm Taiwanese plossls over my 10mm Radians, mainly due to the weight factor (the Radians are much heavier) and the image quality, while not a Radian, is good enough for me to see what I want to see.
David E
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David E
So when at times the mob is swayed
To carry praise or blame too far,
We may choose something like a star
To stay our minds on and be staid.
-Robert Frost
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mattyfatz
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/27/06
Posts: 1132
Loc: R E N O
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You have to be careful with high end eyepieces. For example, the Teleview Ethos would be too wide in diameter for Bino-viewing for most people. You need to know the distance between your two pupils. The distance from the center of each EP in the bino-viewers should not exceed that distance.
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*****MATTY******
All sorts of stuff
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kfred
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 2005
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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Like David E said, the 'versatility of the Denk system' is IMO outstanding. If you do upgrade, highly recommend the Denk's.
A good set of EP's can't hurt either.
Fred
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River Cam - Cambridge England
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Joe Z
member
Reged: 05/24/08
Posts: 37
Loc: NJ, USA
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And it looks like the Denk's are in the lead....
Mike B
Quote:
I presume you're using your 12" Dob on that?
- oh yeah
edz
Quote:
Most noticably, it will allow you to achieve a wider field of view with lower powered eyepieces.
Would this then also mean that general brightness is increased thereby increasing the number of objects that view well through the binoviewer?
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JZ
XT6
XT12i
AT-66ED
PST
Orion Vista 7x50, GO 20x80 Binos
Ultrascopic 30mm
Hyperion 17mm
Hyperion 8-24mm Zoom
|
EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12592
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Quote:
edz
Quote:
Most noticably, it will allow you to achieve a wider field of view with lower powered eyepieces.
Would this then also mean that general brightness is increased thereby increasing the number of objects that view well through the binoviewer?
No it would not. Increased fov does not increase brightness.
However, if you move toward lower powered eyepieces, that will increase brightness, because exit pupil will get larger. But the down side is you'll get lower magnification, and that will decrease the number of objects seen.
Lowering magnification lowers the limiting magnitude you can reach, so you will see far less stars and small condensed DSOs. But increasing brightness may allow you to see some broad extended objects that were otherwise more difficult at higher magnification.
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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