94bamf
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/15/08
Posts: 688
Loc: Kansas City,Mo
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While I enjoy the views through my Zhumell 20x80 binoculars, I am thinking I might want to upgrade to a nicer pair of 20x80's. I have looked at Oberwerks and Garretts, Celestron, etc, but can't clearly determine a higher quality binocular in the 20x80 range. What are the best medium size binoculars to buy in the 3-400 dollar range? Would the Garrett Signature/Oberwerk Ultra 15x70's be the best mid size binocular in that price range? My only requirements for a set of mid size binoculars would be atleast a 60 deg AFOV, size and weight really doesn't matter because they would be mounted anyway.
Ken
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Telescopes:
Celestron C6 SCT on CG4 mount
Skywatcher 8 inch F/5 Newt on a GEM
Celestron 8 inch Starhopper Dob
Celestron Oynx 80ED
Celestron C130 Mak
Celestron C102HD
Binoculars:
Nikon 7x35 Action
Nikon 7x50 Action
Zen Ray Summit 10x42
Celestron 10x42 Noble
Orion 10x50 Scenix
Celestron 10x50 Noble
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II
Celestron 15x70 Skymaster
Oberwerk 20x60
Zhumell 20x80
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Scanning4Comets
Postmaster
Reged: 12/26/04
Posts: 5637
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I have found the 20x80 Oberwerk Standards to be quite the amazing binocular. There have also been wonderful remarks about the Garrett SS binos on here too.
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Markus
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charen
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/28/05
Posts: 1077
Loc: New Zealand
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One aspect to take into account is that there has been numerous past reviews and comments about the various 20x80's - most of them measure in the 18x71/72 mm size.
The 15x70's from Garrett / Oberwerk et. al. measure close to there stated size. These 15x70 versions get primarily excellent reviews and comments on C.N's.
They give a 66 degree Afov. They display very good light transmission and give a bright / contrasty image.
They have very robust build qualities.
There Q. and A. is excellent.
I use my 15x70's over my 20x80 triplets about 80% of the time as the image is so appealing.
Good luck
Chris
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35 binos.
80mm Cat.
WO66ED
SV NH 80mm / EQ3
Meade 8in.LX90
Skywatcher Equinox ED120 / Goto HEQ5.
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daniel_h
sage
Reged: 03/08/08
Posts: 469
Loc: VIC, Australia
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I concur - the fov advantage the 15x70's have tips things in their favour, the coatings are better than standard 20x80's you'd have to go up to the 22x85 garrett's to get better than the 15x70 imo
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regal 10x42, 10x50ultras, 15x70 ultras, 20x80
Oly e-500, vixen 100/1000 with 0.965"/1.25",
2 old sturdy tripods for the bins (slik & velbon)
zeiss f5.6 refractor/lens (under construction)
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Man in a Tub
Not Retired!, But a little cranky!!!
Reged: 10/28/08
Posts: 1883
Loc: San Francisco, CA
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Quote:
One aspect to take into account is that there has been numerous past reviews and comments about the various 20x80's - most of them measure in the 18x71/72 mm size.
. . .
Good luck
Chris
In a recent thread, I could not recall how the Oberwerk 20x80 Standard measures here. And for good reason. To date, I can't find any post on this, not even by our resident expert extraordinaire Ed Z. (It's likely that if someone did measure and report on the Oberwerk 20x80 Standard, it would just be the same old, same old.) But after some research and questions, I ordered the Oberwerk 20x80 Standard as a second 20x80 in February. It outperforms my Celestron Skymaster 20x80. (BTW, in my research and questions, I ruled out Parks and Vixen 20x80s based upon mixed reviews.)
Quote:
What are the best medium size binoculars to buy in the 3-400 dollar range? Would the Garrett Signature/Oberwerk Ultra 15x70's be the best mid size binocular in that price range?
Absitively, posolutely!
So, I'm very happy with both the Oberwerk 20x80 Standard and Garrett Optical 15x70 Signature. Great stuff for not a lot of money.
Clear Skies!
Todd
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Todd
Brunton Eterna 15x51 ° Garrett Optical Signature Series 15x70
Nikon Action EX 12x50 ° Oberwerk 15x60 and 20x80 Standard
Orion Paragon Plus Mount and Paragon XHD Tripod
Garrett Optical Series 2000 Grip-Action Monopod
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beachchairbill
sage
Reged: 11/06/08
Posts: 484
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If you could spare a little more money, I would go for the Canon 15x50IS or the Canon 18x50IS. You can sit back in a beachchair and enjoy the night sky. No tripod required.
Beachchairbill
I have the OB 20x80 Standards and they are a very good binocular, however you will need a tripod mount. The are unusually light for their size. Why go 15x when you can go 20x. Then you will say to yourself why not go 30x instead of 20x.
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charen
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/28/05
Posts: 1077
Loc: New Zealand
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Edz. thread about the 20x80 apertures.
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=2259558&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=all&vc=1
Chris
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35 binos.
80mm Cat.
WO66ED
SV NH 80mm / EQ3
Meade 8in.LX90
Skywatcher Equinox ED120 / Goto HEQ5.
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 12749
Loc: Lancashire UK
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< Why go 15x when you can go 20x. Then you will say to yourself why not go 30x instead of 20x. >
Hello Bill ,
That appears to be a most logical thought process , but in some ways it is also a kind of trap path that can all too easily lead one away from some of the things that conventional binoculars do best -- I think !
Kenny
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If everyone is thinking the same thing , no-one is thinking - General George S.Patton
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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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2126
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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Quote:
That appears to be a most logical thought process , but in some ways it is also a kind of trap path that can all too easily lead one away from some of the things that conventional binoculars do best -- I think !
Kenny
Lord Kenneth,
Has it not been obvious, over the years, that some of us are surely illogical & unconventional?
As Bill so eloquently put it, Amen & Hallelujah! (There are at least two of us).
 
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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
Edited by hallelujah (07/03/09 11:47 PM)
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 12749
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Sir Stanley ,
It is most honourable of you to defend your preferences .
It would be quite boring if we all prefered 30x binoculars to any others !
Lord Kenneth of The Common ( sense ) :-)
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If everyone is thinking the same thing , no-one is thinking - General George S.Patton
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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Man in a Tub
Not Retired!, But a little cranky!!!
Reged: 10/28/08
Posts: 1883
Loc: San Francisco, CA
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I reviewed this thread a few weeks ago when my memory just couldn't come up with any figures about the effective magnification and aperture of the Oberwerk 20x80 Standard.
Here's the relevant part of that thread:
Quote:
EDz, what have you found out about the Obie 20x80 standards...
Quote:
I no longer have the Standards so can't measure.
Like I said if they were measured, it's likely they would come in at less than 20x80. But that's speculation.
Love 'em anyway!
Todd
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Todd
Brunton Eterna 15x51 ° Garrett Optical Signature Series 15x70
Nikon Action EX 12x50 ° Oberwerk 15x60 and 20x80 Standard
Orion Paragon Plus Mount and Paragon XHD Tripod
Garrett Optical Series 2000 Grip-Action Monopod
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2126
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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Quote:
Like I said if they were measured, it's likely they would come in at less than 20x80. But that's speculation.
Love 'em anyway!
Todd
Based upon EdZ testing & calculations, I decided that if I wanted something close to an 80mm I would have to go another route.
So, I purchased the 20x90mm instead. No regrets.
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/2912346/Main/2909839
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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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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2126
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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Quote:
Sir Stanley ,
It is most honourable of you to defend your preferences .
It would be quite boring if we all prefered 30x binoculars to any others !
Lord Kenneth of The Common ( sense ) :-)
Some of the definitions of "common": not refined, vulgar, low, coarse, not distinguished, not of superior excellence, ordianary, not extraordinary, of no rank, polluted, profane, not clean.
Life at 30x is anything but boring, and certainly not common. 
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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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beachchairbill
sage
Reged: 11/06/08
Posts: 484
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Stan The Man - Outsatnding and very, very funny
Kenny -
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beachchairbill
sage
Reged: 11/06/08
Posts: 484
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Stan The Man - Outsatnding and very, very funny
Kenny - On our Indep Day I've given you a new name XO Man IN THE USA
I love reading both of your daily comments, please keep up the great work.
BB
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Man in a Tub
Not Retired!, But a little cranky!!!
Reged: 10/28/08
Posts: 1883
Loc: San Francisco, CA
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Quote:
XO Man IN THE USA
BB
Maybe I'm just tired...
Maybe it's the fog...
Todd
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Todd
Brunton Eterna 15x51 ° Garrett Optical Signature Series 15x70
Nikon Action EX 12x50 ° Oberwerk 15x60 and 20x80 Standard
Orion Paragon Plus Mount and Paragon XHD Tripod
Garrett Optical Series 2000 Grip-Action Monopod
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Man in a Tub
Not Retired!, But a little cranky!!!
Reged: 10/28/08
Posts: 1883
Loc: San Francisco, CA
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Quote:
So, I purchased the 20x90mm instead.
Man, that's really, really heavy!
Just had to kinda get that off my chest,
Todd
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Todd
Brunton Eterna 15x51 ° Garrett Optical Signature Series 15x70
Nikon Action EX 12x50 ° Oberwerk 15x60 and 20x80 Standard
Orion Paragon Plus Mount and Paragon XHD Tripod
Garrett Optical Series 2000 Grip-Action Monopod
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 12749
Loc: Lancashire UK
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I chose 20 x 90 for much the same reason .
At least I can tell it is a BINOcular as opposed to a telescope -- I can see TWO of everything through it !
Lord Kenneth of the Unrefined Low Ranks ! :-)
--------------------
If everyone is thinking the same thing , no-one is thinking - General George S.Patton
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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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2126
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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Quote:
Man, that's really, really heavy!
Just had to kinda get that off my chest,
Todd
It's lighter than my previous 25x100.
I rarely have it "on my chest" , I usually just mount it, same as you would do with a 20x80.
Although, I do hand hold it, from a sitting position, on occasion. Gives new meaning to the phrase 'bosom buddy'
BTW a 20x80 Triplet weighs almost as much as the 20x90.
http://www.garrettoptical.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=G2080TWP&Show=TechSpecs
Just had to kinda get that "off my chest". 
--------------------
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
Edited by hallelujah (07/04/09 07:39 AM)
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2126
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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Quote:
Maybe I'm just tired...
Maybe it's the fog...
Todd
http://www.croydonguardian.co.uk/leisure/leisurenews/3996325.Does_XO_Man_have_the_X_Factor_/
--------------------
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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