richsvt
member
Reged: 01/09/09
Posts: 65
Loc: Boston
|
|
I am looking at getting the Oberwerk 15x70 and need to decide to go for the Ultra or the standard. There is a weight difference which may be my deciding factor as I will be using them half of the time mounted to the Orion Paragon HD-F2 tripod (6lb capacity). The Ultras may be too heavy for that. I will be using them as hand-held from time to time. I really want to use them get some great wide field views with the ability to pick out some dimmer objects.
Any opinions on my choice? Is there really any advantage in going with the Ultras?
|
Mark9473
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/21/05
Posts: 3204
Loc: 51°N 4°E
|
|
Both have been extensively reviewed on this forum; look in the mini-reviews thread.
The quality difference is about as big as the weight difference.
--------------------
Mark
Leica 8x20; Vixen 8x42; Swift 8.5x44, 10x50 and 20x80; TS 7x50; Orion 15x63; Docter 15x60
WO Megrez II 80 FD + Baader 90° T2 Amici
|
mercedes_sl1970
super member
Reged: 12/02/05
Posts: 143
Loc: Canberra, Oz
|
|
Quote:
Both have been extensively reviewed on this forum; look in the mini-reviews thread.
The quality difference is about as big as the weight difference.
I think Mark's assessment is rather accurate!
Andrew
|
F.Meiresonne
Post Laureate
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 3360
Loc: Eeklo,Belgium
|
|
I would go for the ultra anyhow. True, they are heavy but have very good optics
--------------------
Freddy Meiresonne
Obsession 18 inch #1638
Orion Optics 8 inch F/4.5 -1/8 wave optics -Vixen GP-E
20x80 Helios Stellar Binos
15x70 TS Marine (=Obie Ultra)
10x60 Helios Quantum 4(= Obie Mariner)
10x50 Helios Nature sport plus
8x40 Helios Nature sport plus
Eyepieces in use :Pan 35,24,19, N13T6, Pentax 10 XW, N9T6, Ultrascopic 7.5, TV2, baader ortho 12.5 and 9 mm
|
EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14713
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
|
|
The Hd-F2 tripod will handle the Ultra. The Ultra is a better binocular from a lot of different points of consideration.
edz
--------------------
Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
|
richsvt
member
Reged: 01/09/09
Posts: 65
Loc: Boston
|
|
Thanks.
I was leaning towards the Ultra anyway. Just concerned over the weight. I'd rather err on the side of better optics.
Many thanks.
|
Jim Rosenstock
Post Laureate
Reged: 07/14/05
Posts: 3709
Loc: MD, south of the DC Nebula
|
|
Quote:
Thanks.
I was leaning towards the Ultra anyway. Just concerned over the weight. I'd rather err on the side of better optics.
Many thanks.
The Ultras, of course, have individual focus eyepieces, which makes them more difficult to share views with others. OTOH, as a one-person binocular, they will hold focus pretty much indefinitely.
If you intend to do a lot of view-sharing, or use them for terrestrial as well as astronomy (i.e. will need to refocus frequently), then the lighter, center-focus binoculars would have an advantage.
But, for quality of astronomical views, primarily for a single user, there's no comparison. The Ultras are head & shoulders above the lighter, center-focus units.
You probably won't be doing a lot of hand-holding of these binos, though. I highly recommend a monopod as a middle ground between hand-held and tripod-mounted. I use my Ultras (actually an AP "clone") quite often with a monopod.....far steadier than hand-held, and much more convenient and flexible than tripod-mounting.
Both Oberwerk/Bigbinoculars.com and Garrett sell nice monopods. Highly recommended.
Cheers,
Jim
|
Prof M
member
Reged: 07/26/09
Posts: 49
Loc: Southwest Utah
|
|
As a less expensive alternative to the Fujinon 16x70, the Ultras can't be beat. The individual focusers do take getting used to, but they are a small inconvenience given the quality improvement over the standards.
Keith
|
richsvt
member
Reged: 01/09/09
Posts: 65
Loc: Boston
|
|
Thanks for the all the feedback. I am pretty sure my mind is made up. I am going for the Obie Ultras.
As a side note:
I read in one of the reviews by Edz that some large L adapters may be too large to fit into the space. I have one from Orion that seems small enough, but looking at it compared with the some of the thinner models, I am now not sure. Any experience with the proper L adapter to use? What is the max width that can fit?
|
richsvt
member
Reged: 01/09/09
Posts: 65
Loc: Boston
|
|
One last set of questions:
I know there are several of the these floating around under different brands- Oberwerk, Orion, Garrett, AP. Are they all the same? Any real differences? Any particular dealer that stands out for anyone?
Thanks.
|
F.Meiresonne
Post Laureate
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 3360
Loc: Eeklo,Belgium
|
|
I noticed(on a Dutch forum) that the AP has eyepieces that are not threaded for filters. Others have like my TS Marine.
--------------------
Freddy Meiresonne
Obsession 18 inch #1638
Orion Optics 8 inch F/4.5 -1/8 wave optics -Vixen GP-E
20x80 Helios Stellar Binos
15x70 TS Marine (=Obie Ultra)
10x60 Helios Quantum 4(= Obie Mariner)
10x50 Helios Nature sport plus
8x40 Helios Nature sport plus
Eyepieces in use :Pan 35,24,19, N13T6, Pentax 10 XW, N9T6, Ultrascopic 7.5, TV2, baader ortho 12.5 and 9 mm
|
Man in a Tub
Not Retired!, But a little cranky!!!
Reged: 10/28/08
Posts: 2020
Loc: San Francisco, CA
|
|
Quote:
As a side note:
I read in one of the reviews by Edz that some large L adapters may be too large to fit into the space. I have one from Orion that seems small enough, but looking at it compared with the some of the thinner models, I am now not sure. Any experience with the proper L adapter to use? What is the max width that can fit?
Those are darn good questions!
My order with Garrett for the Signature Series 15x70 included the L adapter needed for mounting. With Oberwerk, it's an additional cost.
I have been pleased with Garrett (one bin and a monopod) and Oberwerk (2 bins).
Also: Two days ago, I received a nice update from Zach at Garrett about my order for the new Series 2000 grip-action monopod. There will be a small delay. No problem with me, but what's really great here is that I didn't have to call and inquire. I'm sure Oberwerk would do the same.
I can't tell you if there are any important or critical quality differences with this 15x70 model among the various distributors. I don't consider threaded oculars critical. I do have the Garrett model with threaded oculars and that does give me something to experiment with some time. Overall my impression is that all disributors you've asked about are neck to neck here. In short, I don't recall any negatives about any of them in this forum.
Clear Skies and You Will Enjoy the Views with Your New Bin!
--------------------
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
|
EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14713
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
|
|
from the Oberwerk Ultra CN Report
CN Report: Oberwerk Ultra 15x70
Tripod and Adapter
The screw slot for the tripod adapter is recessed about 3-4mm in from the body of the prism housing. That means that you cannot use a typical wide flat binocular adapter with these binoculars, it would rub on the housing, marring the rubber coating, or it may not even screw in. In this photo, the IPD is set at 62mm. The thickness of the L adapter is only about 5mm.
A very nice sturdy, Pentax shaped, narrow metal adapter is provided with the binocular. It holds the binocular very stable and secure. However, even it is not narrow enough to allow this binocular to reach the minimum IPD setting. It prevents the binocular from closing to less than 58mm, eliminating the last 2mm of usable close IPD from use. If you have very close set eyes, as some do, you may need to search for the narrowest tripod adapter you can find, similar to the Pentax shaped adapters.
--------------------
Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
|
Man in a Tub
Not Retired!, But a little cranky!!!
Reged: 10/28/08
Posts: 2020
Loc: San Francisco, CA
|
|
Quote:
A very nice sturdy, Pentax shaped, narrow metal adapter is provided with the binocular.
If this is so, the web page for the Oberwerk Ultra 15x70 should be corrected at www.bigbinoculars.com. Or perhaps, there's been a change since your review. Or is my long ago remedial reading course letting me down (again)?
--------------------
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
|
EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14713
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
|
|
Quote:
perhaps, there's been a change...
When I received my 15x70 Ultra from Oberwerk, it came with the tripod adapter in the case. that was quite a few years ago.
edz
--------------------
Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
|
daniel_h
sage
Reged: 03/08/08
Posts: 482
Loc: VIC, Australia
|
|
i received the adpater with mine also - i'm guessing the factory includes them..
as for the threaded filters my local store said the older stock did not have threaded ep's, but the newer stock will now be containing threads for filters - i personally don't see a gain with a filter at 70mm, some do
--------------------
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)
|
EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14713
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
|
|
Quote:
i received the adpater with mine also - i'm guessing the factory includes them..
as for the threaded filters my local store said the older stock did not have threaded ep's, but the newer stock will now be containing threads for filters - i personally don't see a gain with a filter at 70mm, some do
And if I'm not mistaken, attaching filters to the filter threads reduces the already short eye relief to an even shorter er.
edz
--------------------
Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
|
Man in a Tub
Not Retired!, But a little cranky!!!
Reged: 10/28/08
Posts: 2020
Loc: San Francisco, CA
|
|
Your Ultra is a recent purchase, IIRC. Perhaps there is a glitch on the website about the inclusion of the L Adapter.
FYI:
Part of my reason for ordering from Garrett was that it was clear that the L Adapter was included:
Quote:
Both the 70mm models come with a deluxe aluminum-trimmed carrying case and our all-metal L-adapter free of charge for easy tripod mounting. Also included with each binocular is a free LensPenŽ optics cleaning device and a deluxe carrying strap.
Compare with the Oberwerk page:
Oberwerk Ultra Series 10.5x70 and 15x70
OK, I'm done.
--------------------
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
|
Terra3
member
Reged: 08/05/09
Posts: 10
|
|
My Obie 15x70 Ultras, a fairly recent purchase, did not come with an L adapter. Saying that, the Obie HD L adapter works perfectly and is my preferred adapter (ordered a second!) for all my binos.
And indeed, these binos impressed the hell out of me. Serious viewing when mounted to something reasonable.
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
