xcy
super member
Reged: 05/15/06
Posts: 188
Loc: Europe
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Does Bushnell currently make any binoculars suitable for astronomy?
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bkruschwitz
member
Reged: 04/15/09
Posts: 38
Loc: Waco, TX
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What size are you looking for? The 8x42 Legend works very well for scanning a dark sky, for planning star hops in light polluted sky, etc. It has an 8-degree view. The optics are very fine, the build is solid.
Bob
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Orion XT8
Hyperion 8x24 zoom
Bushnell Legend 8x42
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xcy
super member
Reged: 05/15/06
Posts: 188
Loc: Europe
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I am looking for something as powerful (aperture and magnification)as possible.
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charen
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/28/05
Posts: 1082
Loc: New Zealand
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For astronomical use binoculars really have to have good specifications to give sharp and distortion free images.
Astronomical use really tests a binoculars optics.
Bushnell sell a large range of binoculars from 'entry' level to 'Hi-end' roof and porros binos. The Low to mid end range are Chinese sourced and 'you get what you pay for' and not really recommended for astro. use.
The Hi-end [read more expensive] like the Elite and Legend versions are recommended for astro use. These come in the 8x-12.5x and 42/3mm and 50 mm roof and porro versions.
Bushnell do actually make an 'astronomical' size 15x70 and a 20x80 version which they call the 'Astralis' - they are available only on some markets [the Astralis are not shown on there current web. site] however these are again the more 'entry level' Chinese sourced versions.
Chris
30 binos.
90mm Cat.
WO66ED
Meade 8in.LX90
Skywatcher Equinox ED120 / Goto HEQ5.
Edited by charen (10/21/09 04:45 AM)
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richtea
sage
Reged: 02/01/05
Posts: 241
Loc: UK Yorkshire
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Hi
I think the older phase coated Discoverer models are pretty good
My own 8 x 42 is of Japanese origin and seems pretty good on basic sky use
I believe there was a 10 x 42 Discoverer with a 6.5 degree field in the same range
Regards
RichT
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Carl Zeiss MC Jenoptem 10 x 50 Nikon SE 10 x 42 Nikon E11 8 x 30/10 x 35 Meade 10 x 50 (40) Pentax Papilo 6.5 x 21 Minolta Activa WPFP 8 x 40 Praktica WA Lanthanum (x 2) 8 x 25 Swift Audubon 804 FMC 8.5 x 44 Fujinon CDPC Roof 7 x 42 Opticron Minerva Porro 9 x 35 Smith Wesson PC MC Roof 8 x 32 Bushnell Discoverer PC3XTR 8 x 42 Swift 10 x 42 Ultralite Hawke WP 10 x 42 porro
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charen
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/28/05
Posts: 1082
Loc: New Zealand
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RichT. you are correct. The Discoverers were originally produced by Bausch and Lomb from about 1995/6. The Discovery range was then sold under the Bushnell label from 2004 when Bausch & Lomb chose not to license their name for optics any longer.
Bushnell continued to sell the Discoverers with the same specs. to 2006.
The later versions [ from 2001 ] of the B. and L. and Bushnell Discoverers had the phase PC-3 phase corrected prisms and the XTR / FMC lens coatings.
The Discoverer series do remain well regarded esp. among birders and they still command good prices.
The Discoverer line has ample eye relief, a wide FOV, excellent resolution and a bright contrasty image.
They are all Japanese made with excellent ergonomics and build qualities.
I have the B. and L. 7x 42 versions with the Hi specs and with the 8 degree F.O.V.
There is some curvature of field as to be expected with a wide angle roof however the image is very usable.
Any of the Discoverer series would be worth pursuing esp. with the later hi specs. They did come in 7x42, 8x42 and 10x42.
Interestingly the Bushnell 10x42 Discoverers were the 'same' as the 'older' Meade Montana’s, the 'Older' Weaver Grand Slam's, the RSPB HG.PC and I believe the Fujinon CD's although I have not been able to fully confirm that.
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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werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 8429
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
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The 8X42 H2O's not too bad. I like mine.
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Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55
Starhopper 6" Dob
Spaceprobe 130EQ
Black C8 OTA
WO Zenith Star 66 Patriot Edition
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
8X42 Bushnell H2O Porro
7X35 Tasco
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters
Dell Inspiron Dual Core 531s
"Science without Religion is lame, Religion without Science is blind" A.Einstein.
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Djarum
sage
Reged: 03/12/09
Posts: 216
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I have the 10x50 Bushnell legends porro. I've enjoyed them so far for astronomy
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Celestron Astromaster 130eq with a 60mm finderscope
Bushnell Legend 10x50
TMB planetary 5mm EP
Enhanced Wide Angle 6mm EP
Plossl 10mm EP
Plossl 32mm EP
Ultima 2x barlow
Baader M&SG and UHC filters.
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GlennLeDrew
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 06/18/08
Posts: 1250
Loc: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Chris,
Does your vocation involve researching the specifications, livery and lineage of every commercial bino ever made? 
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Home-made 11X50 right angle bino, 8.1 deg. FOV
Modified 26X100 bino, 3.5 deg. FOV
Home-made Mk II RA bino, using interchangeable objectives and eyepieces
My Gallery
Mediocre minds discuss people. Good minds discuss events. Great minds discuss ideas.
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charen
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/28/05
Posts: 1082
Loc: New Zealand
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Yes I am a Binoholic - there I said it ! but admitting I have a problem is the first step ! 
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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richtea
sage
Reged: 02/01/05
Posts: 241
Loc: UK Yorkshire
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Hi Chris
Thanks for the extra info and good to hear some confirmation on the Discoverer's
I wish i had bought the 10 x 42 at the time i bought my 8 x
I have the version with the PC3 and XTR coatings and i find them to be one of the nicest roofs i have looked through despite the field curvature
As for the Fujinon CD being the same bin it could well be similar as my 7 x 42 CD is indeed phase coated
However the Fujinon lens coatings are much more of a green hue whereas the Bushnells are reddy purple so perhaps the multi coating is different
Not sure on the Meade and Bresser Montana's but i did see a Montana in a local shop window some while back and it looked similar in body size although body covering was more indented and at a quick glance seemed to be more green based multi coat
Think the Weaver Grand Slam is same as Montana/Bresser body pretty much
Possibly they all derive from same family and one Japansese producer ?
Speaking for the Fuji and Bushnell they are great value
Regards
RichT
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Carl Zeiss MC Jenoptem 10 x 50 Nikon SE 10 x 42 Nikon E11 8 x 30/10 x 35 Meade 10 x 50 (40) Pentax Papilo 6.5 x 21 Minolta Activa WPFP 8 x 40 Praktica WA Lanthanum (x 2) 8 x 25 Swift Audubon 804 FMC 8.5 x 44 Fujinon CDPC Roof 7 x 42 Opticron Minerva Porro 9 x 35 Smith Wesson PC MC Roof 8 x 32 Bushnell Discoverer PC3XTR 8 x 42 Swift 10 x 42 Ultralite Hawke WP 10 x 42 porro
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