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mkates
journeyman
Reged: 09/21/09
Posts: 5
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I'm new to this forum, although I've been shadowing this and other threads about the new 150mm binoculars. My first scope was a 4" Tasco reflector, that I bough as a teenager. 40 years later, with more time, patience and resources I've revisited the hoby. I'm not an optical expert, and certainly not an expert observer, just keenly interested in most things astronomical. I've had and used the APM 150, 45degree binoculars for just over a week now. Had them set up on my heavily light polluted driveway twice. The mount looked like a weak link, but it functions well, considering the heft of this beast. The fork mount is extended allowing pointing at the xenith, albeit crouching or on my knees is not the most comfortable viewing position. Speaking of heft, getting the binoculars onto the mount's dovetail is not for the weak of heart or limb. The supplied eyepieces are 32mm with 70 degrees of apparent field. Views showed no distortion at the edges, and I did not perceive any vignetting. Eye relief was comfortable. Interocular spacing may be a problem for some. I could just get the oculars close enough together to fuse Jupiter's image. The views were pleasing. Not as sharp as looking through an apo, but nice wide expanses of suburban washed out sky. Jupiter showed some fringing and colour, but less than I would have expected from a fast achromat. I tried some brigthter Messier's, M13, M22, M31. They were there, but pretty washed out by Sky glow. A trip to darker skies should prove more meaningfull. This binocular should perform well for wide field viewing in a dark site. Overall I'm happy with them so far. They're definately at the heavy end for a grab and go set up.
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Tamiji Homma
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/24/07
Posts: 1084
Loc: California, USA
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Quote:
I'm new to this forum, although I've been shadowing this and other threads about the new 150mm binoculars. My first scope was a 4" Tasco reflector, that I bough as a teenager. 40 years later, with more time, patience and resources I've revisited the hoby. I'm not an optical expert, and certainly not an expert observer, just keenly interested in most things astronomical. I've had and used the APM 150, 45degree binoculars for just over a week now. Had them set up on my heavily light polluted driveway twice. The mount looked like a weak link, but it functions well, considering the heft of this beast. The fork mount is extended allowing pointing at the xenith, albeit crouching or on my knees is not the most comfortable viewing position. Speaking of heft, getting the binoculars onto the mount's dovetail is not for the weak of heart or limb. The supplied eyepieces are 32mm with 70 degrees of apparent field. Views showed no distortion at the edges, and I did not perceive any vignetting. Eye relief was comfortable. Interocular spacing may be a problem for some. I could just get the oculars close enough together to fuse Jupiter's image. The views were pleasing. Not as sharp as looking through an apo, but nice wide expanses of suburban washed out sky. Jupiter showed some fringing and colour, but less than I would have expected from a fast achromat. I tried some brigthter Messier's, M13, M22, M31. They were there, but pretty washed out by Sky glow. A trip to darker skies should prove more meaningfull. This binocular should perform well for wide field viewing in a dark site. Overall I'm happy with them so far. They're definately at the heavy end for a grab and go set up.
Thank you for your report. I am about to place an order of this big binoculars, upgrading Vixen 20x125 bino. I haven't decided 45 or 90 degree version yet. I have looked at (not looking through unfortunately  45 degree version at PATS last month. Finish was beautifully done. I asked APM America about prism aperture. They said it is 41mm, larger than I thought. I probably use magnification between 25x and 75x with AFOV 70-ish degree eyepieces.
Have you tried higher magnification with yours?
Tammy
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mkates
journeyman
Reged: 09/21/09
Posts: 5
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Hi Tammy,
Mine are the 45 degree model. I tried a pair of 19mm Panoptics, that I use for a binoviewer. The images were equally pleasing, with no loss of detail. The binos came with 2" to 11/4" adaptors. At present I don't have any other 2" eyepiece pairs, but would consider 24mm widefields. Burgess, who is also marketing 150mm binoculars(probably from the same source) have 24mm 70 deg. apof oculars that won't break the bank. The Baders, might also fit the bill. Below 24mm there aren't many 2" eps available, although the Baders supply interchangeable barrels. I'd be interested if anyone else has tried different eps. APM describes using pairs of Ethos, although I suspect few people are going to front the price of a medium apo refractor for two eyepieces to use in this beast.
Martin
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Tamiji Homma
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/24/07
Posts: 1084
Loc: California, USA
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Hi Martin,
Yes, Pano 19 is very good. I like mine in binoviewer, too. I decided to get 90 degree one. It is on my way. Delivery is some time in November if all goes well. What tripod do you use? I am planning to use it on Losmandy HD/FHD tripod. I also live in light polluted residential area. I would have to travel to dark site to appreciate the big binoculars.
Tammy
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Wes James
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 3453
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Quote:
Burgess, who is also marketing 150mm binoculars(probably from the same source)
Where did this information come from??? Nothing on his website, and on the Yahoo Burgess Refractor newsgroup- where all his latest products are announced, the largest bino coming down the pike that's been announced are 70mm's.
--------------------
Wes
Atlantic Beach, FL
Some bino’s from Miyauchi 5x32 Binon's up through Garrett 20x110 Signature's,
Some telescopes from a Stellarvue 80mm NHNG up through a couple of 8” reflectors…
And a wonderful 4.25" Delmarva Shiefspiegler!
Some good friends, made here on C/N.
Oh- several cats and a wonderful wife!
Anyone want a cat???? :-O
"When your work speaks for itself- Don't Interrupt" -Gamble Rogers
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Andresin150
sage
Reged: 08/14/07
Posts: 305
Loc: Bogotá - La Calera / Colombia
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for me, the use of 1 1/4" eps with the adapters is better because my nose will fit in. For not so dark skies you can try higher magnifications, but for my tastes I wouldn't go beyond 60x. I had excellent results with the 21mm Denkmeiers, and are saving to try a pair of 14mm Denks too.
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25x150 MT
30-50x120's
Ultra 15x70's
GOTO NEX Planetarium
1 Macaw, 1 Toucan, 1 parrot and many other little ones...
And the nicest greenhouse!
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mkates
journeyman
Reged: 09/21/09
Posts: 5
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Sorry Wes, to send you off on a futile search. Make that Garrett Optical, not Burgess. Mia Culpa
Martin
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Wes James
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 3453
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Martin-
No problem... it was no wild goose chase, I already knew what was on both sites! That's why I knew it couldn't be a Burgess. No problem-o!
Wes
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mkates
journeyman
Reged: 09/21/09
Posts: 5
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Hi Tammy,
I'm using the tripod, that was bundled with the binocs. They're of Chinese Manufacture. The fit and finish is a bid coarse in areas, but they're functional. With the legs fully extended the binoculars are at a comfortable height for my 5'5" height. The mount allows the binoculars to easily point to the zenith without hitting the fork base. Vibration is not an issue, and the tension controls work well. I also asked about encoders for the mount, but nothing is in the works, although I'm sure something could easily be adapted. Overall they work better than I expected. Again lifting onto the dovetail is a bit of a challange, especially with the legs extended.
Martin
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APM America
Vendor - APM America
Reged: 11/07/05
Posts: 2768
Loc: Madison. NJ. USA
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I hope you have been working out at the gym as I suggested Martin
--------------------
Morris Bagnall
Sales Manager
www.apmamerica.com
A whole room full of APM refractors......
Seymor Rosin F/4.5 Astrograph in the making
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Tamiji Homma
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/24/07
Posts: 1084
Loc: California, USA
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Quote:
Hi Tammy,
I'm using the tripod, that was bundled with the binocs. They're of Chinese Manufacture. The fit and finish is a bid coarse in areas, but they're functional. With the legs fully extended the binoculars are at a comfortable height for my 5'5" height. The mount allows the binoculars to easily point to the zenith without hitting the fork base. Vibration is not an issue, and the tension controls work well. I also asked about encoders for the mount, but nothing is in the works, although I'm sure something could easily be adapted. Overall they work better than I expected. Again lifting onto the dovetail is a bit of a challange, especially with the legs extended.
Martin
Thanks Martin for information.
I checked united-optics.com to find out weight of 90 degree version. It appears that 90 degree version is about 13lb (6Kg) heavier than 45 degree version, making it 60lb binoculars. I guess I need more workout than I thought.
Tammy
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