scodavis
member
Reged: 01/18/12
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Orion 10x50 Beginner's Kit - Anyone Use This?
#5024473 - 01/18/12 10:56 AM
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Hello! I am in the market to purchase some 10x50 binoculars so that I can begin getting acquainted with what is in the night sky, and where. In my travels I have come across an Orion beginner's kit. While I'm not concerned as much with the additional items, I would like to know if anybody has any experience with the binoculars in this pack. For reference, here is a URL:
http://www.telescope.com/Binoculars/Astronomy-Binoculars/Orion-10x50-Binocular-Stargazing-Kit/pc/-1/c/5/sc/72/p/101453.uts
I will probably be ordering within the next few days, so if anybody can provide me with some advice, it would be much appreciated.
Thank you!
-Scott
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Maverick199
Postmaster
Reged: 02/27/11
Loc: India
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Re: Orion 10x50 Beginner's Kit - Anyone Use This?
[Re: scodavis]
#5024492 - 01/18/12 11:06 AM
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Welcome to CN! I saw that and feel its a mighty handy bargain to have one of those. Get it. That planisphere too will come in handy.
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BoriSpider
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/10/04
Loc: S.W.FLA
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Re: Orion 10x50 Beginner's Kit - Anyone Use This?
[Re: Maverick199]
#5024505 - 01/18/12 11:11 AM
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Hi Scott, and welcome.
Looks like a nice kit. You will definitely
use all items in the kit. If you are concerned with
the quality of the bino's, ask in the Binocular subforum.
They will definitely know.
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Mark9473
Postmaster
Reged: 07/21/05
Loc: 51°N 4°E
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Re: Orion 10x50 Beginner's Kit - Anyone Use This?
[Re: BoriSpider]
#5024807 - 01/18/12 01:38 PM
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That is a cheap binocular, that's for sure. These don't have the best prisms, not the best coatings either, not the best build quality. Just be aware that you get what you pay for. That said, if they function then there's no reason why you shouldn't enjoy them.
For anybody making a longer-term committment to the hobby, these will just be a stepping stone to a future upgrade.
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*skyguy*
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/31/08
Loc: Western New York
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Re: Orion 10x50 Beginner's Kit - Anyone Use This?
[Re: scodavis]
#5024845 - 01/18/12 01:53 PM
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Astronomy Magazine did a review on "13 Binoculars under $100" back in 2005 and the Orion Scenix 10x50 Wide-Angle binoculars ($99.99) was rated as the top pick ... even beating out the highly acclaimed Nikon Action 10x50 and Bushnell Legacy 10x50 binoculars:
http://www.telescope.com/Binoculars/Astronomy-Binoculars/Orion-Scenix-10x50-Wide-Angle-Binoculars/pc/-1/c/5/sc/72/p/9333.uts
I'd spend a little extra money on binoculars that had better coatings and optics ... it's a good investment.
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craytab
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/10/11
Loc: Bethlehem, PA
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Re: Orion 10x50 Beginner's Kit - Anyone Use This?
[Re: Mark9473]
#5024851 - 01/18/12 01:56 PM
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I know one newbie on here recently got this and said he liked them. That said, if it were me I would spend a little more to get a better pair. Do go ask in the bino sub-forum. Give them a clear budget and I am sure they will advise you on the best pair for that price range. Oh, and like Mav said, the planisphere is a good idea also, I would just get one somewhere other than Orion because things there tend to be sort of spendy and the shipping is over priced. And if you haven't downloaded stellarium , that should also be first on your list!
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scodavis
member
Reged: 01/18/12
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Re: Orion 10x50 Beginner's Kit - Anyone Use This?
[Re: craytab]
#5024869 - 01/18/12 02:02 PM
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Craytab,
I actually have a laptop that is dual boot Linux and Windows 7, and the Linux side is specifically for Stellarium. That software is incredible and, of course, free!
I actually just placed my order for the $59.99 kit. I'll let everybody know how I ended up liking them.
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Jamachine
member
Reged: 01/07/12
Loc: Tennessee
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Re: Orion 10x50 Beginner's Kit - Anyone Use This?
[Re: *skyguy*]
#5024891 - 01/18/12 02:13 PM
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I agree with Skyguy, the Orion Senix look like a real deal for under $100. About two years ago I went to my local outdoor shop with the intention of picking up some decent binoculars for astronomy and I set my budget at $200. After spending over an hour looking through Nikkons, Swifts and a host of others out the shops backdoor I ended up picking the pair that gave the crispest views and smoothest focus: a pair of Barska 8x42s for $85. Sometimes you pay for a name instead of quality.
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craytab
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/10/11
Loc: Bethlehem, PA
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Re: Orion 10x50 Beginner's Kit - Anyone Use This?
[Re: scodavis]
#5024902 - 01/18/12 02:19 PM
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Quote:
Craytab,
I actually have a laptop that is dual boot Linux and Windows 7, and the Linux side is specifically for Stellarium. That software is incredible and, of course, free!
I actually just placed my order for the $59.99 kit. I'll let everybody know how I ended up liking them.
Well congrats! I am sure they will do just fine. One thing you do pay for when you go with Orion is the best customer service in the industry so if anything goes wrong or you don't enjoy them, Orion will take care of it.
That's great about Stellarium. You already have a leg up!
Edited by craytab (01/18/12 02:21 PM)
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Steve F
sage
Reged: 07/31/11
Loc: SE TX
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Re: Orion 10x50 Beginner's Kit - Anyone Use This?
[Re: scodavis]
#5025791 - 01/18/12 10:11 PM
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You can get a lot of enjoyment from a modest pair of binoculars. If you decide you really like using binoculars for astronomical viewing and you upgrade there will still be an application for the inexpensive pair. Keep them in your car, since they are not that expensive you will not worry about them and they will always be there when the opportunity arises to take a closer look at the stars, ships, birds or what ever catches your interest. In this respect inexpensive is a virtue. One of the first things I bought 25 years ago was a pair of Bushnell 7X50s and "The Peterson Field Guide To The Stars and Planets". The binos have sub-par coatings and the wrong kind of prisms but they sure have provided me with a lot of hours of enjoyment. For many years I have kept them in my car with the field guide at all times.
You can get an old copy of the Peterson field guide on ebay for five bucks, I highly recommend it to go with your starter set. For one thing it is small so it will fit under the car seat with your binos!
Come to think of it get a Peterson field guide for the birds that are native to the area you live in, that will give you something else to use your binoculars for during the day.
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jfaust75
sage
Reged: 10/04/11
Loc: Central Florida
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Re: Orion 10x50 Beginner's Kit - Anyone Use This?
[Re: Steve F]
#5026047 - 01/19/12 01:14 AM
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I gt these for christmas and I love them......
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