paulsky
sage
Reged: 02/17/04
Posts: 384
|
|
Hello,I looking for a binocular for astronomy use ,range magnification 12X/15X and 50mm /63mm aperture, very light weight, handhold,and with the best exit pupil for a very..very dark sky,
Thanks for your help in advance
|
KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10163
Loc: Lancashire UK
|
|
Paulsky,
You've already answered half of your own question if you think about this.
Given your quoted parameters :
1. You want "hand -holdability " = 12x
2. You want "maximum exit -pupil" = 63mm
So what you are REALLY asking is what is the "best" 12 x 63 or as close to that hypothetical configuration.
Trust me , you CANNOT hold 15x steady -- period.
SO -- How much money are you prepared to spend ?
Regards -- Kenny.
--------------------
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
|
werewolf6977
Lord High Smasher
Reged: 12/15/03
Posts: 7445
Loc: Hanover, Ohio
|
|
Kenny, I come awful close! WW 
--------------------
Pete
6" Apogee/LXD55 - "The Beast"
Starhopper 6" Dob - "Shiva"
Spaceprobe 130 EQ - "Spacey"
Bushnell Fatboy
The Abomination
Sun Pak Pro 7500 Platinum Edition
10X25 Bushnell Camo Roofies
7X35 Tasco Classic Plastic (good views though)
7X42 Tasco Rare Bird
10X50 Nikon Actions (Type 7)
15X70 Skymasters - "DroolMeisters"
One ratty old IBM 600E LapTop
|
Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2570
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
|
|
Paulsky,
Kenny has arrived at a very logical recommendation for you. I do not use a tripod with my Oberwerk 12X60 and I like it fine that way. It has a wide 5.7 deg FOV for a 12X60. $109.
Erik D
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
Quote:
for a very..very dark sky,
Just curious, where is this sky?
|
Rusty
Postmaster
Reged: 08/06/03
Posts: 16419
Loc: Brooker, FL
|
|
It can easily be found 95% of the time at a mere 45,000 ASL.
--------------------
N11GPS Fastar
TOA-130S
MK66 Std
Vintage C5
Megrez II 80mm ED Triplet APO
SolarMax 40
NJP Temma II
Sirius EQ-G
ST8XE/CFW-8(LRGBHa)/AO-7/DF-2/STV Dlx/ST237a/350D (Unmodded)/Mallincam Color Hyper Plus/DSI III Color/DSI II Pro
Two not-spoiled Golden Retrievers - Maggie and Casey
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
|
777Guy
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 574
Loc: 48'29N 122'37W
|
|
Rusty,
I like my Fujinon 10x70s and have been considering adding a larger pair like Oberwerk 22x100. Yesterday I stopped by Anacortes Telescope and wildbird and looked through a Burgess 25x100. We found a bald eagle sitting on a telephone pole about a mile away and was impressed with the view. There seemed to be alot of false color with purple fringing at the brighter objects and was bothersome. My question to you is, are you pleased with your Oberwerks and do you recommend them? Since I live on the water, I spend alot of time looking at terrestrial objects with my Fujinon but haven't used them very much for astronomical purposes. Is the Oberwerk good for both purposes?
Anacortes also had a pair of the Celestron 20x100 and 20x80 but did not look through them. Have you had a chance to look through various brands before you picked the Oberwerks?
What I am looking for is a high quality binoc that serves both purposes equally well, if that is possible.
Thanks
Army Sink Navy
Jim
|
777Guy
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 574
Loc: 48'29N 122'37W
|
|
Greetings Rusty,
I am interested in buying a Oberwerk 22x100 binocular. Just curious if after owning yours for awhile if you would recommend them. I live on the water just north of Whidbey NAS and plan on using the binoculars for both terrestial and astronomical observing. I currently have a Fujinon 10x70 and like them but don't like the individual focusers for terestial viewing and my wife hates them. So I like the center focus feature of the Oberwerks. I also like the appearance of the Oberwerks but have only read reviews so was wondering what your opinion is. I was planning on going through BigBinocular.com to order them, any experience with them? Their price is $395.00 plus another $149.00 for tripod. Any suggestions or advice are welcomed. Thanks.
Clear Skys,
Jim
Army Sink Navy (well sometimes) 
|
Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2570
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
|
|
Jim,
Oberwerks has excellent reputation in the astro bino community. I have the Oberwerk 12X60 myself but my buddy has purchsed three pairs from Kevin Bursrow. His most recent purchase is the 22X100 model. I had a chance to test it for about a week last year and I like it. They have much better eye relief and wider FOV than my ProOptics 25X100 which cost $900. You will notice slight false color if you are viewing objects against bright background but it's to be expected with large 100mm non-ED objectives. The 22X100 comes with winged eye guards. You may want to order the optinal folding eye cups if you need glasses to observe.
Which tripod do you have in mind for $149? You'll need a tall tripod and heavy duty fluid head to mount this beast. It's twice the bulk of giant binos such as the 20X80 Orion/Megaview.
Erik D
|
777Guy
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 574
Loc: 48'29N 122'37W
|
|
Erik D.,
Thanks for your input. I feel stupid as I thought I was sending a personal message to Rusty and did not realize that both messages appeared on this thread. I have read very good things about Oberwerk 22x100 binoculars and was seeking input from people I knew that had a pair. With regards to your question the $149.95 price I quoted was in error. That is the price of the Bogen 501 Heavy Duty Head only not including the tripod. I believe that would be a good mount. I believe the quoted price for the head and appropriate tripod is about $250.00.
Thanks for your recommendation for the folding eye cups. I do wear glasses but not required when I observe.
Thanks again,
Jim
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
I have just purchased some 22x100 obies from bigbinoculars.com and they are wonderful. The shipment was nicely packaged. Nothing broken and perfectly collimated. They arrived in a timely manner too. I also purchased a Bogen/Manfrotto 3221NW tripod with the Bogen 501 head to go with the binos. The whole setup is quite nice.
|
777Guy
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 574
Loc: 48'29N 122'37W
|
|
Night watch,
Thanks for the review. Your opinion mirrors what most folks have been saying about the obies. It helps to make my decision easier.
Cheers,
Jim
|
Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29817
Loc: Sunny Oregon
|
|
ok, Nightwatch, this is a personal question....
How much did that whole setup cost you? (it sounds perfect!)!
Thanks, Tom
--------------------
Tom 
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
|
Anonymous
Unregistered
|
|
I got the Bogen/Manfrotto 3221NW tripod and 501 head combination for about $295 from adorama.com...that includes shipping and it came with a travel bag. I found this price to be a little bit cheaper than other photography stores online. The only negative thing I could say about the tripod is that there isn't a ratchet system installed to lower/raise the binocular elevation. I have gotten used to it though. I hope this helps!
|
Rusty
Postmaster
Reged: 08/06/03
Posts: 16419
Loc: Brooker, FL
|
|
IMHO, one of the better setups for binocs is a used Quickset Samson with the standard (longer) elevator. The trick is finding one with a usable head - the older version of the QSH-9 (with the counterbalance springs removed and the head reversed) is my favorite.
The major advantage of the Samson is that the elevator is raised/lowered with a worm-gear arrangement, and that means it doesn't have to be locked down - it stays where it's put. The tripod is rated at 40# minimum. They go on eBay for $100-150 plus shipping. The trick is to get one with a head that can be adapted.
--------------------
N11GPS Fastar
TOA-130S
MK66 Std
Vintage C5
Megrez II 80mm ED Triplet APO
SolarMax 40
NJP Temma II
Sirius EQ-G
ST8XE/CFW-8(LRGBHa)/AO-7/DF-2/STV Dlx/ST237a/350D (Unmodded)/Mallincam Color Hyper Plus/DSI III Color/DSI II Pro
Two not-spoiled Golden Retrievers - Maggie and Casey
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
|
Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29817
Loc: Sunny Oregon
|
|
Hi Rusty, I do see several Quickset Samson mounts on eBay, all are used but in the price you stated. I also see a lot of Monfrotto 3221 out there, but they are close to retail.
Thanks...Tom
--------------------
Tom
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
|
Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2570
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
|
|
QuickSet SamSon and Hercules are great tripods but very expensive new( $700-$1,500 without a head) You need to be patient to find a used one in very good conditon. Be very careful when you buy from Ebay. Read the description and look at the photos carefully and asked questions and read the seller's feedback.
I bought two Samsons used last year. The first one had a missing bolt and the locking knob for the center column elevator was cracked. Thought I could just go to Lowes and get a hex bolt replacement but Quickset use fine threads not available anywhere locally. I paid about $80 for the tripod+ shipping but Quickset wanted ~$30 for a single replacment knob. Put an auto hose clamp around the locking knob and used it that way.
I have seen quite a few Bogen 501 heads sell for close to or above mail order discount price on Ebay. A few were in new condtion but missing the pan handle. They sold for slightly below mail order price but would cost another $25 for the missing handle. Buyer beware!
Anyone interested in Bogen/Manfrotto tripod should check <adorama.com> for price of new equipment before bidding on Ebay.
Erik D
|
Rusty
Postmaster
Reged: 08/06/03
Posts: 16419
Loc: Brooker, FL
|
|
Quote:
Hi Rusty, I do see several Quickset Samson mounts on eBay, all are used but in the price you stated. I also see a lot of Monfrotto 3221 out there, but they are close to retail.
Thanks...Tom
All four of the Samsons I bought had a minor problem; the most common was lubrication; Quickset must buy its lubes from the same Water Buffalo Grease factory that the Chinese mount makers, because I've had to soak some parts in mineral spirits quite a while. Two were bought for other people, and they're quite happy for the $125 they paid.
OT: Never remove grease with anything stronger than mineral spirits or kerosene (i.e., lacquer thinner, MEK, acetone, etc.)
I can now overhaul a Samson in about 20 minutes. The bolt for the collar (the one which keeps the head from coming off) is 1/4"x28 (NF pitch) - I get socket head ones 3/4" long and use a 3/32" fiber washer, and it works fine (the 1/2" is about 1/16" too short). Mostly I clean the worm, spur gear, and bearings and relube with SuperLube grease. It's important to clean the gear rack on the elevator as well.
--------------------
N11GPS Fastar
TOA-130S
MK66 Std
Vintage C5
Megrez II 80mm ED Triplet APO
SolarMax 40
NJP Temma II
Sirius EQ-G
ST8XE/CFW-8(LRGBHa)/AO-7/DF-2/STV Dlx/ST237a/350D (Unmodded)/Mallincam Color Hyper Plus/DSI III Color/DSI II Pro
Two not-spoiled Golden Retrievers - Maggie and Casey
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
|
Rusty
Postmaster
Reged: 08/06/03
Posts: 16419
Loc: Brooker, FL
|
|
Quote:
I bought two Samsons used last year. The first one had a missing bolt and the locking knob for the center column elevator was cracked. Thought I could just go to Lowes and get a hex bolt replacement but Quickset use fine threads not available anywhere locally. I paid about $80 for the tripod+ shipping but Quickset wanted ~$30 for a single replacment knob. Put an auto hose clamp around the locking knob and used it that way.
Erik D
Some of the Quickset bolts are NF thread pitch. Most Ace Hardware stores carry what you need (but not Lowe's or Home Despot).
The knob itself may be styrene, and any modeler's plastic "glue" will work (i.e., MEK, Acetone, Tenax 7, Ambroid Pro Weld, or Plastruct Plastic Weld - all solvents). Clamp the knob as you have with a hose clamp, apply the solvent to the crack; capillary action will draw it into the crack. Give it about 30 minutes to evaporate, and you're set.
A few might be acetal plastic, or even aluminum - for those JB Weld is the answer.
--------------------
N11GPS Fastar
TOA-130S
MK66 Std
Vintage C5
Megrez II 80mm ED Triplet APO
SolarMax 40
NJP Temma II
Sirius EQ-G
ST8XE/CFW-8(LRGBHa)/AO-7/DF-2/STV Dlx/ST237a/350D (Unmodded)/Mallincam Color Hyper Plus/DSI III Color/DSI II Pro
Two not-spoiled Golden Retrievers - Maggie and Casey
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
|
Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2570
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
|
|
Rusty,
Thanks for the tip. I did stop by a well-stocked local Ace Hardware first. Two of the clerks have no idea what NF thread is. I like your idea about plastic weld better anyway. It will look and work better if I can fix the orginal knob.
Erik D
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
[Re: 