Telescope Reviews: Re: First Pair

From the reviews you will know they both rate highly. One of the issues you have mentioned is ‘I hope to use the bino for learning the constellations and also as a finder in tandem with the scope’. Initially you would want to go for the bino that offers the wider FOV which on paper is the Nikon. The Nikon 10x50 AE's have a 6.5 degree FOV and an Afov of 65 degrees. The Pentax have a 5 degree FOV and a narrower 50 degree Afov. However [there’s always a however!] In a older [2004] review by Edz. He recommends the Pentax above the Nikons “as the Pentax has a sharper wide field image” and the “Pentax has a wider usable field of view”. This also confirms Hallelujahs comments above.
Having used both over the last few months I do tend to agree the Pentax have the edge optically and ergonomically however [there it is again!] personally speaking I do also like the more ‘panoramic’ image the Nikons do offer even though there is increased peripheral edge distortions. For scanning the skies and learning the constellations the wider FOV may suit you better and 'tip the balance'. Ideally if you could use both prior to actually buying you would make a more informed decision. Reading about them is OK to narrow the choice down but using a bino is a personal thing and really you should use both at night so you can make the right choice for you. In the end both will offer you good images at very good value.

http://www.cloudynights.com/documents/nikon.pdf

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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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