Telescope Reviews: First light 30x80 Orion Megaviews

I have to say I probably would never have bought giant binoculars but won these in the Orion Starshoot photo contest. I guess you can say I didn't know what I was missing out on.

First light was the moon but there was a lot of clouds so whenever the moon popped out I took a look. What I saw was a very pleasing view with just a little yellow around the edges. The weather hasn't coopperated for astronomy but was able to do birding and alligator watching. I've been watching 10 baby alligators with the mother staying close by. They are about 100 yards away and I can see them feeding on dragon flies, jumping out of the water and catching them. The views are very clear in the center and started to deteriate at about 85% out at the edges. I wish the adjustable eyepiece had a little more thicker grease because it does move when you put your eye to it. They should use that extra sticky grease they use in the mounts they sell. I take them to a public viewing area and get that "Oh Wow!" reaction when people look through them.

Now first light under very dark skies. The first object that I looked at was Omega Centauri, it was jaw dropping need I say more. Next I was just blown away at eveything in the summer Milky Way, I would say my favorite was M17 which took on that swan shape. The stars focused nicely in the center but had that slight field curvature that I talked about before but it didn't bother me a bit. M27 was also one of my favorites, you can see its shape very easily. Then the clouds rolled in and guess what, it hasn't been clear since. At least I was able to see how they performed under dark skies.
It looks like I'll be keeping these for a while unless I need more money for imaging equipment or I take up too much room at our clubs observing site with my imaging equipment, 12" Dob and now binoculars.
Clear and dark skies to all.
Chuck P

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Criterion rv-6 (original owner 1976)
12" f/5 Dob (Astrosystem)
127 Orion Skyview Pro
8" f/5 Orion newt
WO FLT110 f/7
eq6 mount
Canon Rebel xt
Phillips spc900 webcam
Orion Starshoot 1 and 2
Orion 80mm ed
Orion 30x80 Megaviews

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