Telescope Reviews: Re: Choosing Between These Binoculars for a newbie

Thanks everyone.

I went out today to get my hands on some actual binoculars. I avoided the zoom on the advice of a couple of you here. Thanks!

The Bushnell Astralis 15 x 17mm ($180 CAD) just didn't feel right in my hands and not just because of the size.

I came across some Nikon 10x50 Action VII binoculars ($130 CAD) and some Nikon 16x50 Action VII binoculars ($170) and a Bushnell 10 x 50m ($69 CAD). Both Nikons felt excellent in my hands and were easy for me to hold and focus - I found myself leaning towards the 16 x 50mm Nikon. The Bushnell didn't connect with me at all. Felt clunky and uncomfortable. Neither Nikon came with a tripod mount, but the sales clerk said they could order them in. She wasn't sure how much they cost, but said the Bushnell ones cost about $20 CAD)

I went to another store and came across a SkyMaster 15 x 70mm. and a Brunton 10 x 50mm ($49 CAD).

The Brunton 10x50mm was surprisingly good to my inexperienced eyes and hands and felt a lot better than the Bushnell 10x50mm. Has anyone had any experience with these inexpensive Brunton 10x50mm binoculars?

The SkyMaster 15x70mm felt good, much better than the Bushnell Astralis. It also had a tripod mount and was $30 cheaper. So I purchased it and will try it out tonight.

Once I got home, I realized I did something very stupid. Since all the stores are local, I should have purchased one of the Nikons, the Brunton and the SkyMaster and tried all three and then just taken back the ones I don't want. I may go out tomorrow and purchase the Brunton and a Nikon.

The Skymaster is to heavy to be handheld, so I hooked it up to my Optex DP174 tripod I use for my video camera and digital camera. It works and is stable but I find when I move it that it is too heaver overall for the tripod, so if I keep it, I should buy a sturdier tripod. The mountain looked great, but I really want to try it on the sky.

If I keep the Skymaster, I am tempted to go back and get the Brunton anyway as an inexpensive pair of binoculars to take hiking and traveling.

Thanks again all!

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Garland Coulson
Orion XT8i Dob & Celestron 80 ED on a Vixen Porta Mount Mini
Baader Hyperion 8-24mm Click Zoom & Siebert Observatory 36mm
Siebert Black Knight Binoviewers
SkyWatcher Observing Chair
Celestron Skymaster 15x70mm binos

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