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I'm new to this forum, although I've been shadowing this and other threads about the new 150mm binoculars. My first scope was a 4" Tasco reflector, that I bough as a teenager. 40 years later, with more time, patience and resources I've revisited the hoby. I'm not an optical expert, and certainly not an expert observer, just keenly interested in most things astronomical. I've had and used the APM 150, 45degree binoculars for just over a week now. Had them set up on my heavily light polluted driveway twice. The mount looked like a weak link, but it functions well, considering the heft of this beast. The fork mount is extended allowing pointing at the xenith, albeit crouching or on my knees is not the most comfortable viewing position. Speaking of heft, getting the binoculars onto the mount's dovetail is not for the weak of heart or limb. The supplied eyepieces are 32mm with 70 degrees of apparent field. Views showed no distortion at the edges, and I did not perceive any vignetting. Eye relief was comfortable. Interocular spacing may be a problem for some. I could just get the oculars close enough together to fuse Jupiter's image. The views were pleasing. Not as sharp as looking through an apo, but nice wide expanses of suburban washed out sky. Jupiter showed some fringing and colour, but less than I would have expected from a fast achromat. I tried some brigthter Messier's, M13, M22, M31. They were there, but pretty washed out by Sky glow. A trip to darker skies should prove more meaningfull. This binocular should perform well for wide field viewing in a dark site. Overall I'm happy with them so far. They're definately at the heavy end for a grab and go set up.

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Thank you for your report. I am about to place an order of this big binoculars, upgrading Vixen 20x125 bino. I haven't decided 45 or 90 degree version yet. I have looked at (not looking through unfortunately 45 degree version at PATS last month. Finish was beautifully done. I asked APM America about prism aperture. They said it is 41mm, larger than I thought. I probably use magnification between 25x and 75x with AFOV 70-ish degree eyepieces.

Have you tried higher magnification with yours?

Tammy

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