179 replies to this topic

[Dennis Tap]

I'm using a Beck Kassel Tordalk 11x80 binocular. It's an old, but decent German binocular.

Although it has 80mm lenses, it's weight is acceptable: 1,7 kg

 

[Alan French]

How were the ergonomics of the 15x50 and 18x50 more agreeable than those of the 10x42?  All three are about the same weight and girth.  What didn't you like about the fit and feel?

 

[SNIP]

 

Mike

Mike,

 

Yes, they are all quite similar, but the shape of the 10x42 differs from the 15x50s and 18x50s and I found holding it awkward. In my hands, the other two are more comfortable. The rubber eyecups on the 15 and 18 models are perfect for me when folded down, but I was happy to hear the 10x42s had adjustable eyecups. Compared to my Swarovski SLCs, the Canon implementation was poor and I was not fond of them.

 

Clear skies, Alan 

[skoro]

 

favorite hand-held astro binos?

Costly, yes.

 

But my favorites are the Canon IS15x50.

 

Bulky, heavy, expensive, but stunning performance.

[Sarkikos]

Watch your dark adaption with that iPhone of yours. 

I make sure to retain my dark adaptation.  When I go to dark sites, I put a piece of Xtra Dark Cling filter on the iPhone.  At home in a bright red zone, I just dim the display brightness and set the iPhone to red tone.

 

Mike

[Sarkikos]

Mike,

 

Yes, they are all quite similar, but the shape of the 10x42 differs from the 15x50s and 18x50s and I found holding it awkward. In my hands, the other two are more comfortable. The rubber eyecups on the 15 and 18 models are perfect for me when folded down, but I was happy to hear the 10x42s had adjustable eyecups. Compared to my Swarovski SLCs, the Canon implementation was poor and I was not fond of them.

 

Clear skies, Alan 

I am myopic, presbyopic and astigmatic.  I like to keep my eyeglasses on whenever possible when viewing through binoculars or telescopes.  If I didn't wear the glasses, I wouldn't be able to read SkySafari Pro to locate objects.  So eyecups don't matter to me, because I always fold them down any way.

 

Mike

Edited by Sarkikos, 19 February 2019 - 09:34 AM.

[25585]

12x56 Celestron Nature DX...and a zero-gravity chair for astro viewing.

I like my 8x56 in that range. Though roof prism, they are quite heavy.

[jeff.bottman]

Reading this thread caused me to look at binos on Astromart, which resulted in my just receiving a nice Canon 18x50 stabilized binocular!  15 minutes of daytime looking around revealed their excellent performance.  And the price was quite good at $600.

 

Thank you, oh great thread!!

[chakel]

What works for me in a combo of 8x42 (Celestron Granite ED) and 18x50 Canon IS, a zero gravity chair and a Virgo Omni mount for the image stabilized binos to facilitate sharing views with the wife. 

[jeff.bottman]

Sounds like binocular paradise and a happy marriage! 

 

What works for me in a combo of 8x42 (Celestron Granite ED) and 18x50 Canon IS, a zero gravity chair and a Virgo Omni mount for the image stabilized binos to facilitate sharing views with the wife. 

[Oldfield]

Canon 10x30 IS and Canon 18x50 IS

[Antonio R.G]

For hand observation, without a tripod, my favorites are Fujinon 10x50 FMTR SX and Nikon 7x50 SP WP (Prostar). I also often use Carl Zeiss Dodecarem 12x50 B, although from 12x you need strong and firm hands to support the weight of this binocular without transmitting vibrations ..

[Blue72]

After playing around with various binoculars...I think my combo is going to be

 

7x35 for super wide views and very stable handheld images

 

16x or 20x for close ups of individual objects

[astroneil]

Best hand-held binos?

 

Easy!

 

Barr & Stroud Savannah Wide-Angle(143m@1000m) 8 x 42:
 
Extraordinary performance at an ordinary price!

 

 

Review here: https://www.bestbino...Savannah-47.htm

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Edited by astroneil, 10 March 2019 - 05:24 PM.

[Erik Bakker]

Best hand-held binos?

 

Easy!

 

Barr & Stroud Savannah Wide-Angle(143m@1000m) 8 x 42:
 
Extraordinary performance at an ordinary price!

 

 

Review here: https://www.bestbino...Savannah-47.htm

I am glad you like them.

 

For the record, the review you linked to, reads more like an infomercial that contains a few half truths, than a proper review.

 

An example, quoted from the linked review:

 

"Barr & Stroud use quality BaK-4 roof prisms on the Savannah, meaning that they are made of superior optical glass that produces a sharp and high-contrast picture over the full field of view."

[astroneil]

I am glad you like them.

 

For the record, the review you linked to, reads more like an infomercial that contains a few half truths, than a proper review.

Oh they're fair bonnie ken

 

Here's another review: http://neilenglish.n...avannah-8-x-42/

 

It just takes one other reviewer tae spread the word.

[astroneil]

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

Oh I do like to be beside the sea....

Oh I do like to stroll along the prom prom prom

Where the brass band plays diddleyumpumpum.

[Corona Non Grata]

Binocs wha hae...

Edited by Corona Non Grata, 10 March 2019 - 07:32 PM.

[astroneil]

Binocs wha hae...

Eye.

[Corona Non Grata]

Best hand-held binos?

 

Easy!

 

Barr & Stroud Savannah Wide-Angle(143m@1000m) 8 x 42:
 
 

Any inkling if they have any cousins in other brands with similar guts under the skin? Something maybe available left of the Atlantic for those whose families left the banks of Blackadder Water behind many years ago?

Edited by Corona Non Grata, 10 March 2019 - 07:59 PM.

[hallelujah]

I have had binoculars for more than 13 years, but, I have never been able to narrow it down to only one, for handheld use. Just call me fickle.  

 

Stan

[Miranda2525]

While I did say earlier in this thread that my favorite hand held binos was the 12x50 Pentax SP waterproof, I have been using my 8x42 Bushnell Legend M Series a lot more! Compared to the Pentax, it's like going from a standard widescreen TV to an HD TV.  !!!

 

Vibrant, true color, long eye relief, sharpness to about 80%, light in weight, zero CA, and so many other features make these my all time favorite binocular as of now.

 

Some have complained about the small space in between the barrels when mounting them if their IPD is small. Easy solution for me was to mount them upside down and change each eye setting. Works great as you can see in the bottom pic.

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[Erik Bakker]

Enjoyed your personal review Astroneil. They look like very nice all round binoculars at a very affordable price.

 

95% transmission is something very few achieve on the test bench, but quite a few seem to strive for that.

[astroneil]

Any inkling if they have any cousins in other brands with similar guts under the skin? Something maybe available left of the Atlantic for those whose families left the banks of Blackadder Water behind many years ago?

Howdy doody dandy,

 

I don't know if there are other models quite like the 8 x 42 Savannah. All I know is that they give wonderful, bright, tack sharp and immersive wide field views that punch well above their weight. They are a joy to use and are worth every penny I paid for them.

 

But someone else needs to review the instrument.

 

 

 

 

I am also intrigued by these: https://www.youtube....h?v=dzZhkKPmBRA

 

The lady seemed to like them a lot and stated that they are very good value considering their modest price tag. It's a new company based in Poland( binoculars made in China). They have an even larger field: 150m@1000m..

 

You what mate?

 

Clearly they are working hard to impress, but I have no direct experience with them and so cannot ultimately say whether they are good to go. 

 

Maybe someone here can test them?

 

Regards,

 

Neil.

Edited by astroneil, 11 March 2019 - 08:54 AM.

[astroneil]

I have had binoculars for more than 13 years, but, I have never been able to narrow it down to only one, for handheld use. Just call me fickle.

 

Stan

Eye, ken.

 

Big boys toys an' that.

[Terra Nova]

I guess I am nobody...      The mass and length of the binoculars are helpful in steadying the views.   These weigh over 5 pounds. 
 
This thread is about our favorite hand held binos.  These are mine.  I have a parallelogram mount for these but I just prefer hand held.  The freedom of hand holding is why I use binoculars.  Mounted,  I prefer a refractor.  My 4 inch F/5.4 provides a wider field and has much better optics. 
 
These 15x70s are just great fun for wandering around and checking out stuff.  They represent a change of pace.  After 2 or 3 hours of hunting down faint fuzzies in a large aperture scope,  it's nice to enjoy the simplicity of hand held binos. 
 
Jon

Does handheld include reclining in one of these with elbows resting on the armrests? If so, I’m all in with the heavier 15x70 binoculars!

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