33 replies to this topic

[CChristakis]

I am looking for another pair of binoculars in the $100 to $150 range.   I already have a pair of Nikon Aculons 8x42 and they have been great.  However, I am looking for something that will provide a little bit more magnification and a little bit more light gathering power.   I do have a tripod but will most likely use them handhold.  I will mainly use them for Astronomical viewing but may occasionally use these for Terrestrial.

I have been shopping and narrowed some of my searches down to the following: (Aculons 10x50) or (Oberwerk 11x56 or 12x60)  or Vortex Crossfire (10x50 or 12x50).    The Oberwerk's definitely offer the best value in price.

Thoughts and Suggestions Appreciated.

[photoracer18]

Vixen 11x80s. They were available in versions from LW to HD the main difference was whether that had an objective bridge or not. Possible to get a pair used in the $150 range.

[B 26354]

I'd definitely go for the Oberwerk 12x60s. The difference in image brightness between 60mm and 50mm objectives is very apparent. It'll be quite possible to easily use them hand-held for terrestrial use as well as sweeping the Milky Way... but since you already have a tripod, do yourself a huge favor, and get the Oberwerk Heavy-Duty Binocular-to-Tripod “L” Adapter along with the binocs. Even a simple tripod makes all the difference in the world, when using binoculars for star-gazing.  

[hallelujah]

I'd definitely go for the Oberwerk 12x60s.

The difference in image brightness between 60mm and 50mm objectives is very apparent.

 

Stan

[CChristakis]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I am definitely leaning towards the Oberwerk 12x60's.

[Binojunky]

Well I would say that the Nikon Action Extreme in the 10x50 size is worth a look, nothing wrong with the Obies but the Nikon is a a better built instrument, D

[Cestus]

I have the Obewerk 11x56's. They were the first binoculars I ever bought. They are very good. Light enough to hold for awhile, but best on a tripod. That's where I get some really good views. From there I went to the 20x80's. But I still often use the 11x56's for a quick easy look. I'm sure the 12x60's would work just as well.

[Cali]

I have the Obewerk 12x60s and for $100 they are hard to beat. I use them as my goto spotters.

 

- Cal

[hallelujah]

Well I would say that the Nikon Action Extreme in the 10x50 size is worth a look, nothing wrong with the Obies but the Nikon is a a better built instrument, D

Personally, I'd much rather have the optical performance edge of the 12x60,

over a 10x50, any day, especially for stargazing from a light polluted location.

Mechanical build quality does not contribute to the optical WOW factor.

(magnification + aperture)

 

I have 10x50's & I also had 12x50, at one time.

My Fujinon 12x60 or my Orion 12x63 is always more impressive for stargazing.

My 50mm binoculars are not as visually pleasing from my neighborhood.

Edited by hallelujah, 15 November 2019 - 03:32 PM.

[Cali]

Personally, I'd much rather have the optical performance edge of the 12x60,

over a 10x50, any day, especially for stargazing from a light polluted location.

Mechanical build quality does not contribute to the optical WOW factor.

(magnification + aperture)

 

I have 10x50's & I also had 12x50, at one time.

My 12x60 or 12x63 is always more impressive for stargazing.

My 50mm binoculars are not as visually pleasing from my neighborhood.

Oberwerk claims that, "a 60 mm objective over a 50mm objective ... gathers 44% more light than 50mm models (surface area = pi*r2)."

 

I'll leave it up to those more technically inclined to comment upon this.

 

Again, for a hand held, I enjoy the Obie 12x60s. Besides Luna and local orbs, the Pleiades really fill the FOV. Agree with B26354 above that getting a Tripod “L” Adapter will allow you to get the best from this instrument. Bands of Jupiter, rings of Saturn, sure, you'll be able to make these out in above average conditions. Well, at least I have.

 

As always, proper mounting is paramount to getting the most out of your binocular when engaged in astronomical viewing.

 

- Cal

Edited by Cali, 14 November 2019 - 10:32 PM.

[Jon Isaacs]

Mechanical build quality does not contribute to the optical WOW factor.

(magnification + aperture)

 

 

WOW wears off..  In the long run, mechanical quality is very important in making an binocular a pleasure to use.  With binoculars, I tend to get WOW from a reasonably well corrected wide field of view.

 

Need help finding my 2nd pair of Binos

 

 

As far as the topic of this thread.. For most members of this thread, I have this image...

 

CN Member talking to self:  "I need help, finding my 2nd Pair of binoculars.. I can find my first pair and I can find the 48 other pairs but where in the heck, did I put my second pair?"

 

"Martha, do you know what I did with those binos your dad gave me?"

 

 

Jon

[ASMI]

As far as the topic of this thread.. For most members of this thread, I have this image...

 

CN Member talking to self:  "I need help, finding my 2nd Pair of binoculars.. I can find my first pair and I can find the 48 other pairs but where in the heck, did I put my second pair?"

 

"Martha, do you know what I did with those binos your dad gave me?"

 

 

Jon

 

I would be having that conversation while holding the 2nd pair in my hands.  

 

I have the Oberwerk 12x60s and have been pretty happy with them.  Easy enough to be hand-held, but are at their best on a tripod.  As others have said, they're hard to beat for the money.

[grif 678]

Check the Pentax 20 x 60's, a great binocular that is very well built, great coatings, and the eye adjustments are very sturdy with sturdy click stops. People who have these like them. Probably the best buy in that price range.

[Cali]

I have the Oberwerk 12x60s and have been pretty happy with them.  Easy enough to be hand-held, but are at their best on a tripod.  As others have said, they're hard to beat for the money.

I'll post a pic later 2-day of the Obie 12x60s on a mount.

 

Waiting for Sol to rise.

 

- Cal

Edited by Cali, 15 November 2019 - 08:27 AM.

[Jon Isaacs]

Check the Pentax 20 x 60's, a great binocular that is very well built, great coatings, and the eye adjustments are very sturdy with sturdy click stops. People who have these like them. Probably the best buy in that price range.

 

The issue with these binos is narrow 2.2 degree TFoV.  A 2.2 degree TFoV is doable with a 8 inch F/6 Telescope. The 12x60 Oberwerks offer a 5.7 degree field, most 10x50s, 6.5 degrees.

 

Has anyone measured the effective aperture of the 12x60 Oberwerks?  At that price, I have think they're not operating at the full 60 mm.

 

Jon

[hallelujah]

WOW wears off..

 

Jon

Not for me..

It's the combination of good glass & WOW factor that brings me back, time & time again.

 

Stan

[hallelujah]

The issue with these binos is narrow 2.2 degree TFoV.

A 2.2 degree TFoV is doable with a 8 inch F/6 Telescope.

 

Jon

Two-eyed viewing has always been more comfortable, for me, than squinting with one eye.

 

Stan

[Jon Isaacs]

Not for me..

It's the combination of good glass & WOW factor that brings me back, time & time again.

 

Stan

 

To me, the WOW is the BIG WOW one gets looking through a 25 inch scope at M42 or M13 for the first time. That wears off and one gets down to the business of observing. From there, its the little wow when one sees a galaxy a half a billion light years away...

 

What keeps me coming back is the magic I see in the eyepiece, in two eyepieces, the magic of viewing the universe .. For me, I have some very nice equipment but that magic is there in any half decent scope or binocular.

 

Things may not be all that pretty when pushing the limits of one's equipment no matter how perfect it might be.. just seeing something is the wow.

 

Jon

[ASMI]

I'll post a pic later 2-day of the Obie 12x60s on a mount.

 

Waiting for Sol to rise.

 

- Cal

 

 

Here's mine on a relatively inexpensive tripod using the Oberwerk adapter.  Perfect for grab-n-go.

[Cali]

To the OP.

 

Here's the Obie 12x60 on an Obie 5000 (fully contracted).

 

- Cal

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by Cali, 15 November 2019 - 05:48 PM.

[Binojunky]

Personally, I'd much rather have the optical performance edge of the 12x60,

over a 10x50, any day, especially for stargazing from a light polluted location.

Mechanical build quality does not contribute to the optical WOW factor.

(magnification + aperture)

 

I have 10x50's & I also had 12x50, at one time.

My 12x60 or 12x63 is always more impressive for stargazing.

My 50mm binoculars are not as visually pleasing from my neighborhood.

Then again the wow factor is mute if they go out out alignment the first knock they get and out of alignment the Oberwerk  LW series do go, thats based my own experience. Anther thing is the fact the Obie 60mm LW doesn,t operate at a full 60mm, the pair I owned  were more like 56mm. The 10x50 Nikon Action Extreme has been sold to thousands of astronomers with very few complaints, its optically very good, fog and waterpoof , twist up eyecups, long eye relief and far superior build quality over the LW, if a x12 binocular is required the the Action ex is also available in the 12x50 size and it has if memory serves me right a built in field flattener,D.

Edited by Binojunky, 15 November 2019 - 11:58 AM.

[Binojunky]

The issue with these binos is narrow 2.2 degree TFoV.  A 2.2 degree TFoV is doable with a 8 inch F/6 Telescope. The 12x60 Oberwerks offer a 5.7 degree field, most 10x50s, 6.5 degrees.

 

Has anyone measured the effective aperture of the 12x60 Oberwerks?  At that price, I have think they're not operating at the full 60 mm.

 

Jon

Mine measured out at about 56mm Jon, nothing wrong with them for the money but for a bit more their are better options,Dave.

[Cali]

Then again the wow factor is mute if they go out out alignment the first knock they get and out of alignment the Oberwerk  LW series do go, thats based my own experience. Anther thing is the fact the Obie 60mm LW doesn,t operate at a full 60mm, the pair I owned  were more like 56mm. The 10x50 Nikon Action Extreme has been sold to thousands of astronomers with very few complaints, its optically very good, fog and waterpoof , twist up eyecups, long eye relief and far superior build quality over the LW, if a x12 binocular is required the the Action ex is also available in the 12x50 size and it has if memory serves me right a built in field flattener,D.

Yes Binojunky. They look nice. Can't find any info regarding a field flattener. If you find, DO tell.

 

- Cal

[Cali]

CN Review of the Oberwerk 12x60 here. Note that this a 6 year old (2013) review. Some things may have changed.

 

For example:

 

Kevin Busarow – December 13, 2017

"The focusers on the LW Series were improved several years ago. They hold focus well even if inward pressure is applied to the eyecups."

 

- Cal

Edited by Cali, 15 November 2019 - 12:57 PM.

[Cestus]

I've been satisfied with my 11x56's. I don't know how they compare to the 12x60's, but they aren't that much smaller. I have a pair of 12x50 Diamondbacks from Vortex that have worked quite well, especially on a tripod. I've heard good things about the Oberwerk 15x70 ultra.