765 replies to this topic

[exup]

Did you try them on the moon and planets? I find that they really excel in that respect.

Unfortunately not as yet.   Grey, dull and wet at the moment with no clear sky at all !

[kmparsons]

My APM 16 X 70 ED is perfect for Luna and for deep sky. For full moons I mount it on my Orion Monster tripod that provides smoothness and stability. The lunar surface is razor sharp with abundant detail and not a hint of false color. For the starry sky, it is also excels. The Pleiades are perfectly framed--probably the most satisfying view I have ever had of them. I can hand hold them briefly, but they are not really suitable. I have thought about getting the Oberwerk Ultra 15 X 56, but I am a bit afraid that at that power hand holding would be too shaky. 

[ckwastro]

These arrived today. Maven 18x56 b.5. These were used from an astro shop about 90 miles south of me, and they’re like new. I feel like I stole them at 56% of new cost, shipped. Daytime terrestrial views are incredible as well as daytime views of Luna. Can’t wait for nightfall, and it’s actually clear tonight.

[ckwastro]

Just came in from nighttime first light. At the moment I’m completely speechless on how good these are. I have never, ever, seen DSOs like this from my lousy B9 skies with any binos, including the two 20x units I had. Not even close. There’s a sparkle with these that just isn’t present in other binoculars. The contrast, and the sheer number of stars I can see under these conditions is impressive. I’ll be buried with these!  

Edited by ckwastro, 09 March 2025 - 10:41 PM.

[aznuge]

Just came in from nighttime first light. At the moment I’m completely speechless on how good these are. I have never, ever, seen DSOs like this from my lousy B9 skies with any binos, including the two 20x units I had. Not even close. There’s a sparkle with these that just isn’t present in other binoculars. The contrast, and the sheer number of stars I can see under these conditions is impressive. I’ll be buried with these!  

I have no experience with the 18x56 B.5, but your sentiments reflect mine exactly wrspt the Maven 15x56 B.5.  Congratulations!
 

[Mark Y.]

That Maven sure is pretty! 

[ckwastro]

I have no experience with the 18x56 B.5, but your sentiments reflect mine exactly wrspt the Maven 15x56 B.5.  Congratulations!
 

Thanks! I had tested a friend’s 15x56 b.5 a few months ago and thought it was excellent, with that same sparkle. I was set to buy those but the 18s popped up at the right time so I jumped on it. 18x will help even more in this light pollution. 
 

I want to take them up to my other place in N. Scottsdale. The mountains there shield a lot of the Phoenix light dome and the backyard there is B5. Should be pretty amazing from that location. 

Edited by ckwastro, 10 March 2025 - 09:52 AM.

[aznuge]

Thanks! I had tested a friend’s 15x56 b.5 a few months ago and thought it was excellent, with that same sparkle. I was set to buy those but the 18s popped up at the right time so I jumped on it. 18x will help even more in this light pollution. 
 

I want to take them up to my other place in N. Scottsdale. The mountains there shield a lot of the Phoenix light dome and the backyard there is B5. Should be pretty amazing from that location. 

Yeah B9 to B5 is a huge improvement.  I have been going south to Maricopa, then on HWY 238 about half way to Gila Bend to a desert place that's B4.  It's really helping in getting some of those hard to find DSOs logged, but there's still some light dome from Phoenix to the north.  Meanwhile I'm working on the Urban Observing and other programs from my B7 back yard.  B9 would be tough, but doable for the urban observing one, I think.

[Fiske]

Just came in from nighttime first light. At the moment I’m completely speechless on how good these are. I have never, ever, seen DSOs like this from my lousy B9 skies with any binos, including the two 20x units I had. Not even close. There’s a sparkle with these that just isn’t present in other binoculars. The contrast, and the sheer number of stars I can see under these conditions is impressive. I’ll be buried with these!  

The contrast and sharpness of the Maven b5 series is a winner in urban skies. The contrast is still there under darker skies, of course, but it's less apparent because the sky contrast is already much higher without all the light pollution. 

 

Congrats on your 18x56, CK.

 

[ckwastro]

The contrast and sharpness of the Maven b5 series is a winner in urban skies. The contrast is still there under darker skies, of course, but it's less apparent because the sky contrast is already much higher without all the light pollution. 

 

Congrats on your 18x56, CK.

 

Thanks Fiske! These are going to see a lot of use. 

[ckwastro]

Yeah B9 to B5 is a huge improvement.  I have been going south to Maricopa, then on HWY 238 about half way to Gila Bend to a desert place that's B4.  It's really helping in getting some of those hard to find DSOs logged, but there's still some light dome from Phoenix to the north.  Meanwhile I'm working on the Urban Observing and other programs from my B7 back yard.  B9 would be tough, but doable for the urban observing one, I think.

Nice you are able to get out to darker skies.

 

We used to go out to Vekol Rd off of I-8. That’s out past Maricopa and the casino, all way to where it ends at Stanfield Rd. (Hwy 84). Head west until it merges with I-8. About five miles west is Vekol Rd. We’d go south into the desert about three miles. The sky used to be very good there for a location an hour out of Phoenix and about the same distance to Tucson. 
 

Unfortunately that became a smuggling corridor and very dangerous. Our site was very near where that Sherriff got shot a few years back. It was a bummer we lost that location. 

Edited by ckwastro, 10 March 2025 - 04:56 PM.

[Maranatha]

High Points latest clearance sale got me, joining the team with some Orion 15x70s.

[exup]

I thought I saw that Neil had posted a new review on the x15 Oberwerk porro and I could have sworn I did a like.

 

I was intending to go back and read it and also watch the CN feedback for the bin too from the other owners.

 

Where did it go?

Edited by exup, 21 March 2025 - 10:21 AM.

[Rich V.]

Exup, I don't know what happened to the CN thread but my browsing history still shows it:

 

https://neilenglish....-ultra-15-x-56/

[pat in los angeles basin]

me too, I checked "astroneil" for recent posts and it doesn't show  any in the 15-25x thread... A black hole  swallowing  posts......

[exup]

Hi Rich, cheers

 

Yes, I can find it on Neil's website or from your link. However, the additional feedback here on CN about this bin is invaluable as an extension to Neil's review and whether there is a consensus on Neil's findings.

 

As we all know well, everyone is an individual and a bin that suits one person does not always suit someone else.

 

Took me three attempts here to reply ..... so maybe bugs and gremlins at play...

Edited by exup, 21 March 2025 - 10:51 AM.

[Doug Culbertson]

The only 15X I have are the Oberwerk 15x70 ES, and they are up for sale since I received my Nikon 18x70 Astroluxe. 

Edited by Doug Culbertson, 21 March 2025 - 10:59 AM.

[Cestus]

Just came in from nighttime first light. At the moment I’m completely speechless on how good these are. I have never, ever, seen DSOs like this from my lousy B9 skies with any binos, including the two 20x units I had. Not even close. There’s a sparkle with these that just isn’t present in other binoculars. The contrast, and the sheer number of stars I can see under these conditions is impressive. I’ll be buried with these!  

I feel that way about my 15x's.

[Dale Smith]

15x and higher magnification binoculars really open up light polluted skies.

[Rich V.]

15x and higher magnification binoculars really open up light polluted skies.

They really open up dark skies as well, compared to lower mag binos.  

[pat in los angeles basin]

had an interesting experience this morning . Out with a stopped down 15x70 , operating as a 15x50 with the aperture masks. Looked at the Ptolemy cluster, then the northern jewelry box (NGC6231) nearby, then over to the waning half moon. Spent a bit of time moon gazing as several features were illuminated from a different  perspective due to the waning phase. Then went back to the the 2 open clusters and experienced a darker background spot in the image about the size of the moon- where the perceived contrast was higher between the stars and the 515am morning sky. Did I experience what I think is called "flashing" the eyes , where a brief light  is shown to the eyes and the result is better contrast as a result of the flashing?   Pat

[SStoffer]

The only 15X I have are the Oberwerk 15x70 ES, and they are up for sale since I received my Nikon 18x70 Astroluxe. 

Just curious, how much did you pay for the Nikon Astroluxe 18x70?

[Doug Culbertson]

Just curious, how much did you pay for the Nikon Astroluxe 18x70?

I got them used for $800 including a Nikon tripod adapter and shipping.

[gwlee]

I am wondering what’s become of the OB 15x70 EDU with field flattener. Last official word I heard from OB was a January 2025 ETA,  but  that didn’t happen, and Kevin hasn’t responded to my recent inquires. Has anyone here heard anything official? 

[wrighty338]

interim 15x70 ultra still in stock, no official word either so guess not. i read it was delayed but nothing since.