763 replies to this topic

[MT4]

My latest (and really final now) team 15x-25x:

  Back row:  APM 20x70 MS ED, Tak Astronomer 22x60, Nikon 18x70

  Front row:  Canon 15x50 IS, Maven B5 15x56, Zeiss 15x60 BGAT*

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[Fiske]

My latest (and really final now) team 15x-25x...

Really final now?

 

[jrazz]

That's a really neat collection!

[MT4]

Really final now?

 

 

Yes final final 

[MT4]

That's a really neat collection!

 

Thank you Jordan.

 

That collection is no match for the dark skies that you have though 

Edited by MT4, 12 August 2022 - 11:36 PM.

[Mark Y.]

Great collection.It looks like you clearly took your time to develop it and obviously have superb tastes!

 

What? No Nikon 10x50WX?

[MT4]

Great collection.It looks like you clearly took your time to develop it and obviously have superb tastes!

 

What? No Nikon 10x50WX?

 

Thanks Mark.   

 

It took me 2 years to build my 15x-25x collection after being disappointed with my 7x-10x binos under Tokyo's skies.

 

It just occurred to me that I have a 24x50* bino, Canon 15x50 IS plus a pair of Canon 1.6x teleconverters.  I was totally enjoying this combo for a couple of months late last year.

 

On the 10x50 WX, I've been buying lottery tickets on/off for a while now but still no hitting the jackpot so I am afraid the WX would have to wait 

Edited by MT4, 13 August 2022 - 05:40 AM.

[Mark Y.]

I'll bet if a Doctor Aspec. 40x80 popped up you'd jump on it fast....No?

Edited by Mark Y., 13 August 2022 - 07:29 PM.

[MT4]

I'll bet if a Doctor Aspec. 40x80 popped up you'd jump on it fast....No?

 

This is another one that I try my best to not think about for fear that the idea would take hold and be impossible to get rid of 

[Fiske]

I was torn about where to post this first light report on the Pentax 20x60 SP, which has recently joined my Team 15-25x, but ultimately decided it would be most appropriate in a 20x60 SP topic. Also germane for this topic, obviously.

 

A picture of the Pentax with its three(!) 20x compadres is included. Not to mention a picture of my astronomy cat.  (Hint -- not CAtadioptic Telescope.)

[ckwastro]

I was torn about where to post this first light report on the Pentax 20x60 SP, which has recently joined my Team 15-25x, but ultimately decided it would be most appropriate in a 20x60 SP topic. Also germane for this topic, obviously.

 

A picture of the Pentax with its three(!) 20x compadres is included. Not to mention a picture of my astronomy cat.  (Hint -- not CAtadioptic Telescope.)

Dang it! You just had to post that report . Now I’m thinking about these too.

 

I recently traded my Pentax 12x50s for the Nikon AEs because of the AFOV. I love the Pentax optics but the narrow field is tough. However they are far more comfortable than the AEs with the 20mm ER vs the 16 ER which is barely enough for me with glasses. I like the Nikon optics too but I’m starting to miss the Pentax for the pristine glass and long ER. As stated here before, a love-hate relationship with Pentax binos.

 

20x60…..probably easier to deal with too than the Obie 20x65s, which haven’t seen much use since I finally got my GnG rig put together for my Stowaway and BV. Here I thought I was done for a little while……yeah right!  

[jrazz]

It seems Fiske publishes a report and sways many of us (I'm in the -want these now- category too)

 

Though they would look as though they are easier on the hands than the 20x65ED I think the point is moot since both need to be mounted, isn't it? Anyway, the reason I haven't run out and bought these is that I have the 20x65 and think there will be too much overlap (and I have another bino on the way anyway...  )

[B 26354]

I love the Pentax optics but the narrow field is tough.

Yep. The 44° AFOV on the 20x60s is just way too small for my liking.

[Rich V.]

Yep. The 44° AFOV on the 20x60s is just way too small for my liking.

I'm not even a fan of my 50° AFOV Pentax 10x50 PCF Porros.  They also have the lowest daytime detail resolution of any of my 10x binos; I don't know if that translates to the 20x model or not, of course.

 

Rich

[B 26354]

I'm not even a fan of my 50° AFOV Pentax 10x50 PCF Porros. 

Exactly. As I pointed out in the "Pentax SP 20x60 WP decision time" thread... I hardly ever use my  52° AFOV Bresser Pirsch 8x56 EDs, for that very reason.

[wrighty338]

It seems Fiske publishes a report and sways many of us (I'm in the -want these now- category too)

 

Though they would look as though they are easier on the hands than the 20x65ED I think the point is moot since both need to be mounted, isn't it? Anyway, the reason I haven't run out and bought these is that I have the 20x65 and think there will be too much overlap (and I have another bino on the way anyway...  )

Agree, the Pentax look great but im in the same boat 

[Fiske]

It seems Fiske publishes a report and sways many of us (I'm in the -want these now- category too)

 

Though they would look as though they are easier on the hands than the 20x65ED I think the point is moot since both need to be mounted, isn't it? Anyway, the reason I haven't run out and bought these is that I have the 20x65 and think there will be too much overlap (and I have another bino on the way anyway...  )

But you only have one 20x binocular, right?

 

 

 

[Insert snark from Erik Bakker here about spending more time observing and less time comparing with fewer binoculars.  ]

Edited by Fiske, 21 August 2022 - 01:12 PM.

[Terra Nova]

My 15X-25x team members:

 

• ​Zeiss West (Oberkochen) 15x60s
• Shrine-Manon 16x50s
• Pentax 20x60 SP-WP
• Tento 20x60s
• Orion 20X80s

[Fiske]

 

My 15X-25x team members:

 

• ​Zeiss West (Oberkochen) 15x60s
• Shrine-Manon 16x50s
• Pentax 20x60 SP-WP
• Tento 20x60s
• Orion 20X80s

 

Thinking your 20x lineup seems a little thin, Terra. 

[Terra Nova]

Thinking your 20x lineup seems a little thin, Terra. 

You're seein' the Obie 20x65EDs in my future are ya?

[Fiske]

You're seein' the Obie 20x65EDs in my future are ya?

Definitely. 

Edited by Fiske, 21 August 2022 - 02:50 PM.

[Jeff Morgan]

Here I thought I was done for a little while……yeah right!  

You’re not done until your body assumes room temperature. 

[Terra Nova]

Definitely. 

Jordan’s comments in post 86 in this thread are pretty compelling. She definitely makes a great case in favor of the 20x65EDs. I’ve been sitting on the fence about them since they first came out, what three years ago? My current 20X priority right now tho is getting my Tento 20x60s back from Cory after they done working their magic on them.

[jrazz]

I am not going to dissawade anyone from getting the 20x65ED as it's definitely my

 

However...

 

You already have 3 - 20x binoculars. Why not get a 25x100? The only reason I returned mine was to get the 100XL. If you have other, higher magnification binoculars then absolutely. Get the 20x65. It's my most used bino (and the reason I don't need more 20x's - Fiske) but the 25x100 is a REALLY nice addition IMHO.

 

Don't you just love choice 

[Fiske]

(and the reason I don't need more 20x's - Fiske) 

I didn't think I needed more 20x binoculars until I took a closer look at that Pentax...

'