16 replies to this topic

[morgan a.]

I have zero buyer’s remorse after ruminating on these binos and having used them thus far to the extent reported. I expect their service life to exceed mine. I understood their functions and limitations well before purchasing. They have greatly enhanced my astronomical viewing and filled a niche falling below the magnification thresholds of my telescopes, but with a significantly expanded actual field of view, while still providing significant magnification levels above my 12x50s. While there are other high quality brand binoculars available, most are tailored for “sport” use and affordability/variety peaks around the 15x56 size. I do not know of any other brand that currently offers binos in the 15x – 25 x ranges with apertures up to 100mm with the features, quality, product support, customer service and price that Oberwerk offers.

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[thatein]

Great review. Thanks!

[ArizonaScott]

Extremely thorough review,  thank you!

[kas20amc02]

Very comprehensive 

[EmDrive2821]

I enjoyed reading your review and perspective on these 3 Oberwerk products.  Personally, the article was interesting, because the reviewed bino power levels exceed that which I use for my binocular observing (7X50 & 10X50).  With such competitive pricing for what appears to be a solid performing product line, you got me thinking….   Thanks.

[morgan a.]

I'm glad it gave you a new perspective.  Choice really is distilled down to what you want to accomplish with optics.  The forte' of binos is to conveniently perform at a level that does not duplicate telescopes and yet provide reasonably enhanced magnifications while maintianing a comparatively wider actual field of view.  The larger binos approach the emulation of a fixed, low power refractor without the price tag or logisitcs of a scope, mount, tripod.  I cannot speak to brand comparison.  I am sure the Bino Forum has a plethora of comparative information and supportive opinions, including Oberwerk.

 

I've gone far on the proverb, "Better to keep your mouth shut and thought a fool, than to open it and prove thyself one"  except when I didn't adhere to that wisdom.  Now, if I can't offer folks something substantial and meaningful, I rather try to shut up.

 

m

[morgan a.]

DIY light/dew shields for the Oberwerk 20 x 65 and 25 x 100:

 

 

https://www.cloudyni...oberwerk-binos/

 

m

[Kaydubbed]

Do you see any vibrations/balance issues with the 25x100? Those binos seem undermounted, but I have the same head and tripod setup and would be interested in your experience.

[morgan a.]

Oberwerk specifies the 4000 model has an 11lb capacity and the 5000 model a 24lb capacity.  At circa 10lbs for the 25 x 100, my prejudice and deductive reasoning opted for the 5000 model, rather than expereince with them on a 4000 model:  marginally sufficient vs optimally so for what is reasonably available in a mount that does not match or exceed the price of the binos.

 

I suppose vibration/dampenng has to be qualified.  Any mobile amateur optics system will have some vibration issue upon initial manipulation that should fully dissipate in seconds and not be a recurring issue during use, barring impacts.  I have no such vibration in-use issues with my tripod/mount head with the 25 x 100s on concrete and grass.  If you do, I'd recheck tightness and construction integrity of the tripod, mount head, and plate/bino attachment and eliminate the possibility of ambient vibration sources.  Also, the 5000 tripod has a counter-weight hook you could utilize for ballast or even a hard point attachent to a ground anchor for a fixed viewing spot.

 

I have been happy with the system in that regards.  Only issue that has arisen in use since last June is the minor off-set that occurs when I lock the azimuth knob on the 5000 model - it consistently moves the mount/binos a fraction to the left, off-centering a centered target a small amount.  Thus far it is a very small nuisance that I am sure I could remedy with Oberwerk, but have not chosen to pursue yet.

 

m

[morgan a.]

Note on chromatic aberration:

 

I purchased and tested the Oberwerk binos during the peak heat/humidity season in the South.  Day time and nighttime temperatures last June/July were elevated over historical norms and averages.  I noticed more of a tendency to experience minor, occasional chromatic aberration, especially with lunar viewing, when looking over my rooftop.  I have asphalt shingles.  The lower the moon was to my rooftop, the greater the tendency for some chromatic aberration.  Ergo, I deduced that the convection waves of heat (reflected by and released from) the shingles as the ambient temps dropped into the night contributed to the aberration along the lunar limb.  The radiation of trapped heat is easily detected by touching or standing close to your house/apartment in dropping temperatures.

 

Subsequent use and testing near and away from my house has supported my deduction and confirmed there are no inherent issues with the binoculars.  To the contrary, I find them to be quality optics. Seems logial as such convection waves emulate atmospheric dispersion and no optics, regardless of ED objectives or glass quality will nullify and correct that.  Lesson:  consider time of year and ambient conditions and do not be quick to panic or assume an inherent problem or inferior quality to your binos (regardless of brand) necessarily, without further testing.  All optics have their performance parameters, and lab testing does not constitute not real world conditions.

 

Another example of over-looking the obvious is IR lights on security cameras.  I have dabbled with a camera on my 6" SCT strictly for EAA and initially forgot to disable a nearby security camera.  The IR lights washed out the view and would have given the impression of a faulty camera.  This is not an issue for visual viewing as IR lies outside the perception of the human eye on the electromagnetic spectrum.  But your camera will scream "overload."  A litle "think-think" and I remedied the problem.  Lesson:  the diagnosis and approach to all problem solving begins with the easiest possible solution (more likely) and then progresses to the more complex (less likely).  This will save  you time and money - 90% of any solution is a 100% accurate diagnosis.

 

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[JerryStellar]

Quite possibly the best review write up I have ever read. Oberwerk is located about 45 mins from my central Ohio residence and One day soon, I will own my own pair of 20x100’s.
  I currently have celestron sky master pro 20x100 and they do a great job with the higher magnifications but Oberwork quality is unbeatable 

[morgan a.]

I have a recon/intel mission for your next visit to Oberwerk:

 

The older Oberwerk 15 x 70 ED Ultras look to be a clone of the Orion 15 x 70 Resolux.  I did not research or address this as brand comparison was outside the scope of my review.  It seemed they were discontinued by Oberwerk (at least temporarily) simultaneously with the dissolution of Orion Telescopes/Binos.  As I do not believe in coincidence, I assume there was a mfg/supplier issue.  It would be great for you to get the history and story directly from Oberwerk and confirm if Oberwerk rebranded the Resolux or rebranded them with modification....or surprise us with an unposited third possibility.  Report back.

 

After you spend some time with the Oberwerks, I'd like to see your CN comparison review against the Celestrons.

 

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[TheBigEye]

Great review, not just of Oberwerk's equipment, but of the binocular viewing experience in general - and the joys of "less technical" visual observing. The comment in your introduction about ". . . [aperture] fever, for which there is no vaccine" was priceless! To wit: I have a pair of Vixen BT125 binoculars that can be used with interchangeable 1.25" eyepieces. In this case, "aperture fever" is accompanied by a secondary affliction called Eyepiece Compulsive Disorder - also incurable. I had widefield eyepieces 24mm, 14mm, and 11mm yielding 30X, 54X and 70X respectively. Great for starfield sweeping at low powers, as well as viewing smaller galaxies like the Leo Trio, Whirlpool, M81 & M82.  Thanks again for your great article!        

[morgan a.]

In the words of Benjamin Franklin," Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and give safe haven to as many eye pieces as your soul can harbor." (Or something akin to that).

 

Sounds like your set-up and retinue of bino glass is rather replete.  Funny how a hobby's equipment takes on a life all its own that can parallel the activity it is supposed to facilitate (otherwise CN and various magazines would have a dearth of equipment reiviews).  Were I looking to constrain my astro viewing to binos, I'd go the same route you have with big BTs.  Thanks for sharing.

 

I have a thing or three to say about EPs in trailing comments in response to a question:

 

https://www.cloudyni...iful-companion/

 

m

[ApertureAddict55]

Excellent review. Thanks!!!

[Special Ed]

 

...The older Oberwerk 15 x 70 ED Ultras look to be a clone of the Orion 15 x 70 Resolux.  I did not research or address this as brand comparison was outside the scope of my review.  It seemed they were discontinued by Oberwerk (at least temporarily) simultaneously with the dissolution of Orion Telescopes/Binos.  As I do not believe in coincidence, I assume there was a mfg/supplier issue.  It would be great for you to get the history and story directly from Oberwerk and confirm if Oberwerk rebranded the Resolux or rebranded them with modification....or surprise us with an unposited third possibility.  Report back....

 

 

I can tell you that the Obie Ultras are not a clone of the Orion Resolux's--they are the same instrument.  Garrett also had these 15x70's that they branded with their own model name--I forget what it was.  I have this same instrument sold by APM Germany.  It is the Kunming BA-8 and it is very high quality for the money.

 

These 15x70's have been around for a while.  You can find out all about them by doing a search in the Binocular forum.

[b1 the star watcher]

Awesome reviews!  Very detailed indeed.  A nice bed time read to finish in a few tries