25 replies to this topic

[Daiserina]

I have a pair of 10x50 Nikon AE binoculars. Finally realized these are just too heavy for me. Mostly I use them in grey bortle 7-8 urban skies with only a few bright objects visible. Binocs would help me search for constellations and asterisms and I do have a 6" dob to see details. What should I look for? 8x42? The Nikons are sharp and bright but my arms seriously ache after any viewing.  I mostly buy equipment on FB marketplace, craigslist, ebay. The Nikons were refurbished, seem perfect, for someone with stronger arms.

[adityatawde]

I have the Celestron Trailseeker EDs and Athlon Midas ED in 8x42. Both are very good for my needs, with the Athlons just a bit brighter. Both are lightweight with the Celestrons being a bit lighter. Got the Celestrons on a warehouse deal and the Athlons off FB. Would recommend both.

[brentwood]

If you ever come across some Carlton Adlerbicks, pick them up, great optics and really light! 

[aznuge]

+1 on the Adlerblicks. They are light, quality porros. I have both the 7x and 10x50 models. The 10x are a little tight on eye relief for a glasses wearer like me, but not a show stopper.  They would be an excellent choice if you can find one…

[gwlee]

IME, an 8x42 would be a good choice for astronomy for someone who finds a 50mm binocular is too heavy for them to enjoy using. 

Edited by gwlee, 21 June 2025 - 08:19 PM.

[sevenofnine]

If you really want lightweight then consider the Oberwerk Explore 8x42 porro or possibly the 10x50. Lowering the weight and the power will help a lot. Good luck! 

https://oberwerk.com...t/8x42-explore/.

Edited by sevenofnine, 21 June 2025 - 09:43 PM.

[balcon3]

If you go down in magnification to 8x, the sky background will be brighter than at 10x. This will lower contrast and can limit their usefulness under light pollution. There are lighter 10x50’s than the Nikon AE. Roof binoculars tend to be lighter than Porros. I have a pair of Vortex Vipers that are about 200 grams lighter than your Nikons and excellent. If you do get roofs, don’t get the super cheap ones, as quality can suffer.

 

If you do go down in aperture to 42mm, you could also consider 10x42. They will cut through light pollution better than 8x42,  However the exit pupil will be smaller, so the view will be less bright. And the field of view will be smaller. It’s a trade off.

 

Finally, many people are satisfied with 8x42 for astronomy. One advantage is that the field of view will be wider than 10x50’s. I just wanted you to know that there are other parameters to consider, especially under light pollution conditions. 

[wm.wragg]

I recently bought myself a pair of Kowa BDII XD 10x42 binoculars, due to 10x50 being too big and heavy. I'm really enjoying them, as for a 10x binocular, their large field of view (~7.2°) and light weight (~645g) make them a pleasure to use. Took me a little while to dial them in, as I have a large nose and often have difficulty with large eyepieces, but now I have they are great. The darker sky background really helps see the stars in my neck of the woods, and the smaller exit pupil actually helps keep the stars nice pinpoints, as I don't use glasses when using them. I'd recommend giving them a test if you get a chance. A bonus is that they make great nature/birding binoculars as well.

[terrain_inconnu]

You could also consider to mount the binoculars on a tripod/monopod. You lose some of the flexibility binoculars provide (i.e. freedom of move) but the stabilized views are worth it.

[Jon Isaacs]

I recommend 10x42 roof prism binos if hand holding at 10x is not a problem 

 

 

If you want the best warranty around, it's Vortex. True lifetime, if it's broken, they fix them. No proof of ownership required..

 

 

I bought my 10x42 Eagle Optics Platinum Rangers used more than 20 years ago. Vortex is owned by the same people and when Eagle Optics closed, Vortex took over the warranty work.

 

I've used it twice. Once an eyecup broke. Once when I dropped them in blow sand so fine that sunk in like it was water. Both times, I sent them, the came back a week later and they paid the return shipping. 

 

Jon

 

 

[ihf]

If you go down in magnification to 8x, the sky background will be brighter than at 10x.

The brightness of the sky background increases with exit pupil size. A 10x50 and an 8x42 virtually have the same look and feel, as both have an exit pupil diameter of about 5mm (=50/10, 42/8). But if the OP Daiserina doesn't feel like 10x is shaking too much, they could indeed opt for a slightly darker picture and the same weight savings and go for 10x42. It will show more dots in a light polluted area. That said Colorado might be an area where light pollution can still be escaped from and an 8x42 shows its strength over a 10x42.

Edited by ihf, 22 June 2025 - 01:14 PM.

[Daiserina]

Thanks for these suggestions. I do get to a few bortle 2 sites over the summer, and especially love searching the Milky Way through Sagittarius and Scorpius. Going 4 days next week, hope any storms end early. In my yard, however, that's where I am trying to learn constellations, with grey city skies, many power lines, houses, sheds, trees and neighbors who keep adding more landscape lights.I got a very late start on this new passion, and still have much to learn. 

Edited by Daiserina, 22 June 2025 - 11:22 AM.

[Leatherneck15]

Use your imagination and your wallet will thank you! I have a spare bit of lumber that is just a few inches shorter than my height. I managed to improvise a monopod for my bino viewing and it works very well.

[doug mc]

Opticron adventurer t wp poros are lighter and also have better coatings than Nikon EX binoculars. 

[NDfarmer]

If you choose to use a 10x50 you should mount them, or get stronger.  Maybe take some rests in between.

It is a matter of physics and personal preference.  This is not rocket science.....

[HenkSB]

Have you tried using a photographic tripod?  I use a Tiltall that is tall enough for me at 6' 2".  Some use parallelogram mounts that you can use in a chair.  Have you tried a zero-gravity chair?  I just got one for $45, it makes the viewing easier (neck and arm positions).  I even added posts to the armrests so I can rest my elbows on them.  There are other things that people tried but a tall and sturdy photographic tripod should be the first thing to try.

[revans]

I have a pair of 10x50 Nikon AE binoculars. Finally realized these are just too heavy for me. Mostly I use them in grey bortle 7-8 urban skies with only a few bright objects visible. Binocs would help me search for constellations and asterisms and I do have a 6" dob to see details. What should I look for? 8x42? The Nikons are sharp and bright but my arms seriously ache after any viewing.  I mostly buy equipment on FB marketplace, craigslist, ebay. The Nikons were refurbished, seem perfect, for someone with stronger arms.

Why not just use your binoculars mounted?  You could also buy a zero gravity chair and just rest your elbows on your chest while viewing using the binoculars handheld.  You could also try a parallelogram mount.  If you go to an 8x40 I think you will notice the light pollution even more than you currently do.  You like your binoculars... but they are too heavy... so either mount them or use a zero gravity chair.

 

Rick

[Dale Smith]

Another option would the Opticron 6.5x32 Porro binocular, which weighs 19.4 ounces. Granted, they won’t go as deep as 10x, or even quite as deep as 8x, but they have field of view of 9.2 degrees, which help with viewing more of a particular constellation, as well as asterisms. 

[Knighton]

Use your imagination and your wallet will thank you! I have a spare bit of lumber that is just a few inches shorter than my height. I managed to improvise a monopod for my bino viewing and it works very well.

Share a few photos. I am about to create one myself out of wood. 

[Leatherneck15]

Can't add pics because of site imposed size limit. My point is to use whatever you have on hand. Look up "fence picket" at any home improvement store and place the binos on top of it. That's the best way I can think of to describe my situation. The binos simply sit on the lumber and the user balances the piece of wood. A broom handle may work just as well.

[Knighton]

Can't add pics because of site imposed size limit. My point is to use whatever you have on hand. Look up "fence picket" at any home improvement store and place the binos on top of it. That's the best way I can think of to describe my situation. The binos simply sit on the lumber and the user balances the piece of wood. A broom handle may work just as well.

I'll be crafting (designing, engineering, constructing, prototyping, testing, templating, Tomfoolery-ing) a single handheld version of the bino body mount. ETA Q3 2025. Hang tight!

[BrianSh]

If you like Nikon’s AE binoculars but want something smaller, Nikon USA has a sale on refurbished 8x40 AE and 7x35 AEs right now.

I have been really enjoying my Orion 8x30 EDs, which are another smaller option. High Point has a few of those left in stock for a nickel less than $100.

[Binojunky]

In a magazine review on binoculars for stargazing in the 10x50 porro style the Celestron Ultima (current version) came out the lightest, Opticron sell a similar version also, Dave.

[PanamaRic]

I remember when I first used my Fujinon 7x50 FMTRSX. The next day I felt like I had been going to the gym.

 But I kept using them, and now I can use them all night. 

[Erik Bakker]

Good and lightweight 7/8x42 or 10x40/10x42 binoculars are great for hand held astronomy use. 

 

Depending on available budget, various options exist. For best stability with the easiest actual visibility in use of the detail present in the images, 7x42 or 8x42 are king. For maximum detail or darkening the sky background, a 10x40 or 10x42 is a great choice. Under dark skies (Bortle 3/4 or darker),  the 8x and 7x instruments show brighter views of extended nebula and Milky Way sky background.

 

Any 40/42mm instrument of 700-800 grams works well hand held. But make sure the views fit your eyes and are a good personal fit.

 

I live under quite dark skies and found a good 8x42 the most appealing allrounder in use, having had all the variants mentioned above. And all made by wonderful and experience manufacturers.