Beginner Binoculars

[Willow1]

Good morning,

I posted yesterday re starting out in astronomy and got some lovely welcomes and replies.

Could I run this option past you please? I'd be grateful of any advice and I'm so excited about embarking on my new hobby ( very sad, I know  )

Ok, so I've been taking heed of your advice, and rather than spending perhaps a ton of money on equipment that may not do me long term, I'm very interested in your opinions on these as a starting point in astronomy ( I can always upgrade to a telescope at a later date ):

http://www.celestron.../skymaster/3133

I think one or two people have mentioned them already. They seem to get such good reviews but could I ask, what is the difference between 15x70 & 25x70 and which would you say is the better binocular for space viewing?

I have a book on order which hopefully will answer a lot of question ( so that I don't have to keep asking them on here! )

Thanks very much,

Max

[ronin]

First point I will make is that binocularts and a telescope are different instruments and are put to different uses.

In effect do not presume that getting one covers the other.

25x70 simply have a higher magnification the the 15x70, they are both 70mm objectives.

Both will need a tripod to put them on, so add that cost in.

In (to me) a simple term binoculars are for looking around, a telescope is for looking at.

I can stand outside and look around the sky with binoculars. Sort of that looks like Hercules and if so the cluster should be there. They will show me where it is but I am not going to get "detail" out of the view.

A scope will show me the cluster but you are not going to roiund just scanning the sky to hopefully bump into something.

I use standard 8x42 birding binoculars, easy to carry and use.

They do not have "Astro" printed on the side but are likely a better option. Have a set in the car and can stop anywhere I want. Chances are you are not going to do that with 15x70 or 25x70. If you do not use them they are of no use.

The other aspect I suggest you consider is will buying binoculars now postpone buying a scope.

If you have no binoculars and want to get an inexpensive set look round the charity shops, you may well find a standard set for little cost.

But as said at the start binoculars are not really a substitute to a scope, each instrument does a different job. Each compliments the other and having both is a good idea, but one is not a substitute for the other.

[happy-kat]

The difference is weight and shakes you will not I don't think be hand holding the 25 and the field of view will be narrow.

Binoculaysky.com great website about binoculars and astro use.

For general viewing the 10x50 seem to be very popular size as still hand holdable.

I have 8x42 and they have given a nice view of the comet up there right now. This size for my use is perfect I don't need a tripod to get out there and take a look.

[brantuk]

As above - 10x50 is as big as you want for hand held bins. 15x70's will definitely need a tripod or support of some kind. Andromeda in the 15x70's at a really dark site is marvelous, still a grey smudge but with definite oval shape and bright core. Planets on the other hand will just be bright dots - they're really for wide field low mag observing.

That said they're still very useful for learning your way around the sky and revealing where various objects are. For casual hand held though get 10x50 porro prisms with Bak4 or Bak7 glass.

[RodexMtl]

Hi! And welcome to the forum!!!!!

You have more or less the same experience as me: returning to developed my astronomy side after a gooood hiatus. Equally, I left the telescope for later and, after long reading forums, websites and books....the starting point is Binoculars. And, nothing as to go to an astronomy shop and grab 10 binoculars and try them one by one. You will have the chance of compare optics quality, as also, comfort and lens magnification. Try to read about what to see in a good binocular: collimation problems, fully multicoated against coated, optics problems and how to detect them... Your objective is to try, compare and detect the binoculars that won't be good for your money. After that find a good guide for deep space objects, planets etc to see is binoculars. Books, there are many. I personally use Binoculars Highlights, from Gary Seronik. Also, I can suggest you read a little bit about Astrosketching..... a good way to really see and understand what are you looking through the bins. Many will suggest also to use 10x50 bins: small enough to easy carry away and good enough to gather enough light to see a lot of messier objects. For these binoculars, monopod with a ball head works amazing...u will have steady views cheaper than tripods ( and using a portable chair for stargazing....amazing) Finally, Celestron has the reputation of having troubles with their quality controls...particularly on binoculars and the skymaster series is not an exception. My personal history is, that arriving with the idea of buying an Skymaster 15x70 to the astronomy shop, I compare it side to side with other binoculars in the same range of price and I finish buying a Bushnell Legacy 10x50 with crispy image and better collimation than the Celestron...way better. Also Field of View (FOV) is important. There are objects that you will enjoy to see in their contexts.. The Hyades....Orion belt...just to name a few. High magnification binoculars will have small field of view...and in that level they compete against telescope, which many prefer for that work.

A final word. If u live in urban city light, the higher the objective diameter, the more light u will gather..and that means also street light.... So 70mm and up won't help in your stargazing...another reason to think in 10x50 if u are not out of the city

[Willow1]

Thank you all for your input and advice.

Oh decisions, decisions....

[LukeSkywatcher]

I can really add anything else. All i can say is maybe to buy a set of 10x50 bins while you are new to astronomy and want to learn the night sky. Then if you decide that it is for you and you dont want/need a scope then you can opt for a set of BIG bins (15x70,20x90,25x100) etc. Just be aware that binoculars really wont afford you the same views as a telescope.

[rowan46]

If I was going for bins I would get hand holdable ones (in fact i did) 10x50 max in my opinion or for a wider view and easier hand holding 8x42. I have tried bigger bins on a tripod but couldn't cope with the neck ache at zenith where the dark sky is but a reclining chair and hand held binoculars are a real treat on a summer night.

[Willow1]

Thank you very much for your advice and your experience of how you chose a telescope. Thing is, there's sooooo much choice, it's staggering!

I've been looking on ebay also and there's an awful lot of stuff for sale second hand. Would anybody recommend buying second hand?  I did check to see if there's an astronomy club near me ( Christchurch, Dorset ), and the nearest one is in Wimbourne, so not that far away. I'll check out when their meetings are and go along to one.

Have a great weekend.

Max

[LukeSkywatcher]

Thank you very much for your advice and your experience of how you chose a telescope. Thing is, there's sooooo much choice, it's staggering!

I've been looking on ebay also and there's an awful lot of stuff for sale second hand. Would anybody recommend buying second hand?  I did check to see if there's an astronomy club near me ( Christchurch, Dorset ), and the nearest one is in Wimbourne, so not that far away. I'll check out when their meetings are and go along to one.

Have a great weekend.

Max

I thought we were choosing binoculars?!?.

[rowan46]

2nd hand is a good idea if you know what you are doing but don't forget to do the research before buying on ebay. Not all of their scopes are a bargain and not all of their scopes  are very good if you are not sure come back on here and ask. 2nd hand prices are generally  50 -66% of new unless the item is particularly sought after ie rare then you are talking about 80% +

[Geordie mc]

10x50 seem a popular and can be used for quickly nipping out and just having a 10 minute session learning parts of the sky. I have some 25 x80's also but they need my camera tripod to use them. It only takes another few minutes, but funny how often I just can't be bothered and reach for the 10x50's.

[LukeSkywatcher]

10x50 seem a popular and can be used for quickly nipping out and just having a 10 minute session learning parts of the sky. I have some 25 x80's also but they need my camera tripod to use them. It only takes another few minutes, but funny how often I just can't be bothered and reach for the 10x50's.

I'm the same. I have a set of 20x90's and a tripod but even though it takes about 5 mins to set up.............i cant be bothered at times and reach for the 10x50s.

[Calculon]

For what it's worth (I'm certainly no expert on anything here, nevermind bins) I picked up a set of "used" (mint, ex-display) 10x50 Ostara Elinor bins on Amazon, I believe there is another pair available if that would suit. I'm certainly very happy with mine!

[Calculon]

For £100, I should have said!

(Am I missing an 'edit post' function anywhere...?)

[happy-kat]

There is edit ability just not got a high enough post count yet to reveal it

[Charic]

250 posts required to access the edit function, or contact a moderator to edit?

[Charic]

Willow1.......you would like my 7x50 or 8x40 binoculars for their wide expansive and bright views studying the constellations, My 200P for the details, and my 15x70's you`ll find  too heavy, too much jerk/vibration without a tripod, and very tight view, with  little/no detail on the likes of Jupiter?

My 15x70s get used far less than anything else during astronomy,  now preferring their use during the Day.

[Willow1]

I thought we were choosing binoculars?!?.

Sorry yes we are, I got myself confused

10 x 50 seems to be a very popular option in binoculars.

In telescopes, both the Skywatcher 130m and the 130p have good reviews on First Light Optics.

Ok thank you all again, I'll have to make a decision because I'm driving myself ( and probably you lovely lot ) nuts! I just didn't want to make a potentially costly mistake by buying something totally incompatible and regret it later.

Max

[Willow1]

Sorry yes we are, I got myself confused

10 x 50 seems to be a very popular option in binoculars.

In telescopes, both the Skywatcher 130m and the 130p have good reviews on First Light Optics.

Ok thank you all again, I'll have to make a decision because I'm driving myself ( and probably you lovely lot ) nuts! I just didn't want to make a potentially costly mistake by buying something totally incompatible and regret it later.

Max

Forgot to add the Skywatcher Skyhawk 1145P to that list. FLO has it as being the UK's most popular starter telescope