Stormbringer

Ohh i almost forgot theres the Helios Lightquest 16x70 which are similar to the Lunts 

The Helios Apollo 15x70 are decent bins but the Lunt 16x70 are a bit more expensive and a bit better but you may need to get these 2nd hand as not sure if still made these days 

Theres the Nikon Action EX 10x50 or the Opticron I magic 10x50 bins

I have both and find them really good although i find i prefer the Nikons as they seem to have an edge over the I Magics

The I Magics are a bit lighter than the Nikons and maybe easier to handhold 

10x50 is a good size for stargazing easily handheld and amazing what can be seen 

yes you can see more and have better images with higher powered bigger aperture binoculars but 10x50 is an excellent size to start with 

The Stellar's get a good review in that link 👍

yeh you got them at a decent price 👍

FLO used to do the Apollo range maybe Helios have stopped producing them ?

I think its to do with post count 

it may be after 10 posts you get access to the classifieds but not sure on how many tho 

Yeh the classified i linked to i think is an extremely good buy but there wouldnt be any guarantee with them but you get 6 months with the 1's from FLO

Sorry i didnt realise you didnt have access to the classified adds on here 

yes it was a pair of helios apollo 15x70 with tripod and pistol grip head

but cool on you getting the apollo's from FLO  i dont think youl be disappointed with them  👍

I would suggest something along the lines of 1 of these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/walimex-FT-011H-Ball-Head-Action/dp/B001TR4DBA/ref=sr_1_20?crid=2G94R93JDNPC3&keywords=pistol+grip+tripod&qid=1702138910&sprefix=pistol+grip+tripod+head%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-20

the 1 linked to above is a bit on pricey side but thats the idea of what to look for with a camera tripod

@rwassell

Heres a good buy for astro bins

this is from the for sale section on here I would have been very tempted myself if I hadnt got a set of Lunts last year

I concur the Helios Apollo 15x70 are really a lot better than the celestrons 👍

 No probs and you wont go far wrong getting the Nikons i really like mine 👍

Im pretty sure Steve Tonkin (binocular sky) did a review for Sky at night magazine called six of the best a couple years ago and the Nikons were compared with 5 other bins and came out on top

A couple of decent bins that fall within your budget are the Opticron I magic 10x50 ( about £190) and the Nikon Action EX 10x50 ( I have both but prefer the Nikons they just seem to me the better bin IMO ) they cost a bit more about £220

Also there's the Nikon Action 12x50 at a similar weight and brightness to the 10x50's cost a bit more again about £240

Going to miss the newsletters but wish Steve a long happy retirement 👍

Cheers and thx again mate 👍

Cheers mate and thx again 🍺

Older models of the Helios Apollo bins has a thread for filters

Cheers again mate i will have a read of it later 👍

Cheers mate as always an interesting read 👍

If you go for the Celestrons go for the pro version as there is quite a diference in the quality of them compared to the standards

how far away is bottom of garden ?

you may be better forgetting the 70mm bins and look at 10x50

£200 ish could get you the Nikon Action EX 10x50 or the Opticron I magic 10x50 they are better quality than the Celestron pro,s and they are a lot easier to handhold

they loosened up a wee bit but still tight but better tight than loose as they wont fall off 

theres the Celstron 15x70 pro at cheaper end but lot of folks use the Helios Apollo 15x70 which are quite highly rated

glad your enjoying them mate 👍