Stargazing_Newbie

Thanks again all, I really appreciate you all taking the time to give me you advice! I'll make a decision in the next 24 hours and make a purchase.

3 hours ago, ScouseSpaceCadet said:

You say your budget is £30 tops. It's going to be difficult to buy really decent binoculars for that price.

If you can stretch the budget to £50-£60, there are a few 8x40 and 10x50 offerings which will provide pleasing views and last many years.

I took ages, researched and procrastinated before settling on Olympus DPS-I 10x50s (£60) and haven't regretted it. I bought my 74 yr old dad the 8x40 version for his birthday and he loves them. They're quite a bit smaller, lighter and therefore steadier than the 8x50s.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0000AKGX3?tag=duc08-21&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

Helios Fieldmasters have good reviews:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/all-binoculars/helios-fieldmaster-50mm-binoculars.html

Tring Astro has highly regarded Opticron Adventurers on sale at the moment:

https://www.tringastro.co.uk/opticron-adventurer-10x50-binoculars-7447-p.asp

 

There's a dedicated binocular section on the forums. Have a search. There's plenty of information.

 

Thank you ScouseSpaceCadet. Can I ask the Olympus 10 x 50's you have. Are they heavy? Also are those better than the binoculars that you bought for your dad? I'm just trying to get to grips with all the magnifications and weights etc and want to make a decision that suits me best. Ideally I'd prefer something not too heavy but at the same time don't want to compromise on the quality. Would definitely look into stretching the budget to £50/£60 on this basis.

Thank you all, I really appreciate your advice! Time to bite the bullet and purchase something!

1 minute ago, Ships and Stars said:

On a budget, the Celestron 15x70s would be good. I have the 12x70s (no longer made) and love them. A cheap but decent tripod or monopod would be great to mount them on for steady viewing. 

Thank you!

Hello all. I am a complete newbie to this sort of stuff and I figured the best place to start before jumping straight in for a telescope might be some binoculars just to gaze for now. Does anybody please have any suggestions on what to buy please on a small budget. It might be a 5 minute fad (hopefully not) but any recommendations would be appreciated. I'm aware that I also asked a similar question back in 2018 but never got round to purchasing anything due to a number of family issues. I'm back again in the hope that you guys would be kind enough to give me some advice. When I say small budget we're talking £30.00 tops. I bought a pair about 10 years ago following a recommendation from someone on a site similar to this which cost me about £15.00 and were perfect. They were lost in a house move and for the life of me I can't remember make / model and not sign of a receipt anywhere. Thanks in advance