Dark Vader

I expect the manfrotto will be better quality but this head is perfectly ok. There is a similar head on there for about £40 without the tripod, so effectively you're getting the tripod for less than a tenner.

I went for one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasics-177-cm-Pistol-Grip-Tripod/dp/B01LQX0P8Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=tripod+and+pistol+grip+ball+head&qid=1589099474&sr=8-2 and a Giottos 3290B monopod. Unscrew the head from the tripod, put it on the monopod and fully extended its taller than I am (6'5"). Used in a recliner, just cross your ankles over the bottom of the monopod for added stability. Works well with my 10x50s and 15x70s Andy

I don't have any experience with the Opticrons, but I bought the DPS1 10x50 as my first "proper" binocular (after dabbling with some free 7x50s) about a year ago. I find them Very good for the money, and after getting a few more bins since then they are still the ones I use most. If I remember correctly there's a 25 year warranty on them as well. Amazon currently have them at a penny under £60. Hope that's of some help. Andy

+1 for the Olympus DPS1 10x50. Very good for the money and the bins I still use the most. The Amazon listing gives the weight as 853g. They are very hand holdable and give a good sharp image. Another selling point when I got mine was a 30 year warranty. You could do a lot worse for 60 quid.

Should be... Stellarium is a free download and I think the basic version of Sky Safari is too. A quick look on google play should give you an idea of the best one for you.

Another 1 for Sky Safari (6plus), I also use Stellarium free but not as often. Andy

Just got some very nice used Strathspey 10x50 Marine bins for around half the price new. Now waiting on the clouds to do one!!

I managed to find a Giottos 3290B monopod on fleabay for about 30 quid. It's huge - fully extended it's 190 cm, then the pistol grip ball head and binocular mounting bracket puts another 28cm on it. If I'm viewing around zenith I'm normally on a recliner or a sun lounger but when you have to stand it's ideal for a 6 1/2 footer. Andy

I started off with a "free" Mirador Japan 7x50 acquired in a box of "junk" from a friend who passed away. Cleaned them up, pointed them at the moon and was hooked!! Bought a 10x50 Olympus DPS1 and a Celestron Skymaster 15x70, an Amazon basics tripod with pistol grip head, and a long Giottos 3290B monopod. The 10x50s get the most use.

1 more recommendation for the Olympus DPS1 10x50. Great bit of kit, very hand holdable, and a long warranty. If you wanted to mount them for more stability, these are good value... https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasics-177-cm-Pistol-Grip-Tripod/dp/B01LQX0P8Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?keywords=amazon+basics+tripod&qid=1565942935&s=gateway&sprefix=amazon+basics+tri&sr=8-7 Andy

It's still available, just under 24 quid online - here's the ISBN. ISBN-10: 9780521793902

I did have some doubts about the existence of a dark site in a city

I would like to look up from a dark site. I've been limited to back garden viewing, from the bottom end of Little Stoke. I've chosen the binocular route for now to learn my way around the sky. I did see a website just after I started that said Troopers Hill over in St George was a dark site but I've just not had the time to check it out.

Clear patches permitting it's on my list. Got out again last night but tried out the Skymasters - still very happy with that purchase. M31 didn't give up any more real detail but appeared as a more oval patch of light than through the 10x50s. While scanning around from my sunbed last night, I did stumble across the Coathanger. Most enjoyable. If I get out tonight with favourable skies I'll try the bins mounted. Andy

Mind blown - I was that shot away I didn't even think to fetch the 15x70s for (hopefully) a better look. Being new to this I've not seen proper darkness yet. I can honestly say that this is the first winter I've actually looked forward to. Andy