Mick H

I use 32mm Omni Plossl, gives a nice wide field view found here:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/celestron-eyepieces/celestron-omni-plossl-eyepiece.html

£65 though.

infact I have two 32mm Omni Plossl's eyepieces which I use with William Optics Binoviewer.

21 hours ago, Second Time Around said:

That looks interesting, Mick!  Not as comfortable for sleeping as a fishing bedchair and no adjustable legs for uneven ground.  OTOH it's much smaller and lighter than a fishing bedchair.  Does it fold to go in a car boot?

Hi STA, Yeah it folds up but might be to bulky for boot of car, but I put mine in my Vauxhall Combi van, and is light as a feather.

Can fold the bar back so it's like a chair.

We have two for when we go camping, also use it when I go beach fishing.

2 hours ago, markse68 said:

Anyone using a carp fishing chair for lounging with bins?

 

I use the Outwell camping bed with my Orion Monster Parallelogram Mount and 25x100 binoculars.

Its really comfortable and the back is adjustable.

A hairdryer works for me.

Just received these yesterday evening.

Orion 2x54 ultra wide angle binocular. Tried them out early this morning, the image is sharp in up to 90% of the FOV! I need some more time under the dark skies to fully evaluate, but I am very impressed already.

3 hours ago, spacegalaxy said:

so what can I see?

You should be able to see plenty of DSO's, Open Clusters are brilliant in my Orion Giant View 25x100 binoculars.

I have Orion Monster Parallelogram Mount for those, but others will have better info than I for 15x70's.

Nice pair of Oberwerk Ulra 15x70's in the for sale thread here:

Edit: Sorry just seen your location. 😳

19 hours ago, Mike Q said:

I have come to the conclusion that while it may seem to be an obvious product, no one offers moon filters for binoculars, at least not for my 20x80 Orion binos.  So has anyone made a pair using mylar film?  If so how are they working out for you?

Hi Mike, check this thread out:

It's not mylar film, but Darren Hennig was in touch with me when I asked him about filters for Bino's.

Hope it might help.

Darren Henning (Royal Astronomical Society of Canada) kindly let me share with you a way of to adapt any current binoculars to filter use.

I have several APM MS binos that I use with 49mm Kaiser caps (which fit like a glove on the ocular cups when rolled up), and added an insert from ScopeStuff – these are 1.25” filter threaded inserts that I fit into the caps using a Dremel tool:

Kaiser lens Caps (49mm fits my APM binos, you’ll have to measure your eye cups rolled back to find size); B&H Photo and several other outlets sell these too. Run about $20-30 USD depending upon sizes needed.

ScopeStuff TFA1s run around $15USD each If I recall. Shown is reamed out caps and TFA1s ready for insertion:

Filter thread caps after completion.

Caps on my APM 10x50ED MS pair (also fits my 16x70 APMs, and 25x100 APMs (!!)

Up to you which way you wish to go. With my APM binoculars and a polarizer or sky glow filter, I lose maybe ~0.1-0.2 degrees of FOV which is a fine trade off  when getting to use filters. Results will vary dep. On eye relief of the pair(s).

I hope this is useful for you also! An option that is nice for general bino use, since Oberwerk is the ONLY outfit I know of that offers this filter ocular option!

Here is the link to yesterday's presentation by Darren Hennig, It was quite informative:

19 minutes ago, Mr Spock said:

Thank you FLO . Arrived today via a (now crippled due to weight) DPD driver.

I must say I like what you have done to your shed. (with reference too What's stopping me getting a larger scope?)

I bet you are going to get some stunning views with that.👌

Hi, I saw this on CNN site and thought it would be good to share.

Seven Ponds Astronomy Club presents Big Binoculars Prepare to be Amazed

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada's Darren Hennig will discuss using binoculars for observing the sky.

Feb 19, 7:00 PM EST

Zoom.

This presentation is provided as a free service to the amatuer astronomy community.

https://spncastronomy.wixsite.com/7-ponds-astro-club/events-1/rascs-darren-hennig-big-binoculars-prepare-to-be-amazed

This will also be recorded and made available to everyone on their YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.... astronomy club

Hi tico, APM 16x70 MS ED are probably the top of the range but expensive:

https://www.365astronomy.com/nature-observation/binoculars-(large)/apm-observation-binoculars/apm-16x70-ed-apo-binoculars

Mr_Simnock gave a review four years ago, and others have some input on 16x70 bino's which might help you.

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/317120-apm-16x70-ed-review-of-sorts/   

Also FLO has these Helios LightQuest HR 16x70 Binoculars which are cheaper:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/observation-binoculars/helios-lightquest-hr-70mm-binoculars.html                         

2 hours ago, Craig solomon said:

Hi all., slowly getting used to my dobsonion skywatcher, have had the pleasure of observing orions nebula m42 last few nights , what a wonderful sight , I managed my expectations having read online about how much I would see . My question would a nebula filter make a significant difference to what I view to justify the expense ?

Glad you got to see Orion Nebula with your Dob, I have been viewing it with my 25x100 Binoculars and as you say "what a wonderful sight".

I agree with Jiggy67 on the Astronomik UHC filter which I use viewing Nebula with my 8se, brings it out in more detail.

I use the TalentCell Rechargeable 36w Lithium Battery pack, lasts for hours and can charge other appliances like mobile phones/headlights etc.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0713T4XT9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

3 hours ago, Doasqa said:

I decided that telescopes are to difficult for me to aim and find things.

Hi Doasqa,

I have NexStar 8se with Starsense which is goto so its easy for me to find things, my main problem is the getting it all set up, cooling down only to find the clouds have rolled in 😉. the 25x100 binoculars on my Parallelogram mount is all setup in a couple of minutes, so great even for just a quick view.

Good luck with your Oberwerk 100ED's.

25 minutes ago, Coco said:

I as out last night under bortle 6 sky, nice views during clear seeing of the Crab Nebula.

Nice Mount and Images Coco.

27 minutes ago, Marian M said:

Maxbright2 binoviewer

I don't know much about the Maxbrights's but have heard great reviews.

I have the William Optics Binviewers which are great with the NexStar 8se, I use the 20mm pair that came with them, and a pair of Celestron 32mm Omni Plossl eyepieces. 

7 minutes ago, NorfolkGazer said:

My personal favourites are Turn Left at Orion and The Backyard Astronomers Guide.

Have to also agree on Turn Left at Orion, also has online resources. Have not read The Backyard Astronomers Guide but will be looking at purchasing later.

13 hours ago, jxclarke said:

I am very keen on getting a parallelogram mount to get the most out of my experience

Hi jxclarke, welcome to SGL.

I brought my Orion Parallelogram from:

 https://uk.telescope.com/Orion-Monster-Parallelogram-Binocular-Mount-and-Tripod/p/115507.uts

Very good service, and the mount is amazing with my Orion Giant View 25x100 binoculars.

You may also need this spacer for your bino's but best to check.

https://uk.telescope.com/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&siteCode=UK&keyword=%237590

Good luck with your Helios Binoculars.

Mick.

4 hours ago, thommo10 said:

Thanks for the replies, still trying to decide, but I'm leaning towards the Celestron skymaster pro 20x80 binoculars at the moment or the Bresser 20x80 

I think you will need a tripod plus pistol grip head with 20x80 binoculars for stable views.

 I have had great views using my Orion Monster Parallelogram Mount with Giant view 25x100 binoculars, so quick to setup to view between clouds. Next year I hope to buy the Helios 20x40x100 Semi App binoculars so I can change eyepieces sets.

40 minutes ago, wibblefish said:

I also love the Pleiades cluster, totally magic  

Agree wibblefish, I have had wonderful views in my Orion 25x100 Giant View Bino's of Pleiades.

16 hours ago, WEASEL007 said:

After what seemed weeks of cloud cover since i bought my first scope just been out for an hour and half, couldn't move away from ORION NEBULA 😁.  You know what it's like WOW. sorry it's only a easy nebula but. Wow. Well happy. 

Glad you got to view it Weasel007.

I viewed M42 with a Astronomik UHC Filter with my 8se, wonderful.

To add what others have said, turn the focus knob slowly as you will easily miss if you go to fast.

2 hours ago, bomberbaz said:

Cheers Mick.  How do you find the mount for using and panning around? 

Also are your bins 45 or 90 degree eyepiece and how do you find viewing at zenith please.

Oh one more and I realise it may sound obvious but is the counterweight requirement at least the same as the bins?

TIA

Steve

Hi Steve, panning around is spot on.

The Orion 25x100 are 90 degree eyepieces and viewing at zenith is a breeze when lying down on reclining camping bed.

 The two counterweights balance these bins perfectly, takes a minute to move them until it is fully balanced.

In the future I might purchase these so I can change eyepieces:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/helios-binoculars/helios-quantum-52-2040x100-semi-apo-binoculars.html

All the best 

Mick

13 hours ago, bomberbaz said:

Orion monster parallelogram

I have the Orion Monster Parallelogram Mount with 25x100 Bino's, it is very quick to setup, but for portability I would say not good, as the two counter weights are heavy as are the 25x100 bino's.

My setup works best with reclining camping bed, lovely wide field views.