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Showing results for tags 'binocular'.
Found 32 results
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Evening all. Thanks to you all so far for helping me working out my telescope purchase. In the intervening period I purchased a pair of 10x50 Olympus bins and spent a week outside at least an hour every night working out what I am looking at. I haven't kept a full log of each night in detail so I will summarise what I have seen. It is not particularly dark where I live but I had had a chance on two nights to go rural and then to 'dark sky site' all of which has spoiled me! Street lights go off after midnight here so I reckon that could make a big difference and will check later in the week. Jupiter - The first and easiest target on the very first night. I was taken back being able to see the moons in a straight line, one to the left and three to the right. Over the week I have seen the arrangement change in distance between moons and even number of moons visible. Saturn - Very small but clearly yellow. Sometimes I think I can see the rings and then I wonder if it is a blur on the lens or just not focusing. Something above and to the right diagonal of Jupiter - I am trying to work out what this is from Stellarium but I don't know for sure. A possible candidate is M26. I first saw it this evening and describe it as a definite white fuzz. Could anyone please suggest an object and advise me how to correctly describe the direction/method to find objects to other people? Coathanger - One of the first asterisms I came across by mistake and have used it every night as a way to find some other stuff I researched. M27 - Managed to navigate to this every time from Sagitta. From my garden is a faint white circle. Rural I saw a less faint white circle. Dark sky I saw a rather bright white circle and with some long blinking and everted vision I thought I could see faint details of the apple core shape at the top and bottom. M31 - I first found this at the rural location semi by mistake and working off a vague memory of a route I read to find it. Seeing this was the best feeling so far. The idea that I was looking at an entire galaxy through only a pair of binoculars seemed quite amazing. It was a white fuzz in the middle and with some blinking and averted vision I could see it spreading out sideways. I have found it again tonight but it mostly remains as a white fuzz blob but a rather large one. It seems to take a bit of time in to the night before it becomes visible. NGC6997 - I have inferred this was the object having looked around Deneb where there is quite a lot of action. It was a smallish cluster and not particularly bright but obviously a cluster and the only thing on Stellarium in this area. Milky Way - Whilst at the dark sky site I could very clearly follow the Milky Way and make out what I thought was dust between the stars. Mars - a very small but obviously red dot. Stars - Not so easy for me at the moment to name different stars. I know around Vega I have seen a double star one blue one more orange but this could equally have been somewhere else in the sky. I have also seen a lot of stars in pairs often of different colours around Cygnus.
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Hello all, New to the hobby and eager to learn information about where to start. Mostly interested in planet viewing, especially the moon. Looking to start out and need the portability as i may have to get out of town a ways to really get a good look at the heavens. I'm considering either a set of 20x50 or 20x80 binoculars (tripod mounted) or getting a Meade StarPro AZ 90mm telescope. Both are within 50$ of each other online. Wondering what would be my best bet for starting out, I will be staying focused on the moon for now, and thats my #1 priority (seeing the moon in extreme detail) but may soon get into farther planets/galaxy observation. I greatly appreciate any advise. thank you.
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Hi, newbie here! I’m hoping to get some advice on some star-gazing binoculars. I’ve read through the forum and I’ve decided to stay away from zoom bino’s because I’m just starting out, and I will eventually look into telescopes and whatnot if I wish to see the skies in more detail! So I’ve pretty much settled on something between 8 x 42 and 10 x 50. Please let me know the best ones in this range!!! I’ve read some reviews on the Helios Lightquest HR 10x50’s so any advice on those would be great too! I’m open to suggestions but what I’m really hoping to get is a sturdy pair of first binoculars that I can keep around for the long run, and hopefully drag around on many adventures. I’m willing to invest in a tripod as well for focused gazing, although I plant to keep them around my neck for a while so I can get used to them! I’m also unsure of how to find a great lightweight tripod so any links would be great! Love the forum so far and I’m excited to start observing the skies! Happy Stargazing, thehappypleiades
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Hi all, I've made a video about my experience looking through binoculars at deep space objects. I am NOT an observer. So I expect I got a few things wrong. Particularly the fact that it was impossible to film in complete darkness. I'd be really interested to hear whether I was way off the mark or not. And what other deep space objects are good to look at through a small pair of binos. Many thx in advance. -
Every pair i've owned has come with this tiny thin strap which is super uncomfortable and I don't think brands put much thought into peoples necks when they throw a neck strap in the bundle last minute. Do you guys buy a camera neck strap to replace yours? If you do replace yours, do you have any recommendations for some based mainly on comfort?
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Need a bit of help to narrow down what I see, I've wanted to buy a telescope a year ago but a couple of things stopped that decision. Saw a strong bright glowing star in the cloudless sky so I picked up my old binoculars laying around. I appended three images, one what my phone saw, secondly the raw image, thirdly a star map pointing towards the object (center-ish). I know it feels pretty laughable for s.o with an 8" GOTO + 5 yrs of experience, but maybe we can attempt to locate the object anyway ;) IMG_20200312_191702.dng -
I have a pair of 15x70 binoculars but due to neck problems I am struggling to use them even when tripod mounted. I am thinking of making a mirror mount but I don't know if they are any good? Can someone please advise me on which mirror I need, size and thickness, fixing method etc.? Do they suffer from dew problems in the UK and if so is there an effective way around this? If anyone could advise me on this it will be very much appreciated. Thanks
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I'm happy owner of 25×100 CELESTRON binos, i want to know : a) is really an improvement to use grey filter for lunar observation ? b)is it possible to screw filter on these oculars ? Thanks for your help.
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At last! A bit of weekend reading for y'all at http://binocularsky.com/binoc_reviews.php Summary: Darned nice binocular. Big, flat, bright field. Weighs less than the Helios Apollo 15x70.
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The latest edition of the Binocular Sky Newsletter is ready. As well as the usual overview of DSOs, variable and double stars, this month we have: Several lunar occultations, including one of AldebaranComet Catalina now visible in the morning skyMeteors from Asteroid 3200 PhaethonA mini-review of Vixen's SG 2.1x42 binocularI hope you find it useful. To get your (free!) copy, go to http://binocularsky.com and click on the newsletter tab.
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While the solar observing specs are on back-order I decided to have a go at making some binocular solar film filters, so ordered an A4 sheet of the Baader solar film and downloaded the Baader instructions. While the translation may have lost out on one or two small things it was very easy to follow the guide to build my own objective filters using the film and some white card. The view through them is better than I had imagined, there is some granularity visible (like a gradient around the edges of the sun giving it a spherical appearance) and right now I could see three large areas of sunspot activity. The colour is white as advertised, with shades of grey and black. I could just make out the branches of a tree that were close to the sun, probably just their shadow I could see as they blocked some of the sun's energy. As per the instructions, I held both filters up to the bright daylight to check for any pin [removed word] holes before using them with the binoculars. They are a snug fit for sure, no chance of them coming off once they are firmly pushed on. [can't believe the profanity filter removed a word meaning to make a small hole with a pin!] These fit my 8x42 Bushnells, I'm sure a larger pair of binoculars would show an even better view. I may attempt to make one for my 102 refractor with the remaining portion of the A4 sheet. All I need now is a safe piece of tupperware to carefully store these in. Would be interested to see what others have made with solar film.
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Hello All, I am new to this forum and find this forum extremely useful. I have gone through almost all the threads requesting advice on the binoculars for stargazing and hopefully I will not frustrate someone for this additional thread. I live near San Francisco, CA, USA and in my early 30s. I am planning a trip to Bryce Canyon in 2 months. That place is supposed have very less light pollution and is recommended for Astronomy/Stargazing. I have bought the Sky Safari 5 android app to get me started into astronomy and hopefully I will continue this as a hobby for a long time to come. I have decided to buy 10x50 bins and have found few of these below that are in my sub $99.99 range. I am looking for the best value for the $$ in this range. I will be carrying them in flight and will not be able to baby sit them. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/421389-REG/Bushnell_120150_10x50_Legacy_WP_Binocular.html - $84.99 - BaK-4 - Fully Multi Coated - Waterproof - Fogproof https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/917674-REG/celestron_71424_10x50_cavalry_binocular.html - $89.95 - BaK-4 - Fully Multi Coated - Waterproof - Fogproof - Nitrogen Filled https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1086598-REG/celestron_71362_10x50_landscout_binocular.html - $74.95 - BAK4 - Fully Multi Coated - Waterproof - Fogproof - Nitrogen Filled http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/binoculars/trooper-10-x-50-dps.html - $69.99 -($20 coupon) - BK-7 http://www.telescope.com/Binoculars/Astronomy-Binoculars/Orion-Scenix-10x50-Wide-Angle-Binoculars/pc/-1/c/5/sc/72/p/9333.uts - $102.99 - BAK-4 - Multi Coated (Considering because I read some reviews about quality optics and wider field of view) Please let me know your recommendations, if you have any. Thanks a lot -
The latest edition of the Binocular Sky Newsletter is ready. The nights are getting longer so, as well as the usual overview of DSOs, variable and double stars, this month we have: * Several lunar occultations, including a (somewhat tricky) graze of HIP 38975 for observers in Eire and the north of England * Uranus and Neptune are now observable in the evening (as well as the morning) * Ceres and Vesta are difficult, but back! * A mini-review of the Levenhuk Sherman PRO 10x50 binocular To grab your (free!) copy, or to subscribe, log on to http://binocularsky.com and click on the Newsletter tab
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Hi! My 8x40 has no click-stop eyecups, to avoid adjusting the eye relief I set it with O-rings. Protect the lens, clamp the binoc, slide the O-ring down a cone; if the O-ring has been stretched too hard and has to break, it will do so one or two days later, you'll find its corpse hanging around the eyepiece barrel. Otherwise these have been there for at least two years. I have no large O-rings left, that's why I'm showing this with a rubber band instead.
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My regular news-sheet for binocular observers, the Binocular Sky Newsletter for August 2012, is now available: http://binocularsky.com/newsletter/201208.pdf There is also a printer-friendly version: http://binocularsky.com/newsletter/201208p.pdf -
Just in from 30 mins out the back picking clear spots twixt the clouds. Just had to get some starlight!!! Canon 15x50 IS binoculars. MW easily visible from Perseus through to Scutum. Much mottling with dark dust clouds. M26 and M11 and lovely Scutum star cloud and dark nebulae. Barnards 'E' in Aquila. M71, Brocchi's Cluster. A quick branch off to M!3 and M92 in Hercules. M27 aside the Cygnus Rift. NA nebula prominent and the Eastern Veil a faint arc. M39 a triangle and the long dark 'rift' leading towards the Cocoon. Caroline's Cluster, M52, Pacman, NGC 147, M103, NGC63 in Cass, 'cluster central'. M31, 32 and 110. M33, a smudge. M15 a gem in Pegasus. Double cluster and Kembles Cascade a favourite. The stars and objects seemed especially alive tonight Wallowed in the splendour. Hope y'all get your fill of the universe soon! Cheers Paul
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Hello every one .i am from pakistan and i am totaly new to astronomy .i have bought celestron astromaster 76eq .after visiting various forum i have came to realize that i also should have binocular i want u guys to help me following issues 1. I live in lahore,pakistan in the night only some of stars are visible with naked eyes like jupiter ,saturn ,mars,moon,vega and some others so ll my telescope ll be able to show deep sky thing nubale and cluster ?is it worth buying a good binocular for particularly my area? 2. I am planing to buy binocular ,should i buy expensive one(keeping in mind that is live in lahore,pakistan) 3.which binocular u guys will sugest ?i will order it from england as getting things in pakistan is dificult so upgrading frequently is not possible here it is too expensive 4. If i should buy a bino ,what other things i should order along .like filters lens etc . -
Last night, having a look around with my 7x50s I was looking at M31, and could clearly see it as an elongated patch, not just the star-like core. Now I was thinking, Sidgwick says that an extended object like M31 cannot appear brighter telescopically than with the naked eye, and I get his math. With my old eyes, and under my less-than-dark skies I'm probably not even getting the full exit pencil of my 7x50s. Therefore, does this mean that I *should* be able to see M31 naked-eye given that it won't appear with greater contrast in the bins than by eye? As they say in examinations, please read the whole of the question before anwering, I'm not asking: "Should I buy bins with a smaller exit pupil"; Possibly, but not just now. "Should I buy a dob"; No, I'm 90% imaging, and don't like alt-az anyway. "Should I move to a darker site": Yes, it's on my to-do list.' If I *could* see M31 naked-eye that would mean I had Bortle 7 skies rather than the borderline 8 that I've assumed. Time was, I *could* see M31 naked-eye in Acton, even further in to London .
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I've just posted a review of the Levenhuk Sherman PRO 10x50 in the Reviews section of http://binocularsky.com TL; DNR version: A lot of very nice features, and nice general binocular for occasional use for astronomy, but better suited to terrestrial. * Pros: Very good control of false colour, ergonomically very good, well-fitting tethered caps, multi-position eye-cups, easy to use/adjust with thick gloves. * Cons: Poor control of stray light, field curvature.
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The February 2016 edition of the Binocular Sky Newsletter is ready. As well as the usual overview of DSOs, variable and double stars, this month we have: * Several lunar occultations, including a graze of 64 Cet * Two asteroid occultations * A mini-review of the Helios Stellar II 10x50 binocular I hope you find it useful. To get your (free!) copy, go to http://binocularsky.com and click on the newsletter tab.
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Hi, Does using binocular cause any eye pain? I used one binocular it was good but it caused some eye pain so I returned it...
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I've been looking for a cheapo solution to attach the cheap and ubiquitous red-dot finder to my Celestron 20x80 but didn't like the official clip thing that Celestron sells. Bad reviews complaining of it easily snapping, and to me, overpriced. After much research and counting of pennies, I went for this all steel, no-snap solution, costing a whopping £6.90 (with free shipping). From the top: 1 x 20mm Dovetail to 11mm Rail adapter. £2.69 with free shipping. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/20mm-Dovetail-to-11mm-Rail-Mount-Weaver-Picatinny-Rail-Scope-Mount-Rail-SA089-P15/32800225228.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.b0d14c4dzyuqK1 1 x Picatinny/Weaver 20mm Rail Base Adapter (used to attach scopes to rifle barrels) . £5.11 with free shipping https://www.aliexpress.com/item/20mm-Picatinny-Weaver-Rail-Mount-Base-Adapter-Tactical-Hunting-Rifle-Gun-Scope-Mount-Converter-Laser-Sight/32792605686.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.b0d14c4dzyuqK1 1 x bit of thick plastic to act as a shim. Anything will do. -
Inspired by Steve Tonkin, http://binocularsky.com I put together a monopole for quick reaction viewing with my 15x70 Skymaster binoculars. I did have a standard camera mount which I adapted. 1. get a wooden batten approximately eye height in length. (Ideally this should be high enough to allow you to look directly up with your attached binoculars - you can incline the pole to view nearer the horizon) 2. Drill a hole near one end. 3. Insert a bolt and secure with a nut. 4. Attach your tripod via bolt through the carrying handle. (alternatively you can attach it with a cable tie) It provides a remarkably steady mount for scanning the sky. John
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Seems to have come round again very quickly! The latest edition of the Binocular Sky Newsletter is ready. Despite the short, not-very-dark nights, as well as the usual overview of DSOs, variable and double stars, this month we have: * χ Cyg is brightening nicely * Neptune and Uranus are now becoming observable * We have the grand total of 3 observable lunar occultations To grab your (free!) copy, or to subscribe, log on to http://binocularsky.com and click on the Newsletter tab
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Whilst browsing on Gumtree on Friday evening just gone I came across an unexpected find of an Orion Paragon plus binocular mount & tripod for sale. Been looking for something way better than my old camera tripod to hold my bins, especially for looking near at zenith. Hadn't planned for any extra further expense in my Astro budget this month, but these were just too good to miss out on. The pictures showed them in excellent condition, and well looked after (thanks Allan ), and even though it meant a long journey to go down to get them I went down yesterday to go collect them. After getting delayed around the M25 to get to where they were on the south coast, the journey although long was well worth it. Here are a few picc of them in the garden with my 15x70 bins attached. Also plan on using them with my 7x50 Marines too. Very pleased with the new mount, and all working well. Now just need the next clear night to enjoy them. Be great to have a wobble free view through my bins of the night sky!
