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I'm not often moved to write reviews but... Last month I purchased a pair of SkyMaster bins as a grab/go sort of affair. They're replacing a 35 year old pair of 10x50s I bought from Boots as a boy, so I had a little more than just money invested in them. I succumbed and bought from Amazon, purely due to budgetary pressures. They were great when they arrived but one look at the moon and it was clear that were out of collimation. Amazon steered me to the seller who didn't wish to know or deign to reply to my requests for a replacement pair. Onto Celestron UK then. Within 12 hours Celestron were a) apologising for the issue b) asking for a copy receipt and c) issuing the return paperwork. Second set arrived today. In a huge box. Filled with packing material (recyclable!). With the retail box shrouded in a heavy outer sleeve and in bubble wrap. Wiser as to what to look for, so far, they're perfectly collimated. Full marks to Celestron UK. Null points, and Caveat Emptor, to Amazon and their seller (not Celestron!).
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In the early 1980's, Bill Beacom obtained the internal Japanese industry listing of the JB/JE codes that Japanese binoculars manufacturers marked on their binoculars starting around 1959 to identify the assembling and frame/body manufacturers of those binoculars, as part of the quality control and inspection export standards of the Japanese Telescopes Inspection Institute/ Japanese Binoculars Export Promotion Association, and required because almost all markings/names on Japanese binoculars are sales or importer names, and are not directly related to the manufacturer. Bill had the documents translated from Japanese to English, and then Peter Abrahams posted them on his website "Europa", where everybody viewed the information until Peter died and the website eventually disappeared. Everybody researching vintage Japanese binoculars (including me) used that information all the time. I thought that there should be a reliable long term source to view that information thus making it easily accessible to everybody again, and contacted and obtained permission from Peter's daughter Katie to reformat and post the JB/JE code information on my not for profit binoculars research website http//www.miniaturebinoculars.com. If you open the website, and use the right hand yellow navigation,then the JB codes nav link is the next to last line, and clicking on the line takes you to the page (currently on page 92, but that will change as pages are added regularly). Mark Ohno -
Last night and tonight I have been out with binoculars shortly after 11pm, the sun finally seems to be low enough not to wash out the milky way, helped by some cloud banks in just the right places, too. I was able to see the main bands of the milky way with the naked eye from my door step, though there are security lights so hiding around the corner of the garage or somewhere in the garden is best to avoid setting them off. I fancied tonight that I could just make out the faint fuzzy patch that is the Andromeda galaxy, sure enough a quick glance with binoculars confirmed this, still got it! Very pleased to be seeing the stars again, the summer has seen quite a few clear nights so far but it's been so light and hot I just couldn't bring myself to get out there, just to see a few of the brightest stars. I am considering purchasing a C6 to enable me to get the most out of my CG-4 mount, it's good with the 150P but I suspect any larger a reflector would unbalance it, a compact C6 will be close to the weight limit but at least it will be small so very easy to handle. I find the NEQ6 a daunting thought, my back aches just thinking about getting that thing out.
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As the poor weather and short nights are limiting my observing projects, I have been busy finishing a heavy duty aluminium and stainless steel parallelogram mount for my large 100mm APM binoculars. Here is a summary description of its build: http://refreshingvie...rammount.htm�.� It has been derived from a wooden version that I built last summer. I plan to give away the wooden model to a fellow SPOG astronomer who wants to do some bino observing while his camera is capturing photons on the scope. The parallelogram mount is an extremely comfortable to observe the night sky – the eyepieces really do seem to float in front of your eyes. If you are observing at the zenith, simply push the binos higher or if you are looking at the horizon, simply lower them down. This really does make a refreshing change from my Newtonian where the eyepiece remains where it wants to and I have to crick my neck down to meet it!! I have yet to use it for serious astronomy as the awful weather and long summer days are getting in the way. That being said, I have managed a few sessions at dusk scanning the brighter stars against a blue sky before it gets properly dark. To put the mount through its paces, I have had great fun tracking numerous airliners and high flying birds. The mount moves with ease across the sky with wonderfully smooth and controlled motions in pan and tilt at all altitudes. It is quite something to see high altitude airliners in detail from the ground as they slowly cross the sky! This mount is clearly going to be a pleasure to use once the observing season starts up again. This setup is definitely a keeper and will be used my observatory and under the dark skies of Salisbury Plain.
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Needed a tripod so have gone for the sturdy horizon 8115 ,takes my 20x80 binos a treat extends a good length no stooping required , has a quick release plate so can leave set up to the binos will get another plate for my camera,legs are lock and twist type, overall quality look good for price coming in at £80
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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, owing to the very short period of darkness this month we only have a few lunar occultations and not a lot else. Nevertheless, I hope you find it useful. To grab your free copy, or to subscribe, log on to http://binocularsky.com and click on the Newsletter tab.
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I took advantage of the FSO offer of the Opticron 10X50s for £99, they should arrive tomorrow. I can't wait to start using them! My old pair of 10x50s got knocked out of line a while ago, and I've been using some little rubbish Argos things that are about as much use as looking down a toilet roll tube. I noticed in the Sky at Night magazine, Steven Tonkins does a 'binocular tour' every month. I don't subscribe, (I've always bought Astronomy Now), but I think I may start getting Sky at Night regularly, because his binocular sky maps are pretty fantastic. Cassiopeia is in this month, and there's quite a few objects in there I've put on my 'next clear sky' list. I've ordered a copy of his book on the strength of these charts. Does anyone have it? Does it have maps comparable to the ones in Sky at Night? I've searched my old magazine pile for back-issues of the Sky at Night, and I've found a couple more. Gemini and Cygnus. What maps do you guys use when you're binocular observing?
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I was out earlier looking at the Pleiades and Orion (see separate post). I came in and waarmed up for about an hour. I went back out to view Sirius and the surrounding area. Sirius was fantastic. I wish I could see Sirius B (which I used to look at in my scopes). M41 was easy to see a few degrees almost directly below it. I found M35 very easily near one of the feet of the twins of Gemini. I saw a few other fainter open clusters while scanning the sky. I'm back inside, where I'll stay and will soon hit the sack.- 4 replies
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On the 2nd of July I closed my curtains one night before I went to bed but, before they were shut I noticed a strange multicoloured light flickering low in the sky in the northern celestial hemisphere. I Thought to myself if that is a star it looks amazing. The next night (3rd of July) I decided to take another look at this multicoloured light which was still there, Only this time I used my binoculars, I was seeing blues, greens & reds. We have all seen stars by looking up into the sky but, I have never seen a star create multi colours before. It makes you feel excited inside and you think that no one else can see this until you tell them and share the same experience together. I believe I was looking at the Capella Star which is the brightest star in the constellation Auriga and your not kidding it is bright. I cant wait to have another look tonight to see if the multi colours are still there. I would like to have taken at picture of it but I am not setup to do that just yet as I am very new to star gazing. I wish someone here can confirm what I saw and to post a picture of it would be awesome. Nikon Prostaff 3s 8 x 42- 1 reply
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Hi all, I've decided to stay in the house tonight with the anticipation of some clear skies later on, and to hopefully get the chance of splitting a few double stars - something that I've never done before. After a while looking through some charts at my desk with a rather nice glass of red, I've come to the conclusion that Cygnus and the Northern Cross seem like a pretty good place to start. My first port of call will definitely be Albireo at the foot of the Cross.. I'm excited about this one as it sounds like a beautiful view through a pair of binoculars, not to mention the easiest to find! I'll then move over to the Cygnus triple all being well and then the three doubles (Mu Cygni, 79 Cygni and 61 Cygni). Now all that's left to do is await the darkness, and hope the clouds disappear! Hope you're all having a great weekend. Cheers, Mark
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So after ordering the skywalker heritage telescope (awaiting 3 weeks for delivery), I decided after reading through a lot of posts on here to also purchase some binoculars so I can start getting used to the sky and what to look for. (Althought its now cloudy for the next 2 weeks. Typical! Anyway, at first I ordered the Praktica 7x50 Falcon Porro Prism Binoculars which cost £27. I was advised that the 7 x 50 would be the best for my needs because of the wide view. However I decided in the end to purchase the Olympus 10x50 DPS I Binoculars which cost £59.99. I am not sure I ahve made the right decision, but I made the decision on the basis of my eyesight and that even with glasses I have certain eye issues and thought the extra magnification would help. Even though I udnerstand the lense shake and stability hence the original 7 x 50 choice. The Olympus also had a lot more reviews and positive feedback. Well they arrive tomorrow so I will feedback on what i think. What do others have and recommend? And have a I made the right choice?
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Last night was the last time I'll probably see Jupiter for many months. It's sad. I live in a townhome. I have a small area of sky in my backyard that spans from the north to the south. It only covers maybe 30 degreesof the sky. My house blocks the east and tall trees block the west. Jupiter was disappearing behind the trees by 9:30 last night. Twilight hadn't fully ended. I really enjoyed looking at Jupiter a lot for the last few months because of the changing positions of the Jovian moons. With bins, I think Jupiter and its moons make Jupiter the best planet to view. I can't split the rings from Saturn so it looks a little like an egg.
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Where are the adjustment screws located on this binocular? I have found no screws under the rubber grommets, and no screws behind the screws that hold the plate behind the ocular.
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The August edition of the Binocular Sky Newsletter is ready. As well as the usual overview of DSOs, variable and double stars, this month we have: * A grazing occultation of a bright star * Moon occulting stars in the Hyades * See both ice giants as well as Vesta * Review of the Celestron EclipSmart 10x25 solar binocular I hope it helps you to get the best out of these late summer nights with your binoculars or small telescopes. To pick up your free copy, just head over to http://binocularsky.com and click on the Newsletter tab. You can also subscribe (also free) and have it emailed each month. Warning: Do not attempt to observe the Sun with any optical system that is not specifically designed for the purpose.
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I just came in from a quick and cold viewing. As I was sweeping the sky east of Pollux and Castor, I came across a large open cluster that I estimated to be a bout 2 degrees across. I just looked up large open clusters near Gemini and found out I viewed the Beehive Cluster or M44. It's also known as Praesepe. In all my years of viewing DSOs with my scopes I never saw this. Possibly because it's so large that only about a quarter of it would have fit into my eyepiece FOV.
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It was another clear night so I went out after 11pm for a fairly quick observing session with my 15x70 bins. Scanning the northern skies I found a faint smudge (which was actually M81). It was sort of between Polaris and the nearest pointer star of the Big Dipper. In the southern part of my sky, I saw the icing on the cake, Jupiter. I could see a pretty good, very bright disc and 2 of its moons. This was a good, quick session.
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I enjoy seeing Jupiter's moons change positions
DemosL posted a topic in Observing - with Binoculars
Over the last few weeks, I've been out looking at Jupiter with my 15 x 70 binoculars. Even with thin clouds, I can make out the moons easily. When I used to view Jupiter through my scopes, I only remember seeing the moons lines up in a straight line. Perhaps it was just coincidence that when I viewed them, them happened to be that way. It's as if the moons revolved around Jupiter perpendicular to my line of sight. Now I'm not so sure. A few nights ago, the moons weren't in a straight line. It was almost as if I had a birds eye view of the Jovian system. Tonight, all four moons were in Jupiter's 2 o'clock position. They looked like 2 sets of close double stars. I'd never seen the arrangement before. I know it's been said that the Jovian system looks like a miniature Solar System, but it's true. -
Last night, after a hot muggy day, a cold front passed through and produced a good, clear sky and the weather was cool and dry. Took out my bins and my zero gravity chair and started viewing the small sliver of sky to my north and south. I ended up seeing the triangle of Mars, Saturn and Antares. Obviously, I can only see them separately in the bins. I also saw at least 5 globular clusters (after I moved my session to my deck), so I could see a little more to my east. The globulars included M4 (near Antares), M13 and M92 in Hercules and 2 others. I was only out about 45 minutes, but it was a very satisfying session.
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The June edition of the Binocular Sky Newsletter is ready for download. Despite the very short nights, as well as the usual overview of DSOs, variable and double stars, this month we have: * Uranus and Neptune are back (just!) * Vesta is well-placed and brightening slightly * A bright Mira variable is near maximum When you next get a clear night sky, grab your binocs (or small telescope) and use this guide to enjoy, and share with others, what the night sky freely offers us this month. To get your (free!) copy, or to subscribe (also free) and receive it monthly, please go to http://binocularsky.com and click on the 'Newsletter' tab.
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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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Anyone here familiar with this Vixen binoculars, Vixen Binoculars Ascot ZR 8 x 42WP I can't seem to find any reviews on the net. It costs around £140, about the same as many other low-mid range porro models from top tier brands such as Nikon Action EX. While Vixen refractors (Made in Japan models e.g. ED81S) are known for quality, their binos seem to be very inconsistent according to many reviews (other models). I'd be glad to hear some personal experiences with Vixen binos even if it isn't the model I listed. Many thanks.
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I just wanted to ask y'all about the digital binoculars, my mate has one and it looks like i need one as well. The one he has is very expensive but im looking for something cheap to start off with. Something from about 100-200 bux, i was looking through some sites and found these https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HD-Digital-Binoculars-Telescope-12x32-Folding-with-Built-in-Digital-Camera-DV/163251640671?epid=27018286369&hash=item26028e595f:g:3poAAOSw83dblzhN:rk:3:pf:0 https://www.amazon.com.au/Digital-Camera-Binoculars-Recorder-Camcorder/dp/B01N5LW543/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1544653243&sr=8-7&keywords=digital+binoculars but then i found a site with a nice digital binocular which looks alright but I want to ask you guys if i should buy this one, https://www.gadgetcity.com.au/digital-telescope-binoculars-camera-2"-screen-1.3mp-p-3262.html
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Hi all, I have been gifted a pair of Arena Observation 25x100 binoculars and a Slik Pro 700DX tripod. I have trawled the internet, but have been unable to find any information on the binoculars. Could someone kindly provide me with any info on them, they seem pretty damn good. TIA
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The Binocular Sky Newsletter for December 2013 is now available. Things have been a tad hectic recently at "BinoSky Central" , so this is a tad shorter than usual but, I hope, will still be useful. What I try to pass off as "normal service" will be resumed as soon as possible... In addition to the usual selection of good DSOs and Solar System objects to observe, in this month's issue we also have: * Comet Lovejoy * Many lunar occultations * A selection of variable stars To grab your (free!) copy, go to http://binocularsky.com/ and click on the Newsletter tab. I hope you find it useful. -
The Binocular Sky Newsletter for December 2013 is now available. Things have been a tad hectic recently at "BinoSky Central" , so this is a tad shorter than usual but, I hope, will still be useful. What I try to pass off as "normal service" will be resumed as soon as possible... In addition to the usual selection of good DSOs and Solar System objects to observe, in this month's issue we also have: * Comet Lovejoy * Many lunar occultations * A selection of variable stars To grab your (free!) copy, go to http://binocularsky.com/ and click on the Newsletter tab. I hope you find it useful.
