pastiche Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 To make things easier when out and about I would like to invest in some binoculars. My main interest is the moon and planets so what type would be best?Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veracocha Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 What is your budget? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nexus 6 Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Hi pastiche. a lot of people have gone for 15x70's from either Celestron or Revelation both are very good and worth the money although a tripod would also be needed to use them at their best.Celestron 15 x 70 Skymaster Binocular | Binoculars | Rother Valley Optics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pastiche Posted August 31, 2011 Author Share Posted August 31, 2011 Hi Veracocha,Thanks for replying so quickly.I am lucky enough to have come into a bit of cash so I can spend quite a lot for the right ones.I really have no knowledge of bino's so have no idea what I need to spend to get a decent pair. I guess I will also need a tripod of some sort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheThing Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 The Revelatio/Celestron Skymaster 15x70s are well thought of.Strathspeys also seem to do some nice 15x70s and 20x60s at good prices.TheThing.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veracocha Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 If I were looking to use a tripod then I would think about the Helios Apollo range. I once viewed them and was very impressed considering they were'nt ED glass. Expect to pay around £300 for 10 or 15 x 70. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ags Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 You will see very little detail on any planet with just about any binocular - even 25x100! They just don't give enough magnification. You wil see Jupiter's moons with a good pair.On the other hand I find my 8x42s give nice views of the moon - light gathering is not needed and the low magnification means the hand-held image is stable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KerryAnn23 Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I have just invested in the celestron 15x70s with all the advise i got on here, love them. but i do agree that you will need a tripod also which again i have been advised upon for one or two worth while strongly made models. i havent ordered it yet but from all the others who have these bino's they say the 2 i need to choose from are the best and fairly cheap also xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pastiche Posted August 31, 2011 Author Share Posted August 31, 2011 Thank you all so much for the advice.Should I be looking at 15 x 70 or 20 x 60's?Hi KerryAnn,After reading your post it sounds as if you have had some fun with yours!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheThing Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I'd go for the 15x70s, but then I own a pair.For tripods, have a look at Kay Optical When I was there the week before last, they had hundreds stacked all over, most probably second hand for sale. If there's nothing you like on the website, give them a quick ring. They seem to have a quick turnover of 2nd hand stock! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pastiche Posted August 31, 2011 Author Share Posted August 31, 2011 Thanks for your advice The Thing.I have had a quick look at Kay Optical's website and I will give them a call tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheThing Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 No worries, hope it's of help.NB - I'm not associated with Kay Optical, apart from a happy customer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KerryAnn23 Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 hi pastiche, yes iv had fun looking out at jupiter the last few nights, and i wasnt aiming for that lol, yes things will still be small but i could make out 3 moons last night which i think is pretty good to consider price and size, especially just starting out and trying to learn the sky a bit before a big jump to a scope. Tripod wise, have a look on FLO for the horizon 8115, this is one of my two options :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirmetin Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I have a set of 20x80 Celestrons, they only work with a tripod but they are great and they come with a proper cross bar tripod mount. I also have a pair of minox 8x33 these are nice for general star gazing and can be really good value I think there are still some of the Japanese versions at around £360 the updated german only made models have a slightly wider field of view but are around £550. The quality is amazing at this price and it is difficult to tell them apart from Bins costing £1000 plus. Sorry I can't remember which online store I got them from but I am sure Google, Yahoo, the other one from microsoft or one of the many good search engines will find them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pastiche Posted August 31, 2011 Author Share Posted August 31, 2011 Time for me to visit a few stores and try some out I think!Thanks again everyone, and KerryAnn, I hope I have as much fun as you when I finally get them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KerryAnn23 Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 haha and thats all from my bedroom window!!! imagine what it will be like once i order my tripod and can be outside!!! lol enjoy :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milkyjoe Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 I don't see the point in buying huge binoculars to sit on a tripod, just get a telescope instead. You will see much more with even a reasonably priced 4" refractor like mine (that is, of course, if you don't have the storage space for a telescope!) I've just bought some 8x42 roof-prism bins for casual use, not tested them yet tho so we'll have to see how they perform, but at least I won't need to be built like dolph lungren to keep the darn things steady! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brantuk Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Can't go wrong with a pair of Rocktrail 10x50's from Liddl for £15 'ish - whilst saving up for a scope. So long as you check they're collimated when you buy them you can't lose, cos they do a no quibble refund up to 30 days. And to be honest the 15x70's won't show you that much more.Sir Patrick has used and recommended 10x50's all his career which was good enough for me when I started lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamespels Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 I don't see the point in buying huge binoculars to sit on a tripod, just get a telescope instead.For me, it's having the bins on a tripod that I can get outside in about 30 seconds. My wife is also happy because the tripod folds to next to nothing and the whole setup fits into a small corner in the conservatory.That said, I am comparing it with my TAL - rock steady but you do need to be built like your friend Dolph to get it outside in the first place...J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexyastroman Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 First of i would be this First Light Optics - Horizon 8115 2-Way Heavy Duty Tripod then any one of the revelation range. I just ordered a pair of 15x70's but i think they go all the way upto 25x100 Revelation 25x100 Giant Binoculars so if you got a fair bit to spend then any one of the revelations 15x70, 20x80, 25x100 etc would be the best it's really down to you then what you think you could handle as they would most probably be the cheapest of the "giant" binocular range. I understand they also essentially the same as the celestron skymaster binos but cheaper not sure about that though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donal Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Binoculars, field glasses or binocular telescopes are a pair of identical or mirror-symmetrical telescopes mounted side-by-side and aligned to point accurately in the same direction, allowing the viewer to use both eyes (binocular vision) when viewing distant objects. Most are sized to be held using both hands, although sizes vary widely from opera glasses to large pedestal mounted military models. Many different abbreviations are used for binoculars, including glasses, nocs, noculars, binos and bins. Unlike a (monocular) telescope, binoculars give users a three-dimensional image: for nearer objects the two views, presented to each of the viewer's eyes from slightly different viewpoints, produce a merged view with an impression of depth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonshane Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Sorry to be the Victor Meldrew character but I agree with MilkyJoe. I have used bins all my life for nature watching and was always quite happy. Having used a scope for a while I bought some 15x70s for astronomy. they were good quality and gave excellent wide field views.however, everything had little detail and I always felt uncomfortable, with my head pointing up. they were literally a pain in the neck. I don't even like using my 7x36s for astronomy.compare a pair of 15-25x70-100 tripod mounted bins (I feel anything 10x and above needs to be mounted to get the best) with even a cheap and basic ST80 wide field refractor and there will be no comparison for me. The size and weight are not that dissimilar, you are looking down to view not up, much more comfy and you can use a range of magnifications. You can get good planetary detail too, split double stars and look at the moon in detail as well as seeing clusters in their wider setting or closer if you want to. they are also as instantly usable as large bins.just adding a different perspective based on my own experiences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West End Wendy Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 I came to exactly the same conclusion as Shane above and bought an ST-80. Still use 10x50s handheld all the time though. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milkyjoe Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 I am pleased to report after testing my 8x42 roof-prism bins last night, they performed better than I expected. Even though they don't have phase corrected prisms I could see stars very clearly with good colour correction. They are not too heavy either, which is good. :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ags Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 ST80 for me too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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