Narrowing down my choice!

[Aaron1996]

Hello,

You know how it is, everyone says get 10 x 50, those hit the sweet spot of handlability and visibility. The 15 x 70s are cheap enough to be in my price range but I'm coming to think handlability is an issue for me and I want to be able to use them for normal daytime persuits also. My question is might 12 x 50 be a more useful magnification for daytime and would that curtail the astronomical use in some way, or could 12 x 50 be an advantage sometimes. I intend to get a monopod and tripod adaptor as well.

I am reading the 'Stargazing with binoculars' at the moment. I always get nerdy when I'm about to buy something!

I'm considering the 'Helios Weathermaster 111' 10 x 50 (Nitrogen filled/waterproof.) £56 and the 'Helios Fieldmaster' 12 x 50 (NOT Nitrogen filled.) £50. As I write I'm noticing that the FOV of the latter is only 88m compared to the former at 114m, the Weathermaster is also 75g lighter.

Your opinions please.

[Peter Drew]

Lightness and field of view are both desirable for astronomy so of the two, the 10x50 seems the best bet.

[nicnac]

and the higher mag will demand a steady hand

[damnut]

Echo comments above, the FOV tends to narrow as the magnification increases, doubly whammy as this will also exaggerate any wobble. Also the Strathspey binos seem to have good press recently..

Cheers