Best binoculars for eye relief and weight?

[mhairi]

Hello everyone, I'm a newcomer to this forum and I'm really excited to be talking to all the stargazers out there. I was hoping I could get a little bit of advice regarding binoculars.

I've always been fascinated by whats up there and I've looked at binoculars in the past but never really thought seriously about buying a pair. But then after watching the stargazing program I felt really inspired. So after doing a bit more research I've narrowed my choices down to 2. (I think)

The Celestron 15x75 seems to be highly recommended but my problem with these is there is no way I'll be able to hold them steady so would require having to get a tripod. I wouldnt even know where to start with tripods and also it would put me off having to mount them every time I want to take them out.

So then I looked at the Olympus 10x50 but the biggest problem with these is eye relief. 12mm? I wear glasses so would think these would be no good for me.

So that left me with the Celestron nature 10x50 and these seemed to be more suitable but I havent really heard anyone recommending them.

So which one should I get or is there a better alternative? Any advice would be really greatly appreciated.

[acey]

I wear glasses (short sight and astigmatism) and I have Olympus 10x50 binos that I got about 15 years ago and still use (without my glasses). I had my first views of many nebulas, galaxies and star clusters with those - not like the photos in telly, but a lot more exciting for me personally.

I do all my observing without glasses. This probably means that a certain amount of astigmatism gets introduced into the view - but I never notice it.

I have Helios 15x70 binos, which give more interesting views than the 10x50s, and I can use them hand-held. But I'm vary aware of the shakiness of the view. And the edge of field is so mushy that any star at the edge of the field looks like a bit like galaxy - pretty weird when sweeping.

I've tried binos on a regular photo tripod and it's not for me. Unless the target is very near the ghorizon you're trying to squint upwards with the tripod mount in the way. Other mounts are available - but they cost (or you make your own).

For portability and ease of use it's hard to beat 10x50 binos. Best balance of aperture, magnification and weight.

[Rebus]

My Olympus EXPS 12 x 50's have adjustable eye pieces.

They quote 18.3mm eye relief in the spec.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Olympus-12-50-EXPS-Binocular/dp/tech-data/B00005A7IS/ref=de_a_smtd

[mhairi]

I do all my observing without glasses

So Acey, would you say then that you don't really notice any difference without your glasses or is it just that theyre more comfortable off. I wish there was a specialist shop in our area for this type of equipment so I could get a feel for them and see how they work with/without glasses. I did go to Currys to have a look at some Bushnells but the sales assistant didn't have a clue. Unfortunately everything is online nowadays.

Rebus, those sure do look good and tick all the boxes but the price is just a bit out of my range. I was hoping I could stay under the £80 mark.

[JonF]

Hi, I've got appalling eyesight, but still do my observing without my glasses. I just find it easier and more natural. I have one eye which is quite short sighted, and the other extremely shortsighted. I'm right on the limit of the dioptre adjustment, but can manage. I've got a few pairs of bins, including the Olympus 10X50s you mention (excellent, btw). I guess you really do need to get to a decent shop where you can try some bins in the company of a decent sales bod. Where are you? There are a surprisingly large number of quality shops hidden away around the place.

[mhairi]

I'm in Harlow on the Herts/Essex border. Know anywhere around?

I was tempted to get the Olympus ones but it was the eye relief that put me off. I'm also very short sighted. Would you say then that you can see just as much without your glasses as with your glasses on?

[Tinker1947]

My next set of bins will be the 10 X 60's there not to heavy and get plenty of light.

First Light Optics - Helios Quantum 4 binoculars

[acey]

So Acey, would you say then that you don't really notice any difference without your glasses or is it just that theyre more comfortable off.

I've never done a detailed comparison of glasses on/off views, it just feels more natural to me to take off my glasses, with binos or scope. When using the 7x50 finder on my telescope I used to keep my glasses on, now I've refocused it so I can use it with glasses off. The views seem no different.

[JonF]

I'm in Harlow on the Herts/Essex border. Know anywhere around?

I was tempted to get the Olympus ones but it was the eye relief that put me off. I'm also very short sighted. Would you say then that you can see just as much without your glasses as with your glasses on?

There's a place in London Colney that sells second hand bins. Called In Focus.

Yes, I feel that I can see at least as much without my glasses, probably more as i find it more relaxing.

[Nibor]

Hello everyone, I'm a newcomer to this forum and I'm really excited to be talking to all the stargazers out there. I was hoping I could get a little bit of advice regarding binoculars.

I've always been fascinated by whats up there and I've looked at binoculars in the past but never really thought seriously about buying a pair. But then after watching the stargazing program I felt really inspired. So after doing a bit more research I've narrowed my choices down to 2. (I think)

The Celestron 15x75 seems to be highly recommended but my problem with these is there is no way I'll be able to hold them steady so would require having to get a tripod. I wouldnt even know where to start with tripods and also it would put me off having to mount them every time I want to take them out.

So then I looked at the Olympus 10x50 but the biggest problem with these is eye relief. 12mm? I wear glasses so would think these would be no good for me.

So that left me with the Celestron nature 10x50 and these seemed to be more suitable but I havent really heard anyone recommending them.

So which one should I get or is there a better alternative? Any advice would be really greatly appreciated.

I'd be very tempted to get along and actually try some binos for real. I was quite suprised how some just did not suit my eyesight - especially in the eye relief departmant!! - I need good eye relief and my 10 x 50 Olivons gave me sufficient.

I did take a chance when I purchased Helios's "Naturesport" 8 x 40 binos when FLO had a recent SGL special offer. I was not disappointed and just love the 8.2 degree FOV for getting to know my way around the sky. They have screw up eyepieces which, once you have found your "sweet spot" hold their position very well and make for comfortable viewing in my opinion.

They are great for nature and sport as well.

The 8 x 40's:-

First Light Optics - Helios Naturesport-Plus 8x40 WA

The link for the 10 x 50's is below - they have a 6.5 FOV:-

First Light Optics - Helios Naturesport-Plus 10x50 & 7x50

There are also a number of books just for binocular astro viewing as well as websites.

1. Explore this forum

2. Visit Abe books for both new and secondhand astro books

AbeBooks Official Site - New & Secondhand Books, New &Used Textbooks, Rare & Out of Print Books

3. Try these sites for more info:-

Touring the Universe through Binoculars Atlas

BinocularSky - Home

Good luck with your search!!