my last bino question honest!

[garethmob]

well i know iv asked alot of questions last few weeks but i seem to have narrowed the type of bins i want

i origionally started with seeing as good as my scope and got the 15X70s as they were on offer with FLO but after they went out of collimation i was a little let down expess as i really need to learn the sky and got too used to "goto"

so buying TLAO as i think it will help

im down to 8X40 or 10x50

and specifically

First Light Optics - Opticron Aspheric WA ZWCF GA 8x40

and the ollys for either 10X50 or 8x40

so which would you advise me on i do have a cheapy tripod and a metal bino tripod to bino adapter so not a problem.

id like it to be weather proof and small to fit in car or my coat (but i do have a helly hanson ski jacket i use

so please shoot down anything and suggest anything in them 2 ranges please guys

[Lenny147]

I use Olympus DPI 10x50s, excellent bins for the price, not water proof though but I find them excellent

[Flying Eye]

The Opticron have a shorter close focus, so if you might find back yard bird watching also appealing these can get into even the smallest garden. Can't see it say if they are waterproof or nitrogen filled, so I'm guessing they are probably not.

I'm into that back yard thing but went with 10x50 as, this time, I wanted some more mag for astro and terrestrial (already had 8x32), and as a result I'm still looking at adding 7or8 x something or other. 40mm-56mm is probably the something or other at a guess. My 8x32 are starting to reach the end of their useful life for me as an everyday grab and go.

It's more about fitting the needs of what you might conceivably find interesting to look at. Brands and details may slightly take a back seat as having technically wonderful bins that can't do what you really wanted are not going to be much consolation.

[garethmob]

I Can see what you mean about brands. Like a Sony laptop why spend another 400 for just a badge?

I do quite like the sound of 8x40 opticrons (expess the nov11 review in S&N but looking at that review it dosent seem to have kept the same across the board. It seems different objects were chosen and the scorin system didn't seem to work (example between the visionary n Helios). If any one has any of the 4 bin which were tested any chance you can point me towards any other good points

I do like bird watching but not needed really. I wish there was somewhere close where I could test before I buy

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[Grunthos]

I just bought the Opticron Aspheric 10x50s from FLO. Dioptic a bit on the stiff side (but not a bad thing as only me using it). Am now considering an Opticron 8x32 as well!

(Regardless of bino size you probably want to get a decent-ish tripod. The Horizon 8115 might be one to look at?).

[Mr Onions]

For astronomy the 10x50 providing they're both of equal optical quality.

This is a great all round size {magnification/aperture/field of view}

[garethmob]

Iv got a tripod it isn't the best (£20 in pcworld? ) but it seemed ok for

My 15x70s but I might look at that tripod:) I really need to learn the sky and I guess that's where this all boils down to is there any resources for comparing bins anywhere. I was a little put off at the 10x50s as the aldi ones just seemed rubbish tbh .

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[Mr Onions]

The Nikon action extreme seem a good pair.

Depends on your budget.

[Grunthos]

is there any resources for comparing bins anywhere.

You could do worse than visit Binocular Sky (in particular the page on choosing a first binocular). The author, tetenterre (aka Steve), frequents these forums...

I'd was going to suggest that you post as many questions as you like on this SGL binocular forum but you've ruled that one out with the title of this post (evil grin!).

[BinocularSky]

As I allegedly "frequent" this space, I suppose I ought to express an opinion. A decent 8x40 is good -- probably better than a budget 10x50 (especially since some of them are stopped down to around 43mm anyway). But a 10x50 of equivalent quality to an 8x40 will blow it away in all aspects but one: an 8x40 is easier to hold steadily. But ultimately, the best binocular for you is the one you will use the most. For years, mine was a 10x42 -- recently superseded by a good quality 15x70.

[Mr Onions]

If you can save up go for Nikon 10x42SE expensive but a lifetime binocular.

I have the 12x50SE outstanding but a bit too much power for easy handheld.

[Dave7a]

I have a cheap pair of 7x50 binoculars that I was hoping to use to get me and the kids started, if only the cloud would dissapear. After checking out Grunthos's link, I read through Steve's website, notably the Evaluation page, and I now know I have THE cheapest binocular ever produced lol. They have just about every issue listed on that page! Strangely enough, I was just about to post a question along the lines of.."what fault produces what visible effect in a pair of binos" when I found this thread and all my questions were answered.

Great info chaps, thanks

Another purchase to go on the ever-growning list...

[garethmob]

Thanks for the advice guys. I took the plunge on the optis and martin said if I don't like them I can return them I'll post a report when I get them . Any tests I should perform?

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[Flying Eye]

Any tests I should perform?

They are all good tests, may as well do the lot!

[garethmob]

Lol I don't know what ones to do FE . Which objects as well to try on first

Wish i had them tonight to be honest. Crystal out there

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[Flying Eye]

Hehe, that's just stage fright!

We all read up as much as we can then first night out we forget all of it and then feel a bit foolish!

This is as far as I got tonight (link), now that is downright silly, but was also fun!

Just run through the list at BinocularSky a bit at a time as much as you can manage in one sitting, come back to it a few times if you need to.

You'll be fine.