bins help

[beanyboy1982]

got a set of bins at the mo but was looking at these would they be any good at this price ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RUBBERISED-JUMBO-LARGE-DAY-NIGHT-VISION-MEGA-ZOOM-SAKURA-BINOCULAR-20-180x100-/150791441841?_trksid=p4340.m1982&_trkparms=aid%3D555001%26algo%3DPW.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D29%26meid%3D1328143869234357979%26pid%3D100009%26prg%3D1013%26rk%3D1%26

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LARGE-SAKURA-Day-and-Night-Vision-20-180-x-100-ZOOM-LARGE-SAKURA-BINOCULARS-/221073200563?pt=UK_Photography_Binoculars_Monoculars&hash=item3378fd55b3

or would you stay clear of them ??????????

[crashtestdummy]

i personally would say avoid zoom binoculars at all cost

[Lenny147]

Personally I would steer clear of them, unless you want to buy a tripod to hold them, I would stick with a good pair of 10x50s as they are much easier to hold and keep steady

[JamesM]

Totally agree with the above comments, as these binoculars promise so much and at such an amazing price - buyer beware. Would most definitely require a very sturdy tripod as they're far too big for handheld use. 10x 50's are the preferred size or if you really wanted to go a little bigger, you could go for the Celestron Skymaster 15x70 here which many members have and a re good value for money. Would probably still need a tripod of some sort but at a push can be hand held for short periods. There is a review here written by a member here which you might like to read.

James

[cantab]

Three things wrong with these.

1) They're cheap zoom binoculars. A zoom binocular needs a lot of precision to keep the magnifications of both sides the same. That doesn't come cheap, and may not come expensive either.

2) Their numeric designations are incorrect - they do not have 100mm objectives.

3) The second example has bright orange "ruby coated" lenses, terrible for astronomy.

If you want a larger binocular, get a fixed-magnification pair. I can testify the Skymaster 15x70 give a noticable improvement in view over inexpensive 10x50s, albeit with an equally noticable increase in weight.

If you want something with more magnification, get a telescope.

[Lenny147]

+1 for the scope

[Astralstroll]

Ive got a pair of Celestron 20 x 80s which are good value for money. They really do need a tripod though. As it happens, Ive just come back in from having a quick wader around the sky wit them this evening. They work prety well on a solid camera tripod, which is much more comfortable to use when you have a convenient seat. A lot of occasional cloud tonight, but still managed to get a look at my perennial favourites, M31 and M13

Dave.

[paul schofield]

I don't know anything about both those binoculars, but personally I would give them a swerve. As said previously zoom bino's especially in the cheaper price bracket would probably be better avoided. If large binoculars are what you want, I personally would go for 15x70 Celestrons or 15x70 Revelation's, both of which would require a tripod for comfortable prolonged use, these bino's receive positive reviews. Or a set of 10x50 again perfectly usable for astronomy purposes and comfortable to use for longer periods without a tripod, for me anyway.

[Stargazing_Cliff]

I have some mega zoom binoculars on tripod they give some awesome view stars really bright.

i bet them 180's will see allsorts.

smaller the binoculars more light they will see. you could allways try the 7 x 50mm

or 10 x 50's

[glowjet]

I think you summed it up correctly in your thread " stay clear of them " if you must have a pair of large bins, which do require a mount of some sort, if only your yard broom, then go for reasonably priced acknowledged brands in the 15x70 range

John.

[astrofox]

Avoid zooms like the plague. They are at best a compromise unless you go to a top of the range optical company like Leitz.

[crashtestdummy]

can attest to every positive about the 15x70 skymasters,limit for handheld though