Celestron Bins, which ones?

[Jaywillis78]

Hi all,

I've decided to go down the binocular route for the time being. I just couldn't make my mind up on a scope. :-)

So, I'm looking at either getting a Celestron skymaster 15 x 70 or 20 x 80. Could someone advise on which is best please?

I'll be wanting to mount either of them on a heavy duty tripod in the back garden. So any suggestions for a tripod would be helpful too. Budget will be between £150 to £200. I notice FLO don't sell these models, is there a reason maybe? Although they get good reviews on Amazon.

Thanks in advance!

Jay

[LukeSkywatcher]

The Celestron skymaster 15 x 70 are a VERY popular choice. I can only imagine the 20x80 are also great.

I have a pair of 20x90 Strathspey and i mount them on a Horizon 8115 tripod (very popular tripod).

Either pair you buy will need to be mounted because they are too heavy to be hand held.

20x80 would be the ones i go for.

[ismangil]

I suggest reading binocularsky.com on how to select binoculars.

Are you set on such big magnifications? They will need mounting.

Also the brand seems very specific. For binoculars there are better specialist brands like Opticron etc.

[brantuk]

Some folks make a complete hobby out of using binocs only - others eventually get a scope cos they start lusting to see more. If you think you're in the former bracket then go for the biggest and best within budget.

If you're in the second bracket and end up with a scope - then the bins will see significantly less use and you'll be better off with 10x50's or 15x70's which you'll keep - cos they're still dead useful and quick.easy to set up and use. But if you got big bins you'll end up selling them to finance scope accessories (I've seen it happen many times lol).

Looking forward often helps - hope it does for you.

[Carbon Brush]

Good comments from all of the above.

There are also various SGL threads about binocular choice.

A visit to an astronomy shop would be a good idea.

The astro related advice from a high street general optics seller is usually limited in value and content.

In my experience web seller reports are very variable.

[Jaywillis78]

Thanks, I'll definitely be mounting them as I have some old small bins, and although light I don't have the steadiest of hands, especially when it's zero degrees out there :-)

I'm glad you mentioned that tripod as its the one I was thinking of getting.

Thanks against for the reply.

Jay

[Jaywillis78]

Thanks for the link ismangil, I only selected the Celestron as they seemed a good price on Amazon.

I basically want to see more detail in Orion and clusters etc. I realise for any sort of detail on Jupiter I need to go to a scope. If there is better makes out there then maybe I should look around first?

Thanks Brantuk, I would love a scope but I was thinking that my back garden is very dark but has limited views. I can't see me going up the local mountains on my own so it may not get much use. That's why I though a big binocular would be better. You're making think about the 15 x 70 now! I just wanted to make sure I got the right size first so was going to go big. Maybe that's not the right thing to do?

Thanks davidvalentine, unfortunately there are no astronomy shops near Cardiff that I know of, but I will look in to the bins threads on here for more info.

Thank for all the reply guys!!

[Tom2012]

I went with 15x70's brilliant pair! Witnessed quite a bit through those. They're what got me started!

If you're looking for a pair it's well worth while going into a shop and trying them out. 15x70's can be quite heavy. I find easier to hold them towards the wider end, equals the weight out a bit!

Have fun with whatever you choose!

Tom.

[ollypenrice]

I think the Celestron 15x70s will come under many brand names. I have a Revelation pair and they're good value, though QC is certainly variable so I'd want a supplier with a strictly no nonsense returns policy.

I love using bins on the sky. Very relaxing and very informative.

Olly

[Jaywillis78]

Thanks Tom and Olly, maybe I should spend more on a set of 15 x 70. So any suggestions about which make is good to go for? Budget up to say £150 tops

[Tom2012]

Thanks Tom and Olly, maybe I should spend more on a set of 15 x 70. So any suggestions about which make is good to go for? Budget up to say £150 tops

I went for the Celestron Skymaster ones. They're good! Seen a lot with them. Andromeda, Jupiter with moons no detail though just silver spheres. The Pleiades fit perfectly in the FOV! I'd have a look at them if yo can!

[8472]

I've owned both (still got the 20x80) and to be honest I wish i kept the 15x70's.

They're more portable, and the eyecups seemed to the fit my eyes better.

You'll still need a tripod to get the best out of either, though.

[JamesM]

+1 for "Binocular Sky" which offers some good advice regarding viewing targets, kit and mounting the binos. The key thing with the tripod is whether it is going to be tall enough to make viewing comfortable, along with the head that sits on top of it and whether you can direct the binos somewhere near the zenith (most pan and tilt heads only point up to 60 degrees above the horizon). Stephen offers some good solutions and some alternative mounting options that is certainly worth a look.

Clear skies

James

[Catweazel]

I have the 15x70's and they are a nice pair of bins for the price, although they will need mounting. I also have the Horizon 8115 tripod, which works well with these bins.

[Jaywillis78]

Thanks all for your input. Glad I asked now, looks like the 15 x 70 is the way to go. Plus the Horizon 8115 tripod looks great.

[Tom2012]

I have the 15x70's and they are a nice pair of bins for the price, although they will need mounting. I also have the Horizon 8115 tripod, which works well with these bins.

^^^ exactly! They're ok for general looking around hand held but if you want to see more detail you're much better off with a tripod. I use a small collapsible Manfrotto camera tripod with mine. Was about £59.99 at the time a few years ago.

Have fun mate.

Tom.

[scoobee]

20x80 bins and a support for them (I use a Manfrotto monopod) is the way to go, it seems to fit my desires

[starman1969]

I got the Celestron Skymaster 15x70's from Amazon. They are an excellent pair of astro bins and inexpensive.

I was surprised how light they are, and can easily be used handheld. I haven't mounted mine on a tripod yet, but I prefer handheld using a cushion on a car roof for example.

[spektrumdx8]

I too second the Skymaster 15x70 bins- got mine from Amazon and they are great,but starman1969, you must have HUGE hands as I find them a bit weighty and use mine on a tripod.

[starman1969]

I too second the Skymaster 15x70 bins- got mine from Amazon and they are great,but starman1969, you must have HUGE hands as I find them a bit weighty and use mine on a tripod.

I have some old 7x50's that are about the same weight as the celestrons, so in that respect I don't find them heavy. At least the bracket is there for the tripod, if needed.

[stevetynant]

Hi Jay - just another thing to consider - I don't want to put you off the bins idea in fact I'm looking for something similar myself at the moment to compliment the scope - but referring back to your earlier post - you don't have to go up any mountain on your own with a scope- why don't you come up to Blaenavon with the South Wales group - their very friendly and helpful, its all very informal and theres a few lads who already come up from Cardiff who I'm sure would show you the way if you fancied it - we try to meet at least once a month weather permitting - check out the Social groups scetion - just a thought really if observing alone is putting you off getting a scope

good luck with your choice whatever you decide

Steve