Celestron Bionoculars 15 x 70 vs Celestron Travelscope 70

[221B Observer]

I am torn between the two of these. Which is better value for money? And which is the better spec option? I am veering towards the bins myself but I wanted to see what you all thought. I need to save up for a decent telescope but to keep me going I wanted something that is going to be portable and that I can enjoy and carry around with me down to the waterfront for example. I should point out that my main interest at this stage is the Moon and the planets.

[Schorhr]

Inexpensive (but no horrible) 10x50 or 8x60 binoculars (Lidl, ...) and a 20€ firstscope clone could be another solution within that budget.

Though the latter is a table top telescope, mounting it to a stable tripod would require tinkering.

Planets look not very spectacular in binoculars, but you will see Jupiter's moons and Saturn appears a little oval in 10x50.

15x won't show much more but is hard to hold free handed while viewing relaxed, at least for astronomy. Daytime might be a bit different...

[221B Observer]

I have taken the plunge! I am expecting an Amazonian delivery of a pair of Celestron 15 x 70s! I am absolutely thrilled with the excitement of getting them now. Woo Hoo!

[ronl]

I have put a link to Binocular Sky on your welcome page

it will give you all the information you need, my humble

opinion is go with the bins. to late just seen your latest post.

[221B Observer]

Just been viewing some video footage of the Moon using the 15 x 70s. I would like to take some photos/video footage of my own in say a month or so time when I have had time to get used to using them. How does one go about setting that up?

[Schorhr]

Keep in mind that with 15x magnification you will need a tripod visually too!

A tripod binocular adapter costs about 3 (China, or seben) to 10 bucks.

You either need a camera clamp or a second tripod for the camera.

By the way:

You can also buy a finderscope to boost the magnification to 60-90x or so. Not good quality but enough to notice Saturn's rings... chromatic aberration will be horrible though.

[221B Observer]

Keep in mind that with 15x magnification you will need a tripod visually too!

A tripod binocular adapter costs about 3 (China, or seben) to 10 bucks.

You either need a camera clamp or a second tripod for the camera.

By the way:

You can also buy a finderscope to boost the magnification to 60-90x or so. Not good quality but enough to notice Saturn's rings... chromatic aberration will be horrible though.

OOH! I must remember the advice about the camera clamp. Not thought about that. Thank you

[Schorhr]

At 15x50 and a relatively large exit pupil you will probably be able to hold it manualy but mounting it will result in better images.

Remember that photographs will benefit from stacking them especially if you try with orion, andromeda or such.

Here a few links (I just searched on ebay as it's easier and you'll get an idea on pricing and what the stuff looks like, most camera/telescope stores should be able to sell stuff like this).

Camera clamp/holder

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Foto-Camcorder-/625/i.html?LH_BIN=1&_localstpos=24109&_from=R40&_clu=2&_stpos=24109&_sop=15&gbr=1&_fcid=77&_mPrRngCbx=1&_nkw=%28digiklemme%2CDKA2%2Cdka1%29&LH_PrefLoc=2

-> http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seben-DKA2-Digitalkamera-Videokamera-Adapter-PC-USB-/200544205918?pt=DE_Teleskop_Zubeh%C3%83%C2%B6r_Adapter&hash=item2eb15dbc5e

-> http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seben-DKA1-Digitalkamera-Videokamera-Adapter-PC-USB-/200543840518?hash=item2eb1582906

...

But it's still going to be a bit tricky to get it attached. as the binoculars are a bit different.

Dual mount

Someting like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Stereo-Dual-Twin-2-Camera-Bracket-Mount-3D-Stereoscopic-Metal-Screws-NEW-/160971706788?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item257aa951a4 (did not search for anything cheaper, could be built out of other stuff as well)

But you'll have to get the camera behind the eyepiece of the binoculars

...perhaps construct something out of wood or aluminum to place the camera behind the eyepiece of the binoculars...

You could also construct something with stuff like

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ishoot-DUAL-L-shape-Metal-Bracket-Holder-Mount-for-DSLR-Camera-Speedlite-Flash-/280846362711?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4163bf6857

or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-Flexible-Double-L-shaped-Camera-Speedlite-Flash-Bracket-Holder-Mount-/400493209103?pt=Camera_Flash_Accessories&hash=item5d3f41660f

Tripod adapter for binocular

EU/Germany http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seben-Fernglas-Stativ-Adapter-SBX1-Neue-Version-/200542601807?pt=Jagen&hash=item2eb145424f

Asia (longer shipping duration)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-Binoculars-Telescope-Spotting-Tripod-Adapter-/250809892085?ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:DE:3160

High magnification on binoculars with a simple finderscope 5-15€

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=de&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&sl=de&tl=en&u=http://www.astrotreff.de/topic.asp%3FTOPIC_ID%3D150858%26whichpage%3D2

Though as you have a 50mm telescope, that will give you better views on high magnification with the right eyepieces...

A 5" (Heritage for example) or a 6" dobsonian would be the next step to get stunning views of planets and nebulas!

Have fun with your binoculars :-)