pentax or nikon?

[jetstream]

Which binoculars would be a good choice for astronomy?This is a gift for my aunt who is interested in viewing,but with no experience.I saw the Pentax pcf wp II 12x50's on the net....any good?the observing area will have a lot of light pollution,is the exit pupil too big on these?

Thanks

[NGC 1502]

Hi Gerry.  I'm wondering how old your aunt is, and how fit she is ?  I think I'd be wary of getting something too large & heavy, and hard for her to use.

!2 x 50's should have about 4mm exit pupil, that would be ok for most.

All the best in your search, Ed.

[Naemeth]

I have the Nikon Action EX 8x40 CF Binoculars, very nice indeed.

Available here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Action-EX-8x40-Binocular/dp/B0001HKIJK/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1387487140&sr=1-2&keywords=nikon+action+ex+binoculars

Watch the price though, I got mine for £116.99, now the price has jumped to £170.99!

[jetstream]

Hi Gerry.  I'm wondering how old your aunt is, and how fit she is ?  I think I'd be wary of getting something too large & heavy, and hard for her to use.

!2 x 50's should have about 4mm exit pupil, that would be ok for most.

All the best in your search, Ed.

She is 66 yrs old,with health issues but is still mobile/active.What would be an appropriate maximum size?I was almost thinking of the small Canon IS pair=30mm,but maybe too small

[jetstream]

I have the Nikon Action EX 8x40 CF Binoculars, very nice indeed.

Available here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Action-EX-8x40-Binocular/dp/B0001HKIJK/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1387487140&sr=1-2&keywords=nikon+action+ex+binoculars

Watch the price though, I got mine for £116.99, now the price has jumped to £170.99!

Jonathan,I'm not familiar with the Nikon thses days,my own old pair is the Pentax DCF wpII- 8x42's,but roofs that kill a bit of light.does that exit pupil you use work OK in city skies?

[Naemeth]

Jonathan,I'm not familiar with the Nikon thses days,my own old pair is the Pentax DCF wpII- 8x42's,but roofs that kill a bit of light.does that exit pupil you use work OK in city skies?

It does, I think 5mm is a perfect balance between good for dark skies and city skies, anything less or more is more suited to one or the other. If that makes any sense

[jetstream]

It does, I think 5mm is a perfect balance between good for dark skies and city skies, anything less or more is more suited to one or the other. If that makes any sense

Can these also be mounted on a tripod-is it threaded for the adapter(mount)?

[Naemeth]

Can these also be mounted on a tripod-is it threaded for the adapter(mount)?

They can indeed be mounted, you just need a standard L bracket, like this one. (Or something similar, the L-bracket I linked to will give you a Vixen Dovetail to mount)

It has instructions in the manual, but you basically unscrew the Nikon button at the front of the middle of the binoculars, and just screw the L-Bracket screw into there, works very well (convenient stand too!) .

[SteveNickolls]

I would just add that you need to account for your aunt's eyesight-does she need to wear glasses while viewing? From what I can see on the Internet the Pentax have 20mm of stated eye relief and the 12x50 Nikons 16mm. It is a personal thing but 16 mm might be not enough for her to use properly. There is a good review of the Pentax PCF WP II and Nikon AE 12x50 binoculars at- http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/3674956/Main/3673722

As for mounting to a tripod I would recommend something like- http://www.scopesnskies.com/prod/binocular/red-dot/tripod-bracket2.html While they are out of stock I have found them available and cheaper on the Internet.

Cheers,

Steve

[jetstream]

Well I ended getting a pair of Pentax PCF WPII 8x40 for $115.00 + Saturday (Dec 21) shipping $8.95 and also a Sky and Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas for my aunt. Now for a tripod/mount(?)-those brackets look great-not sure what I can get here yet-that bino to Vixen looks great as does the other.So tripods....?

Thanks

[YKSE]

maybe you can check here about the tripod and bracket at the good, old amazon?

http://www.binocularsky.com/binoc_mount.php