20x80 or 25x100 purchase

[Russko13]

Hi guys have been using Olympus 10x50 for a while now and have a horizon heavy duty 2 way tripod on the way for mounting them on, from what I've read they will happily support a pair of bigger bins and I'm looking to get a pair shortly as I often go out observing with the other half and would love to have another pair to hand aswell as something a bit more powerful than what I've been used to. Is anyone familiar with big bins and would I see much difference in 25x100 than I would from 20x80

[NGC 1502]

The 25x100 bins will go a bit 'deeper' - show objects a little brighter and obviously larger than 20x80.

Downside -  25x100  heavier so better mounting needed to be fully adequate, bit narrower field of view, and more money for equivalent quality.

If you've been used to 10x50, the 20x80 would be a significant upgrade. I've borrowed my club's Vixen 20x80 bins, very nice indeed.

Hope that helps a bit, Ed.

[Damo636]

Both will be a significant step up from your 10x50, but just be aware, the Horizon 8115 will struggle (big time!) with a 25x100. I've owned that tripod/head, and while the tripod was pretty good, the head was at it's butt to properly support my 2 1/2 kg 15x70. It carried it yes, but the clutches had to be tensioned up so much, it made using the instrument a real chore!

[Markinaboat]

I agree with Damo, my 8115 was not perfect for the 15x70's.

[dezzie]

For that sort of money I would have bought these, fantastic semi apo binos, have really excellent write ups on the forums, just waiting for the full apo version coming out this month and seeing there reviews - http://www.apm-telescopes.de/en/Binoculars/Giant-Binoculars-100mm-aperture-and-more/APM-100-mm-ED-SemiApo-Binocular.html

[Russko13]

Thanks for the input guys I think I will go for 20x80 as price gets a lot more for the 25's and would still be satisfied with nearly double the man and aperture of my current bins

[Russko13]

Orion have a good deal Aswell a pair of 20x80 on a heavy duty tripod for £212 looks like a bargain to me, has anyone used these before?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00D2LDU6K/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1389690838&sr=8-1π=AC_SX110_SY165

[Markinaboat]

Orion have a good deal Aswell a pair of 20x80 on a heavy duty tripod for £212 looks like a bargain to me, has anyone used these before?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00D2LDU6K/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1389690838&sr=8-1π=AC_SX110_SY165

If you're looking at the budget end of the market, this seems to be a good deal:

http://www.telescopehouse.com/acatalog/Revelation-20x80-Binoculars---Astro-187-Tripod-Megadeal.html

But it would be worth your while searching these forums for information on United Optics Kunmig who make the majority of these binoculars. They can look the same from around £60 - £300+ (for the 15x70's but the same applies to all sizes) and there are of course reasons for this. eg; the cheaper ones do not have the same (or any!) level of quality control at the factory, allowing the end user to do the QC as it's cheaper for them to replace/send another pair to the dealer. Collimation at the budget end is regularly out from the factory. Also, the lens' vary tremendously - a well known popular 15x70 model is actually 15x63 and so on.

However, you still get a lot for your money!

Hope this doesn't confuse the issue!

[Markinaboat]

If you're looking at the budget end of the market, this seems to be a good deal:

http://www.telescopehouse.com/acatalog/Revelation-20x80-Binoculars---Astro-187-Tripod-Megadeal.html

But it would be worth your while searching these forums for information on United Optics Kunmig who make the majority of these binoculars. They can look the same from around £60 - £300+ (for the 15x70's but the same applies to all sizes) and there are of course reasons for this. eg; the cheaper ones do not have the same (or any!) level of quality control at the factory, allowing the end user to do the QC as it's cheaper for them to replace/send another pair to the dealer. Collimation at the budget end is regularly out from the factory. Also, the lens' vary tremendously - a well known popular 15x70 model is actually 15x63 and so on.

However, you still get a lot for your money!

Hope this doesn't confuse the issue!

I should have said the deal is £139 for 20x80 and tripod

[Markinaboat]

If you're looking at the budget end of the market, this seems to be a good deal:

http://www.telescopehouse.com/acatalog/Revelation-20x80-Binoculars---Astro-187-Tripod-Megadeal.html

But it would be worth your while searching these forums for information on United Optics Kunmig who make the majority of these binoculars. They can look the same from around £60 - £300+ (for the 15x70's but the same applies to all sizes) and there are of course reasons for this. eg; the cheaper ones do not have the same (or any!) level of quality control at the factory, allowing the end user to do the QC as it's cheaper for them to replace/send another pair to the dealer. Collimation at the budget end is regularly out from the factory. Also, the lens' vary tremendously - a well known popular 15x70 model is actually 15x63 and so on.

However, you still get a lot for your money!

Hope this doesn't confuse the issue!

I'm not sure but think the Revelations/Skymaster here would be BA2's, does anyone know? http://www.united-optics.com/products/binoculars/Giant_Binoculars/Giant_Binoculars.html

[Russko13]

Looking at the Orion's they are bak4 fully multiple coated which is the reason for choosing them at there low price can't find any info on the revelations being coated optics and not sure on the bak

[Markinaboat]

The Revelations are also BAK4, I think most are with regard to the lens coatings. The BA series number is the model produced with the number increasing in quality/cost. The Delta Extreme 15x70ED's (similar to Hlios Apollo, TS Marine) I recently sold were BA8.

If you havent read Steve's info on his site http://binocularsky.com/ then it is definitely worthwhile!

Have fun, it'll be worth it in the end :-)