Can't decide which Binoculars to buy

[Acme1970]

I'm looking for a good pair of Binoculars to sit around my backyard and view the night sky and i've narrowed it down to 3 sizes, 25x70, 20x80 & 25x100, Now i realize that i'm going to need a tripod for all three of these and that's not a problem (i was going to buy one anyway) and i don't plan on using these anywhere but my backyard, Money is not a concern either (for these 3 at least), But what i wanna know is how much better is the 20x80 over the 25x70 and is the 25x100 a little over the top for just recreational use.

[Tinker1947]

You will be a lot better off with less weighty bins, the type you have listed will need a tripod and there goes your laying back in a chair viewing experience, low power something like 8 X 42 will give a much better view while layed back in a recliner.....

[baggywrinkle]

Tripods are OK but when the object you want to view is at zenith then they are a pain in the neck (litterally) to use and  for the big models a pantograph mount and a good chair is the only really useful option.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I use my 15x70 hand-held quite a bit, and I can manage. Better options are my P-mount, which works both from a recliner and just standing. A monopod with trigger grip also works well according to many.

I would avoid the 25x70, as it has rather high magnification for its aperture; 15x70 hits a sweet spot for me. I have hand held a (surprisingly light) 20x80 Vixen Arc, and am contemplating getting their 16x80 model (50g or so lighter than my 15x70). 25x100 is a seriously heavier piece of kit, with a lot narrower FOV. Great type of instrument, but I would get a 45 or 90 deg model on a sturdy tripod IF I ever get one. They are not exactly grab and go.

[wookie1965]

Tripods are OK but when the object you want to view is at zenith or high in the sky then they are a pain in the neck (litterally) to use and  for the big models a pantograph mount and a good chair is the only really useful option.

Deja vu Lol

[Acme1970]

Thanks, I guess bigger is not always better