Narrow IPD : (

[RobH2020]

Hi all,

I have an interpuplillary distance of about 54.5mm. 

My first astronomy purchase was used Celestron  Skymaster 15x70s from ebay. Got them and I couldn't see through them because of my stupidly narrow eyes. Luckily I sold them for the same price I bought them.

I've since bought a 6" dobsonion telescope and love that, so binoculars are less of an interest.

However, as I can't fit the scope in the car with the family if we venture anywhere darker than where I live, it'd be great to have some binoculars.

I find that "compact" binoculars (double-hinged ones) easily go into my IPD range. But these tend to max out at 10x25 spec.

My question is - are 10x25 compacts a good enough size to bother with looking at the skies? or are they too small to be worth it?

I know there are a few bigger binoculars out there that do have narrow IPDs, but they're few and far between and cost more than I currently want to spend (£100 or less).

Also... very newbie question but why might some 10x25 binoculars cost a third the price of other 10x25 binoculars from the same manufacturer and shop? i.e. what are the quality differences to look out for? (Thinking specifically of Opticron Adventurer vs Opticron Aspheric). Do you get different FOVs with binoculars and that drives some of the difference, like with telescope eyepieces?

 

Many thanks!
Rob

Edited February 25, 2020 by RobH2020

[RobH2020]

Also is there any way that ebay adverts like this are true that say the binocular are 60 x 60, when they're clearly way smaller than a 25x70 celestron skymaster?? 

[SpaceBass]

I have the same challenge as you😅.  

Kowa 6x30 and 8x30 YF (and the similar Vortex Raptor) close down to 50mm and have good quality optics. The 6x30 are down to £82 at the moment, which is great value.  

The Canon 10x30 and 12x36 IS models, have a stated IPD of 55mm, so might be worth a try from a retailer with a good return policy

https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/details/binoculars/is-binoculars/10-x-30-is

[RobH2020]

2 hours ago, SpaceBass said:

I have the same challenge as you😅.  

Kowa 6x30 and 8x30 YF (and the similar Vortex Raptor) close down to 50mm and have good quality optics. The 6x30 are down to £82 at the moment, which is great value.  

The Canon 10x30 and 12x36 IS models, have a stated IPD of 55mm, so might be worth a try from a retailer with a good return policy

https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/details/binoculars/is-binoculars/10-x-30-is

Thanks for your reply! 

Do you find 30 is enough aperture for stargazing?

I'm also looking at Opticron Adventurer 10x50...

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/all-binoculars/opticron-adventurer-10x50-t-wp-binocular.html

[mark81]

Rob, I have found 30mm to be a bit on the small side. Although the wider field of view is nice its not quite enough .  The 50mm will show you endless faint fuzzies from a dark site and the bigger DSOs will look great... You may want to look at the 7x50s as the slightly lower mag makes the image easier to keep steady...

Mark

[Second Time Around]

The 30mm binoculars mentioned above are image stabilised models. I have the 12x36 version and because of the image stabilisation they outperform my 10x50s.  However they're way over your budget.

I haven't used the Opticron Adventurers but I do have some 8x42 Opticron Discoveries.  Based on my experience with the latter I'd expect the Adventurers to be a good choice, and as mentioned they were well reviewed by someone very experienced.

[BinocularSky]

I keep a spreadsheet with the data of all the binocs I review or own, plus a few others. Those that are in your price range and go below 54.5 (I measure them, not just copy from vendors' specs)are:
Vortex Raptor 6,5x32 (50)
Opticron Adventurer T WP 10x50 (53)
Opticron Adventurer T WP 8x42 (52.5)

Frankly, at its current price of £79, that 10x50 Adventurer is a steal. My review of it is at http://binocularsky.com/binoc_reviews.php

HTH

[RobH2020]

2 hours ago, BinocularSky said:

I keep a spreadsheet with the data of all the binocs I review or own, plus a few others. Those that are in your price range and go below 54.5 (I measure them, not just copy from vendors' specs)are:
Vortex Raptor 6,5x32 (50)
Opticron Adventurer T WP 10x50 (53)
Opticron Adventurer T WP 8x42 (52.5)

Frankly, at its current price of £79, that 10x50 Adventurer is a steal. My review of it is at http://binocularsky.com/binoc_reviews.php

HTH

Thanks for this Steve, much appreciated!

[RobH2020]

22 hours ago, BinocularSky said:

Frankly, at its current price of £79, that 10x50 Adventurer is a steal. My review of it is at http://binocularsky.com/binoc_reviews.php

I have actually ordered these now, excitedly await their arrival! And the thought of taking them to the Alps in the summer where the skies are darker...

[RobH2020]

Got these today, they're beauts! 

Does anyone have tips to stop the stars dancing around when you're holding the binoculars by hand? Just have to support the elbows somehow i guess...

On 26/02/2020 at 13:45, BinocularSky said:

 

Frankly, at its current price of £79, that 10x50 Adventurer is a steal. My review of it is at http://binocularsky.com/binoc_reviews.php

HTH

 

[mark81]

Nice one Rob.

A monopod would be best if you really want to study objects, but sitting back in a recliner and wedging your elbows can really help.  Also have a go at holding the bins either at the end or at the front - see if that helps... Sometimes just sitting down can help...

Mark

[BinocularSky]

On 02/03/2020 at 22:38, RobH2020 said:

Got these today, they're beauts! 

Does anyone have tips to stop the stars dancing around when you're holding the binoculars by hand? Just have to support the elbows somehow i guess...

Yes 🙂  - see http://binocularsky.com/binoc_hold.php

[RobH2020]

2 hours ago, BinocularSky said:

Yes 🙂  - see http://binocularsky.com/binoc_hold.php

Great link, thanks!!

I particularly like the upturned broom suggestion at the end 😂 now that's an affordable mount!

[BinocularSky]

53 minutes ago, RobH2020 said:

I particularly like the upturned broom suggestion at the end 😂 now that's an affordable mount!

Here's the deluxe version: height adjustable, and cranked for astronomer's-beerbelly-clearance :

[Stormbringer]

3 hours ago, BinocularSky said:

Here's the deluxe version: height adjustable, and cranked for astronomer's-beerbelly-clearance :

i would need a bigger crank 🍻🍻🤣