Binocular numbers?

[Leegsi]

What does the say 10x50 numbers meen?

[Paladin]

10 refers to the magnification and 50 is the size of the main lens in millemetres.

Paul

[Leegsi]

So the higher the number the better?

[Jarndyce]

So the higher the number the better?

Not necessarily. As with all things astronomical, magnification isn't the most important factor. Anything above 10x is very hard to hold still, so you'll need some sort of mount or tripod.

I use 8 x 56s. These are great for stargazing.

If you divide the aperture by the magnification, it gives you the exit pupil size. This should be as high as possible, but above 7mm is not useful as it's larger than the maximum human pupil size and so the extra light is wasted.

As a rule, the larger the exit pupil, the brighter the image.

[argonaut]

Could I just say that useful exit pupil size depends on your dark adapted pupil size.

In my late 50's,anything over 5mm is not much good to me. Now,if I was in my 30's,then 7mm would be about right.

10x50's are a good binocular to own. I do sometimes struggle at 10x magnification to hold them steady. So,I also have a pair of 8x42's (5.25mm exit pupil) when I get Caffeine shake :-)

Glen.

[asteria]

Hi - big is not necessarily better with lens size either, as larger lens mean more glass and bigger binos, hence more weight. This means that they are difficult to hold up for more than a short period of time without neck and shoulder strain.

I have just got some 9x63mm and this is just about the maximum for me with weight and size. I was surprised how much bigger 63mm binos were compared to 50mm. (Although they don't weigh that much more.)

Ed

[The Warthog]

OTOH, I am going to get a tripod adapter and a monopod for my binocs, this will replace the broom handle or long-handled shovel that I have used to stabilize my binoculars for many years.

[ron.s.g]

Hi Leegsi i have 10x50 and 25x100 which i have a tripod for as they are very heavy,

bought to take on holiday with me.

regards ron.s.g

ps i use the bigger bins when cloudy but want to spend some time outside.

[Leegsi]

I have some 50x70 with a tripod that we use for bird watching sometimes and didnt know if they would be suited to Astronomy or not.

[jgs001]

The 70mm aperture is very good for astro use. I'm not sure about the power though, the FOV might be a little restrictive thereby eliminating the main benefit of bins in the first place I'd have thought. I've got 10x50's which are good and light, and 15x70's which reveal more but need a tripod for any long viewing sessions.

[argonaut]

Just something about using two eyes for widefield views. I have tried a bino viewer a few years ago and couldn't get on with it for some reason.

Is there a scientific word for binocular lovers

No doubt we can have a lttle fun with the suggestions. Well,not all the suggestions

Glen.

[Rosanella]

...

I use 8 x 56s. These are great for stargazing.

If you divide the aperture by the magnification, it gives you the exit pupil size. This should be as high as possible, but above 7mm is not useful as it's larger than the maximum human pupil size and so the extra light is wasted.

As a rule, the larger the exit pupil, the brighter the image.

That's useful. Thanks for that

[ron.s.g]

How about binut

ron.s.g

[argonaut]

I've been called worse than that Ron

This cloudy weather is doing my head in

Clear Skies.

Glen.

[themos]

I still need to try this contraption

[Doc]

Looks like a medievil torture contraption.

Off with your head

[argonaut]

That could be the new fashion statement for bino addicts

I have seen similar devices before.

I believe they do work very well.

Please give us a report when you've given it a go.

Glen.

[themos]

That's not me in the photo. I currently use a tripod with its legs put together like a monopod and hold it up, the large moment of inertia and mass seems to do the trick but it's not optimal.

[philsail1]

Just imaginge someone with that binocular "rig" wandering (enthusiastically!) around an SGL campsite on a dark night! The person would be very popular!

I thought the whole essence of "Binocular" astronomy was for the observer to have the ultimate in a "Grab-and-Go" instrument - or am I missing something!!

Regards,

philsail1

[themos]

I built the contraption yesterday evening and tested it out with two friends. They are complete beginners to the hobby and they managed to find the Beehive cluster. It certainly cuts out the higher wobble frequencies.

[ron.s.g]

How was the shoulders after use did they ache or was it ok.

ron.s.g

[themos]

No aches and pain so far! I think I might "mould" it a bit at the shoulders and add some padding. Also, the pivoting slab is too tall and needs cutting back and I need to sort out a proper threaded rod to go all the way from one of the parallel bars to the other with wingnut fasteners at the ends.