Are my Binoculars fine? Or could I go stronger?

[Manok101]

I currently use my dad's Jason 10x50's, I can see things like M41, M31, Orion's nebula, etc, but was wondering if there were a set I could get on my own that was hand held and more powerful?

[Nexus 6]

Hi Manok,

10x50's are fine for observing with, most people on the forum would say they are the standard you should stick to for hand held bino observing. Once you go for a larger pair you need to think about mounting them on a tripod as they get more difficult to hold steady due to their weight.

Alan

[John]

I agree with Alan - 10x50 is about the max for hand held viewing. You will find you can see more with even those if you put them on a tripod - a truly steady view makes a lot of difference.

[vulcan]

I think that 'brighter' is better than 'stronger'. I currently have 10 x 50 but I'm going to get a 8 x 80 - less magnification, better light gathering.

[John]

I think that 'brighter' is better than 'stronger'. I currently have 10 x 50 but I'm going to get a 8 x 80 - less magnification, better light gathering.

Wow, that's an exit pupil of 10mm !

Isn't some of that light going to be wasted because of the max size of your eye's dilated pupil

[glowjet]

Wow, that's an exit pupil of 10mm !

Isn't some of that light going to be wasted because of the max size of your eye's dilated pupil

Yep, they reckon that an exit pupil of around 5mm is what you want, but it does depend on ones age, if you are young your eyes can take more, older less, but not much less than 5mm I believe.