Help with 1st pair of bins

[AstroJen]

Hi there fellow stargazers!

Am pretty new to this. Have only been a member of this forum for just over a week, and have been getting some great advice!!!- I have loved Astronomy for waaaayyyyy over a month though ha!! Anyway, after some awesome tips I've been getting on here I have decided to start with bins. Was going to contact first light optics....checked there website out and saw some amazing looking 10*50's (which seems to be what everyone is suggesting for a first time buyer).

It's just there is so many different types...the ones I saw were 'Helious'...no idea what the difference is if I'm honest, so really need a hand to make sure I get the best ones...looking to spend roughly £100 (trying to save for a scope)...any thoughts???

Message me back any time!!

-Jen

[Jon65]

Jen,there is so much choice,ideally a visit to a store that sells bins is a worthwhile trip if you are spending in the region of £100 for them.Weight,feel and comfort at the eyepiece are all important considerations.

If you decide on mail order Strathspey are worth a look.

The 10x50 marine bins are well regarded

Strathspey Binoculars

[brianb]

Yes, the Strathspey 10x50 marine bins are very good value for money. However one of the strengths for astro work is the individual eye focusing - as opposed to the centre bar focusing (with one eye individually adjustable) more commonly used - very convenient for astro work as everything is at the same distance & once focused they tend to stay that way, but a right pain for birdwatching etc. If you think you may want the bins to be "dual purpose" then a centre focusing model may be more appropriate.

Nitrogen filled binoculars are well worth the extra, they will never get condensation on internal surfaces and neither can dust get inside.

[Doug]

Hi Jen

The Helios have a good name and they start from £85.00 for 10x50

Helios Aquila HR Binoculars 10x50 are 132.77 look very good

There is also the Clesteron 15x70 around the £50.00 mark

Strathspey are also very good the choice is yours please let us know your choice

Doug

Essex

[Keiran]

Hi Jen,

I cant say that I know a great deall about Binos, but I dont think you can go wrong with talking to FLO. A few months ago they were selling Celestro 15x70 for £50. Me, along with many others bought a pair, and they have to be one of the best purchases I have made.

Currently they are selling Revelation 15x70 for £50, and I have heard that these are just as good as the Celestrons.

I would suggest buying a pair that has larger optics than the 10x50, I have used a pair, and Find that it is far easier to use some with more light gathering.

A disadvantage with these are that the're heavier, but they can be mounted on a tripod.

As i say its just a suggestion, but it is worth asking others about.

I hope that helps, regards

Keiran

[BazMark]

I use a pair of Revelation 15x70s form FLO with a Konig monopod purchased form Amazon for less than £10. You'll need the metal 'L' adapter of course to mount the Binos to the monopod and Strathspey do one for about £10 which is the one I use. This combo works really well for me. I have a pair of 10x50s as well but the difference is quite noticeable especially if you switch back to them after using the 15x70s. You can see quite a bit more with the 15x70s.

[ollypenrice]

For a guaranteed honest and guaranteed well-informed answer you really can just ask FLO. Everyone on here will confirm that.

Olly

[Bone_Idle]

I recently got the Revelation 15x70's as a first step into stargazing. They're excellent but they are quite heavy. The don't feel it, but using them unsupported for more than a few minutes causes all sorts of shakes and wobbles (not to mention aches). I'm no 7stone weakling either.

So,I'd suggest trying a few pair if you can, especially if you are going to hand hold. Or think about ounting them on a mono pod or a tripod. I bought a tripod bracket and it makes life a lot easier. A stable view shows a lot more detail as it gives you time to really study what you're looking at.