Best Astro-Binoculars For Amateur Astronomer? Celestron?

15 Comments

1. The Astronomer from Alkalurops says:

   February 6, 2010 at 10:22 am

   Nearest Celestron authorized dealer is in Singapore:
   http://www.astro.com.sg/

   Contact Person is Albert Lim..,
   Tel : +65 65674163
   Fax : +65 65674826
   E-mail : sales@astro.com.sg

   Next would be in Hong Kong here:
   http://www.grandeye.com.hk/

   Authorized Meade Dealer named Anthony Chung..,
   Tel: (852) 9638 3899
   E-mail: gesc@netvigator.com

   They both ship to the Philippines.

   Nice choice for the binoculars. Please be reminded that the shipping charges would certainly double the price while the waiting time would certainly be in a few month’s range. There’s a Bushnell distributor in Megamall though I don’t suggest their binoculars as was told by many other users here. MOA, nothing there also.

   Please note that I am not endorsing any of these companies nor is affiliated with any of them.

   Have you been to Puerto Galera?

   Clear skies!..,:-)
2. suitti says:

   February 6, 2010 at 11:13 am

   From an optics point of view, 20×80 is better for two reason. First, size matters. That is, the bigger the aperture the better. Second, 20x is better than 15x for most things. 15x should have a wider field of view. And they do. The 15x have a 4.4 degree FOV, and the 20x have a 3.2 degree FOV.

   http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=binocular_giant/~pcategory=binoculars/~product_id=09116
   http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=binocular_giant/~pcategory=binoculars/~product_id=09324

   I have a 22×60 spotting scope and 10×50 binoculars. Neither have zoom. IMO, avoid zoom. Replaceable eyepieces are good. But while i can kind of hand hold 10×50 binoculars, in practice, both need a tripod. I use 8x binoculars when i’m not carrying a tripod. And, the tripod can’t be a crappy $20 model. It’s got to be steady. Mine is $250 – but there is some evidence that they start getting stable at $100. I’m not an expert here. There’s another issue. Both my spotting scope and binoculars are straight-through. It’s very difficult to use either on the tripod looking at the zenith. I can comfortably look up about 45 degrees from the horizon.

   You might be able to get away with 15x binoculars and a cheap do it yourself project. And, this might help you see at steeper angles too. $15 and a couple hours.

   http://www.skyandtelescope.com/howto/diy/Image-Stabilize-Your-Binoculars.html

   Do you have a local astronomy club to check stuff out at?

   http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/organizations

   All this said, what i do is carry $50 8×21 binoculars, mostly to find stuff. Then, i use my 240×254 monocular (a Newtonian dob). I’m considering getting binoviewers. And, i’d really love to check out my club’s 556 mm dob with binoviewers some time. Now that’s binoculars!
3. Dump the liberals into Jupiter says:

   February 6, 2010 at 11:31 am

   I personally like my exit pupils to be between five and six millimeters, so my objective diameter in millimeters has to be five or six times the magnification. I bought an Orion 16×80 a few days ago, and I might buy a pair of 9×63 soon (even though the exit pupil on them is seven millimeters).

   Heavy binoculars? Arms getting tired? Put an air mattress in the back of your pickup truck, then lie down and look at the zenith all you want. Can be done with girls or binoculars, either one, but attempting to handle both at the same time can get awkward. Country boy astronomers can survive.
4. Boatman1 says:

   February 6, 2010 at 12:19 pm

   Between those two– the 20×80 — BUT you will need a tripod to hold it– just too big to hold steady without shaking.

   Build one of these-
   http://www.geocities.com/asegastronomy/Binomount.html

   or BUY this-
   http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=bino_accessories/~pcategory=binoculars/~product_id=05374
5. Sky Q says:

   February 6, 2010 at 1:07 pm

   I have both of those binoculars. I think the smaller pair is more practical. The bigger pair I can’t lift with my hands, I have to lie down on the ground and look straight up or put them on a tripod.

   But with the bigger pair I have actually discovered more Messier objects like open clusters and globular clusters.

   After about a year, I replaced the smaller pair because they just became too loose.

   Amazon.com has them, but I don’t know if they ship internationally.
6. Search first before you ask it says:

   February 6, 2010 at 1:49 pm

   Unless you plan to use a tripod every time you observe, I would go with the 15×70. They can be hand held (although many would argue that they too should be tripod mounted. With 20×80, there is no question that they will need to be tripod mounted, though they will deliver brighter images and show a little more detail on objects.
7. elfredna says:

   February 21, 2010 at 4:44 pm

   No. Every telescope is carefully designed around the specifications of its primary mirror. It's not just a matter of the 150 mm mirror not fitting in the 127 mm cell, but the tube itself must be at least an inch larger in diameter than the mirror to provide proper ventilation. A 127 mm reflector has a tube 6" to 7" in inside diameter — a 150 mm mirror in the same tube would suffer from tube currents and vignetting.
8. braman tre says:

   February 27, 2010 at 5:25 am

   Try going to big social events in your area, and maybe concerts.

   If you are genuine and nice to people you see and find interesting try asking them if you minded if you take their picture. Most people will either be embarrassed or will be very happy and flattered to have gained somebody's attention, especially a photographer! It helps if you see something on someone that draws your attention.

   i.e. If you see a man wearing a cool hat, walk up to him and tell him that you like his hat and was wondering if you could get some pictures.

   Also if they seem like they might let you photograph them, make sure you tell them it is for you portfolio and will be used for private purposes, and not anything commercial.
9. puffel says:

   March 3, 2010 at 6:39 am

   RT HP, Intel, General Mills Top List of Best Corporate Citizens #green #business
10. sitagaseca lund says:

    March 16, 2010 at 8:17 pm

    RT ur best friends r the 1's who tell u when ur messin up.. Fake friend say:: “u killen em out there.. keep doin u!.
11. vard says:

    March 18, 2010 at 2:02 am

    thank science for science. those people was crazy