Binoculars £100 - £150

danoliver1 said:
Yes. It also magnifies hand shake which is why when you go over 12x you really need a tripod. Also the higher the magnification the narrower the field of view becomes.
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Do you think the 12x zoom is worth it over the 10x (£10 more) on the Pentax SP 50mm WP?
Pretty much decided on these based on reviews on multiple sites and your help, plus others on here

Thanks
 
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you can get away without having a tripod, you can use a monopod or a bipod easily enough, it make a *huge* difference to viewing/shaking. You don't even have to 'fix' the binos on it, just use it as a prop. Its a trick deer stalker use and it's really magic with a bit of practice.

For binos, beside the recommendations, if you get a chance to get to try the "HD" version of Minox or (especially) Vortex it's worth trying, I have a pair of Vortex HD that are nothing short of /amazing/ compared to the typical run-of the mill bino, I mean, the clarity, light, FoV, eye relief are a *mile* from "normal" binos. I spent several hours with like 12 pairs of binos one day before picking that up.
 
BusError said:
For binos, beside the recommendations, if you get a chance to get to try the "HD" version of Minox or (especially) Vortex it's worth trying, I have a pair of Vortex HD that are nothing short of /amazing/ compared to the typical run-of the mill bino, I mean, the clarity, light, FoV, eye relief are a *mile* from "normal" binos. I spent several hours with like 12 pairs of binos one day before picking that up.
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Like these, there seem to by many Vortex HD models
https://www.uttings.co.uk/p131948-vortex-crossfire-hd-10x50-binoculars-cf-4313/#.XlGqAEqnyuc
 
ordinary straight-through binoculars don't work well with a tripod anyway - try looking up at the zenith with them mounted on one :) Normally you would want to recline in a deckchair or similar so you can relax, take the weight off, and look UP. 45 or 90 degree astro bins are perfect for a sitting position. Don't underestimate the value of being able to hold your binoculars very steady, you might think you can hold 10x binos well enough but you can't - you'll only see the brighter objects. It's takes time for your eyes to adjust to the view of dim objects and you cannot do that when hand-holding. You need some sort of support.

These are my standard grab 'n go binos:


These are my binos for more serious observations. Fit in the back of the car easily enough (tripod was home made). Uses 20x and 30x interchangeable eyepieces.


 
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Guest2 said:
Do you think the 12x zoom is worth it over the 10x (£10 more) on the Pentax SP 50mm WP?
Pretty much decided on these based on reviews on multiple sites and your help, plus others on here

Thanks
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At 12x power unless you use a tripod or monopod then stars will be jumping all over the place because of hand shake. Personally i would be looking at 8x for astronomy mainly for the wide fov. 10x is usable too but you do loose a bit of fov.
 
danoliver1 said:
At 12x power unless you use a tripod or monopod then stars will be jumping all over the place because of hand shake. Personally i would be looking at 8x for astronomy mainly for the wide fov. 10x is usable too but you do loose a bit of fov.
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Do poeple use image stabalizing binoculars to star gaze or are they for generally used for moving targets?
 
Guest2 said:
Do poeple use image stabalizing binoculars to star gaze or are they for generally used for moving targets?
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They are very good, I've tried Canon stabilised binos and they are amazing - for hand-held observing that is. However, you get the very same excelent stable view if you use a support for standard binos, and you can get better optics for the same asking price :-)
 
Thanks. Guess they are more for hunting & military use where constant movement is needed for moving targets. Also not carrying a tripod about
 
Guest2 said:
They arrived today. Fantastic quality (bins and optics) much better than some Nikon ones I tried in Jessops for a similar price
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Oh they're pretty. I have an old pair of compact Pentax 10x24 and they're great but very narrow field of view at only 6°
 
I have a pair of Helios Lightquest. I picked them up last week when I was buying an Obsession telescope from a seller and he also parted with his bins.
 
Guest2 said:
According to specs the 10x50 are 5°
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Not these.

The current models may be but these have got to be at least thirty years old. The lens caps have long gone.

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Feek said:
Duh, sorry. That means mine are wider FoV than your new ones? I assumed larger optics meant wider FoV.
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The same. I thought so too but not sure what “Real field of view” means. I’m quite sure some binoculars will state a higher fov but won’t actually look as wide for whatever reason
 
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