Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

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515bonner United States of America
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Re: Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

#81

Post by 515bonner »


Bigzmey wrote: Tue Jun 16, 2020 10:05 pm My most used are Orion Little Giant II 15x70. They were made in early 2000 in Japan. I got them used from Goodwill. They were dirty but the collimation was spot on and optics cleaned out nicely.

They are sharpest out of all binos I have tried and lighter and more compact than modern versions of 15x70.

Image
I also have a pair of those 15x70's. I did have the 15x80's but they required a mount of some kind because the weight would tire you out after a while.
I sold the 15x80's and bought the 15x70's. Found they were a lot lighter in weight and gave me almost the exact same views as the 80's. They are a joy to use.
I have them with me all the time, even when I have the 14-1/2" Starmaster out, as they give those wide field views I enjoy after chasing down those faint fuzzies.

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Re: Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

#82

Post by Nakedgun »


For hand-held astro use from my backyard I use the Swift Kestrel 10x50s:
IMGP2976 - Copy (2).JPG


When I travel to dark skies I bring the 10x50 SLCs:
IMGP4947 - Copy (2).JPG
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Re: Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

#83

Post by 25585 »


Strathspey/Ostara Elinor 10x50 and Orion mini-giant 9x63. Both can be handheld for short periods of time. Also Helios 11x70.

All the above have long eye relief, good exit pupil behaviour, and are ergonomically comfortable.
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Re: Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

#84

Post by pakarinen »


Mainly using my newish Orion Giant View 15x70s now. They're tough to use without a tripod though.

The 10x50s have become the default pair for watching wildlife around the pond.
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I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do.
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AT50, AT72EDII, ST80, ST102; Scopetech Zero, AZ-GTi, AZ Pronto; Innorel RT90C, Oberwerk 5000; Orion Giantview 15x70s, Vortex 8x42s, Navy surplus 7x50s, Nikon 10x50s
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Re: Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

#85

Post by John Fitzgerald »


Probably the binocular that gets used the most for astronomy is the 15x70 Celestron, followed closely by the 11x56 Oberwerk. Both are used on a homemade aluminium parallelogram mount on old Super Polaris tripod legs.
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Re: Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

#86

Post by Seeker »


10x50 Oberwerk Ultra and 12x50 Nikon AE are most used. I also have 8x40, 15x70 and 20x80. Of these the 8x40 is most used.
TELESCOPES: GSO 10" Dob, Orion XT8i . BINOS: 15x70, 12x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EYEPIECES: 2" - APM's. 1.25" - APM's, Morphei & BHZ + TV P2.
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Re: Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

#87

Post by Thomas_M44 »


I find 7X50 to be the most useful for hand-held astronomical use.

My 7X50 binos are regularly used as a finder aid for my telescopes.

The Fujinon FMT-SX Polaris 7X50’s have a generous 20mm eye-relief, and these are the best and most useful astronomical binoculars I have ever owned.

With any binocular of larger aperture and/or magnification than 7X50 I would certainly prefer to use a mounting for stability.
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TELESCOPES: GSO 150mm f/6 Newtonian with 2” linear bearing focuser; TeleVue TV85 85mm f/7 apo refractor MOUNTINGS: Berlebach Uni Tripod with Stellarvue M2C alt/az mount head/pillar EYEPIECE SETS: Masuyama 85-Deg AFOV; TeleVue Plossl’s; KK Fujiyama Abbe Ortho's; Edmund RKE’s; Starbase Kellner's (by Takahashi) BARLOWS: Nikon EiC16 1.6X; TeleVue 2X & 3X; GSO ED 2” TELECENTRIC AMPLIFIERS: TeleVue Powermates 2.5X, 4X, 5X FILTERS, 2”: Baader Contrast Booster; Baader 570nm Orange Longpass; TeleVue Bandmate Type II Nebustar DIAGONALS: APM 2” Standard Prism (BK7); APM 2” Amici Prism (BK7) BINOCULARS: Fujinon 7X50 FMT-SX Polaris
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Re: Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

#88

Post by WilliamPaolini »


I have 7x35, 8x42, and 12x50 binoculars. Of these, by far, the 12x50s get the most use for both astronomy and birding. They (Nikon 12x50 AEs) are a bit big for birding, but I like the magnification as easier to see the smaller details on the bird for identification.
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Re: Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

#89

Post by Nakedgun »


~

For hand-holding, the 10x50 SLCs are my most-liked.


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:
IMGP0449.JPG

:
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Re: Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

#90

Post by Ylem »


Definitely my Orion mini giants 9x63 :) so easy to hold steady, fine quality, made in Japan and Orion still sells them at $199.95, worth every penny 🙂
Clear Skies,
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Re: Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

#91

Post by Bigzmey »


Ylem wrote: Thu Dec 29, 2022 5:10 pm Definitely my Orion mini giants 9x63 :) so easy to hold steady, fine quality, made in Japan and Orion still sells them at $199.95, worth every penny 🙂
Mini Giants are definitely a well made line of binos. I have 15x70 and love it!
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

#92

Post by Nakedgun »


Ylem wrote: Thu Dec 29, 2022 5:10 pm Definitely my Orion mini giants 9x63 :) so easy to hold steady, fine quality, made in Japan and Orion still sells them at $199.95, worth every penny 🙂
~

Orion's current binocular lineup includes no binos made in Japan, alas. I do regret not buying the MIJ models when they could still be had.


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Re: Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

#93

Post by Bigzmey »


Nakedgun wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 4:58 pm
Ylem wrote: Thu Dec 29, 2022 5:10 pm Definitely my Orion mini giants 9x63 :) so easy to hold steady, fine quality, made in Japan and Orion still sells them at $199.95, worth every penny 🙂
~

Orion's current binocular lineup includes no binos made in Japan, alas. I do regret not buying the MIJ models when they could still be had.


.
Orion still offers Mini Giants

https://www.telescope.com/Orion/Orion-M ... p/9463.uts

But it says "Designed exclusively for Orion by a premier Japanese high-quality optics company." Did they move manufacturing out of Japan?
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

#94

Post by Ylem »


Nakedgun wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 4:58 pm
Ylem wrote: Thu Dec 29, 2022 5:10 pm Definitely my Orion mini giants 9x63 :) so easy to hold steady, fine quality, made in Japan and Orion still sells them at $199.95, worth every penny 🙂
~

Orion's current binocular lineup includes no binos made in Japan, alas. I do regret not buying the MIJ models when they could still be had.


.
It still shows them for sale, with Japanese optics, idk if they are now assembled elsewhere.

https://www.telescope.com/Orion-Mini-Gi ... p/9463.uts
Clear Skies,
-Jeff :telescopewink:


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Orion 80ED
Celestron C5, 6SE, Celestar 8
Vixen Porta Mount ll
Coronado PST
A big box of Plossls
Little box of filters
:D



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Re: Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

#95

Post by Nakedgun »


Bigzmey wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 9:38 pm
Nakedgun wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 4:58 pm
Ylem wrote: Thu Dec 29, 2022 5:10 pm Definitely my Orion mini giants 9x63 :) so easy to hold steady, fine quality, made in Japan and Orion still sells them at $199.95, worth every penny 🙂
~

Orion's current binocular lineup includes no binos made in Japan, alas. I do regret not buying the MIJ models when they could still be had.


.
Orion still offers Mini Giants

https://www.telescope.com/Orion/Orion-M ... p/9463.uts

But it says "Designed exclusively for Orion by a premier Japanese high-quality optics company." Did they move manufacturing out of Japan?
Ylem wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 10:10 pm
Nakedgun wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 4:58 pm
Ylem wrote: Thu Dec 29, 2022 5:10 pm Definitely my Orion mini giants 9x63 :) so easy to hold steady, fine quality, made in Japan and Orion still sells them at $199.95, worth every penny 🙂
~

Orion's current binocular lineup includes no binos made in Japan, alas. I do regret not buying the MIJ models when they could still be had.


.
It still shows them for sale, with Japanese optics, idk if they are now assembled elsewhere.

https://www.telescope.com/Orion-Mini-Gi ... p/9463.uts

~

Before posting on this, I contacted Orion directly and was informed that all their binoculars are now made in China.

The Mini Giants, and others, may be well-made, I have no idea. Still, I wish I had bought the MIJ models.



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Re: Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

#96

Post by Jerome Howard »


I use:

Oberwerk 15x70 LW
Celestron Ultima 10x50
Celestron Regal ED 8x42
Canon 8x20 IS
Kowa BD II-XD 6.5x32

I use the big one on a tripod, and the others hand held.
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Re: Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

#97

Post by Bigzmey »


Jerome Howard wrote: Mon Jan 09, 2023 10:18 pm I use:

Oberwerk 15x70 LW
Celestron Ultima 10x50
Celestron Regal ED 8x42
Canon 8x20 IS
Kowa BD II-XD 6.5x32

I use the big one on a tripod, and the others hand held.
Welcome to TSS Jerome! This is a nice collection of binos. How useful are Canon 8x20 IS for astronomical targets?
Scopes: Stellarvue: SV102ED; Celestron: 9.25" EdgeHD, 8" SCT, 150ST, Onyx 80ED; iOptron: Hankmeister 6" Mak; SW: 7" Mak; Meade: 80ST.
Mounts: SW: SkyTee2, AzGTi; iOptron: AZMP; ES: Twilight I; Bresser: EXOS2; UA: MicroStar.
Binos: APM: 100-90 APO; Canon: IS 15x50; Orion: Binoviewer, LG II 15x70, WV 10x50, Nikon: AE 16x50, 10x50, 8x40.
EPs: Pentax: XWs & XFs; TeleVue: Delites, Panoptic & Plossls; ES: 68, 62; Vixen: SLVs; Baader: BCOs, Aspherics, Mark IV.
Diagonals: Baader: BBHS mirror, Zeiss Spec T2 prism, Clicklock dielectric; TeleVue: Evebrite dielectric; AltairAstro: 2" prism.
Filters: Lumicon: DeepSky, UHC, OIII, H-beta; Baader: Moon & SkyGlow, Contrast Booster, UHC-S, 6-color set; Astronomik: UHC.

Observing: DSOs: 3106 (Completed: Messier, Herschel 1, 2, 3. In progress: H2,500: 2180, S110: 77). Doubles: 2382, Comets: 34, Asteroids: 255
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Re: Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

#98

Post by Jerome Howard »


I use the Canon 8x20 IS mostly for wathing ISS flyovers. They work great and it's easy to keep the ISS centered in the FOV and steady. I enjoys watching how it changes colors as it heads away from the sun.
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Re: Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

#99

Post by Jerome Howard »


Oh, and thanks for the welcome.
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Re: Which binoculars do you use most for astronomy?

#100

Post by Nakedgun »


Jerome Howard wrote: Mon Jan 09, 2023 10:18 pm I use:

Oberwerk 15x70 LW
Celestron Ultima 10x50
Celestron Regal ED 8x42
Canon 8x20 IS
Kowa BD II-XD 6.5x32

I use the big one on a tripod, and the others hand held.
~

Here's another vote for the Kowa 6.5s. Their 10° field comes in handy.


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:

IMGP4281 - Copy.JPG


:
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