TheSkySearchers

Hi All.

I've been intrigued lately by reading advertisements for very low-power (~2x) but "wide field" (Galilean) binoculars, which include those made by Vixen, Kasai Trading, and a new one by Astro Hutech that I just saw advertised today. The optics in these are not just trivial 2-lens opera-glasses (see, for example, the essay at: https://agenaastro.com/vixen-kasai-review.html) but the prices are not so trivial either.
Examples:
https://agenaastro.com/vixen-2-1x42-sup ... cular.html
https://agenaastro.com/kasai-trading-wi ... -view.html
https://agenaastro.com/astro-hutech-hin ... cular.html

Does anyone on this forum have thoughts to offer on how useful these really are to have handy for general-purpose/recreational astronomy? I have a pair of conventional 10x50 binoculars already. But these little guys are supposed to give the user a sort-of super-eyesight effect, by being low power/wide-field and gathering a lot more light than the naked eye, so the sky appears more full of stars, but steady to look at. Anyone have one of these? And if so, was it worth it/would you buy it all over again?

Thanks.

Some of the members here have these and seem to really like the low power wide field view of them.
If you are ever over at AF.net they have posted reviews in the binocular forums

I have the Kasai model and absolutely LOVE them!! Laid back in the zero gravity chair, the Milky Way is just astounding. If something were to happen to mine they would be replaced IMMEDIATELY!!

I have the Kasai version too: they were around 1/2 the price of the Vixens when I got them. Their optics are very good, and they give me a couple of magnitudes of very wide field so I can do some Milky Way or Magellanic Cloud exploring even under my urban sky (they let me pretend I am out in the country!). You get a much better wide field without eye glasses because of their Galilean design: the closer you can get your eyes the better.
I guess they do have a limited use: but if you like low power wide, sharp fields (without the shakes!) for Milky Way exploring like Ozman they are terrific.
I note that Kasai have upgraded theirs since I bought mine, so I suspect they will be even better.

All the best,

Dean

Ozman wrote: ↑Mon Jul 01, 2019 9:24 pm I have the Kasai model and absolutely LOVE them!! Laid back in the zero gravity chair, the Milky Way is just astounding. If something were to happen to mine they would be replaced IMMEDIATELY!!

I just order the Kasai Wide Field Binos from Agena. I consider this somewhere between an early birthday present and a rewarding myself for successfully pulling a client through a network disaster/recovery effort. Can't wait to use 'em...

Congrats on the addition. I have never looked through a pair but I bet the views are stunning!

I have not looked through them. However these binoculars are usually something like 2x40mm meaning the exit pupils are 20mm. This is waste of aperture. I've always thought that they should just make the objectives 15mm since that is the effective aperture anyway. It would make them much lighter to hold and more compact.

I found this review of the Kasai Binos: http://vtastro.org/wide-view-binoculars ... i-trading/. Has peaked my interest!

Dave

I have a set of the Vixen SG 2.1x42 binos and really like them as a quick grab and view they are gold easy to hold with no shaky views which puts me off anything over 8x for astronomy and if you're fortunate enough to live in or near or in a dark site that's when they really shine....