Binoculars Addiction

Discuss binoculars.
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Max Nomad United States of America
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Re: Binoculars Addiction

#21

Post by Max Nomad »


Random Oberwerk update:

The past few nights have been especially interesting with the Oberwerk 9x60. Although I'm just doing basic star-hopping and satellite spotting I was impressed by two things: (1) their ability to cut through 18% cloud cover (i.e. - anything dimmer than Vega or Deneb isn't visible to the unaided eye) and (2) being able to take them from 74 degrees F indoors to 55 F outdoor ambient temp and get right into viewing with virtually no cool down. By comparison the Celestron Skymaster DX fogs up like a sauna. #TeamOberwerk
SKYWARE: "BANNEKER" (Orion XT8 Classic w/ 9x50 RACI), "SOJOURNER" (Celestron NexStar 90 GT), "HARRIET" (Celestron Travel Scope 70), "THE NIKES" (Nikon WP 10x50 ATB), "SPOTTER" (8x56 Celestron Skymaster DX), "HAWK" (9x60 Oberwerk LW) and "GOGGLES" (2.3x42 Kasai Wide Field). EPs: (1.25") Plossl 6mm, 8 to 24 Zoom, 25mm, 32mm, 2X Barlow, 3X Barlow. SOFTWARE: Android (Camera FV-5, Daff Moon, Sky Map, SkyPortal, Heavens Above), Linux (Cartes du Ciel, Stellarium, BOINC SETI), Windows (Celestia, Starry Night 7, TheSkyX, TUBA, Adobe CS5)
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Re: Binoculars Addiction

#22

Post by helicon »


I have had the Oberwerks out 2x this past week, had some more great views of M31 and M103, plus the Double Cluster. I have yet to see the Orion Nebula but I imagine it will be a revelation. I definitely recommend the 25x100's.
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
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Re: Binoculars Addiction

#23

Post by j.gardavsky »


Next year I will seriously consider to replace my old 25x100 FB, with either the 25x100 ED from APM, or with the 23x110 (not confirmed ED) from Teleskop Service.

The APM binos are light weight, but with a short eye relief, no threads for the filters.

The TS "Big Bertha" must be checked, so I would have to drive 2 hours to Munich, test the binos which may possibly have just the short flint (KZFS) instead of true ED, and then to drive 2 hours back.

That's the life,
JG
6" F/5 Sky-Watcher achro, 2" BBHS Star Diagonal, 2" zenith prism, 1.25" Takahashi prism
Leica 82mm APO Televid
Eyepieces: Docter UWA; Leica B WW and WW Asph. Zoom; Leica HC Plan S and L, monocentric; Pentax SMC XW, O-, XO; Tak MC O, Carl Zeiss B WW, and Pl, E-Pl, S-Pl, W-Pl;
Swarovski SW; Baader Symmetric Diascope Edition; Nikon NAV SW, ; TMB supermonocentric; Rodenstock; Vixen HR; TV Delos
Filters: Astrodon, Astronomik, Baader, Balzers, Zeiss West and East, Lumicon
Binoculars (7x42 up to 15x85): Docter Nobilem, Leica Ultravid, Nikon Astroluxe, Swarovski EL Swarovision; BA8 (Kunming Optical)
Jay6821 United States of America
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Re: Binoculars Addiction

#24

Post by Jay6821 »


I talked with Kevin, the owner of Oberwerk a couple of times recently and finally settled on the 20x65 ED Deluxe with the Series 4000 mount. Unfortunately, they are still in the box as I can't open them until Christmas. I had a tough time deciding between these and the 25x100 Deluxe. Besides the ED glass (I also do daytime viewing) a tipping point for these binoculars was the smaller size, which is easier to pack in carryon luggage on a plane.

However, I think it's just a matter of time before I add the 25x100 binoculars to my collection.
Celestron NexStar Evolution 8, StarSense AutoAlign, 1.25 "Stellarvue Dielectric Diagonal, Celestron X-Cel LX eyepieces, 2" Celestron diagonal, 2" Luminos eyepieces

Celestron Wedge, Canon EOS 7D

Oberwerk 20x65 ED Deluxe binoculars, Oberwerk 8x42 Sport ED binoculars, Oberwerk Series 4000 tripod with Series 5000 head, Oberwerk Series 2000 monopod (for airline travel)
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John Baars Netherlands
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Re: Binoculars Addiction

#25

Post by John Baars »


Jay6821 wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2019 2:46 am (...)However, I think it's just a matter of time before I add the 25x100 binoculars to my collection.
Very nice :D :lol:
Refractors in frequency of use : *SW Evostar 120ED F/7.5 (all round ), * Vixen 102ED F/9 (vintage), both on Vixen GPDX.
GrabnGo on Alt/AZ : *SW Startravel 102 F/5 refractor( widefield, Sun, push-to), *OMC140 Maksutov F/14.3 ( planets).
Most used Eyepieces: *Panoptic 24, *Morpheus 14, *Leica ASPH zoom, *Zeiss barlow, *Pentax XO5.
Commonly used bino's : *Jena 10X50 , * Canon 10X30 IS, *Swarovski Habicht 7X42, * Celestron 15X70, *Kasai 2.3X40
Rijswijk Public Observatory: * Astro-Physics Starfire 130 f/8, * 6 inch Newton, * C9.25, * Meade 14 inch LX600 ACF, *Lunt.
Amateur astronomer since 1970.
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Re: Binoculars Addiction

#26

Post by DeanD »


Jay6821 wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2019 2:46 am I talked with Kevin, the owner of Oberwerk a couple of times recently and finally settled on the 20x65 ED Deluxe with the Series 4000 mount. Unfortunately, they are still in the box as I can't open them until Christmas. I had a tough time deciding between these and the 25x100 Deluxe. Besides the ED glass (I also do daytime viewing) a tipping point for these binoculars was the smaller size, which is easier to pack in carryon luggage on a plane.

However, I think it's just a matter of time before I add the 25x100 binoculars to my collection.
I will look forward to hearing how the 20x65's go. If they really are comparable to the Tak 22x60's as claimed then they should punch well above their weight...

Have a fun Christmas!

- Dean
Telescopes: 12" f5 dob, Celestron CPC800, 150mmf5 Celestron achro, Tak TSA102, TV76, ETX125...
Binos: Steiner Wildlife XP 10x26, Swarovski 8x30 Habicht, Zeiss SFL 8x40, Vanguard Endeavour 10.5x45, Fuji FMTR-SX 10x50, Tak 22x60, Orion Resolux 15x70
Eyepieces: way too many (is that possible?), but I do like my TV 32mm plossl, 13mm Nagler T6, 27mm Panoptic and 3-6mm Nagler zoom, plus Fujiyama 18mm and 25mm orthos and Tak 7.5mm LE
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Re: Binoculars Addiction

#27

Post by helicon »


Looking forward to a first light report from the binos.
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
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Makuser United States of America
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Re: Binoculars Addiction

#28

Post by Makuser »


Hi all. Boy, am I thankful to have found this thread, which was recently "kicked up" (revisited). Like helicon (Michael), I am looking to upgrade my old SkyMaster 15x70 binoculars. All of the binocular experts that I have known for years on the old AF forum have contributed great information, analysis, and opinions. The Skmaster 15x70s have served me well for many years but I am looking for something larger now. I don't have a parallel (or parallelogram) mount, but I do have a hefty good quality photo tripod from the old photography days. I was thinking about the Oberwerk 25x100s but will now have to give the APM binos a look at too. Thanks for this great thread folks, and Jay, I too am hoping to see your first light review/report soon.
Marshall
Sky-Watcher 90mm f/13.8 Maksutov-Cassegrain on motorized Multimount
Orion Astroview 120ST f/5 Refractor on EQ3 mount
Celestron Comet Catcher 140mm f/3.64 Schmidt-Newtonian on alt-az mount
Celestron Omni XLT150R f/5 Refractor on CG4 mount with dual axis drives.
Orion 180mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain on CG5-GT Goto mount.
Orion XT12i 12" f/4.9 Dobsonian Intelliscope.
Kamakura 7x35 Binoculars and Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 Binoculars. ZWO ASI 120MC camera.
>)))))*>
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Re: Binoculars Addiction

#29

Post by John Baars »


Bino fever started when I was not even interested in astronomy yet. Twelve years old or so. Almost 65 now. Still have it. I try to calm it down by buying and restoring secondhand ones every now and than. No. There is no cure.
Refractors in frequency of use : *SW Evostar 120ED F/7.5 (all round ), * Vixen 102ED F/9 (vintage), both on Vixen GPDX.
GrabnGo on Alt/AZ : *SW Startravel 102 F/5 refractor( widefield, Sun, push-to), *OMC140 Maksutov F/14.3 ( planets).
Most used Eyepieces: *Panoptic 24, *Morpheus 14, *Leica ASPH zoom, *Zeiss barlow, *Pentax XO5.
Commonly used bino's : *Jena 10X50 , * Canon 10X30 IS, *Swarovski Habicht 7X42, * Celestron 15X70, *Kasai 2.3X40
Rijswijk Public Observatory: * Astro-Physics Starfire 130 f/8, * 6 inch Newton, * C9.25, * Meade 14 inch LX600 ACF, *Lunt.
Amateur astronomer since 1970.
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Re: Binoculars Addiction

#30

Post by Mandrew »


Well, I did it. I now own the Oberwerk 100mmED binocular telescope in the3 white pearl finish. I have the whole EP set that goes with them and their series 5000 tripod. Took it out the other night. I will tell you straight up. I have NO NEED for any telescope 6" or under any more! these things are a dream! Smooth as butter, tack sharp, clear as crystal. they come with 70 degree FOV eyepieces matched to the scope. The 70 degree 7x pair in 100mm ed glass Binos on star clusters is jaw dropping!!! Planets are a treat! the lower power EP's are a space walk. You can kill 2 hours on these without knowing what happened. this is a tool for a lifetime. My only telescope now is a 180mm maksutov-cass for lunar imaging. Foe quick views, I use my Oberwerk 15x70 Deluxe. Also just stunning views on clear nights! I am now a confirmed Oberwerk guy!
Devout bino lover and Lunaholic! Scopes - Celestron RASA 8, Orion 180mm Mak-Cass, 6"f8 dob, ST80. binos - Orion 7x50, Oberwerk 8x56 LW, Oberwerk 10x50 Deluxe, 15x70 Deluxe, Oberwerk 100mm ED Binocular telescope.
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