TheSkySearchers

I think I've reignited my craving for optics... but instead of telescopes I've shifted to binoculars.

After a few years of using my Nikon 10x50 for satellite spotting and star-hopping practice I thought that less magnification and more aperture would better serve that purpose. Several weeks ago I bought the Celestron Skymaster 8x56 and it was pretty decent, could probably use a collimation tweak. The Celestron gave me the feeling that the Nikon had spoiled me a bit as far as what to expect. I then purchased the Kasai 2.3x40 Wide Field binos. In both cases I found myself craving "More light! More light!" (to borrow von Goethe's last words). And once again, I saw certain nameless regulars here (and at AF) sing the praises of Oberwerk's binoculars. I finally went ahead and bought their 9x60 LW along with a Series 2000 monopod. They arrived a couple of days ago...

As soon as I opened the boxes I knew there was a problem -- everything that Oberwerk sent reeked of QUALITY. Even the checklist was filled out by hand.

The binoculars are light, feel great and came finely tuned. The monopod feels like something that belongs in a superhero movie, sturdy enough to fight crime and still hold any binos lighter than 15x70. And if that wasn't enough joy the sky gods saw fit to give me back to back nights of cloudless, above average transparency and seeing.

So, now here I am... fighting off the urge to order a larger set from Oberwerk. I had made a promise to myself not to buy any more telescopes until I had finished the Astronomy League's Messier program with binoculars. And I had been doing well with that... until Oberwerk came along. Now I think I'm strung out on binoculars. If they only had a patch for glass optics.

Any tips of kicking the addiction would be appreciated. Or, if nothing else, connect with my misery by sharing some good binoculars stories. ;-)

Well, I have a serious "jones" for the Swarovski EL 8.5X42.
I DO NOT BELIEVE THERE IS A CURE....

I have spent many outings with no other optic but a set of Binoculars. I recently did several hours hand holding my Oberwerk 25X100...I was inspired...reclining and propping the objective end on my knees.

What more to say.

I love my binoculars !

I gave a friend my old Vixen 10x50 binoculars and then he ordered a set of Oberwerks.... now he has discovered APM binoculars and his telescopes are collecting dust for the first time in 20 years

Congrats on the new glass Max! Once you discover quality (binos, scopes or EPs) there is no coming back.

Max Nomad wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2019 4:55 pm I think I've reignited my craving for optics... but instead of telescopes I've shifted to binoculars.

Any tips of kicking the addiction would be appreciated.

Acquisition sir, acquisition. That is your only recourse. This will only end with a set of 25x100s, a parallel mount, and a zero gravity chair, it is inevitable!

Ozman wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2019 7:15 pm

Max Nomad wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2019 4:55 pm I think I've reignited my craving for optics... but instead of telescopes I've shifted to binoculars.

Any tips of kicking the addiction would be appreciated.

Acquisition sir, acquisition. That is your only recourse. This will only end with a set of 25x100s, a parallel mount, and a zero gravity chair, it is inevitable!

Not really, then you start craving binocular scopes.

Aperture with binos is indeed an addiction. I have my eyes on the Oberwerk 25x100's but have yet to pull the trigger. But I am pretty sure it will be my next astronomy purchase. I did look through a pair fairly recently that a friend has and it made me wonder what I was doing keeping the SkyMaster 15x70's!

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2019 7:19 pm

Ozman wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2019 7:15 pm

Max Nomad wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2019 4:55 pm I think I've reignited my craving for optics... but instead of telescopes I've shifted to binoculars.

Any tips of kicking the addiction would be appreciated.

Acquisition sir, acquisition. That is your only recourse. This will only end with a set of 25x100s, a parallel mount, and a zero gravity chair, it is inevitable!

Not really, then you start craving binocular scopes.

I must admit that a binocular telescope would have been my next big purchase if I had a choice. I love my Tak 22x60's, and I have a nice pair of 25x100's (but they don't get used as much as the Taks!). These would have been my next move: https://oberwerk.com/product/oberwerk-bt-100xl-ed/
However, I have recently been offered a 1/2 finished 14" binocular telescope (with Zambuto mirrors!). Freebie!!!!!! Finishing that will definitely be my next project (watch this space!!!). Not exactly "grab and go", but what the heck!

Mind you, that zero gravity chair still has a big appeal for my current crop of binos.

Have fun, whatever you choose to do!

- Dean

No tips on kicking the addiction. But, I can't really recommend the Oberwerk 25x100/P-mount/Zero-G chair combo... enough! Great fun!

I was out last night under good skies. I thought I would take a quick break after what I'd guessed was about 45 minutes of viewing, glanced at the clock, and saw that almost three hours had passed!

Big bright objects like M45, M42, the Double Cluster, and the Owl Cluster are stunning. But this is a powerful and easy DSO hunting set-up, especially if you use SkySafari or similar. Just dim down the screen or go red, add a 2.4 degree FOV indicator to the screen, and then WYSIWYG. Adjustable scale, correct orientation, and accurate color and brightness of the stars makes star-hopping easy and fun.

LookingGlass wrote: ↑Sun Sep 01, 2019 8:20 pm No tips on kicking the addiction. But, I can't really recommend the Oberwerk 25x100/P-mount/Zero-G chair combo... enough! Great fun!
<snip>
Big bright objects like M45, M42, the Double Cluster, and the Owl Cluster are stunning. But this is a powerful and easy DSO hunting set-up, especially if you use SkySafari or similar. Just dim down the screen or go red, add a 2.4 degree FOV indicator to the screen, and then WYSIWYG. Adjustable scale, correct orientation, and accurate color and brightness of the stars makes star-hopping easy and fun.

And there it goes -- my last iota of resistance. Visualizing this was enough to do it, drawn in like a moth to flame. I'm going to get a 25x100 and P-mount. It might be sometime way into 2020 or even '21... but it's gonna happen. ;-)

I'm inching toward ordering a pair of Obie 15x70s. Although maybe 11x70 Obies would be a better choice? Dunno.

My SkyMaster 15x70s have been relegated to a shelf in the basement - quite disappointing - and now I'm just using my Aculon 10x50s with / without a tripod.

I still use my 15x70's but like I said above I'm leaning towards a pair of Obie 25x100's pretty soon (certainly before Xmas). I probably will give away my 15x70's to the kids across the street, like I did with my 90mm frac a couple of years ago.

Well I pulled the trigger on a pair of Oberwerk 25x100's to add to my collection of gear!

Finally...

helicon wrote: ↑Fri Sep 13, 2019 3:48 pm Well I pulled the trigger on a pair of Oberwerk 25x100's to add to my collection of gear!

Looking forward to reading your review of them!

helicon wrote: ↑Fri Sep 13, 2019 3:48 pm Well I pulled the trigger on a pair of Oberwerk 25x100's to add to my collection of gear!

Finally...

Hi Michael,
Congrats on the purchase, I'm curious as to how you're going to mount these binos? As you know they're way too large to hand-hold.

Cheers,
JT

JayTee wrote: ↑Fri Sep 13, 2019 8:31 pm

helicon wrote: ↑Fri Sep 13, 2019 3:48 pm Well I pulled the trigger on a pair of Oberwerk 25x100's to add to my collection of gear!

Finally...

Hi Michael,
Congrats on the purchase, I'm curious as to how you're going to mount these binos? As you know they're way too large to hand-hold.

Cheers,
JT

Right now I'm looking at the Manfrotto Tripod with a weight capacity of 15.4 pounds or the more expensive options available from Oberwerk. Haven't decided yet.
Thanks.

So, now here I am... fighting off the urge to order a larger set from Oberwerk.

Man, I've got the same problem. I'm convinced there is a pair of Oberwerk 20x65mm ED Deluxe binoculars with my name on them, just waiting for Santa to bring them to me.

Jay6821 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 01, 2019 12:25 am So, now here I am... fighting off the urge to order a larger set from Oberwerk.

Man, I've got the same problem. I'm convinced there is a pair of Oberwerk 20x65mm ED Deluxe binoculars with my name on them, just waiting for Santa to bring them to me.

From bortle 4 skies M104/Sombrero galaxy was visible with the Oberwerk LW 15x70 binoculars. I sold them and now own/use a pair of Zhumell 20x80 binoculars. About 70 percent of my observations are done with the 20x80 on a parallelogram mount.

Refractordude wrote: ↑Fri Nov 01, 2019 3:08 am From bortle 4 skies M104/Sombrero galaxy was visible with the Oberwerk LW 15x70 binoculars. I sold them and now own/use a pair of Zhumell 20x80 binoculars. About 70 percent of my observations are done with the 20x80 on a parallelogram mount.

There's definitely an allure about bino observing - simple, quick, and easy. I just wish I had better than B7-8 skies at home. If I have to drive to a dark site, I might just as well bring a scope and pod.

I do drive through some darker skies on my daily commute. Maybe with shorter days now I can pull off the road by a cornfield somewhere and bino for a few minutes en route.

On the mount question, I ended up getting the Oberwerk 4000 Series, seems to work well with the binos. These were the binos I recently used to observe M33 during the wonderful power outage which was great for astronomy but not so great for everything else. I had to drive 50 miles to get two bags of ice so the food in the frig would not spoil. There also was a run on flashlights, lanterns and candles where these items could not be found anywhere (ACE, Home Depot, REI, Lowe's, etc.)

But the good news is I am now prepared for a variety of emergencies.