Binoculars the best way to start?

[GCoyote]

Last week it used a set 7x50, 10x50, and 20x50 on two successive nights. The 10x50s gave me the best balance between magnification, brightness, and weight.

I'm making a DIY support for the 20x50s out of an adjustable lamp base. Since the mounting point on US binoculars takes an ordinary 1/4"x20 thread screw, you don't need a high end tripod, just something to bear the weight for you.

Regarding the 7x50s, in my light polluted skies, I find it helpful to scan my intended targets with the binoculars to get a feel for the actual versus the forecast seeing conditions. If I don't like what I see, I'm not as likely to waste time trying find the target with a telescope.

My two cents, and kudos for asking a common question in a concise and thoughtful manner.

[Baurice]

Last week it used a set 7x50, 10x50, and 20x50 on two successive nights. The 10x50s gave me the best balance between magnification, brightness, and weight.

I'm making a DIY support for the 20x50s out of an adjustable lamp base. Since the mounting point on US binoculars takes an ordinary 1/4"x20 thread screw, you don't need a high end tripod, just something to bear the weight for you.

Regarding the 7x50s, in my light polluted skies, I find it helpful to scan my intended targets with the binoculars to get a feel for the actual versus the forecast seeing conditions. If I don't like what I see, I'm not as likely to waste time trying find the target with a telescope.

My two cents, and kudos for asking a common question in a concise and thoughtful manner.

I have some similar ideas. If I can bag M65 and M66 in Leo with my 15x70 bins, I know I'm in for a good night. If I cannot see many stars in Melotte 20, that's it for deep sky.