Not sure where to start in this hobby?

[Baurice]

I totally agree and I use my bins more often than I use my telescopes. I use my DSLR camera even more, though.

[FerrariMX5]

To stabilize your binoculars:
Sit at a picnic table and get comfortable.
Pick up your binoculars and hold them gently in front of you.
Place your elbows on the table and bend over to look through the eye pieces and focus on the table.
Comfortable huh?
No stress on your neck?
No shaking arms?
okay, now put a nice 2 foot mirror on the table in front of you and see if you can focus on the stars.
No need for a parallel mount or a tripod.
Just be comfortable and star gaze.
Same stars, just a reflection.
Some people do not like staring in the mirror.

[JayTee]

It's funny that you should bring up that method as I am in the process of gathering the parts to make a Bino mirror mount. They make it easier to access the whole sky conveniently, no elbows needed.

Cheers,
JT

[SkyHiker]

I tried that on my 20x80 with a fairly expensive first surface mirror. It did not work, the view was blurry. I am not the only one, others experienced the same. JT I hope yours works better!

[JayTee]

I tried that on my 20x80 with a fairly expensive first surface mirror. It did not work, the view was blurry. I am not the only one, others experienced the same. JT I hope yours works better!

[mention]SkyHiker[/mention] Well, crap! I do have a first surface mirror specifically for this purpose. Maybe I'll Rube Goldberg it first just see what the image quality is.

JT

[Lady Fraktor]

To stabilize your binoculars:
Sit at a picnic table and get comfortable.
Pick up your binoculars and hold them gently in front of you.
Place your elbows on the table and bend over to look through the eye pieces and focus on the table.
Comfortable huh?
No stress on your neck?
No shaking arms?
okay, now put a nice 2 foot mirror on the table in front of you and see if you can focus on the stars.
No need for a parallel mount or a tripod.
Just be comfortable and star gaze.
Same stars, just a reflection.
Some people do not like staring in the mirror.

You do need a high quality, optically flat first surface mirror to get decent results which becomes very expensive.
Most times a parallelogram mount and zero gravity chair is cheaper.

[Peter802]

Great advice.

[FerrariMX5]

It's funny that you should bring up that method as I am in the process of gathering the parts to make a Bino mirror mount. They make it easier to access the whole sky conveniently, no elbows needed.
Mirror Mount.jpg

Cheers,
JT

Elbows are easier to carry and set up, but I can see great value in your Bino Mirror Mount. Especially for group settings.

[FerrariMX5]

It's funny that you should bring up that method as I am in the process of gathering the parts to make a Bino mirror mount. They make it easier to access the whole sky conveniently, no elbows needed.
Mirror Mount.jpg

Cheers,
JT

The more I look at this, the more I like it.

Tony

[JayTee]

I have a lazy Susan, a rotating turntable, that I can affix this to to make accessing the sky even easier.

Cheers,
JT

[Johnny Carter]

Hey Ozman, I remember you from AstronomyForum, you spoke often of binoculars then, and I bought a nice set of Oberwerks after listening to your advice, and still appreciate them.I just joined, glad to see you on here.

[ewomack]

At the first star party I ever attended, I had an experience similar to another person earlier in this thread. Someone urged me to sit in a swivel chair with binoculars mounted at eye level and have a look. "Binoculars?" I thought, "aren't those for spying on the neighbors?" But my doubts quickly dissolved as I swiveled and looked at bright objects, including the moon. I didn't want to leave, actually, but I gradually had to move on. I always thought of picking up some binoculars after that experience, but apparently I can procrastinate like nobody's business. This thread has reminded me that I need to revisit that desire.

[Baurice]

Not ideal but I have mounted my 15x70s on a camera tripod, using an adaptor. I have even taken photographs through them. These days, I have a DSLR, that produces better results, more easily.

[Freelancer]

After decades away from the hobby, I started with a 36x spotting scope I already owned, mounted on a tripod. Painless, free, and pretty cool!

[PwrHsePro]

Being a newbie on this forum... and on my first day... and my first reply... I hate to be 'that guy'... but...

Binoculars for me were and still are kinda boring. I started with the Celestron 20x80 SkyMasters... didn't care for them and a pain to use, so I bought the tripod and boom... still boring (even with a book for astro targets for binoculars) and now as much set up as a scope. I gave that rig to my daughter and bought 10x42 Nikon Monarch 7's and a vintage pair of Zeiss 10X32's... much prettier view and easier to deal with, but still not like using a decent telescope...

I'm not dissing Binoculars or folks that like using them, its just that they are not for everyone nor a starting point for everyone...

To me, the best bet is to join a local club... even if you have to drive a few hours to attend.

Club members are happy to show you the various types of gear that they have... you can see what it takes to set up, tear down, maintain, and more importantly see exactly what the gear does so that you won't have unrealistic expectations.

Other benefits are that many clubs have loaner gear, and scopes already set up for member use... so if you are just a casual amateur, you can put off buying until you have adequate funds to buy the best set up for you. Many times club members have great used gear that you can try before you buy...

You'll also have an opportunity to learn what the different facets of the hobby are... this may direct you toward the right type of gear for you too!

Many benefits over just reading an article or chatting and deciphering the many conflicting opinions!

Just my 2 cents and apologies if I come off condescending!

Clear Skies and Let the Sun Shine In!
Jeff

[John Baars]

Welcome here Jeff!

[JayTee]

To me, the best bet is to join a local club... even if you have to drive a few hours to attend.

This is typically one of the first options we suggest. But just to point out, the first post in this thread is the use of binoculars as a starting point. If it had just been how do I get started then we would make sure that joining a club is one of the first things we suggest.

[helicon]

Hi and welcome to the forums.