TheSkySearchers

I have a pair of Oberwerk's with ED glass that I use all the time. I use my 8x42 Sport ED for general viewing (with an 8.1 degree FOV) and to help decide if I want to haul other astronomy equipment out at night. My favorite astronomy binoculars are my Oberwerk 20×65 ED Deluxe.

I just ordered a parallelogram mount today and can hardly wait for that to arrive.

Oberwerk 8x56, 15x70 deluxe, 100mm Ed binocular telescope.

Mandrew wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 12:57 am Oberwerk 8x56, 15x70 deluxe, 100mm Ed binocular telescope.

How are your Deluxes? Have you compared them to the LWs? I know the LWs are basically the same as the C-tron SKyMasters, but it's a little hard to tell from the pics how much is different about the Deluxes. Tnx!

The answer is in constant flux, particularly recently when I found myself on a bino buying kick. I switched to an all Oberwerk lineup. Currently it goes as follows: if I'm observing on impulse and want mobility, I grab the 8x42 Sport ED hand held. If still grab-and-go, but want to be a bit more serious about what I want to ferret out, the 10x50 Ultra, either hand held in a zero gravity chair on the deck, or on a good monopod with trigger grip. If I want to set up for a serious session, and big bino is my instrument of choice, I take out the big boys, the 25x100 Deluxe (IF version) on a tripod with a dedicated spring-loaded head (the Obie 5000).

Oberwerk 11x56 on a parallelogram mount I built.

pakarinen wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 1:36 pm

Mandrew wrote: ↑Tue Aug 11, 2020 12:57 am Oberwerk 8x56, 15x70 deluxe, 100mm Ed binocular telescope.

How are your Deluxes? Have you compared them to the LWs? I know the LWs are basically the same as the C-tron SKyMasters, but it's a little hard to tell from the pics how much is different about the Deluxes. Tnx!

I read that the coatings are the same. However, the Deluxe maintain collimation much better. The Oberwerk website has a page that makes collimating the LWs very easy. I owned the LW 15x70 and now own the LW 11x70. I live under bortle 9 skies. Thus, the smaller exit pupil of the LW 15x70 is better. However, at my dark sites the LW 11x70 are better/brighter. The true aperture of both is 63mm or 62mm.

are your Deluxes? Have you compared them to the LWs? I know the LWs are basically the same as the C-tron SKyMasters, but it's a little hard to tell from the pics how much is different about the Deluxes. Tnx!

The deluxe models are worth the extra expense in both quality and colimation. I like the LW series more than the Celestrons. More consistent all around.

I use a pair of nikon 10x50 6.5deg, i find to get the best out of them i have to lean on something.

I don't often use binoculars, but MrsG uses them when I'm fiddling with cameras mounts and telescopes.
Her favoured ones are the Canon 10x32 with IS. Those, a reclining chair and Stellarium, and she sees a lot. Tracking down Neptune was a great delight.

The ability of the IS to lock the image position allows more time for the brain to see detail in the image that's made on the retina.

Gfamily wrote: ↑Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:56 am The ability of the IS to lock the image position allows more time for the brain to see detail in the image that's made on the retina.

I used to have a Technostabi some time ago. IS surely helps a lot!

My 10x50s do an ok job for scanning about whilst imaging. Best to stand with my back to a wall to steady them!

I've got a monocular which I keep in the car for zooming in on stuff occasionally, wildlife during the day or the sky when on a night shift.

And I've got a brass pocket telescope. It is mandatory to exclaim "Aye arrrhh" in a pirate voice when using.

Regards

Graeme

I collimated my Skymaster 15x70's the other day after watching a youtube video going through the process. I didn't realize how off they were until I did it. Much better images now.

Gfamily wrote: ↑Thu Aug 13, 2020 9:56 am I don't often use binoculars, but MrsG uses them when I'm fiddling with cameras mounts and telescopes.
Her favoured ones are the Canon 10x32 with IS. Those, a reclining chair and Stellarium, and she sees a lot. Tracking down Neptune was a great delight.

The ability of the IS to lock the image position allows more time for the brain to see detail in the image that's made on the retina.

What is IS?

Thanks

Image Stabilization. Quite pricey compared to optical only binos, but ppl who have them seem to love them.

pakarinen wrote: ↑Thu Aug 13, 2020 6:08 pm Image Stabilization. Quite pricey compared to optical only binos, but ppl who have them seem to love them.

Thanks, yes.
IS is Image Stabilization; basically the bins have X-Y motion sensors, and the prism that is in the optical path has vertical-horizontal microactuators that work with millisecond response times to adjust the optical path to compensate for the hand held wobbles.
Amazingly, they work.

In normal use, the image just locks when the button is pressed.

For these Canons at least, the 10x30 optics are as good as I have seen.

Greetings,
My lifelong go-to hand holdable astronomy binoculars have been my Orion Little Giant Abbe-Koenig roof prism 9x63s. When I just need to pull that extra layer of depth out of M44 or M7, or Comet NEOWISE, these do the trick. 9x is completely hand-holdable,and these are slender, well balanced and hand-friendly despite their weight. The Abbe Koenig prisms make a huge difference, plus they look really cool. They are tough, durable, and easy to fit in a suitcase for travel - a lot of astronomy in a little bit of space. When I flew to Australia to see the night skies, these were the only choice; the Orions are at their best on the road. Their only real drawback is that they are seriously heavy, and nowadays I can only use them for 1-2 minutes at a time.

I have just acquired a new challenger for the title - a pair of Vortex Crossfire HD 12x50 SP roofs; they are really capable all-around binoculars - compact, hand friendly and lightweight by astronomy binocular measures. I just wrote an article on BirdForum on the ease of hand-holding 10x binoculars when the bins and technique are right, and I find that exercise applies to these 12x50s. The optics are really good, and it's 100% hand-holdable, at least for me. And, if possible, these are even better looking than the Orions! These are my current best all-arounders, but it's still a dogfight for the astronomy title...

I also recently discovered binocular astronomy using a tripod, and both these binoculars excel at this (the Orions don't have an adapter screw, but I use a velcro strap mount). And both make two-eyed star gazing a must-see. It's a Golden Age for Binoculars, people!

I’ve read good things about Vortexes.

I still have a really cheap 7x35 which I got when I was probably about 6-8 years old. Still work!

For years I mostly used a 10x50 Redfield. They've held up well for me for years. I can no longer find the ones I have or find a particular model name/number but they've held up to some fairly hard use and the optics are good.

Now I'm mostly using a Canon 10x42 L IS. Amazing what stabilization and great optics will do for you!

The old adage still applies: "The best binoculars are the ones you will use."

I imagine that using IS bins is a bit like using a tripod. I have hear rumor that they can be rather heavy.

And yup, my experience with Vortex bins is that they totally ROCK (I've had these for about 3 weeks) - while the Crossfires are the entry level Vortex optics, they are amazing price/performance. You can get better binoculars, but not anywhere near their price. And nobody really talks about 12x50s in astronomy circles, but they absolutely kill my (very nice) 10x50 porros. I haven't finished my review, but it's coming soon...

DozerBolt wrote: ↑Sun Aug 30, 2020 12:45 am And nobody really talks about 12x50s in astronomy circles, but they absolutely kill my (very nice) 10x50 porros. I haven't finished my review, but it's coming soon...

Looking forward to reading that.