TheSkySearchers

So, binosaurs, the past few mornings I've been grabbing my Orion Giant View 15x70s for some quick looks and really enjoying the views. But now I'm wondering if maybe I should get a pair of lightweight Obie 20x80s.

Question is - y'all think it's worth $200 for 10mm more of aperture plus 5x more mag or would they be basically redundant?

None of the 90mm class doublets or triplets I've been lusting after are in stock anywhere and I have to spend my money somehow, right?

Just get the 25x100 then you will not want to change the 80 to 100 later , thats what I am trying got get but cant afford new , have tried them they are fantastic upgrade from my 15x70 , but are huge and heavy and need a decent mount

I have the 25x100 and they are fabulous. Also picked up a parallelogram mount. (Too big to handhold). So if you are considering an upgrade, think big!

I have and enjoy 15x70 and was not planning on getting anything larger yet. But then I saw Vixen made Celestron 20x80 on eBay for a good price and could not resist. Yes, 25x100 would be a smarter move, and I will get them eventually. In the mean time 20x80 gave me an excuse to figure out parallelogram mount, RD finder, etc.

I got the mount recently have not had a chance yet to compare 15x70 to 20x80 yet.

I guess my take on it that you can't have too many binos and if you want them go for it.

I agree that the 25x100's are the way to go: but you will need a good mount, preferably a parallelogram. You can of course make one of these (lots of plans out there) for ~$50 of materials, or next to nothing if you have stuff lying around like in my shed... (see below)

You would need a good mount for 20x80's anyway, and while I think they would be a good jump from your 15x70's, why not go the next step?

All the best,

Dean

If you want a 20X80 or bigger, I won't stop you.

In my opinion the step from 15X70 to 20X80 or bigger is a is a leap from the comfortable hand-held, but above all very mobile observing to the inevitable tripod with surrender of almost all the mobility you have now.
Your 90mm Maksutov or ST 80mm on Twilight 1 are more mobile. And comfortable. As a result of their possible higher magnification, you'll see more than a 20X80. An observation with a 20X80 lasts one minute maximum, followed by exhaustion in arms and neck. Bigger bino's is a sort of a different hobby in itself. Nice, if that is what you want.
I have a 20X80 myself. It has been sitting in the attic for years. All real grab and go work is done with a 15X70 or a 102mm Maksutov.

It is a consideration you'll have to make yourself.

My 15x70s are a little heavy (4 pounds), so I use a tripod most of the time now, but it's a very lightweight tripod.

Just curious. Did you end up getting an upgrade?

helicon wrote: ↑Sun Feb 06, 2022 7:45 pm Just curious. Did you end up getting an upgrade?

Not yet. Put my dinero toward a 102ED.

pakarinen wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 12:39 pm

helicon wrote: ↑Sun Feb 06, 2022 7:45 pm Just curious. Did you end up getting an upgrade?

Not yet. Put my dinero toward a 102ED.

That'll be nice.

pakarinen wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 12:39 pm

helicon wrote: ↑Sun Feb 06, 2022 7:45 pm Just curious. Did you end up getting an upgrade?

Not yet. Put my dinero toward a 102ED.

Good move!

Well, I really wanted something in the 90mm-ish range, but the 102 was cheaper, already in transit to the vendor, and 10mm bigger. I just hope my SW AZ5 can handle it.

pakarinen wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 10:51 pm Well, I really wanted something in the 90mm-ish range, but the 102 was cheaper, already in transit to the vendor, and 10mm bigger. I just hope my SW AZ5 can handle it.

There is a fair chance it will.

I have Orion 9x63mm. With a 7mm exit pupil they are a little oversized for my eyes but I bought them about 10 years ago. I find that the low 9x mag and the reasonably light weight makes them practical to hand-hold at least for a short period.

I find it easiest to hand hold when sitting in a comfortable reclining camp chair. I have also used the roof of my previous car, a Ford Focus to support my elbows while standing. My current Isuzu 4wd is a bit too high for this. However, with their light weight, I can mount them on a Manfrotto 475B tripod and adjust the eyepiece position for a perfect standing height for me. The 475B has a huge geared centre column and can be wound up/down to adjust for different height observers or to adjust for the changed eyepiece position for a single observer as the elevation is adjusted. Made great use of them on the tripod during the recent Comet Leonard apparition.

Anything above 70mm can't be hand held. Too darned heavy.

Joe