Buying BINS

[Guest @ndyC]

I'm looking to buy a pair of BINS and after going on the net etc. I'm still unsure which to choose. Could you suggest a good all rounder that doesn't break the bank?and are nitrogen filled ones worth the money?

Thanks.

[Doc]

Hand held or tripod mounted?

[Guest @ndyC]

Hand held but if it had the connection for a tripod then I suppose it gives me the option down the line.

[Doc]

Personally I use Hawke bins, I find the image exactly to my liking, they are also extremely sharp right to the edges and snap into focus with very little effort. They are mainly for bird watching but I have seen the recent comet in them and they give great views of M81 and M82.

 

They are the Hawke Endurance ED 10x43.

 

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/hawke/hawke-frontier-ed-binocular.html

 

If these are a little expensive how about the Barr & Stroud brand they make some great binoculars as well, all are Nitrogen purged. They make a 56mm aperture bin which would be great for astro.

 

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/barr-stroud-binoculars.html

 

These look good

 

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/barr-stroud-binoculars/b-s-savannah-ED-56.html

 

Hope this helps.

[Guest @ndyC]

Thanks for the advice,The Barr and Shroud 10x56 on FLO you suggested looks like I'd get a wider field of view with the lower mag and N2 filled etc. but they might prove a bit on the pricey side as I'd probably only use them to compliment my scope.

I saw that RVO do the 15x70 celestron skymaster for £64, if any one has these?

[Big Al]

I can recommend these http://sport-optics.pentax.co.uk/en/group/20/product/65810/body/overview/products-porro-prism.html

I took my time over buying as I needed to find a pair with good eye relief suitable for spectacles. These fit the bill at at about £130 (about 3 years ago) and didn't break the bank - think they are nearer £200 now. Some here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pentax-20x60-PCF-WP-II-Porro-Prism-Binoculars-/130877880709?pt=UK_Photography_Binoculars_Monoculars&hash=item1e78edf985 at £195 from a local seller.

Definitely need a tripod for these for astronomy, though, so you need an adaptor bracket. Pentax TP3 is the part; it's robust and includes a holder for the cap that has to be removed from the bino pivot. Only criticism of these binos is that the eyepiece cap is a single piece instead of two so will only stay put when the binos are widened out. Case is also a bit basic.

 

One word of caution - bought mine online from Microglobe, who I found out later sell mostly grey imports. Have heard a lot of reports of people having problems if the item develop a fault. Fortunately, have had no issues with mine.

[Doc]

Problem is with 15x70 you will need a tripod even the Pentax 20x60 you will need a tripod.

[Guest @ndyC]

I was just reading up about specifications and what I picked up was that for astro use the larger the exit pupil size the better.

Edited April 8, 2013 by @ndyC

[Perkil8r]

I have some Bushnell 10 x 50's and they give superb views. Bags of contrast and very little fringing. The only bug bear with them from my experience is the rocker lever focus thing. I tend to rest my fingers on it whilst observing which has a tendency to make the focus shift. I'm not sure how much they are over here, but I got them in the states whilst on hols last december. Well worth the £50 or so they cost me at the time.

 

I have heard a lot of stories of poor collimation with the celestron 15 x 70's, but also some great reports too.

[+RonC]

I have 3 pairs of bins, Visionary HD 20x80 for astro use, Hawke  Frontier 10x40 ED for general birding and a pair of  Barr&Stroud Sahara 8x42 for close (woods etc) birding. Each pair totally different but each needed for the job they do! You pays your money you takes a chance! 

A good move would be to go to see Nigel (Northern Optics) and try before you buy!?

 

Ron

[Guest @ndyC]

Ron, Will you be bringing your BINS to Gib point on Saturday?,if so could I have a look through them then.

[Teslar]

+1 for the visionary HD ones I eventually replaced mine after a bit of bad luck

[catman161]

I have the celestron Skymaster 15x70's and can't fault them-although unless you're laying on a sun lounger/the ground they get quite heavy.

[stovesy]

Am very happy with mine

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hilkinson-9x60-BCF-Lunar-Binoculars-Grey-7624-/190769862381?pt=UK_Photography_Binoculars_Monoculars&hash=item2c6ac516ed

[Guest @ndyC]

Thanks for all the guidance and I will definitely get my hands on some different types before I buy .