The Official Astronomy Thread

[Hamster]

I hate stumbling accross threads like these because what happens next is a lot of googling, reading, browsing and self control not to bankrupt myself.

Still torn on whether or not I should get another telescope or decent binoculars instead. Anybody here able to recomend binos that are not the celestron ones?

 

[garyc]

I hate stumbling accross threads like these because what happens next is a lot of googling, reading, browsing and self control not to bankrupt myself.

Still torn on whether or not I should get another telescope or decent binoculars instead. Anybody here able to recomend binos that are not the celestron ones?

With binoculars it really depends on your anticipated usage. Personally I find the single most useful thing to be a tripod and tripod adapter. This way you get to see more than just the stars weaving around. You can also show what you are viewing to other people. Don't bother with camera tripods, they are too low (even for cameras). I got a second hand photographic lighting tripod cheaply that can go up to any piratically desired height.

To refine your search the consensus seems to be that porro prism binoculars are best. Good starter binoculars would be 8x magnification with a 50mm objective. This is nicely in the range of birding binoculars, so you should be able to find some available locally at a good price. Naturally you can go bigger, especially if you are using a tripod, but the cost goes up.

 

[Nanfeishen]

I hate stumbling accross threads like these because what happens next is a lot of googling, reading, browsing and self control not to bankrupt myself.

Still torn on whether or not I should get another telescope or decent binoculars instead. Anybody here able to recomend binos that are not the celestron ones?

If you have a telescope already there is always the option of purchasing a binoviewer , the only downside is that you have to double up on all your eyepieces.

https://www.adorama.com/searchsite/default.aspx?searchinfo=binocular+viewer

 

[Hamster]

If you have a telescope already there is always the option of purchasing a binoviewer , the only downside is that you have to double up on all your eyepieces.

https://www.adorama.com/searchsite/default.aspx?searchinfo=binocular+viewer

Sold my telescope. Had apeture of about 3" so I saw all I really could without investing in extra eyepieces etc.

Reason I'm looking at binoculars is because I'll use them more (the telescope stood at home mostly). Not sure if an 8x bino will show Saturn or Jupiter and it's satelites any clearer, but viewing them is a "novelty" and I'm more interested starwatching - formations etc. Binos should give me a better field of view than a telescope depending on the model.

 

[Nanfeishen]

Sold my telescope. Had apeture of about 3" so I saw all I really could without investing in extra eyepieces etc.

Reason I'm looking at binoculars is because I'll use them more (the telescope stood at home mostly). Not sure if an 8x bino will show Saturn or Jupiter and it's satelites any clearer, but viewing them is a "novelty" and I'm more interested starwatching - formations etc. Binos should give me a better field of view than a telescope depending on the model.

Aah ok

A quick search of local sites and some astro links came up with this - Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II Binoculars

Available locally and in Stock http://www.cameraland.co.za/pentax-20x60-pcf-wp-ii

Mentioned here - http://binocularsky.com/binoc_choosing.php

Robust but light construction and nitrogen-filled to prevent internal fogging. Does not have a traditional eyepiece bridge, so does not suffer from bridge rocking. It has a lockable focus, which is very useful for astronomy. Very flat field of view, and sharp across abut 95% of the field of view.

A user review
http://www.astronomyforum.net/binoculars-forum/156171-brief-review-pentax-20x60-pcf-wp-ii.html

Hope it helps towards a decision.

 

[Hamster]

Shot! /clicks

 

[konfab]