Hi

My screen name is supposed to be theQuintessence but it's not due to a mistake that occurred while registering ...

It's been a long time since I caught the habit of sky gazing and I was fascinated when a friend told me that there're some telescope and binoculars capable of providing powerful zooming at an affordable prices. I've been looking on the internet for the articles and reviews about these telescopes and binoculars yet I don't know which one (telescope or binoculars) will give better performance when sky watching. So, could you please tell me what should I choose as my first [binocular/telescope] ?

 another issue is the prices, I found a (10-22 X 50) nikon binoculars at 130$ in a local store whereas celestron provide a 25-125 X 80 at 140$ on their website, is this due to the quality differences or that local store wants to rip off extra money ?

thanks in advance

What's your first name?

http://www.bigbinoculars.com/nozooms.htm please click on the link

Have you ever used binoculars before?

Since this is the Binoculars Forum it is best to stick with that topic on this page.

Do you wear eyeglasses?

Forget about "the powerful zooming at an affordable price" as the majority of it is junk, and it is generally unusable at the highest magnifications.

High magnification in binoculars REQUIRES the use of a costly tripod with pan head, or a parallelogram mount.

What is your budget?

A general rule of thumb to remember is:

"Good binoculars are not cheap, cheap binoculars are not good".

Good optics/binoculars represent a Lifetime Investment.

Stan

My first name is Maan

the link you have posted was so helpful. Thank you very much.

I have not used a binocular before, It would be great if I can find a useful one for 200$ at most and I don't wear eyeglasses.

thanks again

 

Maan,

If you are living outside the U.S.A. prices are generally higher and brand availability is usually more difficult.

I would recommend something like a Nikon Action Extreme 8x40 or a Pentax PCF WP II 8x40, for a beginner.

The low magnification makes it easy to hand hold and the wide Field of View allows you to learn your way around the heavens..

CLICK HERE FOR NIKON

CLICK HERE FOR PENTAX

One last Question,

About the limitations of the zooming binoculars mentioned in the article posted in your first reply, are they intrinsic or not ?

what I mean is when I use two binoculars of the same brand and manufacturing quality (Nikon in this case) and one of them is 10-22 X 50 and the other is 10 X 50, will they perform differently when both are used at their 10x  magnification?

Your question was already answered under the headings of Zoom Syncro and Collimation and FOV, in the above link. ("never exactly at the same magnification")

A zoom binocular will provide a smaller Field of View giving you a "tunnel vision" effect.

If collimation is not perfect in both eyepieces of the zoom binocular it will effect your ability to focus accurately & sharpness will be degraded.

Zoom binoculars are just not a good idea for astronomical use.

Dave Mitsky

Thank you very much both of you especially Mr. Stan

You're welcome.

Let us know what you decide to purchase and your impressions.

I will 

Hi :)

I have bought Nikon action binoculars 10X50 a week ago....

The binoculars are light and easy to handle and you can focus the picture while in use easily with the diopter on the middle. Plus, it gives great views for the sky and showed me the stars that i've only seen in the sky maps apps :D

but you need to be in a comfortable position to rid hand shaking when watching sky objects.

Maan, Congratulations on the bino's. I hope you get years of enjoyment. With regard to shaking. Holding a feather will make your hands or arms shake if you hold it long enough. My suggestion is to find some place give your arms or elbows some stability. I have a deck chair that moves like a rocking chair that also has arm rests. I use the arm rests to support my arms and lean back and enjoy the view. If you have a deck you can use the deck rail has support. Depending where you view, and how creative you are, you can probably find something for some arm support. Another alternative might be a tripod. Have Fun!!!! CG

 well, I have put two chairs one behind the other; sat on the one behind and rest my elbows on the one in front.... so creative (to me at least)

thank you CG