Best Astro-Binoculars For Amateur Astronomer? Celestron?
Hi!
Well, i've always had a strong interest in astronomy. Unfortunately, over the last 3-4 years i've been diverted from that interest because of buy drugs online school and moving around alot. But recently i began reading a book about the origins of our study on Astronomy and its really perked my interest in astronomy again. So, since im graduating, i decided nows a good time to get into it before i get diverted away from it again.
So i did some research, and i learnt/was told that for a beginner, its better to buy a pair of Astro-Binoculars rather than a telescope to familiarize your self with the stars, not only that, the wide viewing angle also allows you to see alot more.
So i've come down to two pairs which i cannot tell which is the better pair to buy, so here i am.
Pair 1:
Celestron 15x70 SkyMaster binoculars ($80)
-Bak-4 Porro Prisms
-Fully multi-coated
- 230ft@1000
- 4.4 degree FOV
- exit pupil 4.47mm
-water proof
(link: http://www.spottingscopes.com/binoculars/astronomy-binoculars/celestronskymaster15x70centerfocus.cfm#ReviewHeader)
Pair 2:
Celestron 20x80 SkyMasters ($120)
-Bak-4 Prisms
-Fully multicoated
-167@1000
-3.2 degrees FOV
-exit pupil 4mm
-not waterproof (water resistant)
(link: http://www.spottingscopes.com/binoculars/astronomy-binoculars/celestronskymaster20x80centerfocus.cfm#tabs)
SO which of the two is A) Better? B) More Suited for an Amateur C) Give me Better enjoyment/results ? D) Best Value for Money?
P.S. Celestron is a good brand to be looking at right?? im told its one of the best?
P.S. i live in the philippines, does anyone know where i cna buy good binoculars here?
EVERYONE REPLIED REALLY WELL, THANKS EVERYONE! I APPRECIATE IT! 100% Spot ON TO What i Was Looking for!
ANd YEs, I've been to Puerto Galera, Really nice. HAve to be honest though, it was raining when i was there, so i didnt see any stars 
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Tagged with: Amateur • AstroBinoculars • Astronomer • Best • Celestron
Nearest Celestron authorized dealer is in Singapore:
http://www.astro.com.sg/
Contact Person is Albert Lim..,
Tel : +65 65674163
Fax : +65 65674826
E-mail : sales@astro.com.sg
Next would be in Hong Kong here:
http://www.grandeye.com.hk/
Authorized Meade Dealer named Anthony Chung..,
Tel: (852) 9638 3899
E-mail: gesc@netvigator.com
They both ship to the Philippines.
Nice choice for the binoculars. Please be reminded that the shipping charges would certainly double the price while the waiting time would certainly be in a few month’s range. There’s a Bushnell distributor in Megamall though I don’t suggest their binoculars as was told by many other users here. MOA, nothing there also.
Please note that I am not endorsing any of these companies nor is affiliated with any of them.
Have you been to Puerto Galera?
Clear skies!..,:-)
From an optics point of view, 20×80 is better for two reason. First, size matters. That is, the bigger the aperture the better. Second, 20x is better than 15x for most things. 15x should have a wider field of view. And they do. The 15x have a 4.4 degree FOV, and the 20x have a 3.2 degree FOV.
http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=binocular_giant/~pcategory=binoculars/~product_id=09116
http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=binocular_giant/~pcategory=binoculars/~product_id=09324
I have a 22×60 spotting scope and 10×50 binoculars. Neither have zoom. IMO, avoid zoom. Replaceable eyepieces are good. But while i can kind of hand hold 10×50 binoculars, in practice, both need a tripod. I use 8x binoculars when i’m not carrying a tripod. And, the tripod can’t be a crappy $20 model. It’s got to be steady. Mine is $250 – but there is some evidence that they start getting stable at $100. I’m not an expert here. There’s another issue. Both my spotting scope and binoculars are straight-through. It’s very difficult to use either on the tripod looking at the zenith. I can comfortably look up about 45 degrees from the horizon.
You might be able to get away with 15x binoculars and a cheap do it yourself project. And, this might help you see at steeper angles too. $15 and a couple hours.
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/howto/diy/Image-Stabilize-Your-Binoculars.html
Do you have a local astronomy club to check stuff out at?
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/organizations
All this said, what i do is carry $50 8×21 binoculars, mostly to find stuff. Then, i use my 240×254 monocular (a Newtonian dob). I’m considering getting binoviewers. And, i’d really love to check out my club’s 556 mm dob with binoviewers some time. Now that’s binoculars!
I personally like my exit pupils to be between five and six millimeters, so my objective diameter in millimeters has to be five or six times the magnification. I bought an Orion 16×80 a few days ago, and I might buy a pair of 9×63 soon (even though the exit pupil on them is seven millimeters).
Heavy binoculars? Arms getting tired? Put an air mattress in the back of your pickup truck, then lie down and look at the zenith all you want. Can be done with girls or binoculars, either one, but attempting to handle both at the same time can get awkward. Country boy astronomers can survive.
Between those two– the 20×80 — BUT you will need a tripod to hold it– just too big to hold steady without shaking.
Build one of these-
http://www.geocities.com/asegastronomy/Binomount.html
or BUY this-
http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=bino_accessories/~pcategory=binoculars/~product_id=05374
I have both of those binoculars. I think the smaller pair is more practical. The bigger pair I can’t lift with my hands, I have to lie down on the ground and look straight up or put them on a tripod.
But with the bigger pair I have actually discovered more Messier objects like open clusters and globular clusters.
After about a year, I replaced the smaller pair because they just became too loose.
Amazon.com has them, but I don’t know if they ship internationally.
Unless you plan to use a tripod every time you observe, I would go with the 15×70. They can be hand held (although many would argue that they too should be tripod mounted. With 20×80, there is no question that they will need to be tripod mounted, though they will deliver brighter images and show a little more detail on objects.