Need recommendations for binoculars

[Terry]

Does any one know where is selling cheap binoculars? Is 10x50 better than 7x50 for astronomy? Is 10x50 bino usually very heavy to hold? If so, what tripod should I get? camera tripod? Do I need to clean it often?
Thanks!

[Airconvent]

Does any one know where is selling cheap binoculars? Is 10x50 better than 7x50 for astronomy? Is 10x50 bino usually very heavy to hold? If so, what tripod should I get? camera tripod? Do I need to clean it often?
Thanks!

hi Terry,
You may want to check out the earlier posts on this subject.
You will need to define what is "cheap"....some people think "cheap" means $150 while others think "cheap" means paying only $1000 for a premium Pentax bino.
If you really want cheap but decent, as low as $100 can get you a pair.
I personally recommend the Minolta Classic II at that price or the $180 Activa for "premium" performance....

If you are afraid it will be too heavy, then a 7x50 will do. Else if you intend to use a tripod, heavier ones from 10x50 onwards will do also. 10x50 binos are fairly light, so a small camera tripod with bino adpater should do the trick..

rich

[addy]

Does any one know where is selling cheap binoculars? Is 10x50 better than 7x50 for astronomy? Is 10x50 bino usually very heavy to hold? If so, what tripod should I get? camera tripod? Do I need to clean it often?
Thanks!

Hi Terry

Binos are available at a wide range of prices from a couple of tens of dollars to thousands. Better if you could tell what budget are you looking at.. I am sure the forum has a couple of similar posts before and you could check those for the options.. If possible you should get a good 7x50 or a 10x50.. advisable to go for bak4, fully multicoated binos.. 10x 50 is fairly light and you dont need a tripod for it.. As advice you could check minolta classics or Vixen..

Dont discount those <100SGD price tags. There are some available but stay away from tasco and superstore binos.. I am in Paris for a project and I recently bumped into a guy selling a local brand beckers (but China made) cheap binos. the 10x50 bino, is autofocus, multicoated and priced at 30euros (60SGD).. I was surprised with the clarity, quick focussing, nice bright veiws.. Off course I didnt test them during night but it performed fairly well on that cloudy day.. very tempting indeed

If you could afford 100-200, local vendors Harlequin, McGill have some interesting offerings..

Clear Skies...
Addy

[JY]

Terry,

Go for 10x50, they are excellent binoculars to start stargazing. Check the Nikon as well.

Addy,

Note that the famous Philips ToucamPro is available in France. Go to any Darty or FNAC shop and you will find it.
Have a nice time in Paris and visit "maison de l'astronomie", 33 rue de Rivoli, Paris,

Cheers

Jean-Yves

[Terry]

What is auto-focus? Is it that the bino can auto focus to give a clear and sharp image? So it requires battery?

[cinq]

Addy, you sure they weren't fixed focus? My impression is that autofocus binocs are usually very expensive.

[cinq]

I've also read that autofocus is not recommended for astronomy, I think coz the binocs might have trouble focusing in the dark at infinity.

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=autof ... om&rnum=10

Terry, best if you state your budget. It's okay if it's low..or high. You can get a decent cheap pair, it'll be way better than no binoculars.

Cindy