Reommend a Bino

oxygn · Post by **oxygn** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 3:57 pm

Hi guys,

am looking to purchase a reasonably good astronomical bino in the 7x50, 10x50 range. advice?

Thanks

rlow · Post by **rlow** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 4:28 pm

What is your budget? It can be a Nikon, Celestron, Pentax, Fujinon etc.

jermng · Post by **jermng** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 4:33 pm

If you can find the Minolta Activa 7x50s they're excellent binos for the money. Actually, they're excellent binos, period.

Another option is the 12x50s. They stopped making the entire line of binos though ... sad thing ...

rlow · Post by **rlow** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 4:38 pm

Yes, the Minolta Activa series is a very good quality and value-for-money bino. Unfortunately I just sold off my Minolta Activa 7x35W 2 weeks ago, otherwise you can consider to buy it from me.

Canopus Lim · Post by **Canopus Lim** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 5:04 pm

If cost is not too much a concern the Nikon Monarchs are good $400 to $500 range. They are 42mm so they are not as bright as 50mm binoculars. However, the plus is that they are sharp, have a flat field, smaller exit pupil (better for Singapore skies since cannot get dark adapted), able to focus near (I think about 3m) and very light. Being lighter has more advantages than a heavier binoculars because you can observe more stars with a sturdier hand.

rlow · Post by **rlow** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 6:27 pm

Yes, I have the Nikon Monarch 10x42 and, in my opinion, they are excellent, if your budget allows. These have the special phase-coatings on the roof prisms, and I have compared the 42mm aperture side by side with 50mm porro-prism bino and I did not see any noticeable difference in image brightness. Its other strengths (apart from those already mentioned by Yang Beng above) are that it has a pleasingly wide 60 degrees apparent FOV (6 deg actual FOV) and very good eye-relief that allows me to observe the full field with my spectacles on. It is also waterproofed and nitrogen-filled. To me, it is the ideal mid-priced bino to use for a lifetime! Definitely a keeper!

Canopus Lim · Post by **Canopus Lim** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:32 pm

Yup... that's why I got that too. Nice bino for bird watching and stargazing. That explains why I no funds left haha.

jermng · Post by **jermng** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:37 pm

Stop talking bout it, else I'll be the next person with no funds left!

Actually, I already have no funds left .. HAHA ..

Yang Beng, we're long overdue for an ob ..

I'm supposed to try some of your EPs remember?

With the weather now .. it's depressing ..

Maybe I can check out your Monarch too ..

oxygn · Post by **oxygn** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 12:03 pm

thanks guys... am looking at the 200-300 range. using it for dark australian skies. anyone know which shop sells the minolta activa? or anyone has a bino to recommend for that proce range?

thanks again

rlow · Post by **rlow** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 12:10 pm

anyone know which shop sells the minolta activa?

Try the shops at Lucky Plaza and Sim Lim Square.