Celestron Ultima 10x50 Bino

luke5v8 · Post by **luke5v8** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 7:32 am

Hi guys,

I'm now considering getting a better bino (Wah, my next gaint leap in astronomy :!: ). The one I use now is an old, small 4 x 30 china made toy. (Hey, wat's that :?: :?: :?: I hear people choking :?: :?: :?: :!: :!: :!: )

- Don't pray-pray hor... I used that for the whole of last week to get me started 8)

Okay lah, back to more serious tone:
I've been reading up on some binos infos here & elsewhere for the past few days & at present set my eyes on the "Celestron Ultima 10x50". (BTW, how much does tat cost in S$ :?: ) but it has those recommended FMC & BAK4 Porro Prism.

Guys, please offer your comments & would also appreciate if you can recommend better brands or wat ever. My budget should be around S$300++ (now, I'm not sure that kind of $ can get me wat quality, so no laughs from u guys okay , rite

)

I will not be jumping into buy it right now, I want to take it slow and sure, so that I would not regret any wrong moves.

I've extracted this bino details for your convinence of reference:

Attributes: Waterproof Armored
Objective Lens Size: 50 mm
Magnification: 10 x
Prism Type: BAK4 Porro
Coatings: Fully Multi-Coated
Field of View: 5.0 degrees
Eye Relief: 21 mm
Near Focus: 29 ft
Weight (lbs): 27oz.[/u]

carlogambino · Post by **carlogambino** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 10:54 am

get the antares 20X80 mm from arief. lots of apeture for lots of stuff and within yr budget. I think he's selling it at $185. Since its high mag, get a tripod for it too, otherwise image will be really bad due to handshake. In fact, i think a tripod is a must for a 20 bino...

fizzy123 · Post by **fizzy123** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 3:14 pm

I prefer u try the cheap brandless 10x50 bino chris yeo say at carrefour. It is cheap can be hand held thus easier to sweep the sky for dso.

8)

MooEy · Post by **MooEy** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 3:30 pm

*wait for richard to jump in with his minolta bino*

~MooEy~

luke5v8 · Post by **luke5v8** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 4:01 pm

carlogambino wrote:get the antares 20X80 mm from arief. lots of apeture for lots of stuff and within yr budget. I think he's selling it at $185. Since its high mag, get a tripod for it too, otherwise image will be really bad due to handshake. In fact, i think a tripod is a must for a 20 bino...

arief's bino is very tempting, but i'm not too sure if I would want to have a big bino for starters. (have to think abt carrying the tripod aswell). Afterall, if I do get more serious into starwatching, I would have to get myself a scope and that would means leaving the 20x80 bino at home. (I don't own a transport). whereas, I can still pack a small bino into my case together with the scope (ahem, that is, if i get to that part)

luke5v8 · Post by **luke5v8** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 4:38 pm

BTW, hope harlequin can comment on the Antares 10x50?
It has bk7 prisms. The Minolta Activa Standard 12x50 (costs US$168.00 ex shipping). wonder anyone knows how much they are selling in s'pore for this minolta & the Celestron Ultima 10x50? (US$249.95) - I expect it to be alot higher since they are using bak4 prisms!!!!

carlogambino · Post by **carlogambino** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 6:38 pm

I still feel its good for you... 20X isnt high mag at all compared to that used in scopes, and for an 80 mm apeture X 2, its definitely worth it at the price arief is selling... If you own a scope, you'll still bring it out for the wide views.

Post by **acc** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 9:55 pm

Do seriously consider the Minolta Activa 10x50 or 7x50 avail at a few shops at Lucky Plaza at about S$170. Check Airconvent's previous posts about this bino. IMHO no need to spend your entire $300 budget as the Activa is an excellent bino and you will see very little/negligible/no performance gain for that extra money over the sub-$200 Activa.

cheers
cc

Post by **Airconvent** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 12:53 am

acc wrote:Do seriously consider the Minolta Activa 10x50 or 7x50 avail at a few shops at Lucky Plaza at about S$170. Check Airconvent's previous posts about this bino. IMHO no need to spend your entire $300 budget as the Activa is an excellent bino and you will see very little/negligible/no performance gain for that extra money over the sub-$200 Activa.

cheers
cc

yeah yeah! as what mooey has also indicated, you can't go wrong with an Activa but I recommend 10x50 for a first "serious" bino. any heavier will have serious image shake unless you plan to put it on a tripod.
the activa's optics are first class (although it does not cost thousands of dollars) and image sharpness extends all the way to tne edge of FOV.
Even Gavin Khoo has given it his thumbs up.
I understand from sam the antares series is also not bad and maybe sam may quote a special package if you ask ? :roll:

rich

chrisyeo · Post by **chrisyeo** » Sun Jul 18, 2004 11:40 am

Hmm.. just wondering, would you be interested in a very amateur review of the $39.90 Carrefour binocular? Its got flaws, so if you're serious go ahead and shop for something like the activa.

Chris