I'm looking for astronomy binocular. Hoping that the expertise in here can recommend me one. i'm a beginner.
1) I will use it to see moon eclipse, and maybe some star at night.
2) I hope the binocular will allow me see detail moon crater. ( the most detail I can get from a binocular)
3) I hope the binocular will last me at least 5 year with care.
4) Price range: Less than S$400 (best from S$200 to S$300)
Telescope within S$500 are also welcome.
5) Binocular suitable for use in Singapore (I live at Sembawang, near MRT)
6) If possible Night Vision binocular are welcome.
7) IMPORTANT!! Please also tell me where can i buy from. (If in sim lin, please state the price and store name, cause easy to get chop there with no recommendation)
8) Possible a few sentence on why you recommend it to me. (personal review are welcome)
I understand that beginner should use a binocular with big Field of vision. but I dont mind if the Field Of Vision is small, i just want detail.
I'm watching the eclipes today and I REALLY hate that i did not have a binocular in my hand.
THANK YOU!
Recommend me: binocular for moon viewing.
Reccomendation would be either a vixen ascrot(don't really know how to spell it) 8x42 or a Nikon Action Ex series 4x80. Too large a magnification would magnify your hand shake, making viewing a really tough job.
You could only get so much out of a Bino, unless you wanna buy the big big ones that you can mount on a tripod.
The above binos have prices ranging from more than $160.
You could only get so much out of a Bino, unless you wanna buy the big big ones that you can mount on a tripod.
The above binos have prices ranging from more than $160.
Lol zackae, it' a Vixen Ascot ZR 8x42. And yes, a heldheld binoculars would be best for you to keep it at 8x magnification and below, and as light as possible. I'm pretty glad I got a 8x42 instead of a 10x50, because the difference would have been very significant.
And yes, you can see the craters on moon, but of course nothing as detailed as a scope which can give you higher magnifications. If you buy a Vixen Ascot, it will last you 5 years, since the warranty is 5 years too for optical defects. The quality is very good for the Vixen Ascot.
From your post, I can tell that you are a complete newbie to astronomy and have never read up much about stargazing. I'd recommend you to attend at least one observation session organized by Singastro members so that you'll get a feel of what it's like to actually look through a scope or a binoculars into the night sky. Then at these sessions, you can ask all the questions you want (just like how I did), and then will be able to make better decision about your binoculars. I did research for about a month, before getting my binoculars, and I got it from McGill (an online vendor).
And yes, you can see the craters on moon, but of course nothing as detailed as a scope which can give you higher magnifications. If you buy a Vixen Ascot, it will last you 5 years, since the warranty is 5 years too for optical defects. The quality is very good for the Vixen Ascot.
From your post, I can tell that you are a complete newbie to astronomy and have never read up much about stargazing. I'd recommend you to attend at least one observation session organized by Singastro members so that you'll get a feel of what it's like to actually look through a scope or a binoculars into the night sky. Then at these sessions, you can ask all the questions you want (just like how I did), and then will be able to make better decision about your binoculars. I did research for about a month, before getting my binoculars, and I got it from McGill (an online vendor).
I would like to go to these event too! where can i get more detail? i found past event post in the forum but i cant find the coming event.
will the longer the tube of a binocular be better?
would it be a lot different between Vixen Ascot ZR 8x42 and 10X50 ? what is the different?
will the longer the tube of a binocular be better?
would it be a lot different between Vixen Ascot ZR 8x42 and 10X50 ? what is the different?
Even The Kindest Of the Wicked Is Cruel.
(DS) Animal Crossing:Wild World
Name: Soul
Town: Xi Kou
Friend Code : 1891-3135-7907
Fruits: Every Kind
(DS) Animal Crossing:Wild World
Name: Soul
Town: Xi Kou
Friend Code : 1891-3135-7907
Fruits: Every Kind
You don't need to take note of the "tube" of the binculars, cause it's not important. What's important is the 8x42, 10x50 etc. The 8x simply represents the magnification. You'll get objects 8 times closer if you have an 8x magnification. The 42mm represents the aperture of the binoculars, which the bigger it is, the more light it will be able to capture. But do note that the bigger aperture it has, the heavier the binoculars is.
As for observation sessions and events, it's pretty inactive right now. But, do keep checking back for future events so you can view through other astronomer's high power scopes. Or sometimes I observe alone in the Buangkok MRT open field around 9pm~11pm, and if you stay nearby, you may join me for a short session where I can tell you more about astronomy. Although, I'm still a newbie and probably won't be able to answer all your questions, but I'll do my best. (:
As for observation sessions and events, it's pretty inactive right now. But, do keep checking back for future events so you can view through other astronomer's high power scopes. Or sometimes I observe alone in the Buangkok MRT open field around 9pm~11pm, and if you stay nearby, you may join me for a short session where I can tell you more about astronomy. Although, I'm still a newbie and probably won't be able to answer all your questions, but I'll do my best. (:
GREAT! thanks for the offer. are u using telescope or binocular? i might wait till i buy a binocular than i can join u....
i'm now considering buying from Mcgill Ascot ZR10x50WP or McGill Trekking & Stargazing Binocular Package(8X42) . i know 10X50 is heavy but i'm a bit greedy i want to buy the best i can get.
therefore i wanted to know if the different is big between them...if not much i will get the McGill Trekking & Stargazing Binocular Package(8x42)
which one is ore suitable in singapore? light polluted city.
i read about the dry box....know where i can get one?
i'm now considering buying from Mcgill Ascot ZR10x50WP or McGill Trekking & Stargazing Binocular Package(8X42) . i know 10X50 is heavy but i'm a bit greedy i want to buy the best i can get.
therefore i wanted to know if the different is big between them...if not much i will get the McGill Trekking & Stargazing Binocular Package(8x42)
which one is ore suitable in singapore? light polluted city.
i read about the dry box....know where i can get one?
Even The Kindest Of the Wicked Is Cruel.
(DS) Animal Crossing:Wild World
Name: Soul
Town: Xi Kou
Friend Code : 1891-3135-7907
Fruits: Every Kind
(DS) Animal Crossing:Wild World
Name: Soul
Town: Xi Kou
Friend Code : 1891-3135-7907
Fruits: Every Kind
I've only recently bought my Vixen Ascot ZR 8x42 binoculars from McGill. Anyway, the difference between the 10x50 and the 8x42 is pretty significant and I'd recommend the 8x42. First of all, with the 8x magnification, you get a wider field of view, which means you will be able to find more stars easily by just sweeping your binoculars around. The 2x magnification difference isn't big, because stars will still be a dot to you, lol. The difference between a 42mm and 50mm aperture is that the 50mm will be able to gather a tad bit more light from the stars so that dim stars may appear brighter on the 50mm than the 42mm but not everyone see the difference.
Many, like you, are mistaken that the higher magnification power a binoculars or scope has, means that it's better. In fact, it's not. I'd recommend to you the 8x42 because it's lighter than the 10x50. The 8x42 is around 900g, while the 10x50 is slightly over 1kg. The difference may not be much to you, but as you use the binoculars for long periods, you'll feel that your neck gets uncomfortable and painful. I'm really happy I didn't get the 10x50 because the 8x42 is already giving me some shake unless I sit down steadily or lie down on my floor mat to observe.
Going into the shake.. as you get magnified views of a distant object, any slight movement of the binoculars will make your image shake and vibrate a lot. You could get motion sickness if you're a first timer (I'm used to it now, and I can control my binoculars very well now), and probably won't be able to enjoy anything.
Most of the things I've mentioned is actually available at the SingastroWiki. I've read each and every single related topic on binoculars the month before I bought my binoculars, and I'd recommend you to do so as well so that you'll know everything you need to before taking the plunge.
Edit: Oops, forgot to add information about the drybox. I bought my drybox for $23 at MS Color AMK Hub. It's on the 2nd level, next to a fashion shop.
Oh yeah, I wanted to add on to the "details" you were talking about. No matter how high the magnification of the binoculars, it will not be anything as detailed as what you'd get from a scope, so the difference between 8x and 10x isn't that noticable, but the weight of the binoculars will be rather significant if you use it for any longer than 10 minutes. For moon viewing, a pair of binoculars is good enough, while a scope will give you more details. For stars, 8x or 10x, they still appear as a dot to you, just that the bigger the aperture, the brighter they will appear.
Also, about joining me for a session. You may want to join me before making a purchase, and look through my binoculars to get a feel of how it's going to be like looking at stars through a pair of binoculars (before your purchase one yourself).
Bottomline, I recommend you to get the Vixen Ascot ZR 8x42. By the way, the last I heard from Jim (the vendor), it's out of stock at McGill. You might want to email him before making the purchase. (:
Many, like you, are mistaken that the higher magnification power a binoculars or scope has, means that it's better. In fact, it's not. I'd recommend to you the 8x42 because it's lighter than the 10x50. The 8x42 is around 900g, while the 10x50 is slightly over 1kg. The difference may not be much to you, but as you use the binoculars for long periods, you'll feel that your neck gets uncomfortable and painful. I'm really happy I didn't get the 10x50 because the 8x42 is already giving me some shake unless I sit down steadily or lie down on my floor mat to observe.
Going into the shake.. as you get magnified views of a distant object, any slight movement of the binoculars will make your image shake and vibrate a lot. You could get motion sickness if you're a first timer (I'm used to it now, and I can control my binoculars very well now), and probably won't be able to enjoy anything.
Most of the things I've mentioned is actually available at the SingastroWiki. I've read each and every single related topic on binoculars the month before I bought my binoculars, and I'd recommend you to do so as well so that you'll know everything you need to before taking the plunge.
Edit: Oops, forgot to add information about the drybox. I bought my drybox for $23 at MS Color AMK Hub. It's on the 2nd level, next to a fashion shop.
Oh yeah, I wanted to add on to the "details" you were talking about. No matter how high the magnification of the binoculars, it will not be anything as detailed as what you'd get from a scope, so the difference between 8x and 10x isn't that noticable, but the weight of the binoculars will be rather significant if you use it for any longer than 10 minutes. For moon viewing, a pair of binoculars is good enough, while a scope will give you more details. For stars, 8x or 10x, they still appear as a dot to you, just that the bigger the aperture, the brighter they will appear.
Also, about joining me for a session. You may want to join me before making a purchase, and look through my binoculars to get a feel of how it's going to be like looking at stars through a pair of binoculars (before your purchase one yourself).
Bottomline, I recommend you to get the Vixen Ascot ZR 8x42. By the way, the last I heard from Jim (the vendor), it's out of stock at McGill. You might want to email him before making the purchase. (:
Last edited by Zephyrus on Mon Aug 18, 2008 2:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"The universe is composed mainly of hydrogen and ignorance." -
swat_pup6433
- Posts: 310
- Joined: Sun Aug 15, 2004 2:16 am
- Contact:
hi,
if you are interested in studying the details on the moon surface like its seas and craters, i would really recommand you not only get a bino, but also a tripod to hold it steady as u peer through it when handheld, even at 7X after 1 min you'll start to detect handshake. and the movements would make ur observation of the finer details on the lunar surface pretty hard.
i used to be a LUNA-TIC too~ lol but if you are really serious abt the geographical details on moon. i would suggest you have a portable scope. the higher magnification really do help ALOT with the finer details. and lastly, a Night Vision bino or image intensifier to say, will do no good for lunar observation~ its already so bright you would need a moon filter. no point having it any brighter.. and you wouldnt want a green moon would you?
clear skies!
if you are interested in studying the details on the moon surface like its seas and craters, i would really recommand you not only get a bino, but also a tripod to hold it steady as u peer through it when handheld, even at 7X after 1 min you'll start to detect handshake. and the movements would make ur observation of the finer details on the lunar surface pretty hard.
i used to be a LUNA-TIC too~ lol but if you are really serious abt the geographical details on moon. i would suggest you have a portable scope. the higher magnification really do help ALOT with the finer details. and lastly, a Night Vision bino or image intensifier to say, will do no good for lunar observation~ its already so bright you would need a moon filter. no point having it any brighter.. and you wouldnt want a green moon would you?
clear skies!
Thank for the reply all!
TO:Zephyrus
i did read the SingastroWiki binocular part.... i cant decide on 8X42 and 10x50 is because i haven had a hand on....but now that u said that the different between (detaill) part is not big. i will go for the the Vixen Ascot ZR 8X42. Thank for the offer again....i'm going to buy the binocular anyway so will join you after i brought the binocular.hope u can teach me how to find the star. dont know when and where else i can buy the binocular if jim dont have stock. when is the last time u contact jim cause i just email him 2 days ago...but he haven reply.
To: swat pup6433
You got any recomment tripod for the Vixen Ascot ZR 8x42? but if i'm going to buy a tripod i might go for the the Vixen Ascot ZR 10x50 LOL...
aga aga, how much is one tripod?
TO:Zephyrus
i did read the SingastroWiki binocular part.... i cant decide on 8X42 and 10x50 is because i haven had a hand on....but now that u said that the different between (detaill) part is not big. i will go for the the Vixen Ascot ZR 8X42. Thank for the offer again....i'm going to buy the binocular anyway so will join you after i brought the binocular.hope u can teach me how to find the star. dont know when and where else i can buy the binocular if jim dont have stock. when is the last time u contact jim cause i just email him 2 days ago...but he haven reply.
To: swat pup6433
You got any recomment tripod for the Vixen Ascot ZR 8x42? but if i'm going to buy a tripod i might go for the the Vixen Ascot ZR 10x50 LOL...
aga aga, how much is one tripod?
Even The Kindest Of the Wicked Is Cruel.
(DS) Animal Crossing:Wild World
Name: Soul
Town: Xi Kou
Friend Code : 1891-3135-7907
Fruits: Every Kind
(DS) Animal Crossing:Wild World
Name: Soul
Town: Xi Kou
Friend Code : 1891-3135-7907
Fruits: Every Kind