Which binoculars for astronomy?

R

Richard

New member
I am doing the astronomy GCSE and I need a pair of decent binoculars.
Things that I want:
BAK-4 prisms
good quality optics
10 x 50 optics
comfortable for spectacle wearer.
reasonable price
 
The most useful size of binoculars for astronomy is 10x50. Orion's Scenix 10x50s are excellent at a very reasonable price, just under $100:
http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=binocular_standard/~pcategory=binoculars/~product_id=09333
 
forget binoculars for astronomy get a reasonable reflector telescope minimum 100mm (4inches) go for the most expensive your parents will allow you. 200mm is ideal.
 
your best bet is to go to a place that sells binoculars (preferably a telescope store) and have a look. a telescope or sporting goods store will be able to steer you to a good choice.

7x50 and 10x50 are very popular, and are excellent for observing the sky. all but the cheapest and junkiest have decent optics, but better quality binoculars will be more durable.

the best binoculars disappear when you use them. your vision is enhanced, but you are not aware of looking through anything. i have a pair of zeiss binoculars that exhibit this (probably out of your price range...), and the effect is startling.
 
Binoculars are the kind of thing where you can spend pretty much as much or as little as you like. I presume you don't want a pair of £1200 Swarovskis no matter how nice they are. At the other end BaK-4 glass does put a floor on the price since the lower end models tend to use BK-7, but you probably want to avoid those anyway. The best a quick search found was the Helios 10 x 50 Naturesport Plus for just under £90 at http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/helios-10-x-50-naturesport-plus-binoculars_d1532.html
 
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