Expert: Paul Wagner - 2/20/2006

Question
Once again, thanks for the insight. I was wondering if it mattered that the binoculars are not waterproof.  Is that necessary?
I'd also like to know your opinion if you would get the Orion Mini-Giant
9x63 or the Orion UltraView 10x50 Wide-Angle Binocular. Which do you think would be better for our use?
I looked up the "Turn Left at Orion" book and was wondering if that book would be advangtageous to purchase since it says it if for people who buy small telescopes. Or are the binoculars comparable to small telescopes? What would you say we'll be able to see with the binoculars?
The star atlas book looks really interesting. I actually was wanting to get him some books to go along with the binoculars but I wasn't sure where to go.  Thank you for the suggestions!




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Followup To
Question -
Thanks so much for the response.  I'm sorry, but I have so many questions. I found some Orion binoculars at amazon.com for what appears to be a little cheaper than telescope.com. What is your opinion of the Orion Mini-Giant 8X56 and 9x63, Orion UltraView 10x50 Wide-Angle Binocular and Orion Venture Zoom Binocular, 8-20x50 Binocular?  Which do you think would be best for me and why?
I was also considering purchasing a tripod. I've read that the tripod should be fairly heavy so that it's stable. How heavy should it be for easy viewing? What do you think of  the Paragon-Plus™ Binocular Mount & Tripod at telescope.com?
Once again, thanks for your help!

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Followup To
Question -
I already sent a similar e-mail last week, but got no response.  I was wondering what kinds of coatings on the lenses would be good for astronomy binoculars and where I can find astronomy binocs for a good price.
Thanks!
Answer -
Dear Terez:  Here is how I answered your question last week:

Dear Terez:

Nikon makes good optics. But while astronomy binoculars work well in the rest of the world, other binoculars don't always work well in astronomy. It has to do with the kinds of coatings on the lenses, to reduce reflection and transmit as much light as possible. Most of these are aimed at the oudoor market, where indestructability is more important than the light.

You might also check out Orion optics--they have a terrific bunch of binoculars, all for astronomy. And their prices are really good.

one thing you might want to keep in mind: with binoculars for astronomy, the larger the second number, the better. 10X 50 is better than 10X 42. That's because that second numbed is the diameter, in millimeters, of the main lens. Bigger lenses capture more light, and let you see more.

The first number is the power. And while you would think that 15 power is better that 7, it turns out that it is really hard to hold a 15X binocular stable enought to see anything at all. I have some 12x80 that make my wife seasick! It's best to go for a maximum of 10 power.

Does that help?

Paul Wagner

In your follow up, you mentioned which coatings to look for.  It is not so much what kinds of coatings--there are a few different kinds of anti-reflective coatings, and they all work.  But astronomical binoculars have those coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces, while terrestrial binoculars only put those coatings on the one extrenal surface.  The result is that there is a lot more internal reflection on terrrestrial binoculars.  THis isn't noticeable during the daytime, where stray light is bouncing off every surface in view.  But at night, when the only light comes from tiny stars, this little reflections drive you crazy.

And the link for Orion is right here:

http://www.telescope.com/jump.jsp?itemID=0&itemType=HOME_PAGE

Paul Wagner
Answer -
Hi Terez!

These are all very good questions, so don't apologize!  

OK--remember that the second number in any binocular ID is the size of the lenses.  And with Astronomy, the bigger the lenses, the more light they gather.  That makes dim stars birghter, and invisible galaxies just visible.

With that in mind the 9X63 are the best choice.

Now let's look at the first number.  That's the power.  Most of these are pretty comparable, a 8,9 and 10.  10 is about the maximum that you can hold by hand, without shaking to the point that you don't see things well.  What about those 8-20s?  Well, those are zoom binoculars, and they have to use a lot more internal lenses to get that zoom to work.  Each additional lens reduces the light by about 3%, so these may provide more magnification, but at a loss of light.  And the higher magnification would almost certainly require a tripod.  

Once again, I vote for the 9x63s.

Finally, I have to admit that I have used these binos, and they are really very nice.  I even owned a pair for a while.  I did not use a tripod--just a chaise longue!  They are not too heavy to hold in your hands.  I would save the tripod for a later gift...in case he really wants it.  But by that time, he may want you to write me about a great big telescope to go with these binoculars!

I would suggest a great book to go along with these:  Turn Left at Orion.  It is a guide to the night sky for small telescopes and binoculars.  It is wonderful, and I am sure they have it at Amazon.  Here is the link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521781906/102-8986949-4479347?v=glance&n=28315

And you should also get a good star atlas. I love NOrton's:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0131451642/ref=pd_sim_b_4/102-8986949-4479347?%

And with that, you have the complete package!  Hope this works.  And yes, write back if you want more info!

Paul Wagner  

Answer
HI Terez:

No, waterproofing is only for binoculars that are going to be used on a boat, or in the rain...not important for astronomy.  

And I don't think that wide-angle views are as important as the better optics and larger lenses of the 9X63s.  

And yes, Turn LEft at Orion will also work well for binoculars. You will be able to see some objects ( star clusters and nebulae ) as well as a with a small scope...and the planets will be harder.  But the book itself is a great guide to everything that is easy to find and see in the night sky.

Paul Wagner