Astronomy Hacks: Hack 8 - Chosing the right Binocular

[powerwindows1985]

This is a very informative chapter that I recomend you read before purchasing a Binocular.

Synopsis: 1) Magnification and Apeture - first number is mag, scond number is apeture (10x50 magnifies 10 times, and has an apeture of 50 mm).
2) Exit Pupil: Great detail here about matching up your entrance pupil with the exit pupil of the Binocular. In the interest of brevety the average adult has an entrance pupil of 5mm; therefore 7x35 or 10x50 are recomended since the exit pupil is about 5mm.
3) Eye Relief: Distance between eyepiece and where your pupil needs to be placed to view the image. People who wear glasses need a longer eye relief.
4)Prism Type: Roof vs Poro. Poro prisms usually recomended for astronomy.
5)Coatings: Coated - single layer coatings on some surfaces; Fully coated - single layer coating to all surfaces; Multicoated - multi layer coatings to some surfaces; fully multicoated - multi layer coatings to all surfaces.

Recomended Binoculars:
$75 - $250 range:
Bausch and Lomb, Celestron, Minolta, Nikon, Olympus, Orion, Pentax, pro optic, and swift. They like the Scenix 7x50, and 10x50 but not the 12x50.

$250 - $500
Alderbrick, Celestron,Fujinon,Nikon, Pentax, and Steiner.

Top end expensive brands:
Leitz, Swarovski, and Zeiss

This is just a brief overview. There is a lot of infromation in this chapter.

Next Hack: Chosing the best General Purpose Telescope.

[Vinnie]

Hi Keith,

This is a great series that you are producing, and well appreciated.

If its OK with you, when you finish, I would like to merge your posts, and include the synopses in the sticky at the top of this board "Useful Links and Downloads" with an internal link. (and a credit! LOL)

[powerwindows1985]

Thanks Vin.
Merge away.

[Vinnie]

Originally Posted by powerwindows1985

Thanks Vin.
Merge away.

No worries Keith, but not until you complete the set, so make sure that you do inform us of which post is the finale