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OT: giant bino telescope recommendation?

Brian Valente
 

Hi folks,

I'm looking for recommendations on a top quality bino telescope for my upcoming trip to Atacama to visit various large telescope installations and my own setup down in Obstech

We are looking at giant aperture: in the 100-150mm range

Focus is on quality, not price. I am looking at brands like APM, Fujinon, (looked at vixen, orion, etc. but they all appear to be from the same manufacturer?)

These are the questions I have if anyone has input:
1. recommendation for a high quality bino telescope setup? or at least start with a recommendation on manufacturer(s)
2. opinion of 45 degree vs 90 degree viewing position?
3. suggestions on eyepieces? 

Seems like if anyone would know this kind of thing, this group would!

thanks
Roland Christen
 

I would stay away from the Fujinons. Poor optical quality relative to a real refractor. Field not fully illuminated.

Roland

-----Original Message-----
From: Brian Valente <bvalente@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Mon, Jan 30, 2023 5:30 pm
Subject: [ap-gto] OT: giant bino telescope recommendation?

Hi folks,

I'm looking for recommendations on a top quality bino telescope for my upcoming trip to Atacama to visit various large telescope installations and my own setup down in Obstech

We are looking at giant aperture: in the 100-150mm range

Focus is on quality, not price. I am looking at brands like APM, Fujinon, (looked at vixen, orion, etc. but they all appear to be from the same manufacturer?)

These are the questions I have if anyone has input:
1. recommendation for a high quality bino telescope setup? or at least start with a recommendation on manufacturer(s)
2. opinion of 45 degree vs 90 degree viewing position?
3. suggestions on eyepieces? 

Seems like if anyone would know this kind of thing, this group would!

thanks


--
Roland Christen
Astro-Physics
Nathan Myhrvold
 

For normal size binoculars, the Nikon WX 7x50 and 10x50 binoculars made for Nikon’s 100th anniversary are considered by many to be the best handheld binoculars ever made.  I have a pair and they are great.   But I am almost embarrassed to bring it up since they are nothing like the big league game you are playing!

 

I presume this is purely for visual use, not a tandem telescope, right?

 

TEC will make any of their refractors into a binocular configuration  BINOCULAR TELESCOPES (telescopengineering.com) , but I have no experience with them.  They have 140mm and 160mm.

 

Of course, the mount will be an issue.   But have you thought about the chair?   Apparently other people have…  Motorized Binocular Chair Has You Stargazing In Comfort | Hackaday ,  Bino Chair (StarRocker) - Binoculars - Cloudy Nights

 

Nathan

 

 

 

From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Roland Christen via groups.io
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2023 3:35 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [ap-gto] OT: giant bino telescope recommendation?

 

I would stay away from the Fujinons. Poor optical quality relative to a real refractor. Field not fully illuminated.

 

Roland

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Brian Valente <bvalente@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Mon, Jan 30, 2023 5:30 pm
Subject: [ap-gto] OT: giant bino telescope recommendation?

Hi folks,

 

I'm looking for recommendations on a top quality bino telescope for my upcoming trip to Atacama to visit various large telescope installations and my own setup down in Obstech

 

We are looking at giant aperture: in the 100-150mm range

 

Focus is on quality, not price. I am looking at brands like APM, Fujinon, (looked at vixen, orion, etc. but they all appear to be from the same manufacturer?)

 

These are the questions I have if anyone has input:

1. recommendation for a high quality bino telescope setup? or at least start with a recommendation on manufacturer(s)

2. opinion of 45 degree vs 90 degree viewing position?

3. suggestions on eyepieces? 

 

Seems like if anyone would know this kind of thing, this group would!

 

thanks

 


--
Roland Christen
Astro-Physics

Brian Valente
 

Thanks for all the suggestions Nathan

yes, it's just for visual observing. 



On Mon, Jan 30, 2023 at 3:50 PM Nathan Myhrvold <nathanm@...> wrote:

For normal size binoculars, the Nikon WX 7x50 and 10x50 binoculars made for Nikon’s 100th anniversary are considered by many to be the best handheld binoculars ever made.  I have a pair and they are great.   But I am almost embarrassed to bring it up since they are nothing like the big league game you are playing!

 

I presume this is purely for visual use, not a tandem telescope, right?

 

TEC will make any of their refractors into a binocular configuration  BINOCULAR TELESCOPES (telescopengineering.com) , but I have no experience with them.  They have 140mm and 160mm.

 

Of course, the mount will be an issue.   But have you thought about the chair?   Apparently other people have…  Motorized Binocular Chair Has You Stargazing In Comfort | Hackaday ,  Bino Chair (StarRocker) - Binoculars - Cloudy Nights

 

Nathan

 

 

 

From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Roland Christen via groups.io
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2023 3:35 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [ap-gto] OT: giant bino telescope recommendation?

 

I would stay away from the Fujinons. Poor optical quality relative to a real refractor. Field not fully illuminated.

 

Roland

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Brian Valente <bvalente@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Mon, Jan 30, 2023 5:30 pm
Subject: [ap-gto] OT: giant bino telescope recommendation?

Hi folks,

 

I'm looking for recommendations on a top quality bino telescope for my upcoming trip to Atacama to visit various large telescope installations and my own setup down in Obstech

 

We are looking at giant aperture: in the 100-150mm range

 

Focus is on quality, not price. I am looking at brands like APM, Fujinon, (looked at vixen, orion, etc. but they all appear to be from the same manufacturer?)

 

These are the questions I have if anyone has input:

1. recommendation for a high quality bino telescope setup? or at least start with a recommendation on manufacturer(s)

2. opinion of 45 degree vs 90 degree viewing position?

3. suggestions on eyepieces? 

 

Seems like if anyone would know this kind of thing, this group would!

 

thanks

 


--
Roland Christen
Astro-Physics



--

DFisch
 
Edited

Brian, I have 3 bino telescope setups, Borg 90, portable and weight friendly, a pair of Tak 100DZ both of these dual telescopes have Matsumoto erecting prisms and AOK platforms which are built like Swiss watches. I have an APM 120 that is convenient but I like the feel of the two refractor setup. 
The biggest downside to this type of set up is the weight of the carrier and rings that hold them in exacting collimation. Keep your telescope light and your mounting bracket heavy. For convenience, you can’t beat a pair of good quality ED glass, large diameter binoculars, but there is something to be said for Bino telescopes. 
The 90 Borg travels and the 100 mm are my local setup. I wanted a bit more FL, hence the buildup and had the single DZ already. When a good price came up on nearly new one a bit and then it cost me a lot to get Beat Kohler  of Lucerne to make one of his fine BT160 platforms. It really depends on your travel setup
Tom Fischer

On Mon, Jan 30, 2023 at 18:50 Nathan Myhrvold <nathanm@...> wrote:

For normal size binoculars, the Nikon WX 7x50 and 10x50 binoculars made for Nikon’s 100th anniversary are considered by many to be the best handheld binoculars ever made.  I have a pair and they are great.   But I am almost embarrassed to bring it up since they are nothing like the big league game you are playing!

 

I presume this is purely for visual use, not a tandem telescope, right?

 

TEC will make any of their refractors into a binocular configuration  BINOCULAR TELESCOPES (telescopengineering.com) , but I have no experience with them.  They have 140mm and 160mm.

 

Of course, the mount will be an issue.   But have you thought about the chair?   Apparently other people have…  Motorized Binocular Chair Has You Stargazing In Comfort | Hackaday ,  Bino Chair (StarRocker) - Binoculars - Cloudy Nights

 

Nathan

 

 

 

From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Roland Christen via groups.io
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2023 3:35 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [ap-gto] OT: giant bino telescope recommendation?

 

I would stay away from the Fujinons. Poor optical quality relative to a real refractor. Field not fully illuminated.

 

Roland

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Brian Valente <bvalente@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Mon, Jan 30, 2023 5:30 pm
Subject: [ap-gto] OT: giant bino telescope recommendation?

Hi folks,

 

I'm looking for recommendations on a top quality bino telescope for my upcoming trip to Atacama to visit various large telescope installations and my own setup down in Obstech

 

We are looking at giant aperture: in the 100-150mm range

 

Focus is on quality, not price. I am looking at brands like APM, Fujinon, (looked at vixen, orion, etc. but they all appear to be from the same manufacturer?)

 

These are the questions I have if anyone has input:

1. recommendation for a high quality bino telescope setup? or at least start with a recommendation on manufacturer(s)

2. opinion of 45 degree vs 90 degree viewing position?

3. suggestions on eyepieces? 

 

Seems like if anyone would know this kind of thing, this group would!

 

thanks

 


--
Roland Christen
Astro-Physics

 

 

 

 

--
TJF MOBILE
Woody Schlom
 

Brian,

 

Just based on what I’ve seen other people using, the APM 100 and 120 bino-scopes at 45° seem very popular.  And they seem to be built like tanks.

 

Optically, I couldn’t tell you if the APO versions (versus the “Semi-APO”) are “worth it” or not.  But I’d expect them to be better.

 

For some reason I can’t understand, two of the scopes I’m familiar with were at public outreach events.  One of the owners let viewers try to adjust the eyepieces to their heads and eyes.  But that takes forever.  The other owner won’t let viewers adjust his.

 

I tried to adjust the eyepieces to my head and eyes and gave up.  It’s very tedious and time-consuming, but absolutely necessary if you want the true binocular experience.  And since I’ve never been able to get them adjusted to my head and eyes, I’ve never experienced the true binocular experience.  And that’s probably a good thing – or I’d want a pair. 

 

Woody

 

From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Roland Christen via groups.io
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2023 3:35 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] OT: giant bino telescope recommendation?

 

I would stay away from the Fujinons. Poor optical quality relative to a real refractor. Field not fully illuminated.

 

Roland

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Brian Valente <bvalente@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Mon, Jan 30, 2023 5:30 pm
Subject: [ap-gto] OT: giant bino telescope recommendation?

Hi folks,

 

I'm looking for recommendations on a top quality bino telescope for my upcoming trip to Atacama to visit various large telescope installations and my own setup down in Obstech

 

We are looking at giant aperture: in the 100-150mm range

 

Focus is on quality, not price. I am looking at brands like APM, Fujinon, (looked at vixen, orion, etc. but they all appear to be from the same manufacturer?)

 

These are the questions I have if anyone has input:

1. recommendation for a high quality bino telescope setup? or at least start with a recommendation on manufacturer(s)

2. opinion of 45 degree vs 90 degree viewing position?

3. suggestions on eyepieces? 

 

Seems like if anyone would know this kind of thing, this group would!

 

thanks

 


--
Roland Christen
Astro-Physics

Brian Valente
 

Thanks Tom, that's super helpful


On Mon, Jan 30, 2023 at 5:09 PM DFisch <manusfisch@...> wrote:

[Edited Message Follows]

Brian, I have 3 bino telescope setups, Borg 90, portable and weight friendly, a pair of Tak 100DZ both of these dual telescopes have Matsumoto erecting prisms and AOK platforms which are built like Swiss watches. I have an APM 120 that is convenient but I like the feel of the two refractor setup. 
The biggest downside to this type of set up is the weight of the carrier and rings that hold them in exacting collimation. Keep your telescope light and your mounting bracket heavy. For convenience, you can’t beat a pair of good quality ED glass, large diameter binoculars, but there is something to be said for Bino telescopes. 
The 90 Borg travels and the 100 mm are my local setup. I wanted a bit more FL, hence the buildup and had the single DZ already. When a good price came up on nearly new one a bit and then it cost me a lot to get Beat Kohler  of Lucerne to make one of his fine BT160 platforms. It really depends on your travel setup
Tom Fischer

On Mon, Jan 30, 2023 at 18:50 Nathan Myhrvold <nathanm@...> wrote:

For normal size binoculars, the Nikon WX 7x50 and 10x50 binoculars made for Nikon’s 100th anniversary are considered by many to be the best handheld binoculars ever made.  I have a pair and they are great.   But I am almost embarrassed to bring it up since they are nothing like the big league game you are playing!

 

I presume this is purely for visual use, not a tandem telescope, right?

 

TEC will make any of their refractors into a binocular configuration  BINOCULAR TELESCOPES (telescopengineering.com) , but I have no experience with them.  They have 140mm and 160mm.

 

Of course, the mount will be an issue.   But have you thought about the chair?   Apparently other people have…  Motorized Binocular Chair Has You Stargazing In Comfort | Hackaday ,  Bino Chair (StarRocker) - Binoculars - Cloudy Nights

 

Nathan

 

 

 

From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Roland Christen via groups.io
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2023 3:35 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [ap-gto] OT: giant bino telescope recommendation?

 

I would stay away from the Fujinons. Poor optical quality relative to a real refractor. Field not fully illuminated.

 

Roland

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Brian Valente <bvalente@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Mon, Jan 30, 2023 5:30 pm
Subject: [ap-gto] OT: giant bino telescope recommendation?

Hi folks,

 

I'm looking for recommendations on a top quality bino telescope for my upcoming trip to Atacama to visit various large telescope installations and my own setup down in Obstech

 

We are looking at giant aperture: in the 100-150mm range

 

Focus is on quality, not price. I am looking at brands like APM, Fujinon, (looked at vixen, orion, etc. but they all appear to be from the same manufacturer?)

 

These are the questions I have if anyone has input:

1. recommendation for a high quality bino telescope setup? or at least start with a recommendation on manufacturer(s)

2. opinion of 45 degree vs 90 degree viewing position?

3. suggestions on eyepieces? 

 

Seems like if anyone would know this kind of thing, this group would!

 

thanks

 


--
Roland Christen
Astro-Physics

 

 

 

 

--
TJF MOBILE



--

Tom Blahovici
 

I have the APM 100mm Ed binoculars. They are really quite good. Well collimated, well color corrected and reasonably portable. I made a fork mount for these with encoders. Here is a picture. You can get the fork mount from apm as well. The mount it comes with is ok. This is the 90 degree version. I suspect the 45 degree at Zenith would be a pain.
Brian Valente
 

Thanks Tom!


On Tue, Jan 31, 2023 at 10:28 AM Tom Blahovici <tom.va2fsq@...> wrote:
I have the APM 100mm Ed binoculars. They are really quite good. Well collimated, well color corrected and reasonably portable. I made a fork mount for these with encoders. Here is a picture. You can get the fork mount from apm as well. The mount it comes with is ok. This is the 90 degree version. I suspect the 45 degree at Zenith would be a pain.



--

Howard Ritter
 

I have the same binoculars and I highly recommend them. I got them specifically to replace a pair of 100 mm binoculars that had 45° prisms, which obviously made them very unwieldy for many celestial targets.

I have mine on APM’s fork mount atop a Berlebach Planet tripod. For field use, I put the fork on a carbon-fiber tripod, which works out very nicely.

—howard 

IMG_4498

On Tue, Jan 31, 2023 at 10:28 AM Tom Blahovici <tom.va2fsq@...> wrote:
I have the APM 100mm Ed binoculars. They are really quite good. Well collimated, well color corrected and reasonably portable. I made a fork mount for these with encoders. Here is a picture. You can get the fork mount from apm as well. The mount it comes with is ok. This is the 90 degree version. I suspect the 45 degree at Zenith would be a pain.
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