The astronomical binoculars sector is currently booming, thanks in part to Chinese companies that, in addition to producing hundreds of models, have improved their optical and mechanical quality compared to previous years. This form of competition has generated benefits for the end user, especially because some European and Japanese brands, in an attempt to counter this new form of competition, have begun to offer models in significantly more affordable price ranges.
I'll now move on to explain the various types of binoculars that can be used for astronomical observations. Happy choosing!.
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The ultra-wide-angle low-magnification binoculars
The most experienced amateur astronomers know the saying ”"invest in diameter"”, however, this is not always the best solution.
If you wanted to observe the celestial vault or have a broad view of the constellations or the Milky Way, a powerful telescope might not facilitate this kind of observation.
There are many celestial objects that are equally fascinating at low magnifications, such as the Pleiades, the Hyades, or Orion's Belt. Fortunately, you can purchase binoculars that provide wide-angle viewing at low magnifications.
First among all the Vixen specialists 2.1×42 and Orion 2×54 which frame a real field greater than 12°.
Image: The ORION 2×54 Ultra-Wide Angle Binoculars
Another interesting format is often found on the vintage market, where you can often find decent 7x35 binoculars that have wide-angle fields of over ten degrees. Even 8x32 binoculars – when wide-angle – are excellent for this type of observation, while at higher prices it is possible to purchase good Porro prisms., such as the Nikon 8×30 E II.
If the purchase price weren't too restrictive, I'd agree that you should favor instruments that provide a flat field. This would allow you to admire pinpoint stars from edge to edge. This particular characteristic can be achieved in two ways: by integrating a field flattener into the optical train, or by inserting aspherical elements into the eyepieces.
Unfortunately, these binoculars often cost more than €1,000, so to enjoy pinpoint and wide-angle star fields, you'll definitely need to invest more. However, you should consider that it will be an excellent investment, as you'll be able to enjoy your new purchase for many years to come, as quality binoculars are rarely unusable like any other electronic gadget. . Currently it Zeiss SF 8×32 it is the reference point for those who love lightness, stability and containment of aberrations, as well as the new Swarovski Optik NL Pure 8×32.
REVIEWS NOT TO BE MISSED!
Orion 2×54
Nikon 8×30 E II
Bresser 7×32 SWA 13.5° field of view
MIyauchi Binon 7×50
Vixen SG 6.5×32 9° field
Swarovski 8×32 EL WB
Zeiss Victory SF 8×32
The 10×50 binoculars, a classic for freehand astronomical observations
In the 1980s, 7×50 binoculars were the format of choice among amateur astronomers. Unfortunately, nowadays, due to light pollution, the 10x50 seems to be the most suitable binoculars for handheld sky observation.
Three times more magnification reduces the brightness of the sky background and can (partially) increase the contrast of fainter subjects such as nebulae and galaxies.
The 10×50 market is full of hundreds of products, from cheap binoculars (50-100 euros) almost always equipped with Porro prisms, up to the robust and high-performance ones nautical binoculars to get to the renowned roof prism binoculars equipped with apochromatic optics that can cost up to two thousand euros, three thousand euros. For the wealthiest amateur astronomers, the reference point is undoubtedly the Nikon WX 10×50 which, however, costs as much as a motorcycle.
To give an example, I can confirm that a 10×50, medium-cost, covers 5 – 5.5° of field, and is able to reveal hundreds of stars, even colored ones, and some deep-sky objects, such as the galaxies M81 and M82 in the constellation Ursa Major, the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) or the Orion Nebula (M42).
REVIEWS NOT TO BE MISSED!
Nikon WX 10×50
Yukon Futurus (cheap) 10×50
Vixen Ascot 10×50 SuperWide
Fujinon 10×50 FMTR-SX
Swaroski Swarovision 10×50
My favorite binoculars
Fujinon 7×50 FMT-SX2
Kowa SV 10×50
Stabilized binoculars for astronomical use
Stabilized binoculars deserve a dedicated article, in any case, I think it is useful to confirm that is a perfect tool, as it allows you to take advantage of magnifications higher than the classic 10X (manageable freehand) without the need to use a photographic tripod. The stabilized astronomical binocular par excellence is still the Canon 15×50, in fact, still provides some very interesting features, such as, for example, a field flattener that allows you to admire pinpoint stars right up to the edge of the field, an excellent diameter-magnification ratio that is perfect for observing under medium-polluted skies and stabilization that is sufficient enough for static use freehand or while lying down comfortably.
REVIEWS NOT TO BE MISSED!
Canon 18×50
Canon 15×50
Zeiss 20×60
Fujinon 14×40
The “Mini Giant” binoculars”
Binoculars that are very suitable for astronomical observations are those with a diameter between fifty-six and seventy millimetres. Enthusiasts call them "mini giants" because They represent the right middle ground between the classic 10×50 and the 20×80 format.The best-selling binoculars are those equipped with Porro prisms in the 10x56, 12x60, 15x70 and 16-18x70 formats. On Binomania, you can read the results of a excellent comparison in an article written by Piero Pignatta, regarding 70 mm binoculars.
Their high magnifications, with the exception of 10×56, oblige the enthusiast to purchase and use a photographic tripod.o. In this sector, there are also some angled binoculars available that have two main advantages and one disadvantage. The advantages are the ability to comfortably observe the observed sky without experiencing muscle pain and the ability to use eyepieces that provide various magnifications. The advantage is the cost, which is on average higher (for the same optical quality) than traditional binoculars of the same diameter.
Image: A small, angled, achromatic binocular like the Oberwerk 70 could still be a good choice for those seeking observational comfort.
REVIEWS NOT TO BE MISSED!
Oberwerk BT 80 XL ED
IBIS 70 HD
Fujinon 16×70 FTM-SX2
Vixen BT 70 ED
Comparison between 70 mm
USM 15×70
The eighty-millimeter binocular: a timeless classic
There is no doubt that eighty-millimeter binoculars like the 20×80 and 30×80 are still easily transportable but much more performing than the classic 10×50. You could choose from cheap products, equipped with achromatic optics, up to the excellent Docter Aspectem 40×80 equipped with ED optics.
In this range, moreover, It is possible to purchase various angled binoculars with more or less high-performance optics and with the possibility of using common astronomical eyepieces with a 31.8 mm barrel.
Thanks to these characteristics, during the same observing evening, it will be possible to scrutinize star fields at low magnifications, or the geological structures of the moon and some details of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.
To purchase a pair of angled binoculars, you could spend a few hundred euros on the second-hand market, or even five thousand euros for a Japanese-made product with fluorite optics and a solid, waterproof casing.
REVIEWS NOT TO BE MISSED!
Ibis 25×80 ED
Ibis 20×80 ED
Ibis HD 82
Docter Aspectem 40×80 ED
Kowa Highlander Prominar 32×82
Comparative 20×80 triplet vs USM 22×85
Vixen ARK 16×80
Comparative VIxen 20×80 vs Kronos 30×90
The giant 100mm binoculars
The giant astronomical binoculars par excellence are the classic 25×100.It is a somewhat heavy instrument, but decidedly bright, almost as bright as a 150 mm diameter obstructed telescope (at the same magnification). . Here too, it is essential to purchase a tripod and a sturdy photographic head (preferably a video head). This way, it will be possible to observe, often even from your own backyard (provided it is not located in the center of a metropolis), dozens of celestial objects such as the galaxies M65 and M66 in the constellation Leo, or M101, M51, M108, and M109, along the edges of the invisible M12, during the same evening on an excellent 16x70.
An expensive angled binocular, equipped with low dispersion optics, when used with quality astronomical eyepieces, will go beyond the above mentioned, providing better performance., not only for convenience and low-power sky observation, but also for lunar and planetary observations, exceeding one hundred times magnification. However, to achieve such performance, the cost, including the mount, will exceed two thousand five hundred euros.
REVIEWS NOT TO BE MISSED!
Oberwerk 100 BT-100 XL-SD
APM 100 SD APO
Oberwerk BT 100 XL ED
Sky-Watcher Acuter 25×100
Ibis 100 HD
APM 100 ED APO
Sky Master 14×100
RpOptix Wega 25×100 HD
100mm binoculars: what can you see?
Comparative Miyauchi vs General Hi-T
Miyauchi Bj-100 IC Galaxy Semi Apo
Telescope Service 25×100
Astrotech Ba6 90°
Miyauchi Bj-100 IC Galaxy Semi Apo
The powerful 120-150mm binoculars
Binoculars with a diameter greater than 120 mm are decidedly specialized products, bulky and with a very high purchase price. Those equipped with high-quality optics (ED, SD, ED APO, XD, etc. etc) allow observation at high magnifications, with a sharpness almost comparable to that provided by a specialized telescope, Furthermore, thanks to the large diameter of the lenses, it will be possible to admire very faint celestial objects that cannot be seen with the classic 100 mm. Under a suburban sky, for example, it will be possible to admire all the components of the "Triplet in Leo", which reveals only two galaxies, if observed at the same time, with a "small" 100 mm binocular. These instruments are perfect for observing comets: they are, in fact, the favorite purchase of many "comet hunters". Comet Hyakutake was discovered on January 30, 1996, with a pair of gigantic Japanese 25x150 binoculars. On the other hand, if the use will be mainly daytime and itinerant, they could easily be replaced by a lighter and more usable format.
REVIEWS NOT TO BE MISSED!
Oberwerk BT-120 XL SD
IBIS 120 HD
Lost Among the Stars of Home (VIxen BT 126 SS A)
Preview APM 120
Vixen BT 126 SS A
General Hi-T 30-50 x120
General HI-T 150
Vixen BT 125 A
Vixen BT 25-75×125