Binoculars, monocular, spotting scope, telescope
Mark Allanson - 20/11/11 at 09:37 PM
Living so close to the sea, and having a occasional interest in astronomy, I have a pair of zoom binoculars.
Today I dropped them in the car, only a couple of feet and luckily, no damage. Until I used them, serious double vision 
. I know this can normally
be dialed out using the collimation screws in the body, but no use they are scrap.
My dilemma now is replacements, what do I buy to suit my needs, I am erring towards a maksutov spotting scope - anyone had any dealings, or have a
better idea?
owelly - 20/11/11 at 09:44 PM
Just go closer and save your money......?
ReMan - 20/11/11 at 09:46 PM
Not repairable?
Mark Allanson - 20/11/11 at 09:48 PM
quote:
Originally posted by ReMan
Not repairable?
No I dismantled them and found a flakes prism.
JoelP - 20/11/11 at 09:55 PM
most cost effective is probably a small telescope on a tripod, in terms of performance vs pounds.
speedstar - 20/11/11 at 10:28 PM
M107?
Mark Allanson - 20/11/11 at 10:38 PM
quote:
Originally posted by speedstar
M107?
A globular cluster in the constellation Ophiuchus?
matt_gsxr - 20/11/11 at 10:55 PM
quote:
Originally posted by owelly
Just go closer and save your money......?
Brilliant as ever. 
I guess the astronomy part might be challenging given that the (2nd) nearest star is 4.2 light years away.
Peteff - 20/11/11 at 11:22 PM
Throw the broken half away and use the other bit as a monocular 
. I bought a cheap spotting scope with a tripod from Aldi this year and for the
money it is a brilliant tool for bird watching and ship spotting at the sea side.
David Jenkins - 21/11/11 at 08:11 AM
quote:
Originally posted by matt_gsxr
quote:
Originally posted by owelly
Just go closer and save your money......?
Brilliant as ever.
I guess the astronomy part might be challenging given that the (2nd) nearest star is 4.2 light years away.
Easy - stand on a pair of steps!
But seriously though... depends if you want to walk around with the things. I have a pair of 7x50 binoculars that are great for taking on walks (and
pretty good for night-sky watching) and a 30x50 spotter scope from my shooting days. Walking around with a scope, tripod etc is a PITA, as you
can't use it without some support.
If you are only interested in star gazing, why not get a proper scope? I have seen (in the flesh) a Russian-made refractor with a diameter of around
5", which cost the owner about £100 second-hand from ebay. It came in a hefty wooden box with loads of accessories, so all you'd need to
finish it off is a big strong (massive) tripod. There are a LOT of scopes on ebay!
So - if you want to look at stars get a proper scope, but I'd recommend a GOOD pair of binoculars for general use - not too high a magnification
(7x to 10x).
Or get one of each... 
[Edited on 21/11/11 by David Jenkins]
jossey - 21/11/11 at 09:46 AM
just get them repaired it aint that much. it will just be the hinge i thinks.
Mark Allanson - 21/11/11 at 10:45 AM
quote:
Originally posted by jossey
just get them repaired it aint that much. it will just be the hinge i thinks.
No, I have already said one of the prisms has flaked, that is a thin shard has broken off it
jossey - 21/11/11 at 11:22 AM
Ohhh sorry didn't see That bit