TheSkySearchers

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Tue Jun 16, 2020 10:05 pm My most used are Orion Little Giant II 15x70. They were made in early 2000 in Japan. I got them used from Goodwill. They were dirty but the collimation was spot on and optics cleaned out nicely.

They are sharpest out of all binos I have tried and lighter and more compact than modern versions of 15x70.

I also have a pair of those 15x70's. I did have the 15x80's but they required a mount of some kind because the weight would tire you out after a while.
I sold the 15x80's and bought the 15x70's. Found they were a lot lighter in weight and gave me almost the exact same views as the 80's. They are a joy to use.
I have them with me all the time, even when I have the 14-1/2" Starmaster out, as they give those wide field views I enjoy after chasing down those faint fuzzies.

Rob

For hand-held astro use from my backyard I use the Swift Kestrel 10x50s:


When I travel to dark skies I bring the 10x50 SLCs:

Strathspey/Ostara Elinor 10x50 and Orion mini-giant 9x63. Both can be handheld for short periods of time. Also Helios 11x70.

All the above have long eye relief, good exit pupil behaviour, and are ergonomically comfortable.

Mainly using my newish Orion Giant View 15x70s now. They're tough to use without a tripod though.

The 10x50s have become the default pair for watching wildlife around the pond.

Probably the binocular that gets used the most for astronomy is the 15x70 Celestron, followed closely by the 11x56 Oberwerk. Both are used on a homemade aluminium parallelogram mount on old Super Polaris tripod legs.

10x50 Oberwerk Ultra and 12x50 Nikon AE are most used. I also have 8x40, 15x70 and 20x80. Of these the 8x40 is most used.

I find 7X50 to be the most useful for hand-held astronomical use.

My 7X50 binos are regularly used as a finder aid for my telescopes.

The Fujinon FMT-SX Polaris 7X50’s have a generous 20mm eye-relief, and these are the best and most useful astronomical binoculars I have ever owned.

With any binocular of larger aperture and/or magnification than 7X50 I would certainly prefer to use a mounting for stability.

I have 7x35, 8x42, and 12x50 binoculars. Of these, by far, the 12x50s get the most use for both astronomy and birding. They (Nikon 12x50 AEs) are a bit big for birding, but I like the magnification as easier to see the smaller details on the bird for identification.

~

For hand-holding, the 10x50 SLCs are my most-liked.


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Definitely my Orion mini giants 9x63 so easy to hold steady, fine quality, made in Japan and Orion still sells them at $199.95, worth every penny

Ylem wrote: ↑Thu Dec 29, 2022 5:10 pm Definitely my Orion mini giants 9x63 so easy to hold steady, fine quality, made in Japan and Orion still sells them at $199.95, worth every penny

Mini Giants are definitely a well made line of binos. I have 15x70 and love it!

Ylem wrote: ↑Thu Dec 29, 2022 5:10 pm Definitely my Orion mini giants 9x63 so easy to hold steady, fine quality, made in Japan and Orion still sells them at $199.95, worth every penny

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Orion's current binocular lineup includes no binos made in Japan, alas. I do regret not buying the MIJ models when they could still be had.


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Nakedgun wrote: ↑Tue Jan 03, 2023 4:58 pm

Ylem wrote: ↑Thu Dec 29, 2022 5:10 pm Definitely my Orion mini giants 9x63 so easy to hold steady, fine quality, made in Japan and Orion still sells them at $199.95, worth every penny

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Orion's current binocular lineup includes no binos made in Japan, alas. I do regret not buying the MIJ models when they could still be had.


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Orion still offers Mini Giants

https://www.telescope.com/Orion/Orion-M ... p/9463.uts

But it says "Designed exclusively for Orion by a premier Japanese high-quality optics company." Did they move manufacturing out of Japan?

Nakedgun wrote: ↑Tue Jan 03, 2023 4:58 pm

Ylem wrote: ↑Thu Dec 29, 2022 5:10 pm Definitely my Orion mini giants 9x63 so easy to hold steady, fine quality, made in Japan and Orion still sells them at $199.95, worth every penny

~

Orion's current binocular lineup includes no binos made in Japan, alas. I do regret not buying the MIJ models when they could still be had.


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It still shows them for sale, with Japanese optics, idk if they are now assembled elsewhere.

https://www.telescope.com/Orion-Mini-Gi ... p/9463.uts

Bigzmey wrote: ↑Tue Jan 03, 2023 9:38 pm

Nakedgun wrote: ↑Tue Jan 03, 2023 4:58 pm

Ylem wrote: ↑Thu Dec 29, 2022 5:10 pm Definitely my Orion mini giants 9x63 so easy to hold steady, fine quality, made in Japan and Orion still sells them at $199.95, worth every penny

~

Orion's current binocular lineup includes no binos made in Japan, alas. I do regret not buying the MIJ models when they could still be had.


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Orion still offers Mini Giants

https://www.telescope.com/Orion/Orion-M ... p/9463.uts

But it says "Designed exclusively for Orion by a premier Japanese high-quality optics company." Did they move manufacturing out of Japan?

Ylem wrote: ↑Tue Jan 03, 2023 10:10 pm

Nakedgun wrote: ↑Tue Jan 03, 2023 4:58 pm

Ylem wrote: ↑Thu Dec 29, 2022 5:10 pm Definitely my Orion mini giants 9x63 so easy to hold steady, fine quality, made in Japan and Orion still sells them at $199.95, worth every penny

~

Orion's current binocular lineup includes no binos made in Japan, alas. I do regret not buying the MIJ models when they could still be had.


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It still shows them for sale, with Japanese optics, idk if they are now assembled elsewhere.

https://www.telescope.com/Orion-Mini-Gi ... p/9463.uts

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Before posting on this, I contacted Orion directly and was informed that all their binoculars are now made in China.

The Mini Giants, and others, may be well-made, I have no idea. Still, I wish I had bought the MIJ models.



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I use:

Oberwerk 15x70 LW
Celestron Ultima 10x50
Celestron Regal ED 8x42
Canon 8x20 IS
Kowa BD II-XD 6.5x32

I use the big one on a tripod, and the others hand held.

Jerome Howard wrote: ↑Mon Jan 09, 2023 10:18 pm I use:

Oberwerk 15x70 LW
Celestron Ultima 10x50
Celestron Regal ED 8x42
Canon 8x20 IS
Kowa BD II-XD 6.5x32

I use the big one on a tripod, and the others hand held.

Welcome to TSS Jerome! This is a nice collection of binos. How useful are Canon 8x20 IS for astronomical targets?

I use the Canon 8x20 IS mostly for wathing ISS flyovers. They work great and it's easy to keep the ISS centered in the FOV and steady. I enjoys watching how it changes colors as it heads away from the sun.

Oh, and thanks for the welcome.

Jerome Howard wrote: ↑Mon Jan 09, 2023 10:18 pm I use:

Oberwerk 15x70 LW
Celestron Ultima 10x50
Celestron Regal ED 8x42
Canon 8x20 IS
Kowa BD II-XD 6.5x32

I use the big one on a tripod, and the others hand held.

~

Here's another vote for the Kowa 6.5s. Their 10° field comes in handy.


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