[stereotruckdriver]

I'm considering getting a 15x70mm Binocular? Naturally will mount on tri-pod, just curious if anyone has user reports on them? And when would you chose to use them over a Spotting Scope? Other formats I'm considering are, 20x60, 15x58, etc. Bryce...

[Parker]

Hi Bryce,
I would never choose a large pair of bin's, which have to be tripod mounted, over a good quality scope.

Neil.

[Keith Dickinson]

I'm with Neil on this, choosing to use large mag bins on a tripod, rather than a scope on a tripod, is a no-no.

[stereotruckdriver]

Originally Posted by Parker

Hi Bryce,
I would never choose a large pair of bin's, which have to be tripod mounted, over a good quality scope.

Neil.

Neil, I guess I should have been more specific. I have a couple of scopes, my use would be stationary off of my deck over looking the Lake and Pacific Ocean. I would never attempt to cart something this bulky into the field. It would be more casual, recreational use from home, Thanks. Bryce...

[stereotruckdriver]

Originally Posted by Keith Dickinson

I'm with Neil on this, choosing to use large mag bins on a tripod, rather than a scope on a tripod, is a no-no.

Keith, could you elaborate on ( is a no-no ) Thanks, Bryce...

[Keith Dickinson]

As you are thinking of a stationary position with the set-up then maybe it isn't such a no-no after all. I was assuming, like Neil, that you were going to be taking the set-up into the field. I'd still prefer the higher mags possible with a scope, even with a stationary set-up.

'Is a no-no', slang for 'it's not a very good thing to do'

[Adam W]

if you are going to be stationary and using a tripod anyway then i cant see any advantages of large bins over a scope.

[stereotruckdriver]

Originally Posted by Keith Dickinson

As you are thinking of a stationary position with the set-up then maybe it isn't such a no-no after all. I was assuming, like Neil, that you were going to be taking the set-up into the field. I'd still prefer the higher mags possible with a scope, even with a stationary set-up.

'Is a no-no', slang for 'it's not a very good thing to do'

Gotcha! Thanks Keith! Bryce...

[Parker]

Originally Posted by stereotruckdriver

Neil, I guess I should have been more specific. I have a couple of scopes, my use would be stationary off of my deck over looking the Lake and Pacific Ocean. I would never attempt to cart something this bulky into the field. It would be more casual, recreational use from home, Thanks. Bryce...

Bryce,
Sounds like a good view, I would go with the 20x60 bins, especially looking out over the ocean.

Cheers, Neil.

[Kevin Conville]

For the use you describe (read: mostly stationary), big bins are great for the sheer comfort factor. Two eyes are always better than one. The problem is the view. Chroma is quite an issue with these things unless you spring for very expensive ED or fluorite models. Looking off at long distances are OK too with them but when something comes closer the individual focus won't be so great. Of course magnification will be limited as well, compared to a scope unless you get a bin with interchangeable EPs or just high power like a Kowa Highlander.

Probably the best bang for the buck are the Minox 15x58s at CameraLand for <$600. They're also center focus! If money is no object then the Kowa Highlander Prominars would be my choice. Get a big tripod and head to go with 'em.

Bottom line is you'll have to spend some serious money for bins that come close to the quality of view through a good spotting scope.

[Sancho]

One of the sound pieces of advice I´ve been given, but have so far ignored, when I´ve looked for a "two-eyes/high-mag" solution, is to get a pair of Canon IS 18x50 binoculars. Search the threads on these, KorHaan and Hinnark are very happy with theirs.

[jaymoynihan]

Originally Posted by stereotruckdriver

I'm considering getting a 15x70mm Binocular? ...

Separate and apart from that vs something else, if you want to read alot of comparisons between different 15x70 models; go to this link:
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea...ard/binoculars

The site's binocular review sections will also provide information. It is an amateur astronomy site and probably the best gear reviews/discussions around. 15x70 class binos are very popular in the astro crowd.

[stereotruckdriver]

Originally Posted by Kevin Conville

For the use you describe (read: mostly stationary), big bins are great for the sheer comfort factor. Two eyes are always better than one. The problem is the view. Chroma is quite an issue with these things unless you spring for very expensive ED or fluorite models. Looking off at long distances are OK too with them but when something comes closer the individual focus won't be so great. Of course magnification will be limited as well, compared to a scope unless you get a bin with interchangeable EPs or just high power like a Kowa Highlander.

Probably the best bang for the buck are the Minox 15x58s at CameraLand for <$600. They're also center focus! If money is no object then the Kowa Highlander Prominars would be my choice. Get a big tripod and head to go with 'em.

Bottom line is you'll have to spend some serious money for bins that come close to the quality of view through a good spotting scope.

Kevin, I just looked at the Minox you refered to. Looks like a good deal. I kinda figured it wasn't going to be a cheap venture. Sancho gave sound advice to, never thought about IS for what I want? I just liked the idea of being able to use both eye's at home, more relaxing. We have Bald Eagle nest across the lake and enjoy watching them as well. That's kinda what started this. I'm 6'2" wife is 5'5" maybe?!!! Lol! We were using seperate scopes but, she get's fatigued and loses interest! I know when I'm out and about using scope and bino's I get pretty fatigued switching between the two. I know the term BIG EYES has really taken off in the hunting community and has been a staple in the Astro field for some time. So in practice it seems like a good concept! Bryce...

[stereotruckdriver]

Originally Posted by jaymoynihan

Separate and apart from that vs something else, if you want to read alot of comparisons between different 15x70 models; go to this link:
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea...ard/binoculars

The site's binocular review sections will also provide information. It is an amateur astronomy site and probably the best gear reviews/discussions around. 15x70 class binos are very popular in the astro crowd.

Thanks for the link, Bryce...

[BobinKy]

Originally Posted by stereotruckdriver

I'm considering getting a 15x70mm Binocular? Naturally will mount on tri-pod, just curious if anyone has user reports on them? And when would you chose to use them over a Spotting Scope? Other formats I'm considering are, 20x60, 15x58, etc. Bryce...

For distance viewing, I think giant binoculars (15x70 and larger) are better for viewing over lengthy periods of time--less strain on the eyes. Although using an eye patch over one eye does seem to help somewhat with viewing at the scope for lengthy periods of time.

Another advantage of giant binoculars is they tend to be porro prism binoculars that deliver 3-D views, which scopes do not provide.

As mentioned previously, there are many giant binocular reviews over at the Cloudy Nights Binocular forum. You can also get some opinions of giant binoculars at the 24hourcampfire optics forum.

As for me, I like both giant binoculars and spotting scopes.

...Bob
Kentucky, USA

[stereotruckdriver]

Well just bought a Pentax PCF WP II 20x60. If this works I will want to get something with better image quality. Which takes me to my next question! Does anyone have experience with this model? I have the 8x40 WP II had the 7x50 WP. Granted these are 20x but, should I expect similiar performance? This is all new for me never had glass over 10x in a Binocular before? Don't know what to expect? Bryce...

[BobinKy]

Try these discussions on the Pentax PCF 20x60:

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbarchi...b=5&o=all&vc=1

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbarchi...b=5&o=all&vc=1

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbarchi...b=5&o=all&vc=1

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea...b=5&o=all&vc=1

...Bob
Kentucky, USA

[stereotruckdriver]

Originally Posted by BobinKy

Try these discussions on the Pentax PCF 20x60:

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbarchi...b=5&o=all&vc=1

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbarchi...b=5&o=all&vc=1

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbarchi...b=5&o=all&vc=1

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea...b=5&o=all&vc=1

...Bob
Kentucky, USA

Thanks Bob, Bryce...

[Yippeekiay]

Keep in mind that Astro viewers have dissimilar expectations when it comes to bin performance. CA doesn't seem to be an issue (for just one example). Still a wealth of knowledge to be had there.

[Kevin Conville]

Originally Posted by Yippeekiay

Keep in mind that Astro viewers have dissimilar expectations when it comes to bin performance. CA doesn't seem to be an issue (for just one example). Still a wealth of knowledge to be had there.

Exactly.

Chroma, color rendition, distortion, focus, water-proofness, flare resistance, stray light entering the EP, are a few things that the star observer has less concern with. Lunar observing deals with some of these.

[BobinKy]

There are some customer reviews of the Pentax PCF WP II 20x60 Binocular at Eagle Optics and Amazon.com:

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binocular...0x60-binocular

http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-PCF-20x.../dp/B00006JT7M

. . .

You may need the Pentax Adapter TP-3 to mount the Pentax PCF 20x60 on a tripod. I use this same adapter with my Pentax DCF ED 10x50.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/pentax-b...d-adapter.html

. . .

We look forward to hearing your impression after you receive the pair.

...Bob
Kentucky, USA

[jaymoynihan]

Originally Posted by Yippeekiay

Keep in mind that Astro viewers have dissimilar expectations when it comes to bin performance. CA doesn't seem to be an issue ...

Re astro, for some it is. I am very sensitive to CA. But practically speaking it does not play near the role it does for daytime viewing.
A few years back, i tried (for astro) some 15x70mm binos. Ended up getting a pair of Nikon SE 12x50's (despite their high CA). I got them for astro due to their resolution and flat field.
Many of the 15-16x70 range (if not all, with exception of the Fuji's) have small sweet spots, with flat field problems, coma etc. At least when i was trying them.

By the way, Lawrence Kilham, a rather well known amateur, published bird study guy, used large bino's rather than a spotter. But as he writes in "On Watching Birds", optics are a very personal varied choice. His equipment in his order of importance:
Notebook & pencil
Folding field chair
8x40 binos
11x80 binos & tripod (for distance)

[Kevin Purcell]

Note that Lawrence Kilham's main interest (aside form being a virologist!) was bird behavior rather than distant bird ID. Though I'd recommend his books to anyone.

And as a product of the depression/WW2 era he was a equipment minimalist I suspect those were surplus Navy bins with a 7.3mm exit pupil. Not light!

That said I suspect higher mag larger aperture bins on a support are not well thought of in the birding which I suspect is a mistake.

I was recently trying out even a 10x40 porro on a monopole (simple, lightweight) and the shake reduction is quite impressive. Very useful for distant scanning. Plus the bins don't have the left-right "pan shake" rotational mode on a monopole that spotting scopes (or long camera lens) do because the two handed grip and alignment with the face much reduces that mode. Holding a monopole mounted scope with two hands with one close to the objective lens) helps but is a bit tiring.

The monopole/bin combo is worth considering for 10x and up bins (a bit like the Finnstick but a bit more solid). Sort of a poor man's IS or perhaps even if you do have IS and a heavy bin but a bit more flexible especially if you don't need the higher magnifications.

And carbon fiber monopoles are getting cheaper all the time if you want to save a few ounces.

[Sancho]

Originally Posted by Kevin Purcell

The monopole/bin combo is worth considering for 10x and up bins (a bit like the Finnstick but a bit more solid). Sort of a poor man's IS or perhaps even if you do have IS and a heavy bin but a bit more flexible especially if you don't need the higher magnifications.

I tried the same last year when seawatching. I got a really cheap pair of 20x80 bins on e-bay, sharp and bright but with terrible CA. On a monopod, or a shortened ´pod while sitting in a fold-up chair, it really was impressive. With the scope mounted at hand for guest appearances of skuas and petrels, I could scan at leisure with the binos and it was far more relaxing on the eyes than spending most of the day using only one eye. I´ve never taken them on a long walk, though.

[Kevin Purcell]

monopole==monopod ... my brain appears to be stuck in first!

The real problem with bumping the power in bins is CA so ED is needed and that really narrows one's choices.