Astro Binoculars for Birding (2 Viewers)

[james holdsworth]

As a devoted lakewatcher, hawkwatcher, VISMIGer, etc, I’ve been using my 15x56 Conquests in lieu of a scope, but would like more reach. Extensive field trials have taught me that I need a two eyes setup and I’m not prepared to pay the price for something like a BTX. That said, I’d be interested in any forum feedback on a setup like this….

BT-70XL-ED | Oberwerk | Leading Supplier of Binocular Telescopes

The BT-70XL-ED is the smallest member of the XL Series and the least-expensive ED binocular telescope on the market. 70mm ED objectives, 24mm prism aperture

oberwerk.com

Anyone with experience with the brand, model etc.? How feasible / useful would this model be for long distance birding? Any thoughts or suggestions welcome.

And, yes, I’ve asked similar questions in the past but I’d be interested on the forums take on the model shown….about the right mag., not overly massive and a reputable brand.

 

[yarrellii]

I wasn't aware that VISMIG existed, interesting.
My obvious suggestion would be to try a powerful IS, like a 18 or 20x. You gain portability, save a ton of space (no tripod) and then there's the fact that you can "deploy" your equipment in no time. People talk wonders about the 20x Sig Sauer, and the Canon 18x50 has been a favourite among astronomers and plane spotters for many years. Maybe worth investigating? Just an idea

 

[dries1]

Oberwerk is what I would go with, the 70mm is very suitable for both day and night time viewing (70mm glass stays in collimation more often than the 100mm+ in my experience). Depending on atmospheric conditions 60X with the right eye pieces can provide nice views.

 

[wllmspd]

I have the 70mm APM version of the 45degree binoscipe. Likes a decent tripod and head to keep it steady. My preferred eyepieces are 12.5mm Morpheus hovering around 30x with a 76degree apparent field of view. Lots of eye relief and immersive view. Fairly hefty, but can be carried about in a backpack fairly easily. I did consider the 80mm, but that would be less fun for long walks. People I have shown were impressed. You get used to the individual eye focussing, but I wouldn’t want to keep refocusing all the time, best for medium to long viewing for long periods. You can get other eyepieces to give you more or less magnification if you wish, but I would y want to use a zoom as I want wide angle views.

Peter

 

[james holdsworth]

Assuming most viewing would be from est. 200 m to infinity, how much refocusing would be needed?

 

[wllmspd]

Probably very little. If both eyes are focussed you can twist both eyepieces together. To set focus I close one eye, adjust the other, swap eyes and then fine tune, takes little time with practice. If you have closer things then as long as you’re not changing what you’re looking at all the time it shouldn’t be too bad. I’d love to compare mine to a BTX, but I’ve never seen one in the field.

Peter

 

[wllmspd]

My 70mm at the London wetland centre a few years ago. I’ve got a heftier tripod now.

Peter

 

[james holdsworth]

Can you let me know the tripod you went with? I’ll definitely need to upgrade from what I have.

Also, how top heavy is your setup? We glass in some very windy conditions so I have to be mindful of tipping.

 

[wllmspd]

For tipping I would keep the tripod Lee and not use the pillar extension. My original was a manfrotto ?190, now replaced by a huge Innorel rt90c carbon that’s not much heavier.

Peter

 

[james holdsworth]

Oberwerk is what I would go with, the 70mm is very suitable for both day and night time viewing (70mm glass stays in collimation more often than the 100mm+ in my experience). Depending on atmospheric conditions 60X with the right eye pieces can provide nice views.

Is collimation something I would need to worry about, say more than a traditional roof prism? Are these twin telescopes know to be more fragile?