Minox BF 8×42 binoculars review #62057

Posted on November 17, 2017 by Reviewer

Had the pleasure of testing the Minox BF 8×42 binoculars and was not left disappointed. The BF range is targeted at the beginner at an affordable price, but this does not make them budget. FMC optics, phase coated BaK-4 prisms and nitrogen gas filled to 3m waterproof, they have similar specification to some brands premium lines.

At first glance the 105m @ 1000m may seem narrower than many others with 120 – 143m field of views, but do not let this put you off. You soon become acclimatised to this, and is still wide enough to quickly find your targets. On the subject of the view through the eyepiece, you get a very sharp view with excellent vivid colours. I did actually find less CA than a similar priced ED option from another brand. Well blackened internals helps with the contrast.

These are long eye relief at 18mm. The click stop twist eye cups are among the most solid I have used. The small click stops make it easy to find your own best setting. No problem for spectacle wearers with a full view with the cups down.

Handling is as good as they come with a smooth focuser with fast focus and a grippy rubber body. The case is semi soft and of a very high quality. The clip fastener is a little to use with gloves on though. It comes with a padded strap , small microfibre cleaning cloth, lens caps (eye piece only) and a 10 years warranty.

Summing up, excellent value for money. Maybe a wider FOV would have been better. But saying that the view you do get is superb

Optics 8.5 / 10
Handling 9/10
Value for money 10/10
Build quality 9/10

Buy HERE from Northern Optics

Posted in Minox binoculars | Tagged , | Comments Off on Minox BF 8×42 binoculars review #62057

Celestron Astromaster AZ mount #93610

Posted on November 15, 2017 by Reviewer

The height of the Astromaster AZ mount is often quoted at 41 inches. This is slightly misleading, as this is the height of the legs only. The important specs, the height to the top of the actual mounting plate is 49 inches. This is an ideal height for angled spotting scopes, telescopes and binoculars. For straight through optics, you may need to be seated.

The Celestron Astromaster AZ mount is perfect for both terrestrial , astronomy and looking at ships at sea. The no tool mount is easy to set up. It has a smooth pan and tilt head with a tripod adapter that can be removed to reveal a 1.75″ dovetail.

Subject to availability the Celestron AZ mount can be purchased HERE

 

Posted in Tripods and Mounts | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Celestron Astromaster AZ mount #93610

Minox BV 8×25 / 10×25 new model. Open hinge design

Posted on November 15, 2017 by Reviewer

As from Autumn 2017 the popular Minox BV 8×25 and 10×25 now come in a new open hinge design. This now means you get the same great optics with Minox M* lens coatings in a modern housing.  Compared to years ago, modern 25mm binoculars can now match many 42mm options due to new technology with optics.

The BV 25mm range only weigh 365g and have a bright wide field of view with 105m – 121m @ 1000m. This range are built to last, and therefore come with the Minox comfort service 30 years warranty

Click HERE to purchase from Northern Optics

 

Posted in News and Blog | Tagged | Comments Off on Minox BV 8×25 / 10×25 new model. Open hinge design

Hawke Endurance 8×32 ED. Northern Optics blog 12.11.17

Posted on November 13, 2017 by Reviewer

A customer came to the Northern Optics weekend outlet looking to buy a set of high quality mid sized binoculars with very good eye relief. A number of 8×25 and 10×25 options were tried. One of which was ideal, with a long eye relief and good optics.

However we then tried something a little bigger. These were the Hawke Endurance ED 8×32. These immediately were a cut above the rest. The customer found the eye relief more than enough.  Not only that, they felt great and and superb handling. In other words they ticked every box. They also commented on the quality of the hard case and comfortable strap.

Posted in News and Blog | Tagged | Comments Off on Hawke Endurance 8×32 ED. Northern Optics blog 12.11.17

North Lincs astro meeting. 6th November 2017

Posted on November 7, 2017 by Reviewer

The North Lincolnshire astronomy society welcomed 2 fresh faces at the November 2017 meeting. Due to technical issues, Damian’s constellation of the month went AWOL. But all was not lost, as John gave us his usual monthly round up of the latest astro news, followed by Steve showing us an excellent downloaded lecture about astrophotography.

Around 21 turned up for this meeting. As always, thank you to Glenys and Malcolm for the refreshments and the Lincolnshire wildlife trust for the use of the venue. The ever present Northern Optics was available with the box of goodies , which this time included a selection of magnifiers.

Contact the North Lincs astro society for more information on future meetings

Posted in News and Blog | Tagged | Comments Off on North Lincs astro meeting. 6th November 2017

North Lincs astro society meeting 2nd October 2017

Posted on October 9, 2017 by Reviewer

Around 15 members turned up for the North Lincs astro AGM on Monday 2nd Oct 2017. This was a very informal meeting with the re-election of the committee and members. There was some very useful suggestions and ideas for the following year.

Thank you as always to Malcolm and Glenys for the teas and refreshments. This was followed by some delightful views of the Moon, which was quite dazzling through the large Dobsonian and the 25×100 Helios binoculars

For more information on the North Lincs astro society click on the following link  North Lincs Astro

Posted in News and Blog | Tagged | Comments Off on North Lincs astro society meeting 2nd October 2017

Levenhuk Wise 8×42 monocular

Posted on October 7, 2017 by Reviewer

Had a chance to test the Levenhuk Wise 8×42 monocular, and was very pleased with the results. So firstly lets talk about the price. £35 at the time of this review. So for £35, surely you are going to get standard coated optics and BK7 prisms ?. Not in this case. What you get is multi-coated optics and BaK-4 prisms.

So what about build quality ?. Very solid with a rubber covering. Twist eye cup with a very generous 18mm eye relief. However these are not nitrogen gas filled. But hey, FMC, LER, BaK-4 prisms, 42mm objective lens. For £35 what,s not to like.

On to the all important handling and view through the eye piece. What you get is very sharp colours, nice contrast and a bright image, that is helped by the 5mm exit pupil. Yes you get a little red colour fringing around bright objects with dark back grounds (swans on a lake in this case) and a little fall off in sharpness on the edges. But that is also what you get on much more expensive monoculars. The top focus wheel is a little smaller and stiffer than some, but again lets go back to the £35 price tag.

You get as standard a wrist strap, lens covers at both sides (not all monoculars do), small microfibre cleaning cloth and a very nice soft pouch.

Overall. Optics 7/10, Handling 7/10. Value for money 10/10

Posted in Monocular Reviews | Tagged , | Comments Off on Levenhuk Wise 8×42 monocular

Hawke Sapphire 8×25 ED binoculars review

Posted on October 5, 2017 by Reviewer

The Hawke Sapphire ED 8×25 binoculars offer big performance results from a compact set. Features include ED glass with Dielectric coated BaK-4 prisms and water repellent glass.

It is difficult to believe how bright the image is from the small 25mm objective lenses. Colours and contrast are superb in all lighting conditions. Minimal chromatic aberration gives excellent sharpness with virtually no colour fringing.

Although compact and lightweight, they are extremely solid with excellent handling. Take a look at the video below for a closer look.

Posted in Hawke Binocular Reviews | Tagged , | Comments Off on Hawke Sapphire 8×25 ED binoculars review

How to connect a DSLR t-ring and adapter to a Celestron Regal M2 spotting scope

Posted on October 5, 2017 by Reviewer

To connect a t-ring to a Celestron Regal M2 zoom eyepiece, you unscrew the twist eye cup anti-clockwise until it comes off. The attach the adaptor ring to the thread, followed by the t-ring for your camera. Note the t-ring is available separate, and the adaptor ring is supplied when you buy the spotting scope (not included with the eyepiece when bought on its own)

You can then enter the wonderful world of digiscoping. Note that with some cameras you will only be able to use manual exposure. Use live screen for more accurate focus. See video below for a hands on demonstration.

Posted in User Guides and Tutorials | Tagged , | Comments Off on How to connect a DSLR t-ring and adapter to a Celestron Regal M2 spotting scope

Helios Aquila MS 6.5×32 binoculars review 30133

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Reviewer

After looking through 100s of binoculars over the years it takes something special to give me the wow ! factor. The Helios Aquila 6.5×32 are now in this group of binoculars that stand out against most others in the same price range.

As always my reviews will be my own opinions and no one else.

Starting with the outer box, we see a many pink appearance with images of the binoculars and a large bird of prey. You also see the full specs , which are impressive for the price.

So opening the box we find a very standard nylon soft case, nylon strap and small cleaning cloth. OK I have seen better cases and straps, but on much more expensive binoculars..Once however you hold the binoculars, everything changes. They are extremely well built and solid, yet only weigh 500g.

The eye pieces have a one piece flexible guard, and drop down stay on, on the objectives. Unlike some similar 7×30 binoculars, they twist eye cups feel very nice , with small clicks as you unwind them out. Some others feel very flimsy. Not so hear.

So with the eye cups out, lets have a look. This is where the Wow factor kicks in. For such a small 30mm set of binoculars the view is outstanding with a bright and very wide field of view with high contrast and vivid colours. If you like flat field binoculars such as 7×50 and 8×56 you will love these. Internal baffling is excellent with virtually no internal refletion even with the eye cups down.

Do not be put off by the 6.5x magnification. This is more than adequate for mid distance viewing. The wide 4.9mm exit pupil is great for low light observing. I have not tried yet , but bet they will be great for wide field astronomy.

Yes there is some CA, but well within tolerances. One downside is the close focus of around 3.5m (quoted). But for a porro prism design this is one of the better.

Handling is very easy with a grippy rubber covering and large focus wheel. The dioptre is easy to adjust even with the eye cups twisted down.

Summing up, these are truly outstanding binoculars for the price. Stunning optics, build quality and handling the plus points. Only downside is probably the unpadded strap. But this can quickly be remedied if you ask the dealer nicely for an upgrade.

Highly recommend as comprise between 8×42 binoculars and compact 25mm versions

Click Here to buy from Northern Optics and see full specs

Posted in Helios Binocular Reviews | Tagged | Comments Off on Helios Aquila MS 6.5×32 binoculars review 30133