Where can I buy telescope accessories in Lincolnshire

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Reviewer

Not everyone likes to shop online. Some prefer to buy over the counter face to face. Northern Optics is the place in North Lincolnshire to buy telescope accessories. So whether you are looking for an eyepiece, balow lens, filter or other accessory, why not visit the Northern Optics retail outlet at Barton Upon Humber.

At the Northern Optics outlet, you will find a small but recommended selection of astro accessories

For more information on location, opening times and stock availability click HERE

 

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Hawke Binoculars

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Reviewer

Hawke Optics Binoculars offer a great range to cater for all uses and budgets.  Ultra compact 25mm binoculars , medium 32-43mm up to the heavy 8×56 and 10×56. The larger models are perfect for hunting and low light observations, while all other models are perfect for bird watching / general use.

All current Hawke binoculars are waterproof. For peace of mind , you get a comprehensive 10 years warranty. Available throughout the UK by mail order or retail outlets.

Click here to see the range

 

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Which type of binocular tripod adapter should I buy

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Reviewer

Binoculars are available as either Porro prism or Roof prism options. Most of which accept binocular tripod adapters. But which one should you choose. The choices are standard or slim.

Standard tripod adapter. These are typically fine for porro prism binoculars. Being wider and and more substantial, they are more suited to larger binoculars.  Go for a metal one for better stability. Cheaper plastic ones may disappoint. Porro prism binoculars have a deeper internal thread, so the adapter has a longer thread to aid secure fitting. You can use a slim tripod adapter on porro prism binoculars, but the shorter thread may not be enough to hold them steady.

Slim tripod adapter. With the roof prism design of binoculars there is simply not enough of a gap inbetween the lenses to fit a standard adapter. Hence the need for the slim option. A little tricky to fit compared to porro prism binoculars due to the more limited space.

Some roof prism binoculars have the internal thread nearer the front, allowing for the wider adapter to be fitted. Unfortunately there is not enough internal thread to accept the long threaded standard adapter. In this case washers can be added

If unsure which binocular tripod adapter is for you, contact Northern Optics for expert advice

Click here to buy binocular tripod adapters

 

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Visionary HD 7×50 binoculars review (astronomy)

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Reviewer

With great optics and a wide 7mm exit pupil, the Visionary HD 7×50 binoculars are perfect for low light observing. This means they are ideal for astronomy. BaK-4 prisms and fully multi coated optics give outstanding results.

Despite being only 7x, I could easily split the Alberio double star. The colour contrast was remarkable. Steady hands were needed, but a tripod adapter is available as an optional extra if needed.

Pointing to the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) the elongated shape was very evident. Averted vision helped make it jump out from the background

The Double cluster above Perseus could be seen as single stars.  M15 was a little more tricky, but could just be seen.

For general star sweeping in rich field areas, the results are amazing.  Reminded me of the days when I introduced myself to astronomy with my very first pair of binoculars.

All of the above was under light polluted skies.  Stars are pin sharp in the centre, fading slightly above 80% from centre, and showing as slightly elongated around the edge. Colours are clear and vivid, with virtually no chromatic aberration in the centre of view.

Handling is superb. Focusing a little stiff, but acceptable. Great news for spectacle wearers with a very long eye relief. This is not quoted, but I would estimate around 20mm.

If you are looking for a starter pair of binoculars for astronomy that can be hand held, you will struggle to beat the Visionary HD 7x50s

Click here to buy

 

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Hawke Frontier PC 10×32 binoculars. Customer review

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Reviewer

A couple came to the Northern Optics retail outlet at Barton’s Waters Edge visitors centre with a few requirements. They were looking for a lightweight pair of binoculars for taking abroad. 10x magnification and close focus were on the list of important factors. After trying out a few sets, they went for the Hawke Frontier PC 10×32 binoculars.

The Frontier PC 10x32s ticked all the boxes. Handing was great, optics were impressive, and the close focus was much better than expected. It was a close run thing between these and the slightly larger 42mm versions. The lightness of the 10x32s was the deciding factor.

The couple were also very happy with the hard case (ideal for travelling) and the thick padded neck strap

Contact Northern Optics by clicking here to enquire about stock levels

**Update** The Hawke Frontier PC range were discontinued in 2012. They have been replaced by the Endurance PC. The Endurance PC range can be purchased from the link shown above

 

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Ostara 1.25″ Plossl eyepieces. First impressions

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Reviewer

Taking the Ostara 1.25″ plossl eyepieces out of the box for the first time, the first thing I noticed was the build quality. These feel reassuringly weighty in the hands. This is a result of quality materials used.  The rubber eye cups (not on the 40mm) are a little thicker than some brands. This means they are less likely to break with continued use.

We checked out the 5, 10 and 40mm. The 5mm and 10mm may not appeal to spectacle wearers, but seemed to have very good internal baffling with little reflection.

The 40mm model has much longer eye relief. The one we tested had no eye cup, but eye relief is so long, you don’t have to put your eye up to the eyepiece, even with glasses on.  This long focal length is not just for astronomy. It is ideal for short tube refractors for terrestrial use, and for digiscoping.

No lens caps are included, but they come packaged in a secure bolt case. All Ostara 1.25″ eyepieces are threaded to accept 1.25″ filters.

Click here to buy

 

 

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What binoculars do I need to see the Andromeda Galaxy

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Reviewer

Away from light pollution under dark skies, you may just be able to see the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) with the unaided eye as a small patch of light. A pair of small binoculars such as 7×50 or 10×50 will show it as a much brighter elongated smudge of light. No detail in the dust lanes will be seen. Why not give it a go. Seeing another Galaxy (no matter how faint) for the first time is quite an experience.

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Binoculars for spectacle wearers

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Reviewer

If you need to wear glasses while looking through a spotting scope, telescope or binoculars, you need an eyepiece with whats called long eye relief . Ideally you need this to be 17mm+ to get a comfortable full field of view. 

Often with telescope eye pieces, it will not quote what the eye relief is. What they do instead is simply use the phrase LER (long eye relief) in the specifications

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Helios Ultrasport 8×42 binoculars review

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Reviewer

Review of the Helios Ultrasport 8×42 binoculars, courtesy of Birdwatching magazine. “Well the first thing to say about the Ultrasports is just how snugly they fit in the hand – they’re pretty compact for 8×42’s, they feel light (and they are at 646g) and thoroughly well balanced, and they have a neat, unfussy open bridge design, meaning that you barely notice that you’ve got them with you….they’re waterproof and fog-free, and very solidly put together….the image is sharp, bright and boasts a very natural colour tone…..what’s most outstanding for binoculars costing less than £150 is the lack of edge softness – you get full value for almost all of the 129m@1000m field….focusing was precise and easy…All things considered its hard not to be really impressed”

Click here to buy

 

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Helios Nirvana-ED 8×42 binoculars review

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Reviewer

Review of the Helios-ED 8×42 binoculars. Courtesy of Birdwatch Magazine. “The 675g of glass, magnesium and rubber – not forgetting the Argon gas filling – combine to form a binocular which I found light, compact and easy to operate….Slick mechanics manifest themselves in the smoothly turning, rubber covered focusing wheel, with just under 1.25 anti-clockwise rotations taking the image from close focus to infinity. It delivers pleasingly precise control with no play or looseness…. the twist-out , rubber eye cups lock loosely in three positions – fully retracted, extended and between the two – offering a maximum eye relief of 17.2mm. I was impressed with the exceptional wide field of view delivering , this puts the model in the premiership in this instance…The image delivered by the ED glass is also very good, especially when you take the price into consideration. Its nice, bright and very sharp across most of the field….The bottom line is I like this binocular, its ease of use and its overall optical performance”

 

 

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