New for 2012 is the 2″ Ostara Moon / Skyglow telescope filter. This is a high quality filter designed to give enhanced Lunar and Planetary views, as well as being a more than useful light pollution filter. Best thing is the price. Only £19.99 delivered from Northern Optics.
Although a #56 Green filter can be used as a Moon filter. I find that it is the best astronomical filter for enhanced views of Mars. With the #56 filter attached, the Polar ice caps stand out much more against the rest of the Planet. The results you see will depend on the size of the Planet, equipment used , and observing technique’s
Click here to buy from Northern Optics
The new ED-X binoculars are now available. Models include an 8×42 and 10×42. At just £299 – £309, these have to be one of the best value ED glass binoculars without sacrificing quality.
A #12 Yellow is ideal for viewing Jupiter and Saturn. It helps bring out detail on the planets disc by darkening the cloud belts, and so making them stand out more against the rest of the bright disk.
The #12 yellow filter can also aid views of the Moon by reducing the light that reaches the eye
Review courtesy of Birdwatching magazine. Model reviewed 8×42
” They’re very solidly built….The close-focus figure of 1.2m is prominently displayed on the bridge. A quick try-out reveals it is not an idle boast at all – I managed 1.2m pretty comfortably. So for those of you for whom bugs, moths, butterflies and dragonflies are as important as birds, there’s an obvious attraction….Definitely worth a look…”
A few hardy souls braved the icy and foggy conditions to attend the North Lincolnshire Astronomy meeting on the 6th Feb 2012.
Was nice to see 2 new enthusiastic members. After a period of chatting and tea drinking, the skies cleared to allow some viewing of Jupiter and the Moon. The sub zero temperature and biting wind kept the session short.
Equipment used were 15×70 binoculars, Skywatcher 6″ dob, Skywatcher 130 and a beautiful Tal 4″ refractor on an AZ-4 mount.
Despite the cold conditions, a good time was had by all
As always Northern Optics was in attendance with some bargain prices. Items bought on the night were Ostara comfort straps, Visionary Classic 7×50 binoculars, Celestron UpClose 10×50 binoculars, Binocular tripod adapter and a 7 piece 1.25″ filter set
Visit the North Lincs Astro website here
The Visionary Classic 7×50 are aimed at the budget end of the market. BaK-7 prisms and standard lens coatings help keep the price down.
So straight out the box, you are presented with binoculars that come with standard case and strap. I found build quality can vary a little from one to another, but nothing to worry about. Not as sturdy as the Visionary HD range, but the price reflects this.
So what about the optics . First thing you may notice is a little internal reflection. I found holding them away from your eyes eliminates this. On the subject of eye relief, it is long enough to use with glasses on without having to fold down the eye cups.
Although not as bright as fully multi coated optics, the image is very sharp and clear. Chromatic aberration is hardly evident in the centre 50%, but increases heavily towards the edge. But remember these are less than £30 at the time of this review.
With the low magnification, there is very little eye strain. This makes them perfect for prolonged observations. Also don’t be put off by the 7x power. This is plenty for every day use.
As with all 7x50s, you get a flat field and a good depth of field. Around a half turn of the focus wheel is all you will need. The dioptre adjustment is usually very smooth on the Classics. But on the one I tested was a little stiff (but not enough to be a problem)
Handling is excellent + they are easy to hand hold. 7×50 binoculars are the perfect choice if you have unsteady hands.
I found compared to the Visionary classic 10x50s the image quality of the 7x50s was slightly sharper. The 7mm exit pupil making them also suitable for low light and astronomy observations.
Highly recommended if you are on a budget
You can contact Northern Optics here to ask about stock availability
If you are looking for a great deal on selected binoculars and accessories, why not come along to the North Lincolnshire astronomy society on the first Monday of every month.
Northern Optics will be present at each evening meeting with a small selection of binoculars at greatly discounted prices. The special offers on the night will not be available on the Northern Optics website, or at any other trading venue.
All we ask is that when you turn up is to stop for the evening and socialise with other members. Clear skies permitting, you will get the chance to test out binoculars and look through other members telescopes and binoculars.
There is an entry fee. But this includes a raffle ticket. Prizes donated by the club and Northern Optics
Click here for more imformation on the North Lincs Atro club, and meeting dates
For the review of the Visionary HD 8×56 , I waited for a dull and over cast day to test their low light capabilities.
First impressions were how compact and light they were for a 56mm pair of binoculars. Although I weighed them at 1050g, they were easy to hold steady , hand held. Despite the dull conditions, the view was bright and crisp. Colours were clear, and detail in the dark shadows was easily picked out.
With a close focus of around 15m, these are designed for mid to long distance work. A plus side of this is that there is only half a turn of the focus wheel needed from nearest to infinity focus. The field is flat, with just a little bowing on the edge of field.
The massive depth of field makes focusing a breeze. Infact you can set at mid distance and use almost like an auto focus. False colour is hardly evident in the centre and well within tolerences at the edge.
Great news for spectacle wearers with very long eye relief. I found that with the eye cups folded down, I could hold them well away from my eyes, even with glasses on.
Handling is very easy and user friendly. The focus wheel and dioptre adjustment is a little stiff, but as the depth of field is so large, you do not have to be bang on with the settings.
They are not nitrogen waterproof. But if the main thing that matters to you is quality of optics, you wont do much better for the price.
Case and strap are basic
Very highly recommended and superb optics for both bright, dull days and astronomy