Opticron Verano BGA HD Binoculars

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Reviewer

New product news for 2011

Building on the strengths of previous models the Verano BGA HD features a fully revised optical system that delivers outstanding specification elevating them to a new performance class.

Optically the binoculars offer:

  • Large diameter long eyerelief eyepieces that guarantee an exceptionally comfortable viewing experience with or without glasses
  • Class leading fields of view 8° (8×32), 7° (8×42), 6.5° (10×42)
  • ‘PGK’ glass prisms with PC phase correction coating and Oasis prism coating
  • Opticron F-type combination multi-coating devised to optimise colour contrast

Mechanically the binoculars:

  • Feature a polycarbonate double hinge body
  • Are nitrogen gas filled and waterproof to 3 metres
  • Are internally focused with close focus to 2 metres or under
  • Are covered in a lightly textured natural rubber armouring contoured to deliver a truly positive handling experience with or without gloves
  • Include 3 stage twist type retractable eyecup assembly
  • Feature a smooth action wide wheel focusing system 

Verano BGA HD binoculars are supplied with a 30 year guarantee.

The 8×42 Verano BGA HD is recommended by the British Trust for Ornithology 

Verano BGA HD binoculars are supplied complete in soft neoprene case with 31020 rainguard, neoprene lanyard and objective lens caps.

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Viewing Jupiter through Helios Quantum-4 20×90 Binoculars

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Reviewer

25/9/2011.  Got a chance to view Jupiter with my Helios Quantum-4 20×90 binoculars. Considering the Planet was low down and covered by hazy clouds, I got superb views of the Galilean satellites. The disc was a clear circle, with just a hint of the Equatorial belts visible.

Sometimes the wide 3D low power views of Planets can be amazing compared to more expensive equipment.

Just shows what can be achieved without a telescope  

Buy Helios Quantum-4 20×90 binoculars online here

 

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Barr and Stroud Sierra 8×42 Binoculars Review

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Reviewer

After testing Barr and Stroud Sierra 8×32 and 10×50 binoculars, I was looking forwards to trying out the mid sized 8×42. First thing that was brought to my attention was the twist eye cups. The eye relief is long, but I found the twist eye cups came out a few mm to far. This meant to get full view you needed to push your eyes tight up against the cups, and they feel quite solid, so they felt uncomfortable to use when pressing up against your eyes. This was easily remedied by having the twist eye cups on the middle setting.

OK, with that minor issue out the way lets get onto the optics. The view you get is bright and clear. At 129m @ 1000m and small (ish) eye pieces you do not get the picture window wide angle of some of the opposition, but its wide enough to not be an issue.

In the centre of view, chromatic aberration is very minimal and on par with rivals costing £50 more. You do get more false colour towards the edge, and there is also field curvature on the edge of view. Colours and contrast are very good.

Focusing is a bonus. Less than half a turn of the focus wheel gets clear focus from around 8 metres to infinity. This was very useful when I was testing close focus and a low flying plane went by. The plane was centered and in focus in a few seconds.

Just like the 8×32 and 10×32 handling is excellent. They balance very easily in the hands.

The strap and case are very basic but do the job.

Summing up, they don’t have the cutting edge sharpness of the Barr and Stroud Series-4 8×42, but for just £10 less they are still excellent value for money.

Highly recommended

 

Buy Barr and Stroud binoculars here

 

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Celestron Piggy Back Mount for Nexstar 5SE, 6SE, 8SE telescopes

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Reviewer

The Celestron piggy back mount is the ultimate accessory for wide field astro photography. This mount allows you to attach your camera, with its lens, to the top of the telescope. Its unique design also allows you to fit your NexStar telescope’s Star Pointer on top of the Piggyback so that you can accurately navigate your telescope and conduct astrophotography at the same time.

Celestron item number #93609

Buy the Celestron Nexstar piggy back mount online here

 

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New product. Visionary Fieldtracker Emerald ED Binoculars

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Reviewer

 

Released in 2011, the Visonary Fieldtracker Emerald ED binoculars are at the high end of the range, yet within the budget of many.

Features ED glass, BaK-4 phase corrected prisms, fully multi coated optics and nitrogen waterproof. Housed in a stylish and attractive double hinged body, they will appeal to a large audience.

Available in 8×42 and 10×42. Priced at £289.99 – £299.99

These have had great reviews in bird watching magazines and represent excellent value for money.

 

Buy the Visonary Fieldtracker Emerald ED binoculars online here

 

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New Visionary Wetland 32mm Binoculars

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Reviewer

New for 2011. Visionary have added 8×32, 10×32 and 12×32 binoculars to the Wetland range. As with others in the range, you get nitrogen waterproofing, BaK-4 prisms, multi coated optics and twist eye cups.

The 8x and 10x will make great all rounders, while the 12x are maybe more suited to long distance or plane/ship spotting.

Competitively priced at £79.99 – £99.99

 

Purchase Visionary Wetland binoculars online here

 

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How to check binocular optics. The Lamp Post test

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Reviewer

Whenever I field test binoculars, I do the lamppost check.  Believe it or not, such a simple thing like a lamp post can reveal a lot about the optical quality of binoculars.

First test is to centre the lamp post in he centre of view and focus sharply. What you are looking for here is chromatic aberration (false colour) on the edge of the post. This will be a blue or green.  With some budget binoculars this will be quite a distraction.  With mid priced optics it will be very minimal. Then with high end ED glass it will not be visible at all. So how is this a benefit ?. With less chromatic aberration the image will be much sharper and brighter, plus any contrasting colours on animals will be sharp and well defined.

Next, without adjusting the focus move the lamp post to the edge of view. By doing this you can do three more tests shown below

  1. Check for false colour as above
  2. Check if it is in focus. Due to the construction on lenses the edge of field focus may be slightly out when compared to the centre of field. This is quite common, but will be less evident in higher end binoculars. You will often hear the term flat field mentioned in some reviews. Binoculars with a flat field will give better even focus to the edge. 7×50 binoculars give very flat fields.
  3. Image curvature. In the centre of view the lamp post will be a straight line. However if you place on the edge of view to will notice it bend (image curvature). Once again, with more expensive binoculars this will be less pronounced, leading to an overall better image

Buy great quality binoculars online here

 

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North Lincolnshire Astronomy Society

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Reviewer

New for 2011, the North Lincs Astro group meets at the Far Ings nature reserve at Barton Upon Humber on the first Monday of every month from 7pm till late.

This is a friendly group that will make any new member welcome. Does not matter if you are a seasoned pro or complete novice, all are welcome

Price for entry is £3 per meeting, which includes refreshments and a ticket for the raffle prize. Prizes donated by the club and Northern Optics.

In case of bad weather there is a large meeting room with large screen Internet access. So there is always something to keep you occupied on a cloudy night.

Northern optics will have a selection of accesories on sale each meeting at discounted prices.

More more details visit the link below

Visit the North Lincolnshire Astronomy Society Here

 

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Celestron Ultima spotting scope Vs Hawke Optics Nature Trek spotting scope

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Reviewer

For this comparison I used the Celestron Ultima 80/45 and a Hawke Optics Nature Trek 80/45. Both were non ED models.

First of all lets start with the optics. They both use the same 80mm objective and 20-60x eyepiece. So no difference there.

As for the Price. At £199 the Hawke is more expensive than the £165 Celestron. So lets go through what extras you get for the premium of £34.00

  1. Lens shade. The Hawke has a pull-out lens shade. Ideal for keeping out stray light, and dust on a windy day. Also helps protect the vulnerable lens from straying finger tips. The Celestron lens shade does not pull out
  2. Stay-on-case. With the Celestron Ultima, it is more of a carry case that can be used as a stay-on-case. You will need to slide your hand down inside the case to access the focus wheel. With the Hawke, you get all the holes in the side of the case for easy access.
  3. Rubber covering. The Hawke seems to me to be the better quality.
  4. Aluminium case. The Hawke comes with a superb aluminium case to keep everything safe in transit. The Celestron only comes with the stay-on (carry case)
  5. Cleaning cloth. The Hawke comes with the best microfibre cloth I have ever used. So another tick for the Hawke
  6. Warranty. The Celestron comes with 2 years parts and labour. The Hawke comes with 10 years parts and labour
  7. Eyepiece case. OK here,s where the Celestron gets one over on the Hawke. It comes with a plastic protective case. The Hawke does not have a separate case for the eyepiece.

So summing up. They both have the same optics. So if this is the only thing that is important to you, go for the Ultima. If you all the extras you get with the Hawke is important, you will find from the above that you get A LOT more for the extra £34.00.

Buy Hawke and Celestron spotting scopes online here

 

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Celestron Eyepiece and Filter set . 1.25″ Updated version

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Reviewer

The Celestron 1.25″ eyepiece and filter set has been upgraded in 2011 with an improved choice of eyepieces and a new colourful display box. The old box was plain white.

Yet the RRP has been reduced by £40 !

See the full specs and purchase online here

 

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