Hawke Frontier 43mm ED Binoculars update

Posted on September 4, 2011 by Reviewer

4/9/2011. The Hawke 8×43 and 10×43 ED binoculars have been updated with new lens covers and focusing gearing ratio, which allows for much faster focusing.

The new model prices have been revised to £369.95 – £379.95

Buy Hawke binoculars online here

 

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New.. Hawke Optics Endurance PC binoculars

Posted on September 4, 2011 by Reviewer

 

Product update 4/9/2011. The Hawke Optics Frontier PC and Endurance CF have been discontinued. They have been replaced by the new Hawke Endurance PC range of binoculars. Prices £149.95 – £189.95.

Available in black or green. 8×32, 10×32, 8×42, 10×42

Buy the new Hawke Endurance PC binoculars online here

 

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Comet C/2009 P1 Garradd with Helios Quantum-4 20×90 Binoculars

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Reviewer

Date 1st Sept 2011. Took out the Helios Quantum-4 20×90 binoculars, hoping to catch my first sighting of Comet Garradd. Was quite esy to find. Just next to Saggita under Collinder 399 (the coathanger).

Under light polluted skies the 8th magnitude Comet jumped out at me. No need to use averted vison either. Looked like a small smudge with a clear brighter centre.

Just proves how good the Helios Quantum-4 20x90s are at “comet chasing”

 

Buy Helios Quantum-4 binoculars online here

 

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What is a Zoom Binocular

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Reviewer

A pair of binoculars with a zoom feature have the benefit of giving you the choice of many different magnifications on one pair of binoculars. The varying power is altered by moving a small lever near one of the eye pieces.

The main advantage of this is the ability to change from low to high power without changing binoculars. Unfortunately there are many disadvantages. Overall image quality is reduced, with a dimmer and less contrasty image. Field of view is also reduced.

Don’t be fooled by small binoculars boasting extremely high magnifications. The image will be very poor and hard to focus. Also with many budget zooms the collimation may be so far out you will not get a single image.

Despite many zoom binoculars being lightweight, you will also need a tripod to keep them steady at high powers.

Don,t let the above put you off. You can buy very good quality binoculars. Helios are a prime example of quality zooms that keep the magnifications sensible.

 

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Carl Zeiss 8×40 & 10×40 Conquest Binoculars

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Reviewer

 

 

 

 

Carl Zeiss Conquest 8×40 and 10×40 specs

Conquest 8 x 40 T*

Universal binoculars with good twilight performance.

Conquest 10 x 40 T*

Improved detail recognition due to higher magnification. Excellent for birdwatching and nature. 

  • 8×40 T*
  • Magnification 8x
  • Object diameter 40mm
  • Exit pupil 5mm
  • Field 120m @ 1000m
  • Close focus 3m
  • Eye relief 16mm
  • IPD 54~74mm
  • Weight 810g

 

  • 10×40 T*
  • Magnification 10x
  • Object diameter 40mm
  • Exit pupil 4mm
  • Field 105m @ 1000m
  • Eye relief 15mm
  • IPD 54~74mm
  • Weight 820g

 

 

 

 

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What does ED glass mean

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Reviewer

ED stands for Extra low Dispersion glass. With this more expensive option you will find that all colours come to exactly the same point of focus. With binoculars and telescopes without ED glass you may notice false colour around the edges of an object (chromatic aberration). With ED glass you will not get this.

As a result, Optics with ED glass will be brighter, sharper and with truer colours.

With some optics the ED glass is of a higher manufacturing quality, or may have an extra element in the construction. Obviously with these premium binoculars and scopes you will pay a premium price. Many (including myself) will argue its money well spent.

Visit Northern Optics website here for a great selection on binoculars

 

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Celestron Ultima 65 Spotting Scope Review

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Reviewer


The Celestron Ultima 65 spotting scope is an ideal alternative if the 80mm version is out of budget. Looks pretty similar to the 80 and 100mm spotters in design. Unlike the larger scopes, it comes with a smaller zoom eyepiece (unlike the 65ED that uses the same eyepiece as the 80 & 100 versions.

This smaller eyepiece on the 65mm is not as good in optical quality as the ultima 80. There is a slight yellow cast around the edge, but by no means enough to put you off. Because of the smaller diameter of the eyepiece you need an extra adapter to accept a T-ring, but this is included when you buy the scope new.

Handling is excellent, with the focus and zoom moving very freely. I found it easy to hand hold at lower magnifications.

Compared to many other 60-65mm scopes in the same bracket, the Ultima 65 easily comes out on top. Mainly because of the interchangeable eyepieces that are available from many dealers. If possible get the wide angle low power lens that transforms the image quality.

Low light performance is very good from such a small scope. If you are intersested in astronomy, then go for the larger versions.

The stay on case is not the best available, but does the job.

Verdict. Excellent value for money

Buy Celestron spotting scopes online here

 

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North Lincolnshire Astronomy Society

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Reviewer

I am pleased to announce we will be attending the North Lincs Astronomy society meetings on the first Monday of each month.

Cost of entry for the public is £3.oo. This includes tea/coffee/refreshments and a ticket for the raffle prize. Northern Optics will donate towards this, plus give members the chance of big discounts on the Night.

Newbie budding astronomers welcome. No need to worry if you don’t have a telescope, as there will be members equipment available on the night to look through.

For more info on the North Lincs Astro club, including dates, venue and directions visit the web site below

North Lincs Astro Web Site

 

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What does Depth of Field mean

Posted on August 27, 2011 by Reviewer

Depth of field is the area that is in focus between two point when you look through the eyepiece. For example , when you focus precisely on an object at infinity, you may find that other targets are also in focus down to 50m. So in this example the depth of field would be 50m – Infinity.

As a rule of thumb, binoculars and telescopes with lower magnifications have the largest depth of field. 7×50 binoculars are the best example. With these you can set on around 30-50m and use almost focus free. On the flip side high powered binoculars have such a small depth of field, they need almost constant adjustments of the focus wheel to keep everything sharp.

 

Click here for a great choice of binoculars

 

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Celestron Outland 8×25 Binoculars Review

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Reviewer

 

As soon as you take the Celestron Outland 8×25 binoculars out the box, you will realise they are bigger than your average 25mm sets. In fact when they are folded, they feel like you are holding a pair of 8x32s. They are packed very tightly in the box, so you may find a small crease in the soft case.

As for handling, they extra size makes them feel very easy to hold. The rubber armour is very strong and thick. The focus wheel on the two models I tested was not that smooth, so I am guessing its the same with all models (not that its a problem). The eye cups fold down to the point where I could almost get full frame with spectacles on.

As for the optics, the price of £38 (2011) reflects this. They nicely bridge the gap between the budget £20 optics and the higher quality £59 binoculars. BaK-4 prisms , nitrogen waterproofing and multi-coated optics are impressive specs for the price.

Eye relief is better than expected. I found myself when not using spectacles having to hold them slightly away from my eyes to get best results

As for the optics, they have a narrow “sweet spot” where the image is crisp. So you will need to keep working the focus wheel to keep the image at its best. I found them OK in normal daylight, but may under perform in low light conditions.

Buy Celestron binoculars online here

 

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