Introduction
Our eyes can be frustratingly limiting when it comes to viewing the plethora of beautiful objects that the universe has on display. Whether you’ve explored visual astronomy in the past or are just getting into it for the first time now, binoculars are a brilliant way to dive deeper into this incredible hobby. Today, we’re going to look at the different specifications of binoculars and how to get the most of these convenient astro tools. If you’ve never done any visual astronomy before, then check out my previous post to learn how to get started!
Binocular Specs: Making Sense of the Numbers
The two main specifications relevant for binoculars are the magnification and lens diameter. You will often see this written as two numbers with a ‘x’ symbol between them, for example ‘10x50’. Magnification is relatively self-explanatory, with higher magnifications having a further reach and a smaller field of view. The diameter of the lens (measured in millimeters) is particularly important for astronomy, with a wider diameter equating to a greater light gathering ability. Generally, deep sky objects (DSOs) such as nebulas or star clusters are dim. You’ll want a wide lens diameter to ensure enough of the light is collected to produce a decent image through your binos. With that out of the way, here are a couple of great choices of binoculars for beginner astronomy!
Which Binoculars Are for You?
I have two recommendations, the first being more versatile and the second giving you a greater reach into the night sky. If you’re just starting out then I would recommend some 10x50 binoculars. The 10x magnification gives you a good bit of zoom on some medium sized targets, but a wide enough field of view to make finding objects and keeping them in your sights a breeze. Also, the 50mm aperture will give you some decent light gathering ability. I wouldn’t suggest going any lower than 50mm, as you might find that those faint objects become too dim to discern and enjoy! 10x50 binos therefore provide a convenient and affordable option for beginners and experts alike to open up their night time viewing options.
If you’re a bit more confident at navigating the skies, and are willing to invest in some sort of cheap mount (which we will be discussing later on in the post) then it might be worth picking up a pair of 15x70 binoculars. I absolutely love mine! Not only do they look very impressive (which is obviously the number one priority), but they also give you that extra reach and light gathering ability which can transform the previously underwhelming targets into a new source of visual enjoyment. The drawback with these is that they are prone to quite serious shake when holding them due to the extra magnification, and the field of view is smaller, so finding your target might be more difficult. You will find that getting 25x70 binoculars is not much more expensive, but I find that the extra difficulty in use of such high magnification binoculars makes them less attractive than the 15x70s.
Mounting Your Binoculars
We’ve discussed which types of binoculars to use, but if you’re getting serious about visual astronomy then the binoculars alone might not cut it. If you want to get the most out of your new binos, reducing the shake and finding targets more easily, you may want to invest in a simple way to mount them. I have tried two different mounting methods, both have which are useful in different situations. I have linked the items which I have used and would recommend!
Setup 1:
· 67-inch monopod (View here)
· Joystick type ball head (Such as this)
· ¼ to 3/8 adapter (View here)
· Metal L type tripod mounting bracket (View here)
The first method is to buy a monopod that extends to at least 67 inches, and attach it to a joystick type ball head (you may need a ¼ to 3/8 screw adapter for this to work). This way, you can extend the monopod, attach your binoculars to the joystick head with an L Type Tripod Mounting Adapter (metal not plastic!), and then swivel the binoculars around on the ball-head. This method gives you the ease of use and manoeuvrability of the monopod, but does sacrifice some stability that you might get from a tripod. This type of setup works best for the lighter 10x50 type binoculars, and may struggle to support the bigger binoculars. Something to keep in mind is you want a tripod that extends above your head, so you can point up to the highest points in the sky without too much discomfort.
Setup 2: (My Favourite)
· Starter tripod (View here)
· Ball head/Pan Tilt Head
· Metal L type tripod mounting bracket (View here)
While I used the monopod setup initially, I much prefer my new tripod setup. This consists of a tripod, either a pan/tilt head or standard ball head and an L Type Tripod Mounting Adapter to attach the binoculars. While you do lose some manoeuvrability, nothing beats the visual rewards of a sturdy tripod! In a day, I went from fuzzy shaky images of the moon to crisp and stable views of its many depressions and highlands. A beautiful sight! I started out with an Amazon Basics tripod (see image), which served its purpose but suffered from somewhat flimsy design. Since upgrading to my astrophotography tripod, a Manfrotto 055XPRO3, the views through my binos are much better!
Conclusion
I hope this post has boosted your confidence and resolve to take your visual astronomy to the next level and get the most out of a good pair of binoculars. For me, the best way to approach this hobby is in small incremental steps, slowly revealing the wonderful depths of our universe a few DSOs at a time. So start to learn your way around the stars, keep searching for new things to observe and learn about, and most importantly, pray for some clear skies! I'll have a post out soon about the first things to look for with your binoculars, so stay tuned!
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