10x42 "compromise" bins

Greetings

Anyone use the following for astronomy ?

Leica Ultravid 10x42
Leica Duovid 8+12x42
Leica 10x42 BN
Nikon SE 10x42

I am a birder in the market for new binoculars, preferably about 10x
as I live beside an estuary. However, I have been getting into
astronomy, and in due course may progress to getting an astro
telescope. But first, I would like to get to know the night sky a bit
with binoculars.

I know 10x42s are a compromise for astronomy, but are they that much
of a compromise ? Some if not all of the above are very bright, and I
am sure must come close to a 10x50 in light gathering ??

thanks for infos
Niall

"Niall Rooney" wrote in message
om...
Greetings

Anyone use the following for astronomy ?

Leica Ultravid 10x42
Leica Duovid 8+12x42
Leica 10x42 BN
Nikon SE 10x42

I am a birder in the market for new binoculars, preferably about 10x
as I live beside an estuary. However, I have been getting into
astronomy, and in due course may progress to getting an astro
telescope. But first, I would like to get to know the night sky a bit
with binoculars.

I know 10x42s are a compromise for astronomy, but are they that much
of a compromise ? Some if not all of the above are very bright, and I
am sure must come close to a 10x50 in light gathering ??

It's a square law, so the smaller lens will have 70% of the light of the
larger falling on it.

Stephen

I'm both a birder and astronomer, and have no problems with my nikon
10x42HG bins for astronomy. Previously I've used Zeiss 7x42 and
Opticron 10x40's and without doubt, the Nikon 10x are the best.
I've also used friend's Leica 8x42 and 8x50's and they are excellent too
(the 8x42 is also a birder/astronomer).
I would say from experience that any high end 8 or 10x40 will do a good
job in both fields, so get what you think will be the best for your
birding needs and then use them on the sky.
Phil Bishop

Niall Rooney wrote:
Greetings

Anyone use the following for astronomy ?

Leica Ultravid 10x42
Leica Duovid 8+12x42
Leica 10x42 BN
Nikon SE 10x42

I am a birder in the market for new binoculars, preferably about 10x
as I live beside an estuary. However, I have been getting into
astronomy, and in due course may progress to getting an astro
telescope. But first, I would like to get to know the night sky a bit
with binoculars.

I know 10x42s are a compromise for astronomy, but are they that much
of a compromise ? Some if not all of the above are very bright, and I
am sure must come close to a 10x50 in light gathering ??

thanks for infos
Niall