Economy Binoviewers: Which Ones?

I'm intrigued by binoviewers, though not to the point of spending more
on them than I did on the scope I'll use them with. In the economy class
choices seem to be:

o Williams Optics
o Burgess
o Stellarvue
o Siebert

Of these, and perhaps others in the $200-300 range, what are the pros
and cons including clear aperture, EP mounting (e.g., compression
rings), performance, build, included EPs/barlows, etc.?

I' do have SV and WO scopes and so far I've been happy with both
companies. The other two are not well known to me. And WO is driving
distance .. if there are problems.

Any recommendations? And why? The comparative reviews I've found seem to
be at the higher end of the price spectrum.

Phil

Phil Wheeler wrote:
I'm intrigued by binoviewers, though not to the point of spending more
on them than I did on the scope I'll use them with. In the economy class
choices seem to be:

o Williams Optics
o Burgess
o Stellarvue
o Siebert


Any recommendations? And why? The comparative reviews I've found seem to
be at the higher end of the price spectrum.



Hi:

I've tested the el cheapos against the Denkmeier Standards, and,
believe you me, there is a difference in build quality _and_
performance.

May I suggest an alternate strategy. I agree that it's probably a good
idea to try binoviewing before investing in a good pair. Isn't there
someone in your local club with a set who will give you a look-see? Or
at a star party you attend?

Yes, you can go out and buy a set of the Chinese Cheapies. They aren't
that bad (whether badged as Burgess, Celestron, etc., they all seem to
come from the same Chinese factory (this does not include the Sieberts,
which are different, and which I have not tried)). I suppose that if
your only interest were casual use on the Moon and planets you might be
happy with 'em. I wrote a review of the Burgesses some time back, which
you can find on the Astromart review section, I believe. They were
pretty good for the price, but not without problems.

If you really want to enjoy binoviewing, to see what it can offer,
however, the cheapies ain't gonna get it. Especially not for deep sky
work. But that does not mean that you have to spend a fortune to get a
good pair. Are you aware you can get a pair of Denkmeier Basic
Standards for $399.00? I guar-ron-tee that these will be head and
shoulders above the Cheapies.

What do you get for (a little) more money? You get, above all,
Denkmeier quality. The binoviewers you receive will be collimated, and
will included self-centering eyepiece holders (this is very important)
and prisms that offer good light throughput and enough clear aperture
to make them usable for wider-field deep sky viewing. If you have
problems down the line, there will also be somebody who can fix 'em.

To me, the small extra fare is well worth it.

Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of: _Choosing and Using an SCT_, and _The Urban Astronomers's
Guide_.
_http://members.aol.com/rmollise/index.html_
(http://members.aol.com/rmollise/index.html)

RMOLLISE wrote:
Phil Wheeler wrote:

I'm intrigued by binoviewers, though not to the point of spending more
on them than I did on the scope I'll use them with. In the economy class
choices seem to be:

o Williams Optics
o Burgess
o Stellarvue
o Siebert


Any recommendations? And why? The comparative reviews I've found seem to
be at the higher end of the price spectrum.




Hi:

I wrote a review of the Burgesses some time back, which
you can find on the Astromart review section, I believe. They were
pretty good for the price, but not without problems.


I read your review. In a recent forum msg (CN?) it was mentioned that
Burgess is coming out with a new model with larger prisms, etc.

Are you aware you can get a pair of Denkmeier Basic
Standards for $399.00? I guar-ron-tee that these will be head and
shoulders above the Cheapies.

What do you get for (a little) more money?

Reasonable advice. But I believe those come without accessories (EPs +
OCA). So the full-up price would likely be more like $550-600, don't
you think?

Thanks for the advice. I will look into those Denks.

Phil

Phil Wheeler wrote:
RMOLLISE wrote:
Phil Wheeler wrote:

Reasonable advice. But I believe those come without accessories (EPs +
OCA). So the full-up price would likely be more like $550-600, don't
you think?


Hi:

Depending on the scope, you may not need a corrective element (it won't
be required for an SCT or MCT). And those "eyepieces" that come with
the cheapos? The cheapest of cheap plossls. Believe me, they'll end up
in the back of a drawer with the 25mm kellners. Stick with the Denks.

Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of: _Choosing and Using an SCT_, and _The Urban Astronomers's
Guide_.
_http://members.aol.com/rmollise/index.html_
(http://members.aol.com/rmollise/index.html)

RMOLLISE wrote:

If you really want to enjoy binoviewing, to see what it can offer,
however, the cheapies ain't gonna get it. Especially not for deep sky
work. But that does not mean that you have to spend a fortune to get a
good pair. Are you aware you can get a pair of Denkmeier Basic
Standards for $399.00? I guar-ron-tee that these will be head and
shoulders above the Cheapies.


Rod, would that be the Denk Big Easy? That's the only product I find at
their website at that price. Seems to include the 26 mm Std BV plus an OCS.

Other "economy" items a

o Most Basic Standard: $349 (non-SCD) .. what is an SCD

o Standard: $499 (SCDs and case included)

I would guess that the Big Easy is the Most Basic Standard plus the OCS
(which is some sort of Barlow or OCA, I take it).

Likely I will call Denk tomorrow and discuss all this.

Then for EPs I will match some I already have which seem in the right
range: TV 20mm Plossl; UO HD Ortho 18mm; and/or UO HD 12mm. But what
are your thoughts on EPs? I'm coming from prefering to buy one rather
than two

Phil

"Phil Wheeler" wrote in message
...

Then for EPs I will match some I already have which seem in the right
range: TV 20mm Plossl; UO HD Ortho 18mm; and/or UO HD 12mm. But what are
your thoughts on EPs? I'm coming from prefering to buy one rather than
two

I'd get something larger than the 20mm (26mm Plossls?) and then pair up the
18mm and 12mm, and add in a 9mm pair for planets.

Because that's what I have. :-)

Phil Wheeler wrote:

Then for EPs I will match some I already have which seem in the right
range: TV 20mm Plossl; UO HD Ortho 18mm; and/or UO HD 12mm. But what
are your thoughts on EPs? I'm coming from prefering to buy one rather
than two

Phil

Hi Phil:

349.00...my bad, but better for you. I believe "SCD" stands for "self
centering diopter"...nice to have.

Eyepieces...don't blame you for wanting to start slow and simple. Some
that I've used successfully have been the Synta/Orion Expanse
eyepieces. Fairly cheap, but more AF than plossls and orthos. Your plan
sounds, fine, however.

Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of: _Choosing and Using an SCT_, and _The Urban Astronomers's
Guide_.
_http://members.aol.com/rmollise/index.html_
(http://members.aol.com/rmollise/index.html)

RMOLLISE wrote:
Phil Wheeler wrote:
RMOLLISE wrote:
Phil Wheeler wrote:

Reasonable advice. But I believe those come without accessories (EPs +
OCA). So the full-up price would likely be more like $550-600, don't
you think?


Hi:

Depending on the scope, you may not need a corrective element (it won't
be required for an SCT or MCT). And those "eyepieces" that come with
the cheapos? The cheapest of cheap plossls. Believe me, they'll end up
in the back of a drawer with the 25mm kellners. Stick with the Denks.


Don't most of the chinese BVs that come with eyepieces generally come
with GSO
widefields? I have a 15mm and 20mm set of the GSOs, and am actually
very
pleased with them. Not as sharp or contrasty as the 25mm TeleVue plossl
set
I also use with them, but pretty darned good.


Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of: _Choosing and Using an SCT_, and _The Urban Astronomers's
Guide_.
_http://members.aol.com/rmollise/index.html_
(http://members.aol.com/rmollise/index.html)

wrote:
RMOLLISE wrote:

Phil Wheeler wrote:

RMOLLISE wrote:

Phil Wheeler wrote:


Reasonable advice. But I believe those come without accessories (EPs +
OCA). So the full-up price would likely be more like $550-600, don't
you think?


Hi:

Depending on the scope, you may not need a corrective element (it won't
be required for an SCT or MCT). And those "eyepieces" that come with
the cheapos? The cheapest of cheap plossls. Believe me, they'll end up
in the back of a drawer with the 25mm kellners. Stick with the Denks.



Don't most of the chinese BVs that come with eyepieces generally come
with GSO
widefields?

They do.

Stephen Paul wrote:
"Phil Wheeler" wrote in message
...


Then for EPs I will match some I already have which seem in the right
range: TV 20mm Plossl; UO HD Ortho 18mm; and/or UO HD 12mm. But what are
your thoughts on EPs? I'm coming from prefering to buy one rather than
two


I'd get something larger than the 20mm (26mm Plossls?) and then pair up the
18mm and 12mm, and add in a 9mm pair for planets.

Because that's what I have. :-)




BUT .. which binoviewer, Steve?

Phil