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From: rdp@teddy.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.astro
Subject: Re: HELP on binocular purchase
Message-ID: <1810@teddy.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 12-Dec-85 16:41:32 EST
Article-I.D.: teddy.1810
Posted: Thu Dec 12 16:41:32 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 19-Dec-85 04:20:50 EST
References: <1192@panda.UUCP>
Reply-To: rdp@teddy.UUCP (Richard D. Pierce)
Distribution: net
Organization: GenRad, Inc., Concord, Mass.
Lines: 24

In article <1192@panda.UUCP> vxg@panda.UUCP (Vincent Gonzalez) writes:
>
> Having been convinced
>that I should spend some funds on a binocular, opposed to a low price
>telescope, my question now whould be: What magnification is best suited
>for night viewing?  I took a trip to a local camera shop and discovered
>a variety of choices   7X50, 8X50, 10X50, 20X50, etc.   A chart on their
>wall stated that the 7X50 was a good choice for all around use and that
>the 10X50 and 20X50 were best suited for "plane sighting", but not recom-
>mended for nigh viewing.  Hence, I am leaning toward the 7X50.  What
>will the more powerful glass do for me?  What are their drawbacks?
>

One of the most important consideration I have found for purchasing
binoculars is comfort. A 20x80 may be wonderful for looking at the
sky, but who is going to want to hold on to such monsters for more
than a few minutes. 7x50 and 8x50 seem to be good all-around choices.

One other piece of equipment that should be purchased is a comfortable
outdoor adjustable lounge chair. This can make the viewing even more
comfortable. Take it from someone who is still suffering a sore neck
after trying to look straight up at Halley's.

Dick Pierce