Big Binoculars: Prepare to be Amazed with Darren Hennig

Ever wondered how far using binoculars can take you in astronomical observations? Well, Darren Hennig is prepared to show you just how far you can take it. He covers the basics as well as the benefits and the models that he finds are worth checking into. Darren is a member of the Winnipeg Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. He gave his presentation to the Toronto Centre's Recreational Astronomy Night Meeting held online on November 3, 2021.

[@ocelotMartinez]

I became interested in astronomy when my friend and I started mountain biking at night in the Santa Monica mountains in California USA, I started recognizing constellations, planets, following the movement of the moon and watching satellites. I followed this same advice and bought a 20x80 binocular with an aluminum tripod and carried them up the mountain with me... I was hooked. I am glad I didn't go straight for a costly telescope then because the binoculars were so portable and I was able to use them every time I rode. Thank you for making such an informative video. I never even considered my pupil size and did not know that it changes as we age. Now I'll have my optometrist tell me what my dilated pupil size is. In the future I plan to get a higher end set. Thank you.

[@Astronurd]

I have three astronomical telescopes which I use often and select them depending on whichever target i am planning to observe. I also have two pair of binoculars that I use also. I have my Pentax WP S 20x60 on a sturdy tripod mount and my other 15x70’s on a pistol grip tripod. The optics on the former pair being exceptionally sharp and clear. They are my go to for short periods of clear skies

[@boarini2003]

That was super interesting! I never really considered going beyond my 10x50s but this really makes me want to try out the big binos approach.

[@jimbrydon1443]

Thanks Darren, a great presentation. I’ve just bought a pair of 120mmAPMs and am presently making my own parallelogram mount for them. I’m really looking forward to travelling around the universe, moon and planets with them shortly. I’ll let you know how I go. I’m in Australia and have really dark sky’s here. All the best Jim.

[@michaelhofbauer8699]

Great Presentation-thank you for creating it! I bought a pair of Oberwerk 11 x 70's last spring-it it was one of the best purchases of my life. They are hand hold-able, yes there is some shake, but I've discovered that rather than trying to hold them perfectly still, I do a slow sweep across the subject, keeping my eyes on the object in view, and it works great. It's the lower power that makes it possible. All I need is my Obies and a lawn chair (well, clear skies too) and I can observe for a couple hours and see more than I have in all my years with a 4" Reflector. They are portable, convenient and easy, and so, get used as much as possible. Just for informational purposes, I'm extremely nearsighted (-8.5) and have to wear my glasses, but the eye relief accommodates that, plus being able to see the object with the "naked" eyes before aiming is helpful. Also I'm 64 and not as steady as I used to be and I'm sure my pupil dilation is also smaller, don't let age stop you! Bortle 4 skies where I live.

[@cigarnationwarriors]

I, too, enjoy my Obies - a 12X50 ED and 20X65 ED. Both are excellent, especially for quick setup and viewing.

[@jennifererickson8780]

Excellent, clear, useful information. Thank you Darren and RASC.

[@steveshepherd333]

Really informative, interesting and engaging … excellent presentation… Thanks, Steve, Bristol, UK

[@SPACETVnet]

Amazing, fascinating presentation. Thank you!

[@13371138]

Yes! Awesome thank you!

[@earthling_parth]

This was super super interesting! I just bought my first pair of 25x70 Celestron's but now I am thinking of returning those and keeping the 20x80's. But this was super helpful as I got lots of ideas and a big does of inspiration on what I can do and what I can expect to do with my big binos ❤

[@tarunadhikari5504]

Bro can u suggest me which should I opt for 25×70 or 20×80 for casual night astronomy?

[@michaelhornby2961]

I just purchased a pair of helios stellar2 16 x 80 and the difference from the 10 x 50 pair i have is incredible. Nitrogen filled, IPX7 rated, quality multi coated optics, bak4 , extremely well made. looking at terrestrial or astronomical targets is breathtaking. Don't hesitate to get some big binoculars and choose wisely you don’t need to spend silly amounts in order to get a good pair. Im 55 so figured the 5 mm exit pupil was sufficient for my age /pupil size.

[@FrothGiant]

Just saw your video .thank you for posting , it was excellent and informative ..I still have my old 11X80 meade binoculars from the 1980's . When I can I will get Orion Paragon-Plus Binoucular Mount and Tripod

[@kevanhubbard9673]

I have a pair of Russian 20x60's which I bought in about 1984 with made in the USSR on them.They give amazing views of the Moon but need to be mounted as you can't hold them still by hand.

[@hmuphilly9129]

In soviet russia binpcular stabilize uu

[@Astronurd]

For a telescope you divide the focal length of the eyepiece by the focal ratio of the telescope to find your exit pupil

[@DeusExMamiya]

Correct. It would also work for binoculars, but binocular manufacturers rarely publish those two numbers. Aperture divided by magnification also gives the same result for exit pupil, whether for telescopes or binoculars.

[@peter7624]

I bought a pair of 20x80s after using my apo 12x50s, and I thought all the stars had gone supernova!

[@rodfrancis9160]

I have a Bresser 20 x 80 Binos for incredible viewing and when they become heavy , I use a 10 x 60..A combination of star gazing and and bigger biceps training..🙃

[@rakitakhan]

Straight through binocs = roof prism. Those that are "crooked are porro prism. He referred to roof prisms as porro prism types. I figured he'd know better being a member of the RASoC.

[@Niven42]

I noticed that too. Wondered if anyone else would catch that!

[@tellitallnow3914]

What do you think about the celestron 20x80 ED pro and the 25 x100s? I am a beginner, novice, but i wanna buy something half way decent to view rhe stars and i would like to get a cell phone mount for use on one of the eye oueces for added power . What say you? Thanks for this video!!

[@RapidVipercdog]

What did you end up getting? I'm in the same boat now.

[@nikosadie]

I wish I could have watched this a week ago... I have a set of 10x50 binoculars which I use to watch the stars and thought I should get a bit more magnification so I ordered a 60x90 (on special) and now I realize it is useless since the exit pupil will be 1,5mm. I mount my binoculars on a tripod and I know the bigger the magnification, the harder it will be to stabilize it, but the exit pupil size on the 60x90 is just useless. With my DSLR it is not so much of an issue since I can get a long exposure and use stacking, but I should have done my homework. WIll have to use the new one for general use during the day. This is how we learn. Thank you for this video. I now know not to expect much from the new binoculars. I will look at getting the big ones from Celestron which is the only brand we get in my country.

[@VirgilTStone]

Your 60x90's aren't useless, just won't transmit as much light as some others. Probably be awesome for daytime sights and things: birds, women, etc 10x50 is ok, 7x50 is brighter but a touch less magnification. I've seen 8x56 that worked nicely. Caveat emptor, eh?

[@MrGundawindy]

23:30 The brain is star stacking the two inputs in real time.

[@onemorenight3470]

Im SRI LANKAN amateur and light be a member of your society.. if its possible. May be like an Associate Member...! Please let me know. Best wishes.

[@RASCToronto]

Yes, RASC accepts international members. It's a little confusing, but there are two components. The first is RASC National, which is the umbrella organization for the different centres across Canada. The second components are the individual Centres across Canada. Ours is RASC Toronto Centre. When you join RASC Toronto Centre, you will automatically become a member of RASC National. To learn more and join, here is the link to the website: www.rascto.ca/join

[@user-nw2si7hu3u]

This is great. I’ve got 20x80 steiners I love them but want something BIGGER when I can afford I’m considering 34x100 or 40x120 wonder if anyone’s got advice for me.

[@user-nw2si7hu3u]

Also I have 10x50 fujinon which are incredible I can see the difference between them and the Steiner in terms of sharpness and contrast. Wonder if you’d recommend the apm 34 or 40x over the Fuji 16x70? They’re all about the same price it’s hard to not go for the 40x but idk

[@ricardoernestosotobarrios9519]

Kowa Highlanders. if you want something bigger that the Steiners but same quality

[@VirgilTStone]

I'm new here. Are beernoculars anything like beer goggles???

[@norahyland2963]

Hi Darren, how are you?

[@geneangelos8406]

Not all people in the u s are violent gun owners. Don’t judge us, Swiss land has just as many as the u s.

[@LEGOBubuS]

🌌🪐🌠👌

[@davidcurtiswatts2378]

Too many PC comments for my taste. That said, very knowledgeable.