Birding and Astronomy (1 Viewer)

[PiedPiper70]

Although I'm no youngster, I'm new to birding. So I'm looking to buy a half decent pair of bins, and there is more than enough info on this site to keep me going for ever.

But I also like to glance upwards occasionally. So the question is this - while choosing bins for birding what characteristics should I also be looking for in order to keep half an eye on the heavens? Or is it simply a case that the best bins for birding are also the best bins for astronomy. Also I must stress that both of these are occasional pursuits and I'm not obsessed by either. So I'm probably looking at what you might call mid-range equipment - perhaps £300-£400 'ish.

Thanks

 

[Atomic Chicken]

Greetings!

Myself, and several other members on this forum are interested in both birding and astronomy. BirdForum seems to be the best site on the internet for birding optics, while this site seems to be the best for astronomical optics:

www.cloudynights.com

While there are some things that both hobbies (obsessions? ) share, for the most part they have a lot of conflicting requirements. Birding optics tend to be ruggedized and often waterproof, expensive features that are not required of astronomical binoculars. In general, wide field of view is more important for birding than for astronomy. Many optical defects that won't bother you for astronomical use will be almost intolerable for birding use... the list goes on. Astronomical observations are often made with the assistance of steadying mounts, special chairs, etc. that you won't find birders lugging into the field for the most part, and birding telescopes tend to be a LOT smaller and more portable than the astronomical kind!

Having said all that, I've personally found that a good 8x or 10x binoculars designed for birding will be VERY useful for astronomy, you will often find me at my telescope with a pair of 10x25's in my shirt pocket or 7x42's around my neck. I would say that any premium birding binocular will be VERY adequate for many kinds of astronomical observations, while the reverse is not always true. In most cases, it is of very questionable utility to pick a high power astronomical binocular (20x80 comes to mind!) and try to use it for birding.

As for specific binocular recommendations, I'll let the rest of the astro-birders on this forum take it from here...

Best wishes,
Bawko

 

[Wehr]

Although I'm no youngster, I'm new to birding. So I'm looking to buy a half decent pair of bins, and there is more than enough info on this site to keep me going for ever.

But I also like to glance upwards occasionally. So the question is this - while choosing bins for birding what characteristics should I also be looking for in order to keep half an eye on the heavens? Or is it simply a case that the best bins for birding are also the best bins for astronomy. Also I must stress that both of these are occasional pursuits and I'm not obsessed by either. So I'm probably looking at what you might call mid-range equipment - perhaps £300-£400 'ish.

Thanks

Hello PiedPiper70,

you can use any binoculars for astronomy and birding, but if you are looking for a good technical compromise, you should consider the main properties of the particular specialists:

Birding binoculars:

- small, light and possibly waterproof body
- optics shall be of high contrast (much more important than sharpness)
- colour balance should be neutral
- coating should be very scratch resistent (for most birders don't even no how to treat an optic, astronomers usually do)

Binoculars for astronomical use:

- full sized optics (50mm and more)
- EP of 5mm and more
- excellent sharpness and resolution is much more important than contrast
- flat field optics (doesn't matter for birding)
- a point source of light shall remain a point (doesn't matter for birding)

There are a few properties, which binoculars for birding and astronomy have in common.

So there are no binoculars which are equally suited for both.

Good luck
Walter

 

[Serg]

I have come to decide that well controlled color fringing, as in not much at all, is what I want for stargazing. Keep that on your list.

 

[Rico]

... Astronomical observations are often made with the assistance of steadying mounts, special chairs, etc. that you won't find birders lugging into the field for the most part, ...

Never been interested in a finn stick, but I would get plenty of mileage from a special chair - a birding chair, perhaps with cupholder. If the feathered thing doesn't show quickly, just pour another drink, and try again.

 

[solentbirder]

I've had a life-long interest in both astronomy and birding. After using a lot of binoculars over the years I'd say a good 10x50 is the ideal dual-purpose binocular; enough aperture to give good views of the stars and fine for general bird watching too. Personally, I don't find binoculars with objectives less than 50mm give satisfying enough views of the heavens. I've used a pair of 10x50 Swift Kestrel for many years as a birding/astronomy glass. If I was buying now I'd seriously look at the Pentax 10x50 SP DCF (roof prisms). Not sure who's making high quality 10x50 porro prism binoculars these days.
Hope that helps.
John

 

[AlanFrench]

I am a birder and an amateur astronomer, and use my binoculars for both. There are, at least from my view, two approaches to binoculars for astronomy. You can look for a pair that is light, portable, easy to use, and, generally, has a wide field, or you can pick a pair that have the aperture and/or magnification that will more clearly reveal objects in the night sky. The first choice can provide a pair that is also great for birding. The second choice is unlikely to provide a good birding pair.

There is a good consensus among amateur astronomers that both aperture and magnification are important in using a binocular on the night sky. Increasing aperture increases what you can see, as does increasing magnification. Roy Bishop argues that simply multiplying the magnification by the aperture provides a good way to compare binoculars for astronomy. Alan Adler gives more weight to magnification, and he advises multiplying the magnification by the square root of the aperture to compare perfromance.

My current choice for birding and astronomy is a pair of Canon 12x36 IS binoculars. I simply do not want a pair that requires any additional support. If I am going to use a support, I bring out a telescope.

Clear skies, Alan

 

[Curtis Croulet]

Just my own reaction: it's fun to look through 15x100 or 20x100 bins -- as long as they belong to someone else. I haven't been moved to buy one myself, and the main problem is that the usual cheap Chinese wonders that everyone seems to own are so disappointing optically after looking through my Zeiss birding bins (I'd have the same reaction if I owned Leica, Nikon, Swarovski, etc.). My Zeiss bins go everywhere with me, birding, astronomy, it doesn't matter. Like Alan, if I want a better view, I'll set up a telescope.