Of course, binoculars for astronomy must first have a certain aperture. Binoculars with an exit pupil under 4mm are only of limited suitability. The magnification is dependent upon the object of your observing. Binoculars with low magnification are very well-suited to getting an overview of the starry sky or for looking for constellations.
To see details on the moon or the planets, the magnification should be at least 10 times or higher. Many customers prefer binoculars with single-ocular focus, because once set for personal visual acuity, no further sharpness correction is needed. Very often, customers use porro prism binoculars because they provide a more plastic image.
Omegon
2x54 binoculars for star field observation
( 5 / 5 )
$ 149.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Nightstar 20x80
$ 189.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Nightstar 15x70
( 5 / 5 )
$ 139.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 2.0 10x56 ED
$ 399.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Nightstar 25x100
( 4.5 / 5 )
$ 479.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Celestron
Binoculars UpClose G2 10x50 Porro
$ 65.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Celestron
Binoculars 7x50 Cometron
$ 69.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Argus 25x100
( 5 / 5 )
$ 839.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Brightsky 7x50
$ 319.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Nightstar 20+40x100 Doublet binoculars with interchangeable eyepieces
$ 1,390.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Brightsky 30x100 45° binoculars including Neptune fork mount with centre column and tripod
RRP:
$ 3,427.00
Our price:
$ 3,190.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 8x56 HD
$ 349.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 2.0 10x42 ED
$ 369.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Brightsky 30x100 90° binoculars including Neptune fork mount with centre column and tripod
RRP:
$ 3,427.00
Our price:
$ 3,190.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Vixen
Image stabilized binoculars Atera II ED 16x50 WP
$ 1,560.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 2.0 12x50 ED
$ 389.00
Sale price:
$ 299.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Celestron
Binoculars SkyMaster 15x70
( 5 / 5 )
$ 167.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Zoomstar 15-45x80
$ 299.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
ZEISS
Binoculars Conquest HDX 10x42
$ 1,310.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Fernglas Brightsky 30x100 - 45°
$ 1,890.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Brightsky 22x70 45° binoculars including Neptune fork mount with centre column and tripod
RRP:
$ 3,027.00
Our price:
$ 2,790.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Celestron
Binoculars SkyMaster 20x80
$ 240.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 2.0 10x50 ED
$ 389.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 2.0 8x56
$ 299.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
TS Optics
Binoculars 20x80 Triplett
RRP:
$ 325.00
Our price:
$ 272.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Vixen
SG 2.1x42 wide-field binoculars for star field observing
( 5 / 5 )
$ 366.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Fernglas Brightsky 30x100 - 90°
$ 1,890.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 2.0 12x56 ED
$ 399.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Bresser
Binoculars Spezial Astro 25x70
$ 131.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
APM
Binoculars MS 25x100 ED
$ 1,250.00
ready for shipping in 1-2
weeks
Bresser
Binoculars Hunter 10x50
$ 58.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Swarovski
Binoculars NL Pure 14x52
$ 3,350.00
ready for shipping in 3-7
days
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 2.0 8x56 ED
$ 399.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Hunter 2.0 10x56
$ 299.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Brightsky 22x70 90° binoculars including Neptune fork mount with centre column and tripod
RRP:
$ 3,027.00
Our price:
$ 2,790.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
Omegon
Binoculars Brightsky 22x70 - 45°
$ 1,490.00
ready for shipping in 24
h
What is important when selecting binoculars for astronomy?
What criteria must be met?
The "very good" rating for binoculars is achieved if they meet the following:
- The magnification should be at least 10 times so that you can also see details of the sky canopy.
- A front lens diameter of 70 mm is required.
- The exit pupil must not be less than 5 mm in diameter.
- Other evaluation criteria: since temperatures often fall sharply at night, the binoculars should be watertight. This prevents the ingress of humidity, which would otherwise cause fogging inside the binoculars if the temperature drops suddenly. A tripod is absolutely necessary for overhead observing and with higher magnification levels, therefore a tripod attachment should be included.
- We consider the size of the field of view or the weight to be unimportant for astronomy.
- Positive influencing factors:
Special lens materials (FL, ED, HD) or lens construction (APO, field flattener) increase the rating. These ensure that binoculars that would have otherwise only reached a "good” are rated "very good”. - Negative influencing factors:
Information displayed in the field of view such as a compass, a reticle or an integrated distance meter, affects the view and causes the binoculars to be downgraded by a point.
For a "good", binoculars must achieve the following:
- Magnification: min. 7-times
- Front lens diameter: min. 50 mm
- Exit pupil: min. 4.5 mm
- Tripod attachment: should be available, but there are also solutions for this if necessary.
For a "medium" we will accept:
- Magnification: min. 7-times
- Front lens diameter: min. 40 mm
- Exit pupil: min. 4 mm
We rate binoculars with too little magnification or with an exit pupil of less than 4 mm as "not recommended" for astronomy.
Exceptions are, of course, special binoculars such as the Omegon 2.1x42 for star field observing.