Telescope Tripod Extras
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Bushnell PowerView 20x50 Super High-Powered Surveillance Binoculars
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DescriptionThe Bushnell(r) Powerview(r) Series of binoculars offers you compact, streamlined designs for bright, crisp views of wherever you're exploring. Bushnell PowerView binoculars offer the best of both worlds, combining contemporary styling and design with traditional Bushnell quality and durability. This particular PowerView binocular offers a 20x magnification--among the most powerful in its class--and a 50mm objective diameter. The multicoated optics, meanwhile, guarantee superior light transmission and brightness, helping you see just about any target, whether you're searching for birds or trying to get a better view of the football field. And users will love the patented InstaFocus focusing system, which holds your subject in sharp focus with a touch of the fingertip. Additional features include a porro prism system, a nonslip rubber armor housing that absorbs shock while providing a firm grip, a neck strap, and 9mm of eye relief. Specifications: Magnification: 20x Objective lens diameter: 50mm Size class: Standard Focus system: InstaFocus Prism system: Porro Prism glass: BK-7 Lens coating: Multi Field of view @ 1,000 yards: 170 feet Close focus distance: 45 feet Exit pupil: 2.5mm Eye relief: 9mm Eyecups: Fold down Waterproof/fogproof: No Adapts to tripod: Yes Weight: 30 ounces Warranty: Limited lifetime Features
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How to Choose Specialty Binoculars
Everyone knows that binoculars help you see things that are far away. You may even know that they come in different strengths or magnifications, some allowing you to see further than others. But did you know there are specialty binoculars that do specific things? Just some of the varieties available are waterproof binoculars, image stabilized binoculars, zoom binoculars, and astronomy binoculars. Before you buy any pair of binoculars, there are some basic things to know so you choose the right ones for your needs.
Waterproof Binoculars
As the name suggests, waterproof binoculars are impervious to moisture. The barrels are filled with a gas, usually nitrogen, and are sealed with rubber O rings. Many waterproof binoculars also have special coatings on the lenses that cause water to slide right off the glass so it doesn't obscure your view. These binoculars are great to have if you're a boating enthusiast, or if you ever go on a dolphin or whale watching excursion. You'll be able to see the animals clearly, and not have to worry about ruining your optics.
Image Stabilized Binoculars
No matter how you might try, it's impossible for anyone to hold perfectly still. It's even worse if you're on a boat, in a vehicle, or even just hiking. The motion of the binoculars can not only make it difficult to focus on what you're trying to view, it can cause eye strain as your eyes try to constantly adjust to the changing focus. You can't always stop and rest your arms against something stationary, or to put your binoculars on a tripod or other mount, so instead, you can get stabilization from the binoculars themselves. Image stabilized binoculars have an internal mechanism that compensates for movement and keeps the image you're viewing stable and immobile. They help you keep what you're viewing in the field of vision, and help reduce eyestrain. The trade off is that because of the added parts, they're a bit heavier than standard binoculars. But if you spend a lot of time hiking or boating, a little extra weight is worth being able to see a stabilized image.
Zoom Binoculars
This type of binoculars does exactly what the name says—they zoom. Just like a camera can zoom to get a closer shot of what you're photographing, zoom binoculars can zoom in or out to give you varying views of the objects you're observing. They're especially good for sporting events when you want to switch from seeing all the action on the field to the individual players. They're also great for wildlife viewing, allowing you to see the animals up close without frightening them away.
Astronomy Binoculars
Once again, the name is self-explanatory. When you think of star gazing, you probably immediately think of a telescope. But there are also binoculars that allow you to see what the night sky has to offer. Astronomy binoculars are usually much larger and heavier than standard binoculars, so it's best to use them with a tripod or other mounting device. Your arms would tire very quickly from trying to hold them up long enough to view the sky. These binoculars are specially made to make best use of ambient light, giving you clear views in dim conditions. The advantage they have over telescope is they allow you to see heavenly bodies with both eyes, giving those objects more depth. They also help reduce eyestrain since you're using both eyes, and not relying on just one to see everything.
If you're not familiar with the different types of binoculars, or all the manufacturers that make them, stick with a brand you know, like Canon binoculars. That way, you know you're getting quality and making a good investment.
About the Author
Derek Robinson is a keen outdoorsman who contributes regularly for many websites including The Binocular Site which is the premier consumer site about binoculars, monoculars, spotting scopes and much more at http://www.thebinocularsite.com
Help with telescope needed?
The body of the telescope is constructed of sturdy metal and there are 2 lens, a 6mm 60 x lens and a 20mm 18x lens. A 1.5 magnifier extension is included that converts the 6mm lens to 90x and the 20mm lens to 27x. Comes with a table-top tripod stand with altitude and azimuth mounting. A lens cover for the telescope and plastic containers for the extra lenses are also included.
What can I see with this telescope and how should I arrange the pieces?
How to use it question is more important for me, as first I want to learn things on this telescope and than try a better telescope.
For sky gazing, that scope is almost useless. You might be able to spy on a neighbor or see boats in a harbor with it. Perhaps a view of the moon is possible, but it will be frustrating. Use the 20mm lens alone, then perhaps the 20mm with the 1.5x tube in front of it. The 6mm one is not recommended for much.
Join a local astronomy club and view through actual astronomy telescopes. Get good information. http://www.skyandtelescope.com has a search function for finding clubs nearby.
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 Meade ETX 90EC 90mm Catadioptric Telescope w 883 Deluxe Field Tripod Extras NR  US $400.00
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 Meade LX200 EMC 254mm 10 Newtonian Telescope w Field Tripod Extras SCT Sweet US $1,000.00
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Bushnell PowerView 20x50 Super High-Powered Surveillance Binoculars
List Price: |
DescriptionThe Bushnell(r) Powerview(r) Series of binoculars offers you compact, streamlined designs for bright, crisp views of wherever you're exploring. Bushnell PowerView binoculars offer the best of both worlds, combining contemporary styling and design with traditional Bushnell quality and durability. This particular PowerView binocular offers a 20x magnification--among the most powerful in its class--and a 50mm objective diameter. The multicoated optics, meanwhile, guarantee superior light transmission and brightness, helping you see just about any target, whether you're searching for birds or trying to get a better view of the football field. And users will love the patented InstaFocus focusing system, which holds your subject in sharp focus with a touch of the fingertip. Additional features include a porro prism system, a nonslip rubber armor housing that absorbs shock while providing a firm grip, a neck strap, and 9mm of eye relief. Specifications: Magnification: 20x Objective lens diameter: 50mm Size class: Standard Focus system: InstaFocus Prism system: Porro Prism glass: BK-7 Lens coating: Multi Field of view @ 1,000 yards: 170 feet Close focus distance: 45 feet Exit pupil: 2.5mm Eye relief: 9mm Eyecups: Fold down Waterproof/fogproof: No Adapts to tripod: Yes Weight: 30 ounces Warranty: Limited lifetime Features
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Bushnell 10x42mm Legend Ultra HD Binoculars
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Description2011 Binocular of the Year!. ED Prime glass & Ultra Wide Band Coating for amazing images. Rainguard HD water-repellent lens coating. Includes Deluxe Binocular Harness for comfortable use. Bushnell Bulletproof Money Back Guarantee. Features
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Alpen 20x50 Waterproof Mini-Spotting Scope
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DescriptionSpotting scope users demand top-quality optics that perform flawlessly under all weather conditions. Enter the Alpen 20x50 mini spotting scope, a waterproof, fogproof spotting scope that's ideal for backcountry use or just checking out the scenery from your backyard. Despite the compact size, the mini scope is still plenty powerful, with a 20x magnification that provides crisp close-up viewing of distant objects. The scope's BK7 lenses and multicoated optics, meanwhile, guarantee superior brightness, resolution, and edge clarity regardless of your subject. And the Alpen scope stands up to rough handling thanks to the nitrogen-filled housing, which is waterproof, dustproof, and shock-resistant. The 20x50 scope also includes a couple of handy extras: a retractable sunshade to help reduce glare and a small adjustable tabletop tripod for stability. Also bundled with a nylon carrying case, the scope is backed by Alpen's lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Specifications Magnification: 20x Objective lens diameter: 50mm Focus system: Eyepiece Prism type: Porro Field of view: 147 feet @ 1,000 yards Exit pupil: 2.5mm Eye relief: 16mm Close focus distance: 17 feet Prism material: BK7 lenses Lens coating: Multicoated Tripod adaptable: Yes Waterproof/fogproof: Yes Type of case: Nylon Length: 7.5 inches Weight: 10 ounces Warranty: Lifetime About Alpen Optics Established in 1997, Alpen Optics produces a full line of binoculars, spotting scopes, riflescopes, and accessories designed to offer superior value to the consumer. The company produces more than 70 products and accessories chock full of features and benefits normally found on much more expensive brands. Alpen backs up its commitment to quality manufacturing with a limited lifetime factory warranty. Alpen is headquartered in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Alpen Spotting Scopes Winner of Great Buy Award in 2003 2004 and 2005 as seen in Outdoor Life Magazine.Spotting scope users demand top quality optics that perform flawlessly under all weather conditions. ALPEN Spotting Scopes are nitrogen filled waterproof dustproof and shock-resistant.All ALPEN Spotting Scopes feature powerful lenses and e standard with a durable padded field carrying case (except #788 kit). Most models e with a portable 12" swivel-head tripod.Alpen Spotting Scope Features: Multi-coated optics Waterproof and nitrogen filled Powerful zoom eyepieces Extendable sun shade Straight and 45-degree models Durable padded field carrying case (except #788 kit) ALPEN's lifetime warranty Features
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LVF32 Swi-View 3" CARRY SPEED LCD VIEW FINDER 3:2 FITS T2i 60D LCDVF Z-FINDER
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DescriptionCARRY SPEED Vfinder spontaneously turns your video enabled DSLR camera LCD screen into a huge electronic viewfinder for precise image evaluation LVF-32 fits DSLR cameras like Canon T2i, 60D and many others. (Vfinder is great for shooting outdoors too!) Features
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Pyle-Pro PMKS3 Tripod Microphone Stand W/ Extending Boom
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Description38.0" Height x 3.5" Width - Black Features
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Orion Observer 70mm Equatorial Refractor Telescope
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DescriptionOrion’s Observer 70 EQ combines the solid optical performance of a classic achromatic refractor with a German style equatorial mount. The Observer 70 features very good optics and 36 percent more light gathering power than 60mm beginner scopes. The complete accessory package includes high and low power eyepieces, a 90 degree star diagonal, a red-dot finder, illustrated instructions, and Orionâs Starry Night Special Edition astronomy software. The Observer 70 EQ features very good optical performance. Achromatic refractors have a two piece objective lens, the second lens element compensates for “chromatic aberration”, the false color or blue fringes seen in low cost telescopes. In daylight tests I see very little blue fringing with the standard equipment 10mm eyepiece (70X magnification), and none at all with the 25mm eyepiece (28X). Stars and planets show up very nicely with the Observer 70. The quadruple star in the Orion Nebula known as the Trapezium is cleanly split into four components with the 10mm eyepiece (70X magnification). When I combine the 10mm eyepiece with a 2X Barlow lens for 140X magnification, I’m treated to lovely views of Saturn’s rings and the little orange disk of Mars. My view of the Moon is delightfully crisp and clear; the 25mm eyepiece nicely frames the Lunar disk, and using the 10mm eyepiece I can easily see mountain peaks and terraced walls inside the crater Copernicus. The Observer 70 EQ also features an aluminum tripod and an EQ-1 equatorial mount. The equatorial mount is a little more complicated to balance and align than the Observer 70 AZ , but the reward is better slow motion control and tracking at magnifications over 100X. Simply point the equatorial axis at Polaris, the North Star, and the telescope tracks celestial objects by turning one slow motion knob. This makes it much easier to use a high power eyepiece while viewing the Moon and Planets. The “EZ Finder II” works by shining a red LED on a small window; just look through the window and line up the red spot with your target. This works OK for bright objects like the Moon and planets but not so well for finding galaxies and deep space objects. Orion’s Observer 70 EQ is simply a very good entry level telescope for a student or family. The good quality 70mm optics produce an image that is significantly sharper and brighter than 60mm beginner scopes, and the package includes a solid mount, two good eyepieces, and fully illustrated instructions. --Jeff Phillips Pros: Reliable refractor design Good views of the Moon and planets Complete accessory package Starry Night software included Cons: Finder only works for bright objects This tried-and-true refractor goes the extra distance in introducing the novice to the wonders of the night sky. The Observer 70 features a 70mm fully anti-reflection coated achromatic objective lens, which provides 36% more light-gathering ability than a 60mm. Its 700mm focal length (f/10) will show you the stark beauty of the lunar surface, Saturn's rings, Jupiter's atmospheric belts, or the billowy clouds of the Orion Nebula. The included EQ-1 equatorial mount comes equipped with dual slow-motion controls for manual star tracking and adjustable aluminum tripod. Includes an EZ Finder II finder scope to help you zero in on your celestial targets, two eyepieces - 25mm (1.25") and 10mm (1.25") - and 90-deg star diagonal. One year limited warranty. Features
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Company Seven StarBound Astronomy Viewing Chair, Metal, Black
Sale Price: $159.00 |
DescriptionAn observing chair makes observing easier by making it more comfortable. A comfortable observing position is one of the KEY ingredients in teasing the maximum detail from ANY telescope. To attempt to see the faintest star in an already faint cluster, or to split a really tight double, or to tease a tiny bit more detail from that gas giant looming overhead, you need to be STEADY. A comfortable sturdy heavy-duty Chair designed for Sky Observing that folds flat for easy storage. The Chair is adjustable from 9" to 32". This allows for instant adjustment of the padded seat to whatever height you need for observing with your telescope. The chair has extra-thick padding, a heavily plated steel frame and folds flat for storage and transport. 44" heigh x 22" Long x 5" Wide. V21 lbs Features
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Orion ED80 80mm f/7.5 Apochromatic Refractor Telescope
Sale Price: $499.99 |
DescriptionI have been looking for quick "setup and go" telescope of superior quality for a few years, and I believe I have found that scope in the Orion 80ED. This is an amazingly compact, well performing little instrument that combines all the features I have been looking for in a single package. The only word for the optics is superb. When using the Orion 80ED to view the Moon and Planets, with magnifications at or below "Dawes Limit" (a theoretical limit to the maximum power of any telescope, 160 power in this case), I saw no false color of any kind. The contrast was excellent, and the views of the Moon and planets were tack sharp. As I increased the power beyond "Dawes Limit," I noted only the slightest hint of false color, a very slight drop in contrast, and the tiniest softening of the image. Saturn looks like a small ringed jewel sitting on black velvet, the cloud belts of Jupiter are clear colorful and sharp, and the Moon is nothing short of amazing. Deep Sky Objects show well with this instrument as well--I was able to easily see structure in the Great Nebula in Orion, and detail in the Andromeda Galaxy. The Optical Tube Assembly (OTA), is one hundred millimeters in diameter, a bit larger than most instruments of this size. The focuser is a 2" aluminum Crayford-type focuser that accepts 2" or 1 ¼" eyepieces or accessories. I can use a 2" eyepiece for a wider field of view than I would normally get using the standard 1 ¼" eyepiece, this makes for fine viewing of extended objects such as Nebula and Open Star Clusters. The focusing mechanism is smooth and silky, and incorporates a focus lock along the bottom of the focuser assembly. The rubber coated 42 mm (1.6") focus control knobs on each side of the drawtube make for a good grip and easy control of focus during photography or viewing. The telescope focuser easily supports a 35-MM camera or an ST-7 CCD camera using an optional T-Ring and two-inch adapter. The Dew shield is removable; this shortens the telescope's overall length from 23" to 18.75" which makes for easy storage and portability. A set of mounting rings is available from Orion as well as from third party vendors, allowing me to quickly mount the telescope on either a small Equatorial platform, or piggyback it on my much larger Nexstar11GPS telescope. This little telescope is built well, looks nice, performs well, and is small enough to take on the road. --Dave Cole Pros Small and lightweight Affordable Superb optics Well constructed 1 ¼" eyepiece adapter included Cons Tripod mounting block could be a bit larger Aperture is only 80 mm Does not come with a carry case We love those premium apo refractors as much as the next guy. We just don't think you should have to work a second job or put the family heirlooms on eBay to own one. Now you won't, thanks to our amazingly affordable 80mm ED refractor. Its multi-coated 80mm objective doublet contains one element crafted from extra-low-dispersion FPL-53 glass. Images are virtually free of chromatic aberration! With a focal length of 600mm (f/7.5), the "ED80" is wonderfully suited for visual applications on both solar system and deep-sky objects as well as for prime-focus astrophotography and CCD imaging. Sold as optical tube assembly only, without accessories. Finished in gunmetal gray metallic enamel. Compatible tube rings are #7371, sold separately. One-year limited warranty. Features
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