I'd like to get binoculars for seeing the comet AND for bird watching. Do you think these 12x70 Cometrons would be okay for bird watching?
1615138
Yes! But, they are hard to hold steady for long periods. Recommend a sturdy tripod or monopod for long time use. They would be very satisfactory for comet watching, but again recommend a nice sturdy support. I also have a pair of Nikon 10X50 which can be hand held without support. I do really like the Celestrons as they are very bright with 70mm objective. Brgds, Geo
1159086
I can't answer concerning other binoculars. The 12X36 binoculars are not good for stargazing. For that I would think you would need to look at telescopes. These Canon binoculars are good for looking at the moon, but not stars.
2074283
Hi Shawn yes these are the perfect pair of bins for the purpose you want it for. At high altitudes approx 35,000 feet or so you'll see the name printed on the plane if you're viewing broadside and also see the windows of the plane. Well I won't go into details with the lower altitude because the high altitude already explains what you can see. If you're viewing planetary bodies e.g. Jupiter then you'll be able to see 3 or 4 of Jupiter's moons and many details on our own Moon such as the craters etc. The only problem, these bins are quite heavy 3 lbs 1 oz and you'll definitely need a tripod for support and stability. Holding it with your hands will make it shake a lot after a few seconds of use, unless you're a very strong athletic person and can hold it up steady. These binoculars does include a tripod adapter and will work on most any tripod that will support 4 lbs and upwards.
2238329
it won't be suffice. But an entry into astronomy. Binoculars are useful for stargazing, catching brighter comets, bright clusters...
1910214
Everything depends on what you plan to use them for. If you are a bird watcher you will find the 7 X 26 much easier to use. The 8 X 42 would be better for a fixed item (like the moon) especially if you had a tripod to hold them steady. I don't know this for sure but strongly suspect that you can focus in closer, important on looking at up close subjects, like a butterfly that is only a short distance away, with the lower power (7 X 36) glasses. That is generally the case with other glasses, the higher the power the further away the minimum focus distance. I recommend looking here for more info: http://archive.audubonmagazine.org/features0911/betterBirding.html Everything depends on what you plan to use them for. If you are a bird watcher you will find the 7 X 26 much easier to use. The 8 X 42 would be better for a fixed item (like the moon) especially if you had a tripod to hold them steady. I don't know this for sure but strongly suspect that you can focus in closer, important on looking at up close subjects, like a butterfly that is only a short distance away, with the lower power (7 X 36) glasses. That is generally the case with other glasses, the higher the power the further away the minimum focus distance. I recommend looking here for more... » Read More Everything depends on what you plan to use them for. If you are a bird watcher you will find the 7 X 26 much easier to use. The 8 X 42 would be better for a fixed item (like the moon) especially if you had a tripod to hold them steady. I don't know this for sure but strongly suspect that you can focus in closer, important on looking at up close subjects, like a butterfly that is only a short distance away, with the lower power (7 X 36) glasses. That is generally the case with other glasses, the higher the power the further away the minimum focus distance. I recommend looking here for more info: http://archive.audubonmagazine.org/features0911/betterBirding.html « Show Less
1283678
Absolutely. The optics is superb, its razor sharp and no chromatic abberation is visible. But keep in mind, it's a 8x power scope, so the angular resolution is of a 8x power scope too. You will can identify any bird with it, but no insects ;)
2136163
These binoculars are very clear and do well in low light but they are not high power. If he is looking at birds around the lake and near shore, these would be great. However, a spotting scope would be a better choice if he wants to look at birds far out on the lake. A scope would have a higher magnification so that a tiny spot turns into an identifiable bird. These binoculars are not high power but are great for warblers, winter birds at the feeders... I'm bringing mine to Belize where I will use the water proofing and low light features. For general birding I recommend them very highly. For distance birding, a scope would be the way to go. These binoculars are very clear and do well in low light but they are not high power. If he is looking at birds around the lake and near shore, these would be great. However, a spotting scope would be a better choice if he wants to look at birds far out on the lake. A scope would have a higher magnification so that a tiny spot turns into an identifiable bird. These binoculars are not high power but are great for warblers, winter birds at the feeders... I'm bringing mine to Belize where I will use the water proofing and low light features. For general birding I recommend them very highly.... » Read More These binoculars are very clear and do well in low light but they are not high power. If he is looking at birds around the lake and near shore, these would be great. However, a spotting scope would be a better choice if he wants to look at birds far out on the lake. A scope would have a higher magnification so that a tiny spot turns into an identifiable bird. These binoculars are not high power but are great for warblers, winter birds at the feeders... I'm bringing mine to Belize where I will use the water proofing and low light features. For general birding I recommend them very highly. For distance birding, a scope would be the way to go. « Show Less
298684
While we're not full-time bird watchers, we use them to watch various forms of wildlife including birds and they work very well, focus in quickly, and let you track easily with the subject's movements. That, combined with their compact size, would make them perfect for what you are looking for in this price range.
2138394
I tried them outside and I found that I could see objects very clearly at distances ranging from 6 feet to infinity. Those who have problems with their eyesight, however, might find that they are only good for either short or far distances. In my opinion, they would be useful at a live opera performance - as long as you make the modification I made with mine (see the instructions I inserted into my edited review today). Also keep in mind that the magnification, although useful, is not comparable to what you'd get with binoculars.
977784
Yes, I would try them, I have used these in low light conditions and at night looking at moon and stars and for the price and quality of these binoculars you cannot go wrong, very good deal.
849358
Since this has a 10 power magnification, with a fairly good field of view, I think they'd work well for bird-watching. You might consider something with an adjustable focus and magnification but this is commoner on single lens spotting scopes or camera lens applications than in binoculars. For a fixed power device, this is a good option. Paul M.
1866547
Just a thought. During the Hawk watch in Cape May there were many friendly birders with many types of different scopes. I looked though many brands including all the top brands that ran over 2,000 bucks. I saw the Celestron and was curious to look through it because I considered Celestron more of a astronomy company. Well I was really surprised how crisp the view was and when I was told the price tag I was sold. I have enjoyed this (I have the 80 objective lens) scope for many months and have to desire to upgrade because the optical difference in the models over two grand is not worth it. You will be happy with the Celestron. Good luck with your decision. Just a thought. During the Hawk watch in Cape May there were many friendly birders with many types of different scopes. I looked though many brands including all the top brands that ran over 2,000 bucks. I saw the Celestron and was curious to look through it because I considered Celestron more of a astronomy company. Well I was really surprised how crisp the view was and when I was told the price tag I was sold. I have enjoyed this (I have the 80 objective lens) scope for many months and have to desire to upgrade because the optical difference in the models over two grand is not worth it.... » Read More Just a thought. During the Hawk watch in Cape May there were many friendly birders with many types of different scopes. I looked though many brands including all the top brands that ran over 2,000 bucks. I saw the Celestron and was curious to look through it because I considered Celestron more of a astronomy company. Well I was really surprised how crisp the view was and when I was told the price tag I was sold. I have enjoyed this (I have the 80 objective lens) scope for many months and have to desire to upgrade because the optical difference in the models over two grand is not worth it. You will be happy with the Celestron. Good luck with your decision. « Show Less
1054013
In my opinion, you should probably use 8 power binoculars for bird watching unless you can hold these 10 powers quite still. 10 powers really expose any shaking.
776199
You could but they are really heavy and would be difficult to hold on target by hand. You'll want some kind of mount like a tripod or a monopod. I've had aircraft fly through my field of view while looking at the stars and was able to follow it along. If you mean looking at them when they are high in the sky, you'll want some kind of parallelogram mount so you can get "under" the binoculars. There are probably binoculars out there that are better suited though. I had no collimation problems with mine.
99904
I think they would work quite well. I used to have a pair of 10X50 binoculars and it was too hard to keep the field of vision steady. Really needed a tripod to see clearly without shaking.However, I'm not a hunter, per se.
1910213
Everything depends on what you plan to use them for. If you are a bird watcher you will find the 7 X 26 much easier to use. The 8 X 42 would be better for a fixed item (like the moon) especially if you had a tripod to hold them steady. I don't know this for sure but strongly suspect that you can focus in closer, important on looking at up close subjects, like a butterfly that is only a short distance away, with the lower power (7 X 36) glasses. That is generally the case with other glasses, the higher the power the further away the minimum focus distance. I recommend looking here for more info: http://archive.audubonmagazine.org/features0911/betterBirding.html
230440
Probably... I got them for my wife to watch birds. They are light to carry & bright to look through. She likes 'em. If you are new to binoculars, yes you will like 'em and they will serve you well. If you are familiar with full sized ones (i.e. boat anchors that require a mono/tripod to use - you will be disappointed. But for a general set of small, light and powerful - they are a good choice.