Michael Garretson said:
Does anyone have any feedback on the Celestron Regal 10X50 binoculars? I have a chance to pick up one cheap, and I'd like to receive any feedback. It's in good condition and based on a quick daytime look they appear to be pretty good. My concern is that I've always heard the roof prism binoculars won't perform as well as a "like" poro prism model on the night sky. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Mike Garretson
Hi: I don't have any experience with the Celestron Regal's, I believe there are several versions including some made in China. My experience has been the Japanese made binoculars are noticeably better, particularly the roof prism binoculars.
As far as roof vs porro for Astro, I think that is something that that is left over from the days before the modern phase coated roof prism binocular. For general purpose binoing, I use some Eagle Optic Platinum Ranger 10x42's, there are mid level ($400 when they were new) Japanese binos. In limited comparisons with porro prism binoculars like the Orion Scenix 10x50's, they hold their own in what I can detect.
I find roof prism binoculars are more comfortable, they fit my face better, they are easier to hold, they have nice twist up eyecups and long eye relief to I am not fighting getting the right eye position. In find the field is generally better corrected at the edge than the Porros I own or have used, this includes some recently acquired 10x50 Swift Sea Wolfs...
And finally the fact that good quality roofs are waterproof and nitrogen purged seems to reduce their tendency to fog up on a cool damp night.
If the price is right, I say go for 'em. If you don't like em, you can always turn around and sell them for what you have invested.
Jon