Posts Made By: Gary Irwin

Here's a pop quiz for all you binocular nuts! Pretend you've got a "chit" for one (1) astronomy binocular thats cashable at your favourite bino store, so money is NOT an object. Problem is, they only have two models to choose from(!), the 22x100 Oberwerks and the 20x77 Miyauchi Exceeds with 30x eyepieces only!

Given that:

1) Optics are reasonably comparable (were not going to pick nits here, unless this assumption is dead wrong).

2) The 2 lb weight difference is not important because you already own a Bogen/Manfrotto 475B w/501 fluid head - just like mine! ;o)

3) The big advantage of the Oberwerks is their 3.3° FOV w/bigger aperture, but they only have straight-through eyepieces.

4) The big advantage of the Miyauchis is their 45° eyepieces, but they only have a narrow 2.2° FOV (with 30x eyepieces) and smaller aperture.

5) You only get 1 minute to make up your mind!

So, do you sacrifice FOV and aperture for 45° viewing comfort and power? Or do you insist on wider FOV and more aperture? Oh, and one of the conditions is that you can NEVER own any other binocular for as long as you live!

So, what say you all?

TIA!
Gary in Ontario

I emailed Coronado a few weeks ago with the same question. I got this reply:

"""""
It requires a second SolarMax 40 / T-Max ($995.00) and an adaptor ring
($75.00). The spacing relative to each etalon in the system will determine
if you get a good match and the lowest possible bandpass. The only way to
guarantee this is to have us do the work.

Best Regards,
Nicholas J. Ilka
"""""

I also asked him about delivery time....

"""""
...our waiting list on these is about 8 weeks [12 weeks as of today, July 26th,2004 - confirmed by telephone]. If you want to get in line we will have you place a 30% deposit. When we have your 40 coming we will call you and have you send in your current unit. After that it will take 2 - 3 weeks to get it just right.
"""""

BTW, Coronado have the new clamshell rings for the MS40's in stock. I ordered one with the Sol Ranger; cost $80.

Gary Irwin

Found this "Rapala" fishing hat at Wally World up here in Ontario for $11 and change (about $9 USD). Its once size fits all and when turned around does not a bad job shielding your eyes/eyepiece from extraneous light. Not as slick as Coronado's custom hat, but it still works pretty well!

Gary

Don't know. But I was told by my Canadian distributor that the chance of getting the 130 is better than the 155. I don't know whether that means the 130 has a shorter list or whether AP just makes more of them.

I've been on the Traveler, 130 and 155 list since summer 2000. From what I can tell, unless there is a significant downturn in the economy, figure 3 years minimum and 4 years or more for the popular models.

Gary

Hey guys, thanks kindly for the responses! Just to explain my choice of 30x eyepieces for the Miyauchis, I REALLY dislike a narrow AFOV, and the 50° AFOV of the 20x Miyauchi's just won't cut it for me. Thats why IF I go for the Miyauchi's, the 30x eyepieces (66° AFOV) are a must and I doubt I'd every use the 20x eyepieces since they deliver almost the same FOV as the 20x eyepieces (though with a smaller exit pupil).

So this crowd is overwhelmingly in favour of the Miyauchi's! Frankly, I really thought more would have preferred the Oberwerks wider FOV and aperture advantage. Guess the 45° eyepieces are a real draw - not surprising, but it says a lot.

But I'm still not quite convinced. I recently tried a pair of 20x80 Oberwerks on my Bogen w/501 head and thought they worked quite well. Unfortunately they had to be sent back for replacment because of an optical fault. Then their replacements arrived in two pieces courtesy of USPS! So I'm reluctant to buy an unbraced pair of bigger binos, which is why I'm considering alternatives.

I still intend to give this a little more thought.

Thanks everyone!
Gary in Ontario

Yes, it requires an adapter ring that I believe sells for $75. Call Coronado for details.

Gary