Posts Made By: Donald Regan

I use a number of binoviewers in my 6" f/8 refractor's and my 80mm f/7 Brugess. There is no particular one to go with, most Vendors/manufactuers will give you your money back in 30 days if you do not like their binoviewer.

Don

Mike,

I have both the Black Night and the Denk Standard. I see no big difference between them. They are both very well made bino's. You can not go wrong with either one, and each company offers a low power corrector.

Don

Vladimir,

Yes, binoviewers are worth it. I see more low level detail on planetary objects with them than in mono mode. The image scale of the objects being observed are larger also. A binoviewer gives the objects a neat 3D affect, and you notice a deeper depth of field on deep sky objects that you do not see in mono mode due to the 3D affect that the binoviewer gives to the objects observed. Globular clusters seem to start resolving at low powers with a binoviewer also. It's a two eyes viewing thing I guess.

You will need to get an optical corrector/barlow for your refractor for a binoviewer to come to focuse. Well, not all binoviewers. The Celestron unit will focus on most refractors without the use of a corrector/barlow. But the Celestron only has a clear aperture of 17mm, and for deep sky binoviewing it is best to go with a unit that has 22mm or more clear aperture. I have the Tele Vue / BW Optik / Denkmeier / Black Nights and the Siebert 2" binoviewer. You would be more than pleased with any of those bino's for planetary and deep sky viewing.

Don

jeff,

You have asked some very good questions. Whenever vendors offer a multitude of choices it gets hard to decide. So I understand your confusion. But first between the Denk Standard and Denk II both are excellent units. Although it is very hard to see much of a difference between the two imo. Todd Gross's review between the Televue and Denk I and Denk II was very clear on the narrow to non-existent gap between Denk I and Denk II. The Diopter adjustment was the only difference that Todd felt gave the edge in sharpness and I agree. The diopter adjustments will mainly benefit those with significant difference in their eyesight from left to right. So if I had to choose between the Denk I and Denk II since the diopter adjustment are over the base price of $799 for the Denk II making them $924 for my money I would definitely go with the Denk I's. Here is the latest ad for the Denk I's: http://www.astromart.com/viewad.asp?cid=215679. This being said, I think it important to answer your second question about the Black Night unit since I own both the Black Night, Denk I and have access to the Denk II. The Black Night unit is a surprisingly strong contender. Here is Mr. Siebert's latest ad: http://www.astromart.com/viewad.asp?cid=217105 If you read this ad the dielectric beamsplitters are a surprising development for the Black Night units. Besides the Denk II which originally set itself apart from the Denk I because of its multi-coatings and dielectric beamsplitter the only other binoviewers that has replaced the old metal beamsplitters with a dielectric beamsplitter is AP Baader and Siebert Black Nights. Now this does not mean that units like Televue and BW Optics don't also have dielectric beamsplitters, but it certainly has not been disclosed to my knowledge. Does the dielectric beamsplitter make the Black Nights better than the Denk I's. I don't think so. At least not as far a brightness is concerned. My Denk I's appear to be good and bright. But my own observations seem to agree with what many others have observed. I find that the Siebert Black Nights seem to be on pretty even footing with the Denk I. So my feelings are if you have to choose between the Denk I and Denk II, go with the Denk I. But if you want another strong contender try out the Siebert Black Night. As always the adage to "try before you buy" is best, but if you can't than you can always utilize the money back guarantees each vendor has. Mr. Siebert gives the longest trial period of 60 days to allow you to try his out before your buy is final. If you ask Russ at Denkmeier I believe he has 30 day trial. Maybe he could give you the extra time as well. Both have a full line of accessories for their units from low mag. to your higher powers.

Don

Hi Ed,

I think you are on the right track. Asking for people who have TRIED both is the best angle. Opinions are like belly-buttons, everyone has one. And these opinions would mean more if you have tried at least one of the products, but better if you tried both. I have had extensive opportunity to try both. To be perfectly honest I cannot declare a winner. Of course this is excluding price issues. Here is the link to someone else who made a direct comparison between the Denk Standard and Black Nights. Read his comments at

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=1,2,3,4,5,8,10&Board=binoviewers&Number=3949&page=2&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

To nutshell it he said he could not declare a winner and either one would not disappoint. This is exactly how I feel. They both have factors in their favor. Denkmeier has a slightly lower power in their favor, whereas the Siebert version is a little bit shorter and more compact, which is nice in big dobs. Quality of view seems about the same in both and magnification very comparable. There is so much more that can be said here. But the bottom line is there has been many, many satisfied customers for both binos and that describes myself also. Both have excellent customer service and are willing to take the time to make things right for your scopes. So it is not quite as cut and dry as one might suggest. In fact, you may read through the archives of this binoviewer group to get some insight on where your advice is coming from. I personally consider myself friendly toward both companies. So I will not slant you in either direction.

Now as for the matter of the Denk II's. There is surprisingly little about these since they have been released. I briefly had a chance to try one and I have to agree with Todd Gross's assessment that there is little or no difference between the Denk II's and the Standard. In fact, the only real nod he gave between the two is the double diopter adjustments that were only available on the Denk II at that time. But now it is available also on the standard. But it looks like Siebert Optics is also coming out with their version. But since that is not your concern and these are an extra cost and not standard on any of their units we are left with Todd's ultimate conclusion. It was that the Denk II's and standards were roughly even. So what you get is really up to you. Guaranteed either the Denkmeier's or Siebert Black Nights will leave you smiling. Here is Todd Gross's link to the Binoviewer page where you can find the comments above as well as reviews on Siebert Products.

www.weatherman.com/nagler3.htm

DonR

Nice shot Robert.