OMC 140 and Binoculars

Here is my other Astronomical equipment. A 5.5 inch Matsukov Cassegrain reflector, and 3 pairs of Binoculars ; 7x giving 6.5 deg. ; 10x giving 5 deg. ; 15x giving 4 deg.

Here is my second Telescope in its bag. Orion Optics make this scope themselves, and the bag was also supplied by them. Click on the image to enlarge it. I find I can put it in the bag with the finder scope attached so I don't lose the alignment. The bag also contains my lenses, star diagonal ( which comes with the OMC 140 ). Normally, a 25 mm eyepiece comes with this telescope, but I opted for a VL 40mm eyepiece, paying the difference in price, because I already had a VL 25mm. This telescope gives me vary good views of everything, though not quite as good as the 10 inch reflector. However, it is a lot lighter ( 3.5 kg I think ) and smaller to carry around. For the moment I use it with my GP mount's stand, until I get the field tripod. I have viewed M13 and M42 as well as Jupiter, Saturn and the Moon. This scope seems to favor Planetary observing, because they are brighter than deep sky objects, and this telescope has a focal length of 2 meters, giving high magnification !

Here are my binoculars. Several pairs are needed. The 10x50 gives me the same field of view ( 5 degrees ) as my viewfinder scope in my large reflector. The 7x42 give a similar view to my 6x30 finder, and the 15x70 stellar observation binoculars should pick out most messier objects with ease. I have to say all three binoculars are excellent, costing between £100-150 each. Do not be tempted to use those tiny roof prism pocket binos, because they will not collect nearly enough light as these gems. The lightest pair are the 7x42s, and they are the best for handheld observing. I can just manage the 15x70 handheld, but really 10x50s are usually considered to be the upper limit for handheld binoculars. All three binoculars can be mounted onto a tripod. The only binoculars which don't have a long eye relief are the Helios, but I find them excellent value for money, none the less.

Send mail to leonid@globalnet.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2000 Westbury Park Strings
Last modified: October 15, 2000