Before, when we talk about star and sky gazing, a telescope always comes to our minds first. Today, however, that has drastically changed. Binoculars have become the most preferred instrument when looking at the night skies. If you are an astronomy enthusiast and you still own your old pair of telescopes, this is the right time for you to put it aside and purchase a new 10x42 binocular for astronomy. However, how will you know which one is the best choice? No need to worry. With tons of options in the market today, this article will help you choose which products will give you the most advantages without spending a fortune.
Highly Recommended
There is no other type of binoculars that will work best for astronomy enthusiasts other the 10x42 models. However, not all products with this specification can give you the performance that you need. If you are starting from scratch with no idea which product to buy, Vanguard Endeavor ED 1042 Binocular is a highly recommended product. One of the highly-rated 10x42 binoculars, this top of the line product from Vanguard offers its users a one of a kind experience. For starters, it was carefully engineered to feel comfortable and handy. Its ergonomic and open bridge design make it easy for you to hold even for extended hours. Its patented E Glass provides high-resolution images by reducing color dispersion. This makes the images crisp and clear with natural colors.
Advantages
Vanguard Endeavor ED 1042 Binocular gives you a lot of reasons why it is one, if not the best, 10x42 binoculars for astronomy.
- Multicoated Lens
Built with a lens capable of 10x magnification and 42mm objective diameter, Vanguard 10x42 binocular uses advanced lens coating technology. As a result, you are getting images with superb clarity even in low light conditions
- Wide Field of View and Viewing Angle
When we talk about binoculars used in astronomy, wide field of view is a must-have. As much as possible, you want to capture wide images in just a single frame. Vanguard Endeavor ED 1042 Binocular offers you an excellent 340ft/1000 yards field of view which is perfect for this purpose. In addition, it also offers an amazing 6.5 degrees viewing angle.
- Built for All Types of Weather
Built with durable O-rings, Vanguard Endeavor ED 1042 Binocular is completely sealed to prevent dust, moisture, and other particulates to enter. This makes this product water and fog proof even in unforgiving weather conditions.
- Premium Lifetime Warranty
Vanguard is very confident in the superiority of their products that they are offering a premium lifetime warranty for Vanguard Endeavor ED 1042 Binocular. That speaks volumes about the quality of the binocular that you are getting.
Disadvantages
Although Vanguard Endeavor ED 1042 Binocular is a premium binocular for astronomy, it also has a few downsides that you must be aware of:
- Cost
Compared to its competitors, Vanguard Endeavor ED 1042 Binocular is relatively more expensive. Categorized as a mid to high-range binocular, be ready to spend a little extra on this product.
- Weight
Although this is not the heaviest among 10x42 astronomy binoculars, Vanguard Endeavor ED 1042 Binocular is a little bulky to the liking of some customers
Without a doubt, Vanguard Endeavor ED 1042 Binocular is indeed a product that you will never regret buying. It may be a little pricey but it is guaranteed that you are getting a quality product that could last for years.
Considerations in Buying Binoculars for Astronomy
If you are just starting to learn about the various kinds of binoculars and their uses, selecting the right one for astronomy might be too much for you to handle. However, it does not mean that you should just pick anything that crosses your eye. Here are some of the factors that you need to consider while shopping for an astronomy binocular:
- Magnification
This feature tells you by how many times the subject will be closer to you once viewed in the binocular. Since the stars and moon are very far away, you need to have a high magnification binocular for astronomy. The most ideal magnification for this purpose is 10x. Although 15x and 20x are also available, image stability will be an issue if magnification is higher than 10x.
- Objective Lens
The higher the objective lens diameter, more light comes in. as a result, images are brighter and clearer. This feature is critical to astronomy since you will be doing star gazing during night time. 42x objective lens is more than a decent number for this purpose.
- Field of View
Astronomers want to capture as many stars as they want in a single view. You can only achieve this if your binocular has a wide field of view. You must be aware that the higher the magnification, the narrower the field of view will be. Hence, you need to find that sweet spot where you can get the best of both worlds. 10x42 binocular offers you a perfect combination of specs compared to other high powered binos.
- Portability
Ergonomics must always be considered when buying a binocular. It must be light, comfortable and handy so that no matter how long you look up waiting for a falling star to pass by, you will be pain and stress-free.
- Cost
Just like in buying any product, the price must be considered in selecting a binocular for astronomy. Just to be clear, not all expensive brands offer quality products. It is okay to spend an extra buck if the features are definitely worth it. In the same manner, you can still get quality products without spending too much. Make it a habit to scout various sites and brands to ensure that you are getting the best bargain.
Top Options
If the Vanguard Endeavor ED 1042 Binocular did not appeal so much to you, here are three more options that you may want consider:
Celestron 71406 TrailSeeker 10x42 Binoculars
This flagship product from Celestron promises to bring your stargazing experience to a whole new level. Built with magnesium alloy, it boasts it lightweight yet durable frames that could last a lifetime. Superb optical performance has been made possible with its fully multi-coated lens and BaK4 prisms. In addition, it offers a wide field of view which is perfect for night sky viewing. Image stability is also outstanding on this product. Finally, all quintessential accessories that you need in using the Celestron 71406 TrailSeeker 10x42 Binocular are included upon purchase. This includes the lens cap, neck strap, eyepiece rain guard, and lens cloth.
Pros:
- Multi-coated lens for brighter and crisper images
- BaK4 Prism with Dielectric coatings
- Wide field of view
- Light and handy
- Waterproof and fog proof
Cons:
- Small space between the eyepieces
Nikon 7577 MONARCH 5 10x42 Binocular
Another option for a 10x42 binocular for astronomy is this top of the line product from Nikon. It is built with Nikon’s Premium Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass. This technology gives you a sharper and clearer view. It is also made of Eco Glass Lenses that allows a huge amount of light to come across. As a result, you are getting brighter images in high resolution. Also, they come with a rubber finish for a non-slip feel. Finally, Nikon 7577 MONARCH 5 10x42 Binocular is perfect for people with eyeglasses with its exceptional eye relief.
Pros:
- Equipped with premium Extra Low Dispersion Glass
- Very light and comfortable
- Built with a turn-and-slide rubber eye caps
- Exceptional eye relief and wide field of view
Cons:
- Underwhelming close focus feature
- A little expensive compared to other brands
Celestron 71372 10x42 Granite Binocular
Another 10x42 binocular that is perfect for astronomy is the 71372 10x42 Granite Binocular from Celestron. Armored with rubber for optimum protection, this product offers a comfortable grip with less hassle. It is also ergonomically designed with open bridge body and thumb indentations. Similar to other Celestron models, 71372 10x42 Granite Binocular is also equipped with Bak4 Prisms and dielectric high reflectivity coatings. In order to provide maximum light throughput. Finally, 71372 10x42 Granite Binocular is water and frog poof. The unit was carefully purged with nitrogen to withstand extreme weather conditions.
Pros:
- High-end Extra Low Dispersion Glass
- Coated BaK4 Prisms and Dielectric High Reflectivity Coatings
- Rubber Armored
- Ergonomic Design
- Water Proof and Fog Proof
Cons:
- Field of view is inferior compared to other models
Conclusion
Getting the right binocular is a prerequisite to enjoying the moon, the stars, and the night sky. Hence, it is of paramount importance that you are equipped with the right information as to what to look for when buying one. There is no question that a 10x42 binocular is perfect for this purpose. However, not all models function the same. Some may have better viewing clarity while others may be very affordable. It is a matter of weighing out your priority features and how much are you willing to spend. Make no mistake about it, the options given above are just some of the best in the market. They have the perfect fusion of quality, performance, and cost. All factors that you need to consider when buying a binocular were ticked off by these products. Regardless which product you buy, your sky watching will never be the same again.