By contrast, "stargazers" look at the "stars" through relatively small telescopes and binoculars for the sheer fun of it and belong to local astronomy clubs. You won't find many professional astronomers doing "Messier Marathons". :-) Whilst you get great reach and thus a more detailed view of your subject, the smaller exit pupil produced by the higher power makes this model less capable than the 12x60 version in low light. Note whilst this is a factor, this is not as important for astronomy as you are generally looking at bright shining objects (stars). That's a perfect description. If I use my 20x60S Mono on a tripod, even on a reasonably heavy tripod, the stabilizer still makes a *considerable* difference. The view is nice without the stabilizer, but with the stabilizer engaged it's magic because the stabilizer seems to cut out all those tiny vibrations and/or movements. It's quite incredible and has to be experienced to be believed.

For an idea about the quality of the Docter Nobilem line, see Holger's review of the 10x50 model, which he compares to the 10x50 Fuji: I'll try to attach a low def photo of them....they're in transit. A Nikon tripod adaptor is included. The original box and accessories are included. From 1958 the model 15x60 with Porro I prism system was produced. It represents a top optical performance and is highly praised in astronomical circles. and over I usually view with anchored elbows or a tripod. I have no bins over 10x barring a hideous 15x70 skymaster which has deteoriated terribly with age and which I stopped using long ago. I found it very useful before it died.The image-stabilizing function used on the Fujinon TECHNO-STABI binoculars uses the technology and knowledge in optics from their vast experience of producing digital cameras and interchangeable lenses. Techno-Stabi uses a gyro sensor that is able to accurately detect the smallest movements and vibrations and which then adjusts the prism inside the body to compensate for this movement. Compared to a modern scope the optics of the 20x60S and the 20x60S Mono are good but not exceptional. I did a few comparisons to my Nikon EDIIIA with a 20x eyepiece, and the Nikon seems slightly brighter and has slightly better contrast. There's some CA, but it's unobtrusive, especially in the image center. But then my Nikon is a cherry (it's the best of three we have in the family), and the difference, while quite obvious in a direct comparison, isn't a showstopper.

Fujinon currently offer a fairly wide range of binoculars suitable for most of the common uses including travel, bird watching, wildlife observation, hiking and camping as well as hunting, sporting events. were probably manufactured by Wray, which was a subsidiary. Dollonds sold binoculars from other makers including Zeiss, Ross, The Fujinon Polaris FMT series contains six models that are primarily aimed at marine and astronomy uses, however their high quality optics and great low light capabilities also make them a fantastic choice for many other uses including general wildlife observation, birding and hunting.James - having had and used the optics that you mentioned - still have the 15x60 B model - I can share these observations. Both are porros although the stabilized models are truly unique. The cardanic suspension system depends upon mechanical relationships which are extraordinarily complex. When I had the 20x60 S models, the guarantee was only for 5 years, which suggests they wouldn't/won't take much rough handling. side note -jena/docter binos have an offset tripod mounting hole, requires a special docter or jim white adapter -both of which i believe are unavailable -docter’s recent demise is disappointing.

New owners of the Solaross got quality optics and a luxury velvet lined leather case. The binoculars fov measures very close to stated, i could get alnitak to the top of the orion nebula complex in the fov, likewise alpha-beta centauri, and a-crux/b-crux in view at the edges of the field of view. it feels wider when comparing to the 4.4 stated of the 15x70 ultra, diff just feels more like 1/3 degree, not 0.2. the edge of view stars maintain shape quite close to the edge, i estimate close as 10% out from the edge, with only very minor degradation which in use is not noticeable at all. The Fujinon is said to suffer a bit from chromatic aberration in daytime viewing. Also you need to be aware that it has individually focussing eyepieces which can be a nuisance for daytime viewing. Otherwise the consensus is that this is one of the finest binoculars around.With a 7 to 15-fold magnification, the NOBILEM series covers an enormously wide range of requirements, at an evenly high standard. Shortly after they have been discontinued, the prices have exploded into the range 3,700 DM up to 4,000 DM, actually what used to be the cost of a 2 nd hand Volkswagen at that time. The front lenses are the classical cemented doublets, the eyepieces might be the type of Erfle 2, even if I have not been able to ray trace all lenses in the EP. They rarely come up for sale, I suspect, for two reasons. There weren't that many made, and no one is going to let them go for a bargain price. They definitely have a birding function on a tripod when the eyes get tired looking through a spotting scope. They are a major investment and will be useful in many years to come. Taking the low surface brightness IC 342 galaxy (Maffei Group) in Camelopardalis as a differentiator for the binoculars performance, these DOCTERS have shown its full extension of about 20', and not just its small bright core.