hi all, I've acquired a number of bino’s over the years, currently using Celestron 11x80’s and Orion 20x80’s; my remaining inventory includes more bino’s than I care to mention…..i’m considering the Oberwerk 22x100’s….. bino weight is not a problem; my set up allows me to hand hold either of the above for extended periods….the extra couple pounds or so should not be a problem. That said, I currently like to "sweep" at a fairly dark sky site……I just want to gather more light in order to perhaps see more detail…..has any one had experience with the Oberwerk’s? I’ve been watching the bino forum, only noticed one or two threads/comments concerning the 22x100’s….thanks for the input….tom tripi in cloudy, but carnival crazy, new Orleans.
RE: Oberwerk 22x100’s
Started by Tom Tripi, 02/21/2004 01:45PM
Posted 02/21/2004 01:45PM
Opening Post
Posted 02/21/2004 07:28PM
#1
Tom,
I purchased the Orion 20X80 in Nov,2001. Got hooked on giant bino astronomy and have since added the ProOptics 25X100( Mar 2002) and Burgess 20X80 LW(Feb 2003). I borrwed my friends Oberwerk 22X100 for a week for a side-by-side with my 25X100 and I liked the Oberwerks better. This is what I found:
1. Oberwerk 22X100 has much better eye relief than my ProOptics 25X100.(18 vs. 10mm). Even though I do not need glasses I found the longer ER more comfortable. Less likely to fog.
2. Oberwerk 22X has wider 3.3 deg FOV vs 2.6 deg of ProOptics showing about ~60% more area.
3. Oberwerk 22X has better edge sharpness.
You may not consider the additional weight of 3+lbs from Orion 20X80 to Oberwerk 22X100 a big deal but if you put the two models next to each other there is a HUGE difference in Bulk. Orion 20X80 is 11.5 inch. Oberwerk ~17in. Furthermore, the balance point of the Oberwerk 22X100 is just 5 inches back from the front of the objective housing. This means EP end extends nearly a foot behind the mounting point. You will need a tall tripod AND a heavy duty fluid head(such as the Bogen 501) to mount the Oberwerk 22X.
The Oberwerk 22X100 price is less than 1/2 of what I paid for my ProOptics. I think it's a great value for anyone thinking of getting 100mm binos. However, I do NOT feel there is a BIG gain in limiting magnitude moving up from my 20X80s to my 25X100 from my mag 4.5 backyard. Perphas someone else who have both 80 and 100 mm binos can share their experience. I tend to use my Burgess 80mm LW a lot more often because it's much lighter(3.6 lb) and trimmer. I use the 25X100 on rare moonless clear nights when I want to reach a little deeper. I have the Oberwerk 12X60 also and I think the optics are very very good for the money. You may want to visit the Cloudynights Bino forum to seek more info on the Oberwerks.
Erik D
PS. I found the Oberwerk 22X100 did not have sufficient right diopter adjustment for my -4.0 right eye. I have 8 other pair of binos and I do not have the same problem with them.
I purchased the Orion 20X80 in Nov,2001. Got hooked on giant bino astronomy and have since added the ProOptics 25X100( Mar 2002) and Burgess 20X80 LW(Feb 2003). I borrwed my friends Oberwerk 22X100 for a week for a side-by-side with my 25X100 and I liked the Oberwerks better. This is what I found:
1. Oberwerk 22X100 has much better eye relief than my ProOptics 25X100.(18 vs. 10mm). Even though I do not need glasses I found the longer ER more comfortable. Less likely to fog.
2. Oberwerk 22X has wider 3.3 deg FOV vs 2.6 deg of ProOptics showing about ~60% more area.
3. Oberwerk 22X has better edge sharpness.
You may not consider the additional weight of 3+lbs from Orion 20X80 to Oberwerk 22X100 a big deal but if you put the two models next to each other there is a HUGE difference in Bulk. Orion 20X80 is 11.5 inch. Oberwerk ~17in. Furthermore, the balance point of the Oberwerk 22X100 is just 5 inches back from the front of the objective housing. This means EP end extends nearly a foot behind the mounting point. You will need a tall tripod AND a heavy duty fluid head(such as the Bogen 501) to mount the Oberwerk 22X.
The Oberwerk 22X100 price is less than 1/2 of what I paid for my ProOptics. I think it's a great value for anyone thinking of getting 100mm binos. However, I do NOT feel there is a BIG gain in limiting magnitude moving up from my 20X80s to my 25X100 from my mag 4.5 backyard. Perphas someone else who have both 80 and 100 mm binos can share their experience. I tend to use my Burgess 80mm LW a lot more often because it's much lighter(3.6 lb) and trimmer. I use the 25X100 on rare moonless clear nights when I want to reach a little deeper. I have the Oberwerk 12X60 also and I think the optics are very very good for the money. You may want to visit the Cloudynights Bino forum to seek more info on the Oberwerks.
Erik D
PS. I found the Oberwerk 22X100 did not have sufficient right diopter adjustment for my -4.0 right eye. I have 8 other pair of binos and I do not have the same problem with them.
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