Celestron Vintage Astronomy Binocular 11 X 80 Mm Comet Hunter Review
#1 
Posted 23 January 2016 - 05:23 PM
I've recently purchased a Meade 11x80 binocular and coincidentally a friend has likewise purchased a similar Celestron 11x80.
I've combed the forums and found bits and pieces of info on this model only I wanted to start a new thread regarding specs, reviews, mounting options, and general intendance/feeding of this blast from the past.
It seems that many of yous use these vintage 11x80s, and I'thousand hoping to encourage y'all to post your experiences and communication!
When mine get in I'll post a review (whenever the skies clear). I'g certain Rainguy volition practice as well (equally he has a few other giant binos to compare with).
My first questions would exist nigh the family history: Who manufactured this line of binoculars (and where)? What brands were they sold past? My understanding is that Celestron, Meade and Orion sold this? Having the various model names will allow me to search the forums for more into.
Cheers and clear skies,
Scott
#2
Posted 23 Jan 2016 - 05:45 PM
Hi, Scott, if I remember correctly from those days, the Celestron and Orion 80mm binoculars were sourced from Vixen in Nippon. They both sold Vixen-made scopes and binoculars nether their make names. I don't know about the Meades, though; probably sourced the same...
Rich
#3
Posted 23 January 2016 - 05:55 PM
Meade had a few 11X80 variations I believe with the latest have a rubber armor housing. My Orion 11X80's are like the others (Celestron, older Meade) and I found I could hand hold them but they are better off on a tripod.
Mike
#4
Posted 23 Jan 2016 - 06:13 PM
I bought my Celestron 11x80'south new in 1976, and I still beloved the things. I don't know specifically who built 'em, merely they're Japanese. The serial number is 3133, which I only know because I just looked at 'em. 
They take a broad enough FOV at four.five degrees to make them pretty easy to aim, and although they should ideally be on a mount of some kind, they aren't difficult to mitt-hold for brief periods... Information technology'south less jittery for me if I grab 'em out toward the objectives. Great for barrelhousing around the heaven and seeing lots of stuff on those nights when you don't have much time. They seem to have fallen out of favor somewhat due to the big exit pupil, just I haven't told mine yet, then they still serve me wonderfully.
Marty
#5
Posted 23 Jan 2016 - 06:46 PM
I have the Celestron version. I notice that if I accept one mitt out past the objective and the other back past to focus knob is the steadiest for me. It allows me to constrict my elbow into my chest. Corking to grab and see what's out. I also have a heavy duty bracket for tripod apply. From my agreement they were fabricated by Vixen. Parks as well had a version. Funny, I only lost out a i on the Bay. I didn't bid high because I wasn't confidant of the answers to my questions. If it was your friend, I hope they are mint and become many years of utilize out of them. They are good enough that I wanted a second pair. When I do searches I try to be generic in my descriptions, every bit in 11x80 binoculars. You'll but have to comb through the info. Best of luck! Clear and steady skies.......
#6
Posted 23 Jan 2016 - 07:xix PM
Thanks for all your input!
1976? I didn't realize those 11x80s went back that far! I wonder what the age range is? Maybe nosotros could post pictures (or serial numbers) of your binos and its gauge yr of birth?
Smashing handholding tips, keep them coming! I envision myself using them (while my imaging setup clicks abroad) while I'g comfortable in a chaise lounge scanning the heaven. Any tips on stability while reclined?
It actually does seem that the larger exit pupil models are less pop these days. Isn't a binocular all-time used in dark skies? And if so, wouldn't a smaller exit pupil be limiting? In looking through binos with small exit pupil, I observe a very small viewing window (non sure proper terminology, but if my eyes and the eyepieces aren't perfectly aligned it looks similar an centre hat closing?). So wouldn't a larger exit pupil provide a more relaxed viewing feel? I'm asking every bit I really don't know.
#7
Posted 23 January 2016 - 08:06 PM
These 'vintage' 11X80s (and other 80mm binos) often had working apertures of ~72mm, due to the fast lite cone from the objectives not beingness fully accommodated past the showtime prism aperture in the erector system.
A smaller exit educatee by itself does non impinge on the field of view. Rather, the middle relief distance is the relevant factor here, and how your own facial biometrics might limit the distance at which the eyepiece can be placed before the eyes. If you can get your optics placed at the eye point yous will see the full field. In *general*, for given aperture bino every bit the magnification increases/exit pupil decreases, the centre relief gets shorter.
A smaller leave pupil in a bino is actually simply an issue if the optical quality does non support the college magnification. Telescope users regularly apply to good effect--even on fairly faint (low surface brightness) stuff--exit pupils of ~2mm. And of course fifty-fifty smaller exit pupils down to a mere 0.5mm are used for brighter fare. Even under a very dark sky I like a 3-4mm exit pupil in a bino. This increases depth of penetration for both stars and smaller DSOs, due to the darker sky glow and the increased image scale.
#8
Posted 23 Jan 2016 - 08:46 PM
A smaller exit pupil in a bino is really only an issue if the optical quality does not support the college magnification. Telescope users regularly employ to good effect--even on fairly faint (low surface brightness) stuff--exit pupils of ~2mm. And of grade even smaller get out pupils down to a mere 0.5mm are used for brighter fare. Even nether a very nighttime sky I like a 3-4mm exit student in a bino. This increases depth of penetration for both stars and smaller DSOs, due to the darker heaven glow and the increased image scale.
20x80s will testify more than than 11x80s..
11x80s will show more than than 11x50s...
Jon
#9
Posted 23 January 2016 - 09:05 PM
sctt50 was maxim
1976? I didn't realize those 11x80s went back that far! I wonder what the historic period range is? Peradventure we could post pictures (or serial numbers) of your binos and its gauge year of birth?
OK,
Hither are a couple pics of my 1976 ser no 3133 ones... 1 in my binoc conveying box, and the other hanging out with some old friends. I put those rubber eyeshields on all my nighttime binocs, because I Love 'em.
I had a friend who bought some Celestron 11x80's later, mayhap tardily 70'south or early 80's, and they had a metal support linking the objective ends. I'm not sure how much that helps, I'd suspect the prisms being knocked out of collimation are a weaker point.
Marty
Attached Thumbnails
#10
Posted 23 Jan 2016 - 09:24 PM
A curious feature of these older binos reveals their 'hybrid' nature. The barrels containing the objectives have a more steeply sloped profile than that of the stubbier barrel extensions on the body. The bodies are only those for a 7X50 (or 10X50), to which are attached the longer barrels with their larger objectives. (An adapter ring will be seen well down inside the barrel, this serving to thread together the ii units.) The more than steeply sloped profile of the upper objective butt is a clue of sorts that points to a likewise-fast objective, and hence the stopped-downwardly aperture I mentioned before.
#11
Posted 24 January 2016 - 03:52 AM
I have a mint Celestron Comet Hunter which I bought new in 1986. Serial number on the tripod bush grommet is 5500. It is non really handholdable, it's the remainder rather than the weight that's the trouble - the heavy 80mm objectives unbalance the glass in the hand.
Also the truthful field at four.5* (claimed) is certainly acceptable only not great. For comparison the Nikon 10x70 is 5.1* and the Fuji 10x70 is 5.3*.
This was the first decent glass I endemic and very first calorie-free was an unforgettable view of Mu Cephei - a brilliant ruby - enchanting.
I may consider selling it - pm me if interested.
Graham
#12
Posted 24 January 2016 - 11:40 AM
I'm the other guy Scott referred to, and my Celestron 11x80s are currently enroute to Oregon from Kankakee, IL, should be here erstwhile midweek. The fiddling research I did has them from 1984-85. They await make clean and almost unused in the photos----but who knows? The seller scored them at an estate sale, so I didn't bother sending any questions, just decided to roll the dice.
I already ain a 20x80 but I take been leaning more and more toward primarily binocular observing these days, and then the 80mm aperture and wider fov (iv.5 on the Celestrons vs 3.i on the 20x80s) has some appeal.
I can handhold my 20x80s more or less okay if I put a pillow on my chest while lying back in a chaise and keeping my elbows tucked in. Simply the feel is both steadier and less fatiguing when I mount them on a monopod, ballast the bottom foot between my legs while lying back and two-handing the top of the monopod just below the mountain, don't fifty-fifty touch the barrels. When I do this, it's tripod-steady but with the scan about wherever-yous-want freedom of handheld. This likewise works well with my C 15x70s.
I was pleased to acquire that these were made for Celestron by VIxen, a seeming plus hither.
Like Scott, I will post a first calorie-free rep from the offset clear night once they are in hand. The way this winter is going in Western Oregon, that might be old in May.
In the acting, I'd beloved to hear more from CNers who accept used this binocular. What I've read so far in this thread is encouraging.
Doug
#13
Posted 24 January 2016 - 02:00 PM
Doug,
If you're at all like me (gods forbid 
), you only might find the 20X80, in spite of its smaller TFoV, to be the more enjoyable and stiff instrument. The AFoVs for the 11X80 and 20X80 are 45-50 degrees and ~60 degrees, respectively. The latter's more expansive illumination of the retina, and the greater penetration and item afforded by the college magnification are hard to disbelieve. And in full general (including the comparison of dissimilar apertures), a smaller TFoV for me is more than fabricated up for past the larger credible 'window' provided past a larger AFoV.
#xiv
Posted 24 January 2016 - 02:38 PM
Thanks for the data, Glenn. What y'all say makes a lot of sense, so I will just have to see how the feel with the 11x80s plays out. I really had/have no idea of what to expect; ownership them was more a thing of being intrigued past the numbers than of any concrete expectation. I Hope I don't end up uttering a loud "Whoooops!" upon my first look through them.
Doug
#15
Posted 24 January 2016 - 02:46 PM
Doug, I'm hoping the same thing!
I really have no experience with binoculars, this is my beginning foray into this realm. I had thought that I wanted a larger exit educatee size, large discontinuity, and lowish magnification merely now I'm commencement to wonder... They will arrive presently and I look forward to first light!
If goose egg else, they look actually cool (cheers for the pictures Marty!).
#xvi
Posted 24 January 2016 - 05:31 PM
Doug,
If you're at all like me (gods prevent
For me, 11x80's and 20x80's are different plenty creatures that I'd hate to requite either one up. The 20x80's begin to give DSO's more of their individual "telescope look," while the lower power 11x80'southward have a pleasantly wider field of view and offering more of that casual binocular "ambiance." I commencement spotted the vast majority of "K" objects with my 11x80's.
And then, I'd hate to give up my broad field 7x35's...
Marty
#17
Posted 24 January 2016 - 06:16 PM
Indeed, between 11X and 20X there's plenty departure in penetrating ability to brand the ii rather dissimilar plenty beasties. The 11X80 is a not hugely upsized 7X50, really; in some aspects of performance it *is* closer to a 7X50 than a 20X80. And I practise concur that every bit long every bit ane doesn't mind the more restricted AFoV (which is the reason for my "gods forbid" admonition against being too much similar me ), both models tin can render useful service.
#18
Posted 24 January 2016 - 06:31 PM
Marty,
The differentiation you make between the 20x80s and 11x80s is exactly what I idea, and what I am hoping for, that is 2 qualitatively different observing experiences. I agree wholly that the 20x80s are a lot like looking through a refractor, only maybe brighter images with the bins. Thanks for posting this!
Doug
#19
Posted 24 January 2016 - 08:22 PM
Marty,
The differentiation you brand betwixt the 20x80s and 11x80s is exactly what I thought, and what I am hoping for, that is two qualitatively unlike observing experiences. I agree wholly that the 20x80s are a lot like looking through a refractor, only possibly brighter images with the bins. Thank you for posting this!
Doug
Once they come, driblet a mail on this thread with your initial impressions, one way or the other. I'm gonna be curious.
Marty
#20
Posted 25 January 2016 - 03:22 AM
Thanks for the information, Glenn. What you say makes a lot of sense, and then I will just have to run into how the experience with the 11x80s plays out. I really had/have no idea of what to await; buying them was more a matter of being intrigued by the numbers than of whatsoever concrete expectation. I HOPE I don't end upward uttering a loud "Whoooops!" upon my first look through them.
Doug
You lot won't. The Celestron 11x80 Comet Hunter, which is fully MgF2 coated but has Bk7 prisms, is optically enjoyable and, every bit with near Japanese binos, mechanically good. I'k not sure that information technology was manufactured past Vixen yet. I was delighted with mine when I bought it in 1985 but times have moved on so don't expect Fujinon or Nikon standards of light manual.
Graham
#21
Posted 25 January 2016 - eleven:28 AM
Thanks, Graham. I assumed BK7 prisms, only based on the info you provided I don't see this every bit whatever kind of bargain killer. I have some vintage Made in Nihon bins, all with BK7s, and the views are abrupt and bright, so I am expecting/hoping for similar images through the 11x80s.
Doug
#22
Posted 25 Jan 2016 - 01:xi PM
#23
Posted 25 January 2016 - 07:22 PM
Don't allow the fact of BK-7 prisms be a deterrent. The dimming via the grey-blue chordal cuts in the outer pupil practice not by themselves subtract so much lite that the difference jumps out (the coatings may be the greater arbiter here.) More so if your irises are not quite as big as the get out pupils.
#24
Posted 26 January 2016 - 02:45 PM
Yesterday the Meade 11x80s that I purchased on Astromart arrived, many thanks to the seller for such a wonderful transaction. The bins were well packaged and in great status. The seller went in a higher place and beyond past getting these in the postal service almost immediately after payment!
My first idea was oh my goodness, these things are gigantic! I had anticipated they would be large, merely I was surprised at reality!!! Our aircraft scale tops out at 5 pounds, they are over that threshold. Massive truly!
Whether or not they were Vixen manufacture seems uncertain but they are definitely stamped "Japan". No series number that I can encounter.
These have a rubberized armor, nice grippy material, quite a pleasure to agree.
I cannot see any defects on the glass, and caps are provided for eyepiece and objective lenses.
Center focus seems to be very responsive and they snap right into focus.
I was fortunate to have a few cloud breaks last night to experience the bins in action and I must say that I'm impressed. (Delight keep in mind I'm not a bino proficient, in fact this is my beginning astronomy binocular). The four.five degree FOV seems only slightly narrower than my Mardixit 10x50s.
The go out pupil is oversized which I understand is "wasting light", but information technology was quite relaxing to use and I couldn't find whatever blind spots (am I explaining that correctly?). My goal is casual viewing, not take to struggle to go on the light centered on my pupils. That was my rationale for large leave pupil, and hopefully I got the concepts right.
As heavy and large equally they are, I found them quite comfortable in handheld use standing and staring into the heaven. OK yep, my shoulders did become fatigued… In my backyard chair they are likewise quite stable although the weight crushed my middle sockets after a few minutes viewing. I will definitely be getting some rubber heart shields as Marty'south pic showed (where to get them?).
I'll need to explore mounting options only I'grand quite pleased at handheld. They seem more stable than my 10x50s.
The groundwork sky was nicely night and uniform, considerably darker than my 10x50s.
Pleiades was gorgeous. Orion Nebula was certainly visible. I wasn't able to pick out whatsoever of the other DSOs in Orion only that may be more to do with my inexperience every bit an observer. I'll need to practise some reading up on what targets are best suited for binocular viewing and exercise my skills.
I had a good xv minutes of decent skies before the clouds returned to envelope the stars. From first light, I'chiliad thrilled with these monsters from the past! For use in casual scanning of the night sky while my astrophotography setup clicks away, I retrieve I'm going to relish these!
(Side notation, my wife says they await silly (cartoonish were her exact words). I'1000 not what you lot would consider a ruggedly handsome man; more like a middle anile skinny nerd. Property these giant binos but reinforces my geekiness!)
Are there other things I should be looking at or measuring? Something about shining a lite through the objectives and measuring the exit light? And if you lot want boosted pictures, let me know.
Thanks and clear skies to my new establish binocular forum family unit!
Scott
Attached Thumbnails
#25
Posted 26 January 2016 - 03:38 PM
Your new binocs look nice and clean, Scott! Glad they're working out! As for looking giddy, I look like a complete Bolshevik geek in my rabbit fur trooper hat, and I humiliated my kids with it for many years until they grew up and moved abroad, but it'south WARM and I Similar it.
I get my safe eyeshields from http://www.fieldopticsresearch.com ... They aren't cheap for what they are, just they come in a nice tin, and are great at cut out stray light. They make an enormous difference for me. You tin can come up with a good deal on 'em sometimes by digging around on ebay.
Marty
Edited past bumm, 26 January 2016 - 03:39 PM.
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