TAKAHASHI
" THE ASTRONOMER "
22 x 60 FLUORITE BINOCULARS
QUOTE FROM NICK HUDSON - " When I first tried the Takahashi binoculars, and compared them with my large 20 x 100 fluorite binoculars from another Japanese manufacturer, I was annoyed more than anything else, because the other binoculars cost several thousand pounds. The truth is, that the Takahashi 22x60 fluorites EASILY beat the others, providing an ultra-bright razor-sharp image, coupled with the classic 'magic' contrast that Takahashi somehow manage to build into all their products"
Superb lightweight binoculars - fov is 2.1 degrees. The views through these astonishing binoculars can only be described as THRILLING. One can look at the moon for hours with complete relaxation, picking out detail after detail, and finding many subtle variations in the greys and browns of the 'mare'. From a dark sky location, M42, The Orion Nebula, is truly spectacular, with myriads of loops and swirls, with an added bonus of false perspective making it appear to have a 3-D presentation.
The Takahashi 22 x 60 Fluorites have a normal upright image (ie the view is NOT inverted), and for terrestrial operation this instrument shows that it can compete with the very best optics available anywhere - one seems to be able to reach out and pick up the distant object one is looking at, or putting it another way - one seems to be immersed within the object one is looking at.
Due to the long barrels and light weight, the binoculars can be hand-held for sweeping or following objects, with surprising stability, though for serious viewing you will need a good quality tripod and pan/tilt head, such as the Manfrottocombination detailed below and on the price list.
22 X 60 fluorite binoculars £ 899 inc VAT/UK delivery
Using a tripod such as the MN055A, with long centre column, there is enough height to accommodate the tallest of users, even with the binoculars in a vertical position. A fluid head such as the 128LP or 501 makes pan and tilt a breeze. this lightweight combination is ideal for travel applications or where immediate use is desirable, eg holiday/terrestrial work
Price of 22 x 60 binoculars on Manfrotto MN055A tripod with MN 128LP head is £ 999 inc vat/uk delivery. For MN 501 head add £ 55