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[headdunce]

Here's what I'm looking at for $50 -
www.amazon.com/Celestron-SkyMaster-Binoculars-Tripod-Adapter/dp/B00008Y0VN/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356722636&sr=8-1&keywords=astronomy+binoculars

If you scroll down that page, it'll include this tripod for another $23 -
www.amazon.com/Vista-Explorer-60-Inch-Lightweight-Tripod/dp/B000V7AF8E/ref=pd_bxgy_p_img_y/191-8548863-1796608

Free shipping on them, 5-8 days

I'm leaving on vacation to go back here in 3 weeks -
goo.gl/maps/RpiBh

I'm hoping for clear skys at night, and might get lucky enough to spot a whale from shore too. Although it's a rough trip there, boat rides, rough roads, etc, so they might get lost in customs/destroyed on the way there, so I don't want to get something expensive.

Opinions? For what this trip is costing, I'm in at $75 for trying...

[headdunce]

Well I cashed in some credit card reward points for Amazon credits and picked them up for free this morning.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Jim...

You'll dig the 15x70s.

I use them all the time....

astronomer.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Equipment&action=display&thread=2625

Great pair of optics.

[patrickm]

Agreed. Mine frequently stay in my car & travel with me when I need to go light. Tripod a must. Have picked off many faint galaxies with those in dark skies.

Good score. You will dig.

[headdunce]

Awesome, good to hear! I hope I get to see a whale too!

[Paulie pchris00]

Well worth $75. Enjoy!

[headdunce]

They came with a missing lens cap, but I was leaving for the trip so I took them along anyway. I contacted Amazon who sent me out a new pair to swap for, they arrived when I was away on vacation.

I did get to take them out a couple nights right by the ocean. I had a nice time with my wife while we listened to the waves and watched the stars. The skys were clear and weather was warm, great time.

I did get to see a few humpback whales too! Unfortunately I didn't have the binoculars with me at the time because we just had pulled the boat into the beach after a fishing/snorkel trip. We stepped onto the beach and as I looked back I saw what looked like a jet ski spray shoot up. Then I realized we were the only people on the beach for miles and there were no jet skis anywhere around, it was a whale taking a breath of air! I saw a few of them jump clear out of the water and come crashing down, it was AMAZING! They are HUGE!!!