Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I recently became interested in astronomy and purchased this set of binoculars, based on the recommendation of several amateur astronomy websites and books. They have been a great aid to learning the night sky and viewing objects or clusters that are not visible to the naked eye in my moderately night-polluted sky. The initial set-up was very easy: Put a lens cap over the right lens and focus; switch the lens cap to the left eye and adjust the eyepiece ring until the image is tack-sharp; finally, remove the cap, and you're in business. This can be done in less than 20 seconds. At first, I was holding these by hand - they are light enough to be able to do this. However, I found myself lying on my back and resting them on my eyes to steady the picture when I wanted to stare at a portion of the sky. Eventually, I purchased an adapter to mount them on my tripod, which vastly improved the viewing experience. So far I have enjoyed great views of the Andromeda Galaxy, Comet Lovejoy, Jupiter and four of its moons, Plaiedes, the Double Cluster, M44, and the moon in all its phases. Binoculars really are a great way to learn the sky for the first time, and this particular pair have been exceptional.