Budget stuff :)

We all like budget priced items. I'm reminded of why when I use my inexpensive $20 pair of 10x25 binoculars. They are smaller and much lighter weight than the expensive ones. I'm more likely to have them with me in a backpack or the glove compartment of my car. I'm more likely to use them since they are small and light weight.

I've gotten back into astronomy a bit lately and they are easy to use for checking out the Constellations. I went to see the Thunderbirds perform not too long ago (Navy aerial precision team) and I took them with me. If they were the big heavy "good" version I wouldn't have taken them since I didn't really need them...the Thunderbirds are hard to miss :) Yet it was nice to have them with me.

I recently bought a pair of "giant" binoculars for star gazing (15x70) but found a good (budget) pair for $56 rather than the hundreds that you can pay. They work great as well. They aren't cheaply made, have Bak 4 prisms and have multi-coated optics.

I'm sure for demanding uses or users there is a reason to have the more expensive ones but that just doesn't apply to me.

What are some things you have found useful in the budget category (other than flashlight?).

I used to be a smoker and I have about 20 lighters, mostly from DealExtreme and KaiDomain. I don't have much use for them anymore, but at least they were cheap!

The first gun I ever bought was "budget". Just a benjamin away from a Saturday Night Special. It's an FEG PJK 9mm. Basically a Browning Hi-Power knockoff at less than 1/2 the price. I've aquired much more expensive pieces thru the years, but I have a soft spot in my heart for my PJK. :) And as of a few years ago, that model can't even be sold in my state anymore. So more reason to hold onto it besides the sentimental ones.

Can you share your links and models of your telescopes or binoculars?

I'm pretty interested haha.

Anyone have experience with budget computer mouse?

I also like budget binoculars/monoculars.

Even the poorest quality ones give quite good performance with good light, and there are even some gems for under 10$ (like the 15-55x21 zoom monocular [with poor quality lens but great reach that somewhat compensates], the awesome mini 2.5x17.5 "russian spy" monocular and the 3x28 "eyeglasses type" binoculars for 3$).

But the quality stuff begins at ~25$ (Bresser 10x50 binoculars) and real quality shows around the 35$ mark (Mystery 8x42 monocular).

I really want the Mystery 10-25x42 monocular from DX, some 20x50 spotting scope and some 15x70 binoculars for the night... maybe I'll give in and break my 3 month "don't buy over 20$" experiment. :)

I really like budget stuff.

The Bic lighter is great its very cheap at around $1 and works all the time.

I have an awesome SRM710 frame lock which is about $8 shipped...

Sure, here's a link to the company (Celestron) that makes the 15x70 version for star watching (you can buy them cheaper through dealers).

http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?ProdID=187

I can't find the exact model of Bushnell 10x25 that I have but this is close.

Disregard the price on that one. I got mine for $20 at a Sporting Goods store.

My telescopes are older and probably aren't still sold with the exact same model names but I have a 80 mm refractor Celestron Firstscope and a Meade Starfinder 8" reflector. The Meade is bulky and a hassle to set up. The Celestron is easy to set up but my new Celestron 15x70 binoculars can see almost as much.

gcbryan, does you Celestron have any collimation problems?

I bought a 8x21 Celestron which had serious collimation problems - I always saw two images, not properly aligned horizontally or vertically. A replacement pair had the exact same problem and the seller later refunded me after they've tested the binoculars themselves.

No collimation problems. There is some CA of course but it's not distracting. For instance the Moon is out tonight and it's very bright. I looked at it with the binoculars on a tripod and everything is very sharp but there is a thin sharp green edge on one side of the Moon where due to the simple lenses the waves lengths don't focus at the exact same place (chromatic aberration). They are not expensive enough to have a corrective optic for that.

I'm sure I'm not telling you anything regarding CA but I just wanted to give a complete answer.

I notice the CA only when I view the Moon or Jupiter. I have no collimation issues however...thankfully.

Hmm, so maybe it was just a production line problem.

You never know. I also have a Celestron telescope and that's been no problem as well.