Bino Question!

JDBrady--

hmmm.  assuming that the scope is f/4.5*, then a pair of 32 mm Plossls
will give 53' rfov and 56x.  that would also yield a 7.1 mm exit pupil.
for your eyes to open to this size you're probably in your 30s or
younger, and you're observing from a very dark sky site with no lights
to affect your night vision.  otherwise, you are losing some of the
aperture and, depending on the scope, you may have a problem with seeing
the central obstruction in the eyepiece.  you can learn more about that
at:

http://www201.pair.com/resourc e/astro.html/regular/products/ tele-vue-opt
ics/pg4.htm

scroll about 3/4 of the way down the page for a discussion of exit pupil
and it's impact at the ep.

now, the Oberwerks deliver rfov of 90' (40x) and 151' (25x).  if you
were to put a 31mm Nagler into your scope you'd have 58x with a rfov of
85'--starting to approach the Oberwerks at their narrowest rfov.  and
that's the about best you could do.  and, i can't imagine anyone
successfully using a pair of 2" ep's, much less a pair of 31 mm Naglers,
in a binoviewer.  you could eke out a bit more rfov by using 40mm
Plossls, but that would be like looking through a pair of soda straws--i
don't recommend it.

my conclusion:  you're comparing apples and oranges because the view in
the binoc's can't be duplicated in the scope with a binoviewer.  i think
your question should be:  "should i spend my money on a binoviewer and
ep's, or on giant binoc's".  and the answer is:  that depends on your
viewing interests.

*if the scope is slower, than the difference in rfov become even more
prounounced.  if faster (i can't imagine it's too much faster), then a
little bit less prounounced.

clear, dark skies--

mark d.