Takahashi Fluorite APO 22x60


 Info  Votes  Messages  More Stats  Up One Level
image
Brand and Model:Takahashi Fluorite APO 22x60
Price ($USD):$1099.00
Attributes:un-checked Waterproof un-checked Armored
Objective Lens Size:60 mm
Magnification:22 x
Prism Type:BAK4 Porro
Coatings:Multi-Coated
Field of View:2.1 degrees
Eye Relief:18 mm
Near Focus:141 ft
Weight (lbs):4lbs 12 oz.
Dimensions (w/h/d):8.7"wx13.5"l
Description:The Takahashi Fluorite APO 22x60 Binoculars set a new standard for high power binoculars. The fluorite objectives deliver pinpoint stars against a jet-black background. Contrast is outstanding allowing the observer to view delicate detail in nebulae and star clusters.
The extra large tripod adapter provides an extremely stable platform for the binoculars when they are mounted to a steady camera tripod. This adapter has a padded rest for the binoculars to sit upon when they are used.

Each pair is infinity corrected for maximum optical performance.

Takahashi America's 22x60 bino page

Vote Highlights Vote
Takahashi Fluorite APO 22x60
Great optics! The phrase "pin point stars" takes on a whole new meaning. These fluorite binos are "extremely" sharp to about 15-20% of the edge of field. The field of view is very flat, and stars at the edges are "almost" pin-points. Chromatic aberration is virtually non-existent to my amateur eyes. The limb of the full Moon showed no false color on-axis. However, if you move your head slightly (off-axis viewing), you might see hints of false color. And I mean just hints.

Aimed at Vega, I noticed no color fringing or violet halos around the star. Vega appeared so bright that a very faint whitish-blue glow can be seen, likely produced by the coatings. The image is so clear, that you can see faint stars extremely close to brilliant Vega. I never seen faint and bright stars so closely spaced in the same field of view in my 20-years of observing. There is just no color bleeding (flaring) or other abberation in the image to tarnish the view.

On to bright Venus...no flare-up, glare or chromatic aberration noted! You can actually see the phases of this planet very cleanly. Very, very nice!

The optics are so good that the image never feels like its being magnified at a whooping 22x (given the small aperture.) No comparison to the strained and dim images seen in Celestron 20x80's or the curvature of field and severe coma of the Swift 11x80's. The Taks produce clean and bright images.

Compared to the Fujinon 10x70's, I now see a much darker sky (essentially black) from my moderately sky polluted suburban location. The amazing contrast of the Taks results in "seeing" more nebulosity than the Fujinons, even though the aperture is 10 mm less. What were soft hints of glow in the Fujinons are now moderately bright patches of nebulosity in the Taks. I will not discuss my experience regarding magnification between the two, as I'd be unfairly comparing apples to oranges. It's amazing to look at open-star clusters to see hundreds of uniquely colored stars in the Taks. The same clusters in the Fujinons yield less than a dozen distinguishable star colors. The color purity inherent to the fluorite elements is absolutely stunning!

I loved Fujinons - and still do. However, the Fujinons are not as sharp as the Taks. They do show flaring on bright planets and stars, contain a notable amount of false color and show slight amounts of coma.

The Taks do not have the larger eyepieces like the Fujinons (this is unfortunate given their price.) They are pricey and may look like $600 binos at first glance. However, look through a pair and you'll be addicted to the optics! Then you'll understand why they are worth an extra $500 over the venerable Fujinon FMT-SX's.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:9
Weight: 20 (Notable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=131451

>Great optics!  The phrase "pin point stars" takes on a whole new meaning.  These fluorite binos are "extremely" sharp to about 15-20% of the edge of field.  The field of view is very flat, and stars at the edges are "almost" pin-points.  Chromatic aberration is non-existent to my amateur eyes.  The limb of the moon and Vega showed absolutely no secondary color.  No flare-up or chromatic aberration on bright Venus!  You can actually see the phases of this planet very cleanly.  Very, very nice!
>
>The optics are so good that the image never feels like its being magnified at a whooping 22x (given the small aperature.)  No comparison to the strained and dim images seen in Celestron 20x80's or the curvature of field and severe coma of the Swift 11x80's.  The Taks produce clean and bright images.
>
>Compared to the Fujinon 10x70's, I now see a much darker sky (essentially black) from my moderately sky polluted suburban location.  The amazing contrast of the Taks results in "seeing" more nebulosity than the Fujinons, even though the aperature is 10 mm less.  What were soft hints of glow in the Fijinons are now moderately bright patches of nebulosity in the Taks.  I will not discuss my experience regarding magnification between the two, as I'd be unfairly comparing apples to oranges.  It's amazing to look at open-star clusters to see dozens upon dozens of uniquely colored stars in the Taks.  The same clusters in the Fujinons yield less than a dozen distinguishable star colors.  The color purity inherent to the fluorite elements is stunning.
> 
>I loved Fujinons - and still do.  However, the Fujinons are not as sharp as the Taks.  They show some flaring on bright planets and stars, secondary color, and have a slight amount of coma.
>
>The Taks  do not have the larger eyepieces like the Fujinons (this is unfortunate given their price.)  They are pricey and may look like $600 binos at first glance.  However, look through a pair and you'll be addicted to the optics!  Then you'll understand why they are worth an extra $500 over the venerable Fujinon SX-FMT's.


Good afternoon! I love your reviews, and it seems like you're an experienced bino-observer. I moved your votes' weights (I'm the section moderator) to 10, since it seems you are very trustworthy, and you log on to this site regularly. I'll ask the webmaster if I could raise your user level to 20 since you seem like a pro.

Takahashi Fluorite APO 22x60
Possibly the best optics on a binocular!
There are guaranteed pinpoint stars & no color at all with this high to medium power binocular! The moon & jupiter are absolutely color free! Very impressive! Around 4+ pounds in weight so not using a tripod is not an option! Focusers are smooth! This one is an expensive keeper! Ill probably never part with mine! Ive owned the 100mm oberwerk bt which in my opinion is a great bino, but these 60mm fluorites are in a class by them selves! If you are a binocular enthuiest & have the $ 1,050.00 to shelve out you wont be dissapointed!

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 11 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=246056


Takahashi Fluorite APO 22x60
Absolutely fantastic glass! A Bargain even at a Grand! These are vastly better for astronomy than the 70mm Fujis which catch 49/36 times more light!! The higher contrast makes the difference. They are also much better than the Nikon 10x70 Astroluxes I used to use, which in turn are a bit better than the Fujis in my opinion. Overall resolution on the Taks is right up there with the finest glasses made, like the Nikon Superior E series, only you get 22x, not 10x or 12x with these!! [Please also note that the only reason the average rating is not 10 is because someone who loved them mistakenly gave them a 1 instead of a 10.]

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:9
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=94937


Takahashi Fluorite APO 22x60
Outstanding bino's. I love Taks so much I sold my Miyauchi's and Canon 15x50IS bino's. The optics are superior to anything in the same class. 2 60mm FS60's. I wish Tak would come out with a 78mm pair...

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=83654


Takahashi Fluorite APO 22x60
Dear all,
I live in HK and my friend orders two pairs directly from Japan for retailing purposes. Actually I test one of them against 3 binoculars: Nikon SE 10x42, Leica 10x50 BA and Zeiss 8x56 Night Owl.

The first thing I have to say is: the binocular is VERY BIG! It looks like a 80mm pair. It ought to be tripod mounted. Mechanically it is quite similar to Fujinons.

The daytime performance should have been excellent when viewed alone. The color correction is excellent, but I still detect a trace of residual color aberration around the high contrast objects.

When compared to the best binoculars, the drawback of Tak 22x60 becomes prominent. Firstly, the field is quite small, only 45-degree apparent field. Secondly, the view is not as sharp as SE, Zeiss and Leica. Edge distortion is noticeable if carefully look for it, too.

Anyway, I would say spending 5000HKD on a 60mm flourite binocular is quite a deal.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:9 Value:8
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=197831


Takahashi Fluorite APO 22x60
Best in show.Good to edge.Fantastic contrast and color neutrality.Extremely bright.Long eye relief.See objects better than some of the biggest guns at star parties.How could you not buy them?

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 4 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=41812


Takahashi Fluorite APO 22x60
outstanding in a word - perfect edge to edge - very bright to only 60mm - I never find a binoculars sharp as these before - it blow away in sharpness my Fuji 16x70's.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=486200


Takahashi Fluorite APO 22x60
Being an APO the colors are very accurate. Great contrast. With adequate acclimation and proper focus the views are very sharp. Saturn is not an oval blur as in many (even larger) binoculars, but sharp, with the rings being separate from the body of the planet. I have always seen 4 stars in the Trapezium with no problem. They are expensive, but the views are great.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=443540


Takahashi Fluorite APO 22x60
A wonderful binoculars - I was very worried (before the purchase) about their ''commented'' narrow AFOV but really now I know that it's not a real bad point - the AFOV it's perfect at 22X (IMO). I never saw before a kind of binoculars sharp as The Takahashi.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=439047


Takahashi Fluorite APO 22x60
Bought because of the search for quality, having been very dissappointed with 80mm bins. The advertising blurb and personal recommendations helped me take the plunge. I now love them more each time I use them. The comments of all those who look through them justify what at first glance appears to be an excessive price. Excellent deep sky views and turning them on the moon just blows you away. Now I'm searching for a parallel mount to do them justice.

Overall Rating: 9
Optics:10 Value:9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date:
By:
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=414193

[Click Here to Login]
Don't have a login? Register!