Spotting Scopes - perfect for long distance viewing this Summer

Celestron TrailSeeker 80 now $499 - rugged, full size spotting scope from Celestron

Celestron Ultima 100 - BIG 100mm spotting scope

Celestron Ultima 65 now just $299 - compact Celestron spotting scope

Celestron Hummingbird 56ED - ultra portable viewing

Plenty of astro and nature books at BINTEL - gifts for all ages

Christmas Shipping Cut-off dates - latest days for Santa to load up on telescopes and nature gear

BINTEL trading hours this Christmas/New Year - we're only closed on the NSW public holidays + open on Sunday, Christmas Eve until 2.00pm

Space News - get ready for the Geminids Meteor Show this coming week!

Saturn a few weeks ago captured by Normy Haddad using a BINTEL BT202 8" Dobsonian and a QHY5III715C camera. Hand tracked. Check out the full post by Normy and details of the moons of Saturn he captured as well by visiting the BINTEL Society Facebook Group here.

To be featured, you can send us your Astro and Nature images here or post them the BINTEL Society Facebook Group where you can join more than 1.6k fellow astronomy and nature fanatics! 

Spotting Scopes - perfect for long distance viewing this Summer

Summer is Sun, Surf and Spotting Scopes!

For when you need more up-close views of distance objects than binoculars can normally deliver, a spotting scope is an ideal choice. 

Spotting scopes are larger than binoculars, offer more detailed views with their higher magnifications and normally have zoom eyepieces.

Scan around until you find out what you'd like to look at and with quick twist of the eyepiece, zoom in for a closer view.

Spotting scopes are perfect for:

• Viewing boats, whales and marine life from land
• Distant scenery views
• Wildlife such as birds and animals on the ground
• Easy, casual views of the Moon and night sky
• Plus more!

BINTEL carries a wide range of spotting scopes and accessories and as always, more than happy to chat about what's the best choice for you. You're welcome at any time to pop into BINTEL to see how a spotting scope compares with binoculars. 

All of the spotting scopes from BINTEL attach to standard photographic tripods for steady views. If you don't already have one, you'll find our selection here.

Celestron TrailSeeker 80 now $499 - rugged, full size spotting scope from Celestron with 20x to 60x magnification

One of our more popular spotting scopes

Celestron TrailSeeker 80 - now $499

The Celestron TrailSeeker 80 has been a favourite at BINTEL for some time, and for good reason!

It's affordable for a quality spotting scope at $499. The 80mm main lens is large enough for viewing under dark or less than ideal conditions. Plus it zooms from 20 to 60 times magnification with a simple twist of the eyepiece. 

A handy case is included with the TrailSeeker 80

You can easily take photos through the TrailSeeker 80 with your DSRL with the addition of a low cost DSLR T-ring or through your phone with a Celestron NexYZ for $109.  

The Celestron TrailSeeker 80 includes a carry bag, has a rugged, rubberised armour outside shell and would great for travelling. 

Celestron Ultima 100 now $699 - a larger, 100mm spotting scope from Celestron 

A larger main lens means more light for brighter views.

Celestron Ultima 100 - $699 

Much like astronomical telescopes, larger spotting scopes are usually a good thing. Why?

The Celestron Ultima 100 has a 100mm diameter main lens compared to the 80mm on the TrailSeeker 80 model. This means it collects about 50% more light than the smaller spotting scope and views will be around 50% brighter. Magnifications are similar and being physically larger, it's not as handily portable than the TrailSeeker 80 - BUT it you're planning on observing scenery or nature when the lighting is poor such as during dawn or early evening, then the Celestron Ultima 100 might be a good option for you. 

It also attaches to a standard photographic tripod and can be used in the same way to take photographs through a DSLR or phone. 

Celestron Ultima 65 now just $299 - compact Celestron spotting scope

Small and compact yet still great viewing.

Celestron Ultima 65- $299

Also part of the Celestron Ultima range of spotting scope is the affordable Ultima 65 at $299. 

This features a 65mm wide main lens and a much smaller body overall. A zoom eyepiece with a magnification range that goes from 18x to 55x. 

Celestron Ultima 65 in the BINTEL Showroom - $299

This would suit someone who wants a more portal viewing option, but still needs to observe nature and scenery in closer detail than you'd typically find in in binoculars.

Celestron Hummingbird 56ED - ultra portable viewing

For viewing anywhere and anytime!

Celestron Hummingbird 56ED - $499

Sometime tiny optics can deliver massive views!

The clarity provided by the Hummingbird 56ED is a result of rare Extra Dispersion or "ED" glass used in the main lens. For daytime viewing, we often find the little Hummingbird 56ED can rival much larger and expensive spotting scopes. 

And the Hummingbird ED56 is super portable. It's almost pocket sized and lightweight too. On the lower zoom powers - 9 times or so - it can used hand-held and has an adaptor to allow it to be attached to any standard photographic tripod when used at higher magnifications. Well worth a pop into BINTEL to check out the beautiful views this little spotting scope produces. 

Plenty of astro and nature books at BINTEL - gifts for all ages

There's a wide range of book, charts and maps available in-store at BINTEL or for purchase on-line.

Whether you're buying books for young astronomers or those young at heart, BINTEL has gift suggestions to suit everyone. We're also happy to chat with you to assist with choice over the phone on 02 9518 7255.

It's only how many sleeps until Christmas??? - latest days for Santa to load up on telescopes and nature gear

Get your orders in by these dates to stop Santa related stress.

These are the latest dates to have your BINTEL orders in to ensure delivery by Christmas as advised by Australia Post.  Your orders - either online or over the phone - need to be placed by 12pm Sydney time to make sure our BINTEL elves have enough time to pack and get them out the door.  

• NSW 19th December
• ACT 19th December
• VIC 19th December
• QLD 19th December
• SA 19th December
• WA 15th December
• TAS 19th December
• NT 15th December

For country areas in WA and NT we suggest making sure your orders are received by BINTEL by Tuesday the 12th of December. 

If you can get orders in prior to these dates, there will be less stress for everyone!

The BINTEL showroom in Glebe and in-person phone and support services are open normal hours throughout December Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5.30am as well as Saturday from 9.30am to 4.00pm.
 

BINTEL is also open on Sunday, Christmas Eve – 24th of December 2023 – from 9.30am to 2.00pm.
 

Last pick up for click and collect orders at BINTEL is 1.00pm on Christmas Eve

All click and collect order are ready for pickup within 30 minutes for in-stock items
 

We’re closed only on the NSW Public Holidays:

• Monday 25th December – Christmas Day – closed
• Tuesday 26h December – Box Day – closed
• Monday 1st January 2024 – New Years Day – closed

We are also open normal trading hours on the days between Christmas and New Year:

• Wednesday 27th December – open 9.30am to 5.30pm
• Thursday 28th December – open 9.30am to 5.30pm
• Friday 29th December – open 9.30am to 5.30pm
• Saturday 30th December – open 9.30am to 4.00pm

Space News - get ready for the Geminids Meteor Show this coming week!

One of the big meteor showers of the year happens around a New Moon this coming week - and we know just a little bit more about them this time around....

You might see some news in the media and online about an upcoming meteor shower this week called the Geminids. 

Meteor showers can be a bit of a hit and miss. Sometimes they're spectacular and other times they deliver an amazing and memorable experience. The chance of this week's Geminids delivering the goods are fairly high as they coincide with New Moon, so there's no bright moonlight to drawn out the fainter meteors. 

For a background on what meteor shows are, how, when and where to view the Geminids and this strange member of the Solar System called a rock comet that causes this particular event - visit the BINTEL blog article below.

In the midweek BINTEL newsletter arriving in a few days...binoculars for birdwatching, sports and nature plus beginner's telescopes.