Informative Links

Glen Warchol's Binocular Crutch Mount Page
Come along with Glen and learn how to "tour the universe on crutches"!

Todd Gross' Binocular Reviews
Excellent site, the famous Boston Weatherman and Astro-reviewer gives you some very thorough personal evaluations of various binoculars. Site also includes very good reviews on scopes, eyepieces, etc.

Monthly Sky Map and Guide
Free monthly map of the night sky, including observing tips, a glossary, a guide to the planets and other noteworthy naked-eye, binocular and telescopic objects.

Online Handbook of Binocular Astronomy
Michael Poxon's UK site includes a good deal of useful information for binocular observing

The Astronomical League's Binocular Messier Certificate
How to earn a Binocular Messier Certificate from the Astronomical League.

Articles from Sky & Telescope
"How to choose, use, and get the most out of your instrument."

Vendor Sites

Astromart
Perhaps the best place on the 'net to find used equiptment.

bigbinoculars.com
Big online binocular dealer with a huge variety of binoculars and accessories.

Orion Telescopes and Binoculars
Site also has a good deal of useful information for beginners, including a monthly star chart.

Sportsman's Guide Catalog
Home of the famous (and elusive) "Galileo" and "Bear Brand" 15x70 binoculars. If they are not in stock you are likely to find other good deals here.

Recommended Reading

Binocular Astronomy
By Craig Crossen and Wil Tirion (Willman-Bell, Richmond, VA. 1992 8.5 x 11", hardbound, 224 pages). There seems to be a consensus in the Binocular Astronomy community that if you buy only one book, this should be it.

Exploring the Night Sky With Binoculars
by David S. Chandler (paperback, 48 pages, ISBN: 0961320710). One reader comments:
"It's just a little thing, a half-size, soft-cover booklet, but it's packed with great information and superb illustrations. IMHO, the best "first book" on binocular observing. Inexpensive, too."

Touring The Universe Through Binoculars: A Complete Astronomer's Guidebook
by Philip S. Harrington (1990 John Wiley and Sons, paperback, 304 pages, ISBN: 0-471-51337-7)

Exploring the Moon Through Binoculars and Small Telescopes
by Ernest H. Cherrington (Dover, paperback, 229 pages, ISBN: 0486244911).