Binoculars Tripod

would you get 10×50 or 20×80 for astronomical binoculars?

They are both cheap, the 10×50 is $130, the 20×80 is $100. I know the 20×80 will probably need a tripod, but as a casual observer what would you buy?

Its not so much magnification as it is light gathering power. The 20×80′s will allow you to see dimmer stuff, But I would be a more that a bit suspicious about the quality of those binoculars for $100. Are they something like these? -

http://www.telescope.com/control/celestron/astronomical-binoculars/celestron-skymaster-20×80-binoculars

Or, like these? -

http://www.telescope.com/control/binoculars/astronomical-binoculars/orion-giant-view-20×80-astronomy-binoculars

These are very nearly the same binocular, most likely made by the same Chinese optical company (Snyta). These are o.k. for the price, but don’t drop them. They will not handle even a gentle hit.

Far as holding the binoculars, you are correct about needing a tripod, but I would like to suggest one of these as an option as well-

http://www.backyardvoyager.com/binocularmounts.html

http://members.ziggo.nl/jhm.vangastel/Astronomy/binocs/binocs.htm

http://www.astronomyhints.com/binoculars.html

Zeiss Binofix Tripod Fixture for all Binoculars – ZEIS011-1