Okay, someone wanted me to give some numbers on what I can actually see with my
astronomy binocular from my light-polluted patio, here in the suburbs north of Chicago. Keep in mind that "see" is a relative term. Detect might be a better word, because, quite frankly, there is often not much to actually see on many of the more difficult objects, once you have detected them. Even when it comes to detecting deep-sky objects, you still have to factor in experience. Having seen objects, before, makes it much easier to see these objects, again. Okay, let's begin with some of my favorite deep-sky fuzzies -
globular clusters. From my patio, even with all its light pollution, I have still managed to detect fifteen globular clusters with a fair degree of regularity and another 4 if I catch an unusually good night of transparency. Summer is by far the best season for these, but there's always a globular visible in every season with an
astronomy binocular. See for yourself.