Date: Fri, 30 Jul 1999 09:58:40 -0400 From: dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] waterproof binoculars |I would like to hear opinions on waterproof binoculars in the 8X24 size |range and would prefer them also to float. Based on your need to have a lot of light gathering - 24mm just won't cut it. You would do much better with a 7x50 which will give you a 7mm exit pupil. That's about the largest your eyes will go when it gets dark. As far as floatation is concerned--forget it. Good binoculars require good glass, i.e. heavy. Go for waterproof and tie them to your body or boat. My wife and I both use Fujinon 7x50 that go for $500 - $700. (She uses my first pair which are the less expensive) They have infinite focus, which means you focus with your eyes and not by turning anything. That's been a great feature on the water. Whichever model you decide on - Go for the best quality that you can afford. They should last a lifetime. My experience has been that the best know optical companies, usually have the best binoculars, Zeiss, Fujinon, Nikon, Celestron, Meade in that order. Steve *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
As a person on a budget, not just dollars, but conserving weight and space as well, I have been really happy with my 10x25 wideangle Cabella's. Two fat fishing floats keep them from disappearing into the deep and I can remove the floats when I'm not on the water. I use these glasses climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and birding. I almost lost them this summer though. My mom, who is an avid birder, likes them a lot! FWIW, if I had a pair of $800 binocs, they'd probably stay home because I couldn't bring myself to abuse them like I do the $115 Cabella's. Can you imagine an accidental slam by a #4 cam? Just my .02, I'll go back to lurking... Alice *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Steve; Small point but I'd have to go Leica, Ziess ... Leica makes, without a doubt, the worlds best optics. John Winskill Steve Holtzman wrote; snip>>> > My experience has been that the best know > optical companies, usually have the best binoculars, Zeiss, Fujinon, Nikon, > Celestron, Meade in that order. > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
You're right!! - I don't know how I could have left Leica off. It boils down to one thing basically- you get what you pay for when it comes to optics. > -----Original Message----- > From: John C. Winskill [mailto:johncw_at_narrows.com] > Sent: Friday, July 30, 1999 8:29 PM > To: sh_at_actglobal.net > Cc: PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Waterproof Binoculars > > > Steve; > > Small point but I'd have to go Leica, Ziess ... > Leica makes, without a doubt, the worlds best optics. > > John Winskill > > Steve Holtzman wrote; > snip>>> > > My experience has been that the best know > > optical companies, usually have the best binoculars, Zeiss, > Fujinon, Nikon, > > Celestron, Meade in that order. > > > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
One more thing to keep in mind about binoculars. Coatings are very very important. A pair of 7 or 8x30 binocs that are of high quality will transmit a good deal more light than a medium grade 7 or 8x50. I have, as I mentioned last night a pair of Zeiss 8x30's and a pair of Stiener 8x30's' which will let in as much light as an older pair of Leica 7x50s that I own that were made in the fifties. The older Leica's have incredible optics and a very large exit pupil but the coatings just aren't what they are now. When you consider buying a pair of binoculars keep in mind that just because a manufacturer says the lenses are coated doesn't mean that they all are coated. The high-end binocs have coatings on all surfaces of all the lenses. You'd be amazed at how well you can see in low light with the Zeiss 8x30's. Even my Leica 8x20's will let in more light than many of the larger mid-range binoculars though the small exit pupil make them a bit impractical for using from a moving platform. The other great advantage of good quality optics is that you can look through them for hours on end without eye fatigue. The next time you check out a pair of binoculars compare them to a really good pair. In addition to high light transmission you will also see a clear image all of the way out to the periphery of the lens. Again it makes a big difference in the long run. I agree with Steve Holtzman. Buy the best you can afford. A good pair will last you the rest of your life. John Winskill *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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