RE: [Paddlewise] Waterproof Binoculars

From: Colin Calder <c.j.calder_at_abdn.ac.uk>
Date: Wed, 4 Aug 1999 16:39:18 +0100
I unfortunately tend to agree with Bob's comments re good optics.

As an impoverished doctoral student (some time ago) I used to use a pair of Zeiss
Jena (east German, now defunct?) 8*30 roof prisms. Extremely good value, very nice
image, but I owned two pairs and the prisms were knocked out of alignment in both.
Admittedly at the time I was researching deer ecology in the field, and the bins
took a lot of use and abuse, but I know of three other folk with the same model
who had the same problem. Nice optics, poor build quality I guess.

I now use a pair of Nikon 7x50 WPC (water proof compass). I really like these
goggles (and would recommend them), but I made the mistake last year (thus the
unfortunately above) of looking through an acquaintance's Leicas. 8x40's I think
can't remember the model, but looking through them was a BIG mistake. The world
truly does look better through leicas, and my pleasure looking through my Nikons
is now somewhat diminished. Reminds me of the old story - feed your dog porridge
and he's happy as a pig in s*#t. Feed him meat, and he'll never touch porridge
again.

But then again, AFAIR those Leica bins cost 800+ sterling, an opportunity cost of
most of a new glass kayak.

YGWYPF


Cheers

Colin Calder
57º19'N  2º10'W

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Received on Wed Aug 04 1999 - 08:39:11 PDT

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