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From: <SKILLIANS_at_aol.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] What do you know about binoculars?
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 14:41:46 EDT
I don't know much. But after a day in the rain watching osprey and loons, I 
DO know that we should invest in a new set.  I am hoping that some folks here 
can send short recommendations. A few specifics on what we're looking for:

    something lightweight
    water-resistant
    $150.00 or less

We will use them more for flat, fresh-water nature touring than on the ocean, 
though we'll take them along then, too, naturally.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Pam Stohrer
Auburn, NH
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From: Elaine Harmon <eharmon_at_cs.miami.edu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] What do you know about binoculars?
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 08:58:27 -0400 (EDT)
On Sun, 10 Oct 1999 SKILLIANS_at_aol.com wrote:

A few specifics on what we're looking for:
> 
>     something lightweight
>     water-resistant
>     $150.00 or less

Hi- Bruce Lenon recommended to me (thanks, Bruce) the Nikon Mountaineer II
ATB, 8x25. They are a little more than your price, but waterproof and
pretty lightweight. I like them. I think there is also a binoculars thread
on the Paddlewise webpages. e

Elaine Harmon - eilidh_at_dc.seflin.org - eharmon_at_cs.miami.edu

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From: <Bhansen97_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] What do you know about binoculars?
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 09:38:10 EDT
Ann - and group - I don't know much about binocs, but I do know that for me, 
8X35s are a good choice for kayaking. 

Much more magnification than 8X makes it essentially impossible to hold 
glasses steady while paddling. 

Smaller oculars than 35mm have less light-gathering capacity and thus are not 
as "bright" as those with larger ocluars (granted that the little "compact" 
binocs with 25, 22, or 21 mm oculars have the appeal of fitting into your PFD 
pocket).

As has been written here by others recently, there's a huge difference in 
apparent brighness and in definition between the really excellent binocs and 
some of the also-rans. If you're going to use binocs at all, it may be wise 
to get a fairly good pair and take good care of them. Cheap binocs are not a 
good investment, and they often don't improve your viewing much at all. - 
Bill Hansen

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From: Reeves, Debbie (Debbie) <"Reeves,>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] What do you know about binoculars?
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 10:23:45 -0400
Pam-
I recently purchase a Monocular and LOVE it (its only the second item to
make it into "My Favorite Gear" category).  Previously, I had purchased
various binoculars (this size, that focal length . . .) but somehow none
ever felt compatable.  The Monocular is made by Brunton and it is just very
different than anything else I have ever tried.  It's water proof and gives
a beautiful, bright, clear, steady magnification (6 x 30).  It is also being
discontinued so is half price ($72).  If interested, I'll try to remember to
bring more details tomorrow.   One person had one of our Fjord expedition in
August and it was impressive enough to make a few of us order one when we
got home.

Debbie Reeves
Sandy Hook, NJ

> ----------
> From: 	SKILLIANS_at_aol.com[SMTP:SKILLIANS_at_aol.com]
> Sent: 	Sunday, October 10, 1999 2:41 PM
> 
>     something lightweight
>     water-resistant
>     $150.00 or less
> 
> We will use them more for flat, fresh-water nature touring than on the
> ocean, 
> though we'll take them along then, too, naturally.
> 
> 
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From: <dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] What do you know about binoculars?
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1999 10:37:48 -0400
Nikon has some good binocs in the price range and feature set that you are
interested in getting.  Try some of the outdoor catalogs and B&H photo store.
Nikon has an outdoor/sport binoc that is supposed to be waterproof.

I used to have a 10x50 Nikon that got dropped on some concrete.  It did not
break but it's been knocked out of alignment.  8-(  For $110 I was very
impressed with them.  However 10x are very difficult to hand hold and I would
not buy a pair with that kinda of power again.  I would stick to 7 or 8 power.
The second number is the objective lens size and the higher the number the
better.  The larger number gathers lots of lot.  The 10x50s gathered more  light
than my eyes could at dusk.  I was very impressed.

As in many things there are drawbacks, the higher the power and objective lense
the more wieght that is involved as well as size and money.  The opposite is
also true, if you want smaller binocs then you are going to loose power and
objective size.  Which is more important for your use?

Another thing to look for when buying is to divide the power into the objective
lense size.  The higher the result the better.  The Nikons I discribed would be
a 5 which is pretty good.  I have seen some high end glass, $1200+ that has a 7
value.  There is also a field of view number that discribes how large an area
that can be see when looking through the binocs.

Hope this helps....





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