Re: [Paddlewise] binocs vs monocular

I have 2 pair (unfortunately neither waterproff) and both are adequately 
clear and sharp:

1.    Cheapie 2-barrell bushnells $20 that fit in shirt pocket.  8x21 or 
something like that.  Not great but you have them with you when others 
would be at home or back in hte car.  If lost or damaged it is "doggone" 
not "OH-MI-GAWD".
2.    Ancient 7x35-WA, probably a cheap model.  They have a 10-degree 
field (most WAs have only 8ish-deg) vs. the 6.5-deg of the standard 
model I give to the kids.  That big field of vision is amazing when 
looking for birds on the wing or for other search tasks.  I used to 
treat these like cheap throwaways, until I realized that I couldn't find 
the big width easily to replace them cheaply.  So I only use them when 
secure now.

3.    My wife (and my father) have expensive binocs.  Very sharp and 
clear, and nice, but even Dad the birder uses his heavy ugly 7x35s more 
often because they have a wide (8-deg) angle, and his gorgeous 8x40 
Nikons sit at home a lot.

4.    I think that today's cheap hardware-store binos are not so great. 
 The single focus or quick-focus are to stay away from.  (The quick 
focus just puts all the adjustment that used to be available by turning 
the centre wheel a full turn or more, and puts it on a one-eighth turn 
with a lever.  Very sensitive to a bit of adjustment and so very hard to 
actually focus those.)

GaryJ


Keith Wrage wrote:

> OK, the "which binocs should I buy" question has been done several 
> times but I'm asking for some opinions:
>
> Looking for on-water use but also casual in-camp use (e.g., wildlife 
> watching although I'm not a "birder" is the true sense of the word!).  
> On-water would be primarily scouting navigational landmarks or 
> checking campsites to see if they are empty (e.g., BWCAW trips).  
> Being in Wisconsin, I do primarily inland paddling with the exception 
> of places like Apostle Islands although this is maybe a once a year 
> trip.  These would also be the only set of distance optics in our 
> house - so I could possibly see them being used in other ways too. 

> Recognizing that price dictates quality in some regards - how bad 
> would the $40 pair be?)  Disposable? :o)
> With the neoprene float, I'm guessing the monocular isn't really THAT 
> small (6" long)
> The field of view for the above are (at 1,000 ft):  340, 370, 330 feet
>
> So...can someone explain why the 6x30 would be better than the others 
> in a moving craft?  It would seem that they all view the same amount 
> of area - so it isn't as though one is incredibly more powerful than 
> the others.  I recognize that I'm displaying my ignorance of optics at 
> this point so feel free to educate me in that regard.
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