BinocularsBlog – Advice on Digital, Waterproof, & Compact Binoculars for Bird Watching, Sports, Astronomy, Night Vision, & more!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010Old binoculars
Now and then, I am asked about the value of old binoculars, whether the binoculars are worth fixing, if it would better to get a new model of binocular and so on. For the record, I like old binoculars; in some cases the binoculars are unique, sometimes the binoculars just bring back memories of the old days; sometimes I’m just curious as to when the binocular was made and so on. In a very few cases and, only in a few cases, the binocular in question is actually collectible in terms of its make, model and age. These collectible binoculars I refer to a specialist that can assess value and provide estimates as to restoration. That is not my area of expertise.
So, assuming you just have an old binocular, but not a collectible old binocular, should you fix your binocular if it is broken or malfunctioning or should you just replace it by buying a binocular, new in the box? In most cases, the answer is no. With the exception of Zeiss binoculars, Leica binoculars, Swarovski binoculars and other premium Europen binoculars or vintage Bausch&Lomb binoculars, old binoculars you fish out of the closet are likely to be of average quality or below average quality and those binoculars are seldom cost effective to repair. In many cases, what you spend on repair will buy a better new and current binocular. Then, too, parts availability on most old binoculars is very limited.
One reason for this includes advances that have been made in optics over the last twenty years. Thanks to computerization, even a cheap binocular, today, is ground and polished to better tolerances than many expensive binoculars made thirty years, ago. Then, too, sophisticated lens coatings and other improvements in optical technology that used to be reserved for only the most expensive binoculars in the old days are now found on today’s inexpensive binoculars. In other words, an average binocular today has noticeably better optics than the average binocular made twenty or thirty years, ago.
The other reason is advances in body materials. That has changed, significantly, as well. Bottom line is that current binoculars are, on the average, lighter and also easier to handle than the average binocular from twenty years, ago or even fifteen years, ago. Improvements have also been made in seals, eyecups and other user features. Today’s average binocular, then, is also more durable and user friendly.
All in all, if mom or dad’s old binocular doesn’t work, anymore, it is probably not worth fixing, unless, of course, it has sentimental value.
About the pic: Found this old-timer in the basement. Double images plus too much slop in the focuser means the end of the road for this binocular.
Different point of view
Not much to report on bird activity in my area, this last week; my birding binoculars are not exactly collecting dust, but they are not exactly getting overheated, either. Temperatures have been on the cool side (not really unusual for March, this far north), barely nudging 40. However, with temperatures expected to be in the 70s, in the next few days and that is unusual, so I suspect this is the calm before the storm as far as my birding and birdwatching goes. I can feel it in my bones that nature is about to explode with life in the next couple of weeks. Can't wait to hear the Spring Peepers (frogs) telling us all that spring has arrived.
Regardless of the weather, though, I have been hitting the bike trail, nearly every day, though it is not always easy trying to squeeze that precious time in between my music students and my bands. My biking trips are a combination of a hard workout to get in shape for some long-distance biking I want to do, later this summer and my daily birding trip. I’ve worked it out to where I know the sections of the trail that are best for birding and sections of the trail that have the hills I need for my conditioning. Aerobic biking and bird watching are an odd combination of activities, I know, but it works for me; I return home refreshed in both mind and body. At my age, I take that as a blessing.
About the pic. I always carry at least one of my digital cameras, just in case I see something interesting. Spotted these two Mallards feeding in the water as I biked over a bridge and had to stop. I thought they way they posed said a lot. Mallards have a different point of view.
Made in China binoculars
Like so many Americans, I have a great many reservations about buying products made in China, but, also like so many Americans, I sometimes feel I have no choice given my typically limited budget. When it comes to binoculars, though, I have been fortunate enough to afford binoculars made in Japan or Europe, where labor practices and concern for the environment are on a higher plane than what you typically find in China. That is very important to me and I wish I could afford to be as selective in all products I buy, but I do what I can to support fair labor practices and the environment. However, I also know that many folks shopping for binoculars do not have the budget to spend $400 when trying to choose a binocular and that is typically what you must spend to avoid a binocular made in China. I feel the pain of someone on a limited budget that wants to buy a binocular not made in China, but that is globalization and binoculars are just a very tiny tip of that complicated and enormous iceberg.
All this does not mean, however, that all binoculars made in China are inferior products. Quality and performance are not reasons automatically reject a binocular made in China. There are many fine binoculars made in China, just as there are many cheap binoculars made in China. As always, it is price, not country of origin that tells you what to expect in terms of quality and performance in a binocular, but nearly all binoculars, good or bad, under about $400 are made in China (with some very few exceptions), thanks to globalization, and that is irrespective of brand. In fact, all binocular brands that cover both the lower binocular price point and the mid-price point in the binocular market, such as Pentax binoculars, Nikon binoculars, Vortex binoculars, Bushnell binoculars, Burris binoculars and so on have their cheaper binocular models made in China and their more expensive models made in Japan. However, if you want that made in Japan binocular you will need to pay more than for a comparable model made in China. You do have a choice when it comes to binoculars and country of origin, but only if you can afford it. I do, however, wish manufacturers were more forthright as to labeling binoculars with country of origin. It is important to many of us.
Concert binoculars
We will, shortly, be coming up on outdoor concert season. I will be at a couple of these music venues, this summer (as a performer, so I will get a good seat) and I know, from experience, that many times you must find a seat quite a distance from the stage. That’s not necessarily a bad thing from the perspective of hearing the music, but it does limit you if you want to get an up close look at the performers. That’s why I usually bring a compact binocular to the concert.
You could, of course, carry a full-size binocular, but I think it is more than you need for this type of work and a bit too obvious from the standpoint of being discreet. Compact binoculars are also better choice than opera glasses, since opera glasses lack quality optics and offer too little magnification if you are far from the show.
With so many good compact binoculars under $100, really is no reason to go to the concert without a binocular. Two of my favorite compact binoculars under $100 are the venerable Nikon Travelite 8x25 and the Pentax UCF XII 8x25. Both have enough eye relief to be used with glasses or sunglasses and both offer a lot of optical performance for the dollar. I generally stay with an 8x compact binocular, rather then a 10x compact binocular, since an 8x compact bino will have a wider field of view and be easier to steady. However, if you want that 10x compact binocular, the very best buy in a 10x compact binocular is easily the Nikon Ecobins. The Ecobin is also waterproof, so if you also want a compact binocular for the back country, it is a great choice.
Oak Leaf Trail Birding
Spring is here, at last and, as always, it is exciting to observe the almost daily changes that announce the arrival of this season. For instance, if I never opened my eyes, I could still tell it was spring simply by listening to all the bird calls and bird songs. Yesterday, I heard my first Song Sparrow of the year, down along the river and this call now joins the ever-growing symphony of spring bird song that greets me each morning. I’ve been tempted to add my singing to the ensemble, but I don’t want to frighten any of these songsters, away. They don’t seem to mind my harmonica, though, so I’ll take that as a compliment.
I now make an almost daily trip on the bike trail, binoculars around my neck and digital cameras in the bike pack. I am so blessed by having a bike trail nearly right outside my front door and an excellent trail at that. The Oak Leaf Trail, here in Milwaukee, parallels both the Little Menomonee River and the Menomonee. Some of the bird habitat I have discovered along this trail ranks as superb – many brushy patches, wetlands, open areas with scattered trees, thick riparian forest and so on. I expect this trail to supply many warbler species on my list, this year. In fact, the Oak Leaf ranks right up there with some of the best urban trails I have traveled in my many years of wandering. It’s heaven for birding and bird watching and you will never catch me without a birding binocular around my neck when out on this trail.
About the pic:
This trail also supplies much of the wildlife in my more immediate neighborhood. No, that’s not a yard ornament in the pic, nor is it the latest in Wisconsin style mail service.
Binocular handling
Trying to tell someone how a binocular fits and feels in your hands is like trying to describe to someone how one chair or another feels when you sit in it. Binocular handling, then, is one of those elusive and very subjective binocular features that you can’t describe with a number or rating. So, how do you know how a binocular will feel in your hands? Really is only way to know for sure, of course, and that is to pick up the binocular in question and try it.
Unfortunately, there are very few stores, anymore, that have much in the way of binocular selection, so most binoculars sold, today, are sold sight-unseen from internet retailers such as OpticsPlanet. There are very general binocular guidelines that might help, a bit, though. Most people prefer the way that roof prism binoculars (binoculars with the straight barrel body design) fit in the hand, but there are still some people who prefer the way that porro prism binoculars (binoculars with the offset body design) fit in the hand. To further confuse the issue, there are now roof prism binoculars with an open bridge design, such as the superb Swarovski EL binocular that offer even better handling and balance than the typical roof prism binocular. The first time I picked up a Swarovski EL, I feel immediately in love (not just for the handling, though).
I have owned and used many examples of each binocular design and I really can’t say I have a solid preference for one or another; really depends on the individual binocular. Unless a binocular annoys me as to how it feels in the hand, I quickly adapt and forget it. Other binocular features are generally more important to me. Still, a binocular that is sweet to hold will also be a binocular that is hard to put down and that is not at all a bad thing.
Binoculars and choices.
As optical equipment goes, binoculars are really simple instruments, at least as far as how you use them. Really not much to binocular in the way of controls; maybe just a focusing knob and even that is not used on some military and marine binoculars. Sure, there are a few tricks to using binoculars that help, but even someone who has never used a binocular (if there are such people) could take a new binocular out of a box and start using the binocular, right away, though a few minutes spent in the manual would not be a bad idea. No, using a binocular is not rocket science. In fact, it is baby stuff, compared to using other popular consumer products, such as digital cameras or computerized telescopes.
Why then are there so many hundreds or perhaps thousands of binoculars on the market? I doubt there is a simple answer, here, but I suspect it is a mostly a matter of binocular marketing; newer, better, improved, slicker, plus and so on have always been key words in selling more of any product and binoculars are no exception. I suspect, too, that new optical technologies have also found a ready home with binoculars, though I find it hard to imagine how some of the world’s best – Swarovski binoculars, Leica binoculars, Zeiss binoculars, Nikon EDG binoculars, Steiner birding binoculars and so could get any better. Of course, I used to think that even fifteen years, ago and the binocular manufacturers do keep surprising me.
High power binoculars
As always, the binocular you choose, as far as binocular features, should always be a good match for your intended binocular application. This is perhaps most true when it comes to binocular magnification.
Bill and I are eagerly anticipating our three-week road trip though my old stomping grounds – the great American West. That’s where I have spent most of my life, so just see those great wide-open spaces, again, will be like a homecoming for me. Now, that is a great excuse to buy another binocular if there ever was one. Don’t get me wrong; I have plenty of binoculars, both 8x and 10x, but since much of our viewing will be done from the Toyota, it might be nice to have a binocular with just a touch more reach. That little extra magnification in a binocular can work against you, of course, if you don’t have some means to support the binocular for the sake of steadiness, but a vehicle doorframe solves that binocular challenge, nicely. I could even go deluxe and use a car window mount.
One binocular, in particular, has tempted me from time to time and that is the excellent Nikon Premier SE 12x50. Optics are superb, of course, and the extra size and bulk of that 50 mm objective will not be factors since these will be lying on the seat, rather than hanging around my neck. The Nikon Premier SE also has great eye relief - something not always present in a 12x binocular - so I can also use it with my glasses or sunglasses. Then, too, I already have the tripod adapter, the Nikon 7806, which is also used for my Nikon 10x70 Astroluxe.
Astronomy binocular tripods
Perhaps the single biggest decision you have to make when buying astronomical binoculars is “how much magnification”. This is much more than simply a matter of how much detail you can see with your astronomy binocular, though that is important; it is also a matter of whether or not you will be using a tripod for astronomy binoculars and that, perhaps, is even more important.
For the most part, it’s a matter of steadiness. Most of us really struggle when we get much above 8x or 10x on a binocular that we hold in our hands without some kind of support. In fact, even a 10x astronomy binocular will benefit from a an astronomy binocular tripod for some types of astronomy. For instance, I routinely mount my 10x70 Nikon Astroluxe on the tripod when trying to separate close double stars. That extra steadiness provided by the tripod makes all the difference between seeing two stars, instead of just one when we have a double star with the two stars very close, together.
It’s also a matter of weight. At nearly 70 ounces, my 10x70 is at the very limit of what I can handhold for any length of time and even that is a challenge for me on some nights. Keep in mind, too, that a 10x70, such as this Nikon, is a lightweight compared to a 25x100 astronomy binocular, like the Celestron Skymaster 25x100. This Skymaster tips the scales at a crunching 10 pounds. In other words, if you opt for a 25x100 leave enough in the budget for a tripod and a heavy-duty tripod (and a heavy duty tripod is a must, here). For sure, there is no such thing as too heavy a tripod for any 25x100 binocular.
However, I much, much prefer not to use a tripod for my binocular astronomy. Going handheld for your binocular astronomy makes life much easier and more convenient. For me, the freedom to just wander at will and raise a binocular whenever and wherever I want, without the hassle of a tripod, is like gold. It is such a different way to enjoy astronomy than using a telescope; going handheld, without a tripod, with an astronomy binocular, can only be appreciated and understood by doing.
Where are the bird watchers?
It’s a bit early, but I have yet to encounter any other birders on my local bike trail or my rides through the local parks. That’s not too surprising, given that I encountered very few birders or bird watchers, either, in my former suburban Chicago neighborhood. Hopefully, when the weather warms up and more birds are migrating, I will encounter other birders, but odds are against it. Birdwatching may be a very popular pastime, overall, at least according to the Department of the Interior, but I’ve only rarely encountered other birders when out in the field. Not sure where those other birders are hiding, but I rarely see them. This does concern me as to the overall health of one of my most cherished activities, though I have no hard data or numbers to quote, one way or the other. Are we birders growing more in numbers or less in numbers? I really can’t say, but I fear it might be the later.
Realistically, I don’t expect other folks to be as crazy about birding and bird watching as I am, but it would be nice to have a birding buddy or two. I am a social type and enjoy company. For me bird watching and birding is more fun when you share it with others. For instance, as I sit, here, writing, I can hear Sandhill Cranes migrating, overhead. It would be nice to share that sound with someone. Looking out the window, I can see Cardinals, Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, White-throated Sparrows, a Nuthatch and more at my feeder. It’s a great sight, but only me to enjoy it and that is a shame. There’s plenty of room at my table for more birding binoculars and I’m sure I can squeeze another birding spotting scope in my kitchen, too.
Old binoculars
I was using my astronomy binocular, the other night, and it felt good to be observing, again, after an unusually long spell of cloudy and rainy weather. When I pulled the Nikon 10x70 Astroluxe out of its leather case, I instantly noticed the smell of leather and that old style leatherette covering that was once common on binoculars, but that is now a rarity. For a moment, my mind wandered back to the days of my first giant binocular, an old 11x80 astronomy binocular from the 1980s and even to some of my first binocular from back in the 60s.
Yes, there was a time when nearly all binoculars used these old materials, but only a few binoculars, like the Nikon 10x70 Astroluxe or the Leica 10x25 BL (which I also own) use these materials, anymore. Nearly everything else in the binocular world uses rubber armoring and nylon for the cases. Nothing wrong with that, of course, since armoring does have many uses on a binocular and nylon is probably more durable as a material for binocular cases, but, for me, rubber and nylon simply don't have that same ambience. Call me an old fogey, but I can’t quite convince myself that newer is necessarily better. For me, those older style binocular coverings and leather binocular cases will always be something I equate with quality and many, many fond memories.
Astronomical binocular workout
Gee, maybe the astronomy gods heard my prayers, after all. Last night, just before heading up to bed, I glanced out the window and lo and behold, the sky was brimming with stars. What could I do? Okay, I grabbed my astronomy binocular and headed out on the driveway, pajamas, slippers and all and started observing. I almost went with one of my telescopes, but decided that it was more work than I wanted to tackle and, well, I was not really dressed for a long observing session. Besides, I wanted to make some notes as to how my observing with astronomical binoculars, here, compared with my observing with astronomical binoculars down in my old home of Chicago.
I am pleased to report that I have gained about one to one and a half magnitudes of darker sky in my new Milwaukee home location. I estimate it puts my current location at nearly magnitude four and that is a significant gain over the magnitude 2.5 or, at very best, 3 of my former Chicago location. That is enough of a gain in darkness to see many more objects in binoculars and turn what were difficult objects in binoculars into rather easy to see objects in binoculars. It is also enough of a gain to make some of the more familiar binocular objects ever more spectacular. For instance, M35 in Gemini was often just barely visible in my old Chicago location and, some night, just impossible to see. Last night, I wondered how I could have ever missed it.
The lesson, here, is that it is much cheaper to just move to a darker site when you want more performance from an astronomical binocular or telescope than it is to buy another telescope. You might also want to observe in something other than pajamas.
All About Birds
Oh, yeah, spring has arrived, no matter what the calendar says! I’d know it was spring if I never looked at a calendar just by doing some birdwatching. Just have to stick my head out the door and listen to the Red-winged Blackbirds or the migrating Sandhill Cranes to know its spring. Sure, this far north, more snow is always a possibility in March and, in fact, is likely, but spring always wins in the end; we all know warmer weather is coming, snow or no snow.
If you do not watch birds throughout the winter, as some of us hardcore birders do, then now is the time to brush off that birding binocular and open that bird field guide to do some reviewing. Getting re-acquainted with your binocular and your field guide is important, since spring is the time of year when you may get lucky and spot a rare bird. That’s no time to be fumbling with the binocular or thumbing back and forth through the field guide in a desperate attempt to identify that bird. If you are a beginning or even intermediate level birder, skill with that field guide can be just as important as skill with your birding binoculars. Your choice of field to use is much less critical, since there are so many good field guides on the market; just pick a good bird field guide and get to know, cover to cover, noting which birds are commonly found in your area and which are not.
Another great tool that you can add to your field guide as far as learning about birds is to go online and browse some of the excellent websites on birds. My favorite has always been the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and their All About Birds site. All About Birds, unlike some of the other sites, is specifically designed to be accessible for the laymen and general public; you don't have to be a bird expert or take a course in ornithology to use it. Hey, you can even listen to recordings of bird song and calls – that’s something you don’t get in a field guide. All About Birds also contains more information about individual species than you can squeeze into a printed field guide and, of course the photographs are also very enjoyable. Next time you sit down with your bird guide or in a mood to learn more about birds, take the time to go to All About Birds. You will enjoy, I promise you.
About the pic: A Cedar Waxwing has a silhouette that you can recognize at a great distance with a binocular, even if you cannot see any details of the plumage. Of course, it is such a pretty bird that it would be shame not to get a closer look when you can. Got this pic with the spotting scope and my digital camera.
Start the day bird watching
Birds are such adaptable creatures or maybe a better word is persistent and that is just one of many reasons that birdwatching is so interesting. The last two mornings, for example, I started the day with the unpleasant sight of my birdfeeder toppled over and lying on the ground! I’m not sure who took it worse to see my feeders sprawled all over the yard and in disarray, but I suspect it was me, not the birds. Even with the feeders spilled and lying on the ground, the birds just kept working the feeders, business as usual. Only when I took the feeders into the house to do some repair, did the birds seem to mind. Then, even as I screwed the support pole back into the soft, thawing ground, the birds tried to land on the pole. I could have reached out and grabbed them, they were so close and, to rub salt in my wound, the Chickadees even scolded me, practically in my face. How rude!
The problem keeping my feeder upright has been a combination of the thawing ground, here in Wisconsin, and my inability to screw the darn pole deep enough into the soil to do the job. So, like any good wife, I called in my husband for help and help he did. Bill pounded a long metal stake deep into the ground next to the support pole and I wired the poles, together. (See pic) That should make everyone happy, especially me.
They say that you sometimes don’t know what you have till it’s gone and in this case, it proved so true. I have been so accustomed to watching the action at my feeders as a way to start each day on a positive and pleasant note, that I nearly choked to find them lying on the ground. Today, with the feeders back in action, I am going to spend some extra time birdwatching at my bird feeders, birding binoculars in hand and spotting scope and digital camera at the ready for some digiscoping. Everything else will just have to wait.
Breeding birds
The birds are moving. Ah, words I love to hear, being the hardcore birdwatcher and birder I am. It is early spring and a birding binocular is my constant companion. Other equipment, such as digital cameras, spotting scopes and tripods, I will also carry as the mood dictates. Yesterday, I started with a binocular, but quickly returned home to add a camera (see my Optics Blog). That’s still a lot of equipment to carry when riding a bike, but it did pay off, both in birds seen and in pics.
Added some bird to my 2010 bird list with my Leica Ultravid 10x25BL binocular, to start the day. Saw my first Sandhill Cranes for the year and what wonderful memories these birds bring to me of my days in central Nebraska. By now, the fields in central Nebraska should be covered with many thousands of migrating Sandhill Cranes. Oh, how I wish I were there! The flock was small one, but they were flying low and I did get a nice look through my Lecia, but no pic. Also added a Great Egret to my year list, down on the river. He flew before I could get a pic, but I expect he will be back.
Spring is breeding season for birds and that is a great opportunity for pics. Got this pair of Canadas sitting on the ice in the pic, above. I’m not sure which is the male and which is the female, but I would have to guess that the bird on alert with one foot raised is the male. I know the look, since I have been chased by these protective males when I have inadvertently gotten too close.
Binocular pet peeves
If you use a binocular as much as I do, you get a little hypercritical about some specific binocular features, even to the point of returning or exchanging an otherwise excellent binocular when it does not meet your expectations on those one or two points. Okay, call me fussy, but I do expect a lot from binoculars, given that my taste in binoculars runs on the expensive binocular side.
One of my fussy points when it comes to binocular features is edge sharpness – how sharp and clean the image out at the edge of the field when I look through a binocular. An average binocular is sharp, say in the middle 70% of the field and fuzzy or distorted a bit at the outer 30% of the field. I can and have used such binoculars and this kind of edge sharpness will be enough for any binocular application. The problem is that I don’t want to use such a binocular; I’m spoiled from using binoculars that are sharp right to the edge of the field. It annoys me when I now use a binocular that is only average as to edge sharpness and I am willing to pay the price to get a model with better edge sharpness.
My other must have in a binocular is a binocular that focuses smoothly, evenly and with little effort. This is important to me, especially in a birding binocular, because I often use a binocular with only one hand and focus it with a single finger as I carry other equipment such as spotting scopes and digital cameras. Unlike edge sharpness, which is fairly consistent for a given binocular model, ease of focusing tends to vary widely for individual binoculars within a model. Again, I am spoiled and will reject an otherwise perfect binocular if it is a hassle to focus.
What’s your binocular pet peeve?
Waterproof binocular definition
The majority of binoculars, today, are waterproof and, make no mistake, the only word that counts is waterproof if you want a binocular that is not guaranteed to leak or fog, internally. Other words, such as weatherproof, water resistant, rainproof and so on don’t count; they simply mean that the manufacturer made some attempt to seal the binocular, but if the binocular leaks, you pay for the repair, not them. If you want to buy binoculars and are not sure if the model is waterproof, just read the description or specs; waterproof is an important feature and binocular manufacturers always advertise it when it is present.
Notice, too, that I said internally. As far as external moisture from rain, fog, mist and so on, even a waterproof binocular will collect moisture on the lenses – you still have to wipe the binocular down with a lens cloth, such as the Vortex lens cloth, from time to time. Technology has tried to offer special lens coating to minimize this problem for those binocular users who must be out in rough weather and these water-repelling lens coatings do help. However, there is no such thing, at least at this point, as a lens coating that is totally effective at keeping your lenses dry on the outside in wet weather. Bushnell has stepped forward with their Rainguard coating, for instance and they equip all their binoculars from the Legend series binoculars and up with this coating. I have used a Bushnell Elite E2 binocular equipped with the Rainguard coating and it does help, but I still need to use a lens cloth. On the other hand, when the rain really starts pouring, I pack up the binocular, anyway.
Astronomy binoculars or telescopes?
The difference between using astronomical binoculars and telescopes is measured in more than just numbers, such as magnification, field of view and so on; it is also measured by ease and convenience of use and, in this respect, nothing beats an astronomy binocular, assuming you are not using an astronomy binocular tripod. Going handheld is the strong suit for astronomy binoculars; it allows you to escape the anchor and hassles of astronomy mounts and tripods and the other controls that go with them. Once you put your telescope or even a high-powered astronomy binocular on a tripod, life gets much more complicated.
This freedom and ease of use is what attracted me to astronomy binoculars, oh, so many years, ago and it is still my favorite way to view the night sky. Oh, sure, I love my telescopes and it’s fun to compare specs and talk shop about telescopes and telescope eyepieces and all those other telescope accessories, but, when I am pressed for time or just too darn lazy to deal with a lot of equipment, I just grab my Nikon 10x70 Astroluxe and head out under the sky. Now, the Nikon Astroluxe is specifically made for astronomy, but I could just as easily substitute a common as grass 10x50 binocular or even an 8x42binocular and do nearly as well, plus I get a lighter to carry and easier to lift binocular to boot. I know, because my first astronomy binocular was an old 10x40 that I bought for birding, but later put to work under the sky.
Chances are there is such a binocular sitting in your house. Why not grab that binocular and try some astronomy?
Binoculars ready?
You don’t need binoculars or spotting scopes to know spring is coming; just listen to all the birds. For most species, this is the beginning of breeding season and the bulk of what we hear, in terms of birds singing in spring, is advertising and competition for mates. Of course, we just enjoy the singing for its own sake and tend to overlook the fact that all this singing is very serious business, indeed, for the birds. Still, what would spring be for us if not for the singing of birds?
As an avid birder, songs or no songs, I do tend to carry a binocular, this time of year, whenever I am outdoors, not just when I am on a birding trip. Like most birders, I tend to keep an annual list of species I have seen for the year and, although that list starts January 1, each year, the list doesn’t grow too quickly until the advent of spring; then it explodes with numbers. New species literally arrive each day when the birds are moving. Yes, for a birder or birdwatcher, spring is an exciting time of year. So, if you’ve been thinking about getting serious as a birdwatcher or birder, now is definitely the time to buy a birding binocular, a bird field guide (or use the excellent All About Birds website) and team up with other birders, if you can, to learn the basics and get in on all the fun. Grab that binocular and let's go birding!
About the pic: For me, trying to pick my favorite bird song in the spring is like asking me to pick my favorite chocolate. The House Finch, in the pic, is certainly right up near the top of my list, though. It's spring song is rich and bubbly and a sure sign of warmer days, ahead.
Observation Binoculars
Anyone who lives near a large lake, the ocean or who has a home in the hills with a great view, really should consider setting up an observation binocular on the patio or even in the living room. There is nothing like using two eyes for viewing comfort, after all. Some folks opt for telescopes or spotting scopes for scenery work, but nothing beats long range observation binoculars for breathtaking, spectacular viewing. Using two eyes is always better than one, not only in terms of comfort, but also visual acuity. In other words, you can see a touch better when it comes to observing detail when using a binocular.
Observation binoculars or surveillance binoculars are typically too large and heavy to handhold and the magnifications are also too high to hold without some kind of support. This means a tripod, just as when using a spotting scope or telescope for the same work. Also, the bigger the binocular used, the bigger and the heavier the tripod needed.
When we think of observation binoculars, we typically think in terms of something like the very popular Oberwerk 25/40x100, which also does a great job as an astronomy binocular.
These Oberwerk observation binoculars, as well as many similar observation binoculars at the same price, are made in China, but optics are quite good for the price and more than adequate for this type of work. Highly recommended. Going to products made in Japan can get much, much more expensive, but if you are after the ultimate ion observation binocular the Kowa Highlander or a Fujinon Binocular Telescope, such as the Fujinon Binocular Telescope 25x150MT is the last word in this type of binocular and guaranteed to impress even the fussiest optics critic.
Nikon Ecobin - best buy compact binocular
Corporations tend to get bad press, as we all know, but, now and then, a corporation does something that deserves a pat on the back and should be mentioned, too. This is the case with Nikon’s Ecobins binocular. What makes the Ecobin binocular special is its environmentally friendly approach to manufacturing. To start, the Nikon Ecobin binoculars lenses are made with eco-friendly, lead-free glass – a trend that is becoming ever more common in the binocular world and thankfully so. The Ecobin binocular is also coated with non-chloride rubber and no harmful inks or dyes have been used anywhere in the production of the binocular. Even the binocular case is made from a biodegradable material. Now, if we could only get cars and many other products to use this same approach, the world would be a safer place.
Keep in mind that the Ecobin binocular is not a stand lone product, meaning that it has its more conventional counterpart in the still excellent Nikon 10x25 Prostaff binocular – one of the most popular compact binoculars on the market. In other words, the Nikon 10x25 Ecobin is a standard Nikon 10x25 Prostaff with additional environmental protection in its manufacturing. All other binocular features - waterproofing, eye relief, field of view and so on – are the same on both Nikon binoculars.
Did I forget something? Oh, yeah, the price. There was a time, couple years back when Nikon introduced the Ecobin, when the price on the Ecobin binocular was just a touch higher than its equivalent Nikon Prostaff binocular. No longer, thanks to a special purchase by OpticsPlanet. Take a look at those prices, again. OpticsPlanet is now offering the environmentally friendly Nikon Ecobin binocular for almost half the price of a standard Nikon Prostaff binocular, even though the two are identical in terms of standard binocular features. Wow! That makes the Nikon Ecobin 10x25 binocular easily the best buy in a compact binocular on the market in my book.
Binoculars in the neighborhood
I firmly believe that most people are not inclined to gossip and will politely mind their own business if you do the same. Of course, there are the exceptions; a few folks will tend to think the worst and make sure everyone knows it.
I once had a neighbor, many years ago that was the gossip type. We had just arrived in this small town as the result of a job relocation and the neighborhood seemed nice enough. In fact, the neighborhood was above average for birding and birdwatching, so I tended to carry a birding binocular when out working in the garden.
I knew there was a little old lady, across the street from us and she seemed nice enough, though more than once I saw her staring at me though her kitchen window. Okay, so she was the curious type. I just shrugged it off. Indeed, everyone in our family was very careful to be polite and friendly as good neighbors should be.
About a month after we had moved to the neighborhood, one of my coworkers stopped by for and during the course of our chat, she told me there was a rumor about the small town that I was a female equivalent of a Peeping Tom! I started to laugh, but the look on my friend’s face was serious, so I asked why anyone would think such a thing. She just pointed to the binoculars on my kitchen table and raised her eyebrows.
The next day, I made a visit to my neighbor, wearing a binocular around my neck and explained to her that I was a birder and asked if she would be interested in doing some birdwatching with me, especially since she had such a lovely garden that both the birds and I both adored. Okay, it was a bit corny, but it did work. A few weeks, later, I had a reputation, around town, of being a bird expert and was also invited to speak at our local garden club. It does pay to talk to your neighbors, especially if you have a tendency to wear a binocular around your neck and it is an absolutely must do if you have a spotting scope setup in your backyard. (That is another story.)
Good 10x50 binocular
Today is the first day of meteorological spring, according to the weatherman, though astronomical spring (calendar spring) is still a few weeks, away. Yes, spring fever is spreading in this part of the world, though we still have enough snow on the ground for me to ski on a daily basis, and that is a good thing, as far as I am concerned. I, myself am in no hurry to give up all my cross-country skiing, though I won’t be too upset to see some green grass and spring flowers.
With spring in the air, though, Bill and I have been thinking, ahead, to our western states road trip in August and making a list of all the gear we will need. The list includes the usual assortment of camping gear, of course, since this will be a camping trip. The list definitely includes all our cameras, both digital cameras and film cameras, not to mention Bill’s camcorders. As for optics, I am still undecided as to whether to pack one of our spotting scopes and one of our tripods, given we do not have an excess of room in our Toyota Camry, though I suspect I will find a way to pack it along. Lastly, although I have plenty of compact binoculars, I have been considering a full size binocular to use from the vehicle when we spot some wildlife out in the distance and want a better look. Compact binoculars have a tendency to disappear in Bill’s big hands and are simply not as comfortable to use as full size binoculars and, since these binoculars will be used from a vehicle, weight will not be much of an issue. Then, too, even a full size binocular is more compact than a spotting scope and a tripod.
I have also decided to try some individual focus binoculars, since a good IF binocular makes for quick and easy views with no need to mess with a focusing knob. I am sure Bill will appreciate that. So, which IF binocular? My favorite, at this point, is a Fujinon Polaris F-SX 10x50. Optics are superb and, it is surprisingly compact for a 10x50 porro prism binocular. I am tempted to even consider a 12x binocular, but Bill and I are not exactly spring chickens and a 10x binocular is about all we can steady, well. Going to a 12x or higher magnification binocular would mean putting it on a tripod or window mount and that defeats the purpose of an easy to use, convenient binocular.