Binoculars Blog

Start the day bird watching

2010-03-12T06:10:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-11T06:34:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-10T06:22:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-09T06:20:00.000-08:00

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?

2010-03-08T06:53:00.000-08:00

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?

2010-03-05T05:44:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-04T06:37:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-03T06:10:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-02T06:04:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-01T05:41:00.000-08:00

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.

Spring birding

2010-02-26T05:48:00.000-08:00

Can spring really be on the way or are we all dreaming? As a birder and birdwatcher all my life, spring is the peak time of year to be out in the field. Other seasons, of course, have their unique attractions for a birder, but spring is generally the time of year when we see the most variety of birds.

The peak month in spring, in terms of overall numbers of species that can be seen is usually May, but other spring months mark the peak for specific bird groups. For instance, March through early April is the window for seeing large numbers of Sandhill Cranes in central Nebraska, late March through early April is usually the time to see most shorebirds and if you want to see large numbers of waterfowl, get out as soon as the ice is off the marsh and that could be as early as February in some locations. In other words, don’t wait till May to go birding - the birds in your area may be moving even as you read this. Get that birding binocular out and be ready.

For those early spring birding months, I also carry both a birding binocular and a birding spotting scope. In fact, for checking on spring waterfowl, shore birds, raptors and other birds at a distance, I use a spotting scope as much or more than my binoculars. Only when the leaves pop out on the trees in May and it is time to hit the woods for warblers, do I leave the spotting scope, behind.

The Robin, as per the pic, above, is the bird we typically associate with spring, but a lot of people are surprised when I tell them I have seen Robins every month of the year, even this far north. Robins are hardier than you might think.

Binocular or monocular?

2010-02-25T05:48:00.000-08:00

It’s no secret to anyone who reads my blogs or checks my OP forum posts, that I am a fan of compact binoculars. Probably lesser known, is the fact that I also like quality monoculars. In other words, I like small optics that I can squeeze into a purse or pocket, so that I am never without some optics.

No, monoculars cannot do the job of binoculars, even compact binoculars; both have their place and their uses - the right optical tool for the right job, as always. So should you buy a compact binocular or should you opt for a monocular? Most of the time, the compact binocular is the best choice – a binocular is easier to steady and line up on target, not to mention more comfortable to use – two eyes are always better than one from an optical point of view.

There are times, however, when I need something even smaller than a compact binocular and that is when I depend on a monocular. Like most women, my purse tends to mysteriously overflow, all on its own, with all manner of necessities. It’s gotten to the point where there is no room for even a compact binocular. Besides the usual makeup, checkbook, wallet, ibuprofen, mirror, car keys, sunglasses, cell phone, brush, comb, bottle of mouthwash, reading glasses and so on that are the usual residents of a woman's purse, my purse also carries my GPS, several harmonicas (I am a pro harmonica player), several of my favorite CDs, my iPod, earphones and … well, there is just enough room to squeeze in my thumb size Nikon HG 5x15 monocular and no more. Even a compact binocular makes this optical gem appear small, but my Nikon HG is always in there, somewhere. Finding it, quickly, though, in the blackhole that is my purse ... that is another story.

Binoculars for the Olympics

2010-02-24T05:50:00.000-08:00

Can’t say that I have seen too many spectators at the Olympics using binoculars to watch all the action, but, understandably, the media does not waste a lot of coverage on scanning the crowds; it’s all about the athletes, as it should be. It may simply be that there has not been enough coverage of the fans to see any binoculars in use. For sure, unless it violated some security rule, I would carry at least a compact binocular for all the events. It’s not like a binoculars have a flash, as with digital cameras, to irritate and possibly interfere with the annoy competitors.

I would think, though, that fans at the bottom of every ski run would benefit from a binocular, to look back up the course and check progress of the race, just as the fans around the skating ovals would benefit on closer inspection of the action in skating.

Normally, sports binoculars do not need to be waterproof, but, as anyone who has been watching the Olympics can see, there has been enough rain and snow to make a waterproof sports binocular a very good idea, indeed. I also like the idea of an individual eyepiece focus binocular, such as the Steiner 8x30 Safari Pro, to avoid the need to focus the binocular in the cold weather and keep the action in focus at all times.

Okay, that’s what I would do at the Olympics and I have to say I am sorry to not be in Vancouver, right now, if for no other reason than to visit that great city and that part of the Northwest which I miss so much.

Binocular lifespan

2010-02-23T05:48:00.000-08:00

Do binoculars wear out? Do binoculars just plain fall apart after a given number of years, assuming normal wear and tear, rather than abuse and neglect? The answer, of course, is sometimes and when you buy a binocular, you should always keep your expectations in line with binocular price when it comes to binocular lifespan.

Premium grade binoculars by Leica, Zeiss, Swarovski, Steiner, Nikon and so on are made to withstand a lifetime of hard and constant use and this kind of binocular durability is part of why the price on this class of binocular is so high. Short of an accident or extreme use, you can expect a binocular that costs, say, over $500 to be there when you need it most. Binoculars that cost over $1000 will probably remain in your family for more than a single generation. True, these are expensive binoculars, but, considering the years of good service these binoculars provide, premium grade binoculars are actually the best value over time.

Of course, not everyone needs or expects that kind of durability in a binocular and a $1000 plus binocular is not in everyone’s budget. Then, too, less expensive binoculars can and do provide good service with a little reasonable care. Moreover, there can be quite a difference in build quality between a $50 and a $150 binocular, so the more you spend, the less likely you will be buying another binocular in the near future. When it comes to durability, you do get what you pay for in a binocular.

Birdfeeder behavior

2010-02-22T04:37:00.000-08:00

You can learn a lot about bird behavior by sitting at your kitchen table and watching birds at your birdfeeder though your binoculars. That's part of the fun of birdwatching. Overall, birds bring those same innate behaviors that allow them to survive in the wild to our bird feeders. For instance, if you are careful to note the technique each species of bird uses to collect food at the bird feeder, you will quickly see that quite a variety of feeding behaviors are used by the various species: some species prefer to feed on the ground, some prefer to feed mostly off the elevated feeders, some do a little of each and so on. Then, too, some birds, such as Chickadees dart in, quickly, grab one seed, and then fly off to a nearby tree to eat it; other birds, such as Cardinals, feed at a more leisurely pace. In other words, different species of birds have different “table manners”, so to speak. Watching them is all part of the fun.

Once in awhile, though, you will see some adaptive behavior at the feeder; birds sometimes tweak behavior to get that food from your feeder. A good example of this is the bird in these two pics, namely a Mourning Dove. Now, in the wild, you will go a very long time to catch a Mourning Dove feeding anywhere but on the ground and, that, indeed, is the typical way a Mourning Dove feeds at my bird feeders, as in the pic on the left. Recently, though, a group of Mourning Doves that have been wintering our neighborhood have started to perch right on one of my elevated bird feeders, as in the pic on the right, to access the black oil sunflower, even though there is plenty of seed for them on the ground below the feeder. I suspect this is possible due to the wide tray on this particular feeder, but had I not used this feeder, I might never suspect to see a Mourning Dove on a feeder. Birds are always full of surprises.

Both of these pics were taken by a method called digiscoping. It's a simple and easy way to record pics of birds doing the unexpected.

How to use binoculars

2010-02-19T05:38:00.000-08:00

It’s funny how little has been actually written about how to use binoculars, either in articles about binoculars or the instruction manuals that come with binoculars. I’m referring, here, to advice on how to point a binocular and quickly capture the object you want to see in the field of view, not instructions on how to adjust a binocular. This binocular skill of getting on target and getting on target, fast, is very important for those who use birding binoculars, hunting binoculars, sport binoculars and so on. There is often no time to waste and many a frustrated beginner loses out on the action by failing to line up the binocular, quickly, on target.

The first thing you need to line up a binocular on target is a pointing device; the good news is that everyone comes pre-equipped with that pointing device, namely the nose. Your nose is a natural, instinctive pointer; it does not need any high tech help to point at a target; you use it this way, instinctively all the time. So, first step is to look at that target and then consciously point at it with your nose. Your nose makes a marvelous pointer and it doesn’t care if you are right-handed or left-handed.

Second step is to NOT move the face when your nose is pointing at a target and keep your eyes firmly on the object. ALWAYS bring the binocular UP to your eyes and the object will appear in the binocular. Only takes a little practice to become a habit. NEVER take your eyes off the target and drop or nod your face toward the binocular. This is a very common beginner’s mistake and one that is easily avoided, now that you know the secret of using a binocular. It’s that simple. Try it.

Best binocular

2010-02-18T05:24:00.000-08:00

It’s funny how some folks get so attached to their binocular and I’m not talking about using the binocular strap, here. Ha! Ha! I mean, for example, that I have met some birders that were using some pretty awful examples of a birding binocular, in terms of the binoculars appropriateness as a birding binocular.

For instance, I once knew a guy who carried an 11x80 giant binocular around his neck, even on all day birding outings and, no, he was not a big guy. When some of us took pity on him and offered to let him use a smaller, backup binocular we had with us, he politely declined, saying he was so used to using that giant astronomical binocular for his birding that it just wouldn’t be the same without it. For the open country birding we were doing, that binocular did work and he was a good birder, but no way would he part with that binocular and he wore that beast around his neck for hours at a time.

In a similar fashion, I knew an outstanding birder who used a Steiner 7x50 Military marine binocular. Now the Steiner 7x50 Military Marine is a fine binocular and a classic marine binocular, but it is not a part the excellent Steiner Birding binocular line, simply because individual eyepiece focus feature of the Steiner Military-Marine makes it impractical for close-in birding and that was the type of birding we used to do, quite often, when this gentleman would join our group. Again, rather than accept our offer to let him use a spare binocular, he just accepted the fact that his binocular was too slow to focus when the action was up close and allowed us to identify the birds for him. No way would he part with that 7x50.

Anyway, all this demonstrates that people do get stuck on one binocular or another, even when the particular binocular model may not be the best binocular for the job. It also demonstrates that any binocular will work for any application, at least to some extent. The binocular in your hand may be far from the best choice, but it will work to some degree. Give it a try.

Binocular questions

2010-02-17T06:10:00.000-08:00

If you have ever sold binoculars, you know some of the questions folks like to ask about binoculars before they buy binoculars. Some of the binocular questions are very good in terms of common sense, but some are … well, not so good. I suspect the one question that most of us binocular salespeople hate the most is, “How far can I see?” We all have our own way of answering that binocular question and, despite the temptation to supply a smart and sarcastic answer, I have always done my patient best to explain that such a binocular question is incomplete and therefore cannot be answered and that it has nothing to do with thee type of binocular in question. It cannot be answered any more for birding binoculars than it can be answered for astronomy binoculars. Okay, that response is accurate and truthful, but I learned, long ago, to quickly add more in the way of an explanation to avoid an unhappy customer.

The question needs to be completed by adding what object you are trying to see, specifically the size of the object you want to see. Object size is the crux of the question. An ant climbing a tree will not be visible in a conventional binocular at a distance of much more than tens of yards; a very large ship on a lake or ocean may be visible for miles; a galaxy in outer space is visible for millions of trillions of miles. In this line of thought, it is best to think of binocular magnification as bringing objects that much closer than they really are. A ten power binocular, then, makes objects appear ten times closer than they really are. If you are trying to see an ant on a tree at a distance of 100 yards with your 10x binocular, it will appear to be at a distance of ten yards in the binocular? Can you see an ant at a distance of ten yards without a binocular? Of course, that depends on the size of the ant; ants come in many sizes …

Giant binoculars

2010-02-16T05:29:00.000-08:00

If money was no object … Okay, for me and for most folks, money will always be an object or, more to the point, an obstacle when it comes to buying our dream car, our dream digital camera, our dream binocular and so on. So, really, if I won the lottery and had the money, what would I buy in an astronomical binocular, for instance?

For my dream astronomy binocular, I would opt for a giant binocular, mounted on an astronomy binocular tripod or even a larger giant binocular, mounted on a pedestal. With such a giant binocular, I could view wide expanses of the heavens in total comfort and get picture window like views of the universe. I’m not so much interested in magnification as I am in image brightness, because most of astronomy is about seeing faint objects and to see faint objects, you need those larger optical systems. Indeed, there have been as many comets discovered by amateur astronomers using giant binoculars as amateur astronomers using telescopes.

For my tripod-mounted astronomy binocular, I would have to choose a Kowa Highlander. This would still be portable enough to carry outside on my patio. At, 38x or 50x with the optional eyepieces, the views would be stunning in this premium giant binocular. If had the room for a permanent shed, though, I would have to go with a huge Fujinon 25x150 binocular telescope. Now that is one big binocular.

Okay, Bill, if you are reading this, just remember this is all a fantasy. I am not planning to sell the car and surprise you when you get home, one night.

Binoculard with GPS, cameras, laser rangefinder ...

2010-02-15T05:24:00.000-08:00

Is there a binocular out there that is a Swiss Army knife of binoculars? Is there a binocular out there that not only gives the user a binocular, but also a laser rangefinder, a digital camera, image stabilization, night vision, GPS, thermal imaging, a radio, mp3 player and more? Where can you buy that cool binocular with all those different functions; the one you saw your movie hero using in the latest Hollywood adventure?

The answer is you cannot buy such a binocular, unless you can manage to get that Hollywood prop and that’s all it would be: a prop. There is no such thing as a binocular with all that technology, simply because you can only cram so much instrumentation inside a binocular housing and even if you could incorporate more, the price of such a do everything binocular would likely be prohibitive. Then, too, should you drop or damage such a multi-purpose binocular you risk losing all those instruments in one fell swoop. That's why the military avoids such an approach. The usual limit for a binocular that is more than just a binocular is a binocular with one added technology. Attempts to offer binoculars with more than one extra technology have not met with any commercial success.

Binoculars with one added technology, though, have been successful. Thus we have digital camera binoculars – a cheap digital camera mounted on a binocular, laser rangefinder binoculars, night vision binoculars, image stabilized binoculars and even thermal imaging binoculars. Now and then, you will see manufacturers even add a radio or mp3 player to a binocular, though these arte more gimmicks than serious tools.

On the other hand, who knows what tomorrow will bring in terms of binoculars?

Bird watching from home

2010-02-12T06:10:00.000-08:00

I am very fortunate to have a forest across the street for a neighbor. Not that I have anything against the people kind of neighbors; it’s just nice to also have birds and other wildlife for neighbors. With my spotting scope setup in the living room, I can do some birdwatching and wildlife from my living room couch. With my birding binoculars, I can do some very serious bird watching through my kitchen window by monitoring my bird feeders. Yes, nothing quite like the convenience of birding, right from your own home.

Okay, not trying to rub it in if you are less fortunate, but the point I am trying to make is that a great deal of birding can be done, locally, right in your own neighborhood; birding does not always have to be an expedition to some distant birding hot spot. In fact, just about everyone has access to some birding within walking distance. Parks are great, of course, but there is also some great birding to be had in some less than likely and, sometimes, not so picturesque, locations, such as sewage ponds, landfills, cemeteries, vacant lots, flood control structures, around billboards, power line right of ways and so on. Birds don’t read signs and could care less how we label what they find as suitable habitats. In fact, if you check the reports of rare birds that occur in many areas, the good old sewage lagoon will often rank at the top in terms of locations. Of course, when your spouse or friends ask where you are going, I would suggest simply telling them that you are going birding. They might not understand your fascination with sewage ponds.

Binocular weight

2010-02-11T05:46:00.000-08:00

It’s a sign of the times, I suspect, what with calorie counting and everyone watching their weight, but binoculars have been getting lighter and lighter over the years. There was a time when a full size 8x42 binocular or 10x42 binocular averaged somewhere between 30 and 35 ounces in weight, with a few even pushing 40 oz. I remember telling customers back in the 90’s to be sure to get a binocular under 35 ounces if they expected to carry it all day, since even a few ounces of binocular weight can make a difference in comfort when a binocular hangs from your neck for a few hours

Those days, fortunately, are gone. Today’s 8x42 binocular or 10x42 binocular rarely tips the scale at more than 30 ounces and, even at 30 ounces, a 42mm binocular is at a serious competitive disadvantage; customers want a lighter binocular and the market has responded. Most 42mm binocular on the market now weigh less than 30 ounces, some much less. For example, the latest version of the Nikon Monarch 8x42 – the world’s best selling $300 class binocular – now weighs a very svelte 21.5 ounces. That’s even less than many 32mm size binoculars. That is some serious binocular weight reduction.

This binocular weight trend has been achieved by the use of polymers and lighter metal alloys, such as magnesium, for the binocular body. Aspheric lens designs also have helped, since it takes fewer lenses in an optical system to accomplish the same degree of optical correction. This weight reduction, however, has not come at the expense of durability – some of these new polymers can withstand cracking and crushing better than traditional metals used in binocular housings.

Are you carrying too much weight (binocular, that is)?

Canoe and kayak binocular

2010-02-10T05:21:00.000-08:00

Maybe I’m suffering from a case of cabin fever, but my thoughts of late have been of lakes and canoeing, camping gear, spring birdwatching, bicycling and so on. Okay, that definitely ranks as a case of cabin fever, but, then, it is February and that is a traditional month for cabin fever.

For canoeing, I like a waterproof compact binocular. I have four compact binoculars. I also like a solid and optically good compact binocular, but one that does not cost an arm and a leg, just in case you dump the canoe. I do not have one of those; all my compact binoculars are premium compact binoculars and the thought of one of them on the bottom of a local lake or river does not give me a warm fuzzy. So, time to buy compact binocular for canoeing.

I’ve always liked reverse porro prism design compact binoculars, since you get the most optical bang for the buck with this binocular design; there are some excellent porro prism compact binoculars on the market at a very reasonable price. Lastly, I’ll take 8x, rather than 10x, for the sake of steadiness in a canoe. Some great choices in compact binos in a reverse porro prism design include the Nikon Prostaff 8x25, the Pentax UCF WP 8x25, the Vortex Vanquish 8x26 and so on. Those are all within my budget for a canoe and kayak binocular.

Time to go clean the snow off the canoe.

Birds in the snow

2010-02-09T05:32:00.000-08:00

We’ve had three or four inches of snow, overnight, with much more to come. Okay, I wanted snow and I got it! Time to break out the skis and my digital cameras for some fun in the snow, but, first, there is work to be done.

If you feed birds, as I do, you know that an overnight snow means it’s time to clean out those bird feeders and make sure that everything is operational. First thing to check is that the feeders have not been clogged up with ice and snow. I am quite meticulous in this regard; I’ll bring in the feeders to thaw and clean them out if need be. A winter storm stresses the birds enough, as it is; the birds do not need extra work to feed during a storm. You should also clean snow off the top of the feeders. That extra weight can weaken the structure of some bird feeders and place undue stress on a pole or whatever you are using to support the bird feeder.

Once the feeders are full and working, I take one extra step by shoveling off a couple of patches of ground and lay out some seed for my ground feeding Juncos and Sparrows. Although these birds can and do use a feeder when necessary, they, too, need a little extra help in a heavy snow.

Last item is to head back to the kitchen, brew a fresh pot of coffee and dust off the birding binoculars or your birdwatching spotting scope. The birds will be busy and so will you.

Binocular and telescope ready?

2010-02-08T05:59:00.000-08:00

We're in the final quarter moon, this week, and for a binocular astronomer, like me, that means it's time to grab the astronomical binocular and turn it to both the moon and some deep-sky objects.

It sometimes comes as a surprise to new astronomers that the moon is best observed when it is not full. A full moon makes for some fun pics, as in the pic, here, but that full moon is simply too bright - all that light scatters about and drowns out most of the detail that makes observing the moon with a binocular or telescope so much fun. A moon that is only partially lit tends to to highlight detail with long shadows and that make for some very dramatic scenes in binoculars or telescopes, even right down to the point where the moon is a small and thin crescent.

Last quarter also means it is time to get serious about deep-sky astronomy with your astronomy binocular or telescope. Yes, that quarter moon still washes out those very faint deep-sky objects, but a closer check of moonrise and moonset reveals that there are some excellent deep-sky "windows" during the quarter moon phase when the moon is not in the sky. In effect, that gives us about three weeks of observing time with our binocular or telescope, not just one when the moon is in its new phase. If you are limiting yourself to that one week when the moon is not in the sky, you are missing a lot of astronomy.