Binoculars Blog

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.

Sports binoculars

2010-02-05T06:07:00.000-08:00

With the Super Bowl, this week and all the talk of sports, in general, some folks have been thinking about sports binoculars that allow a fan to get a closer look and still see all the action. In truth, there is no such thing as a binocular designed, specifically, for sports and there is no single binocular feature that distinguishes a sports binocular from a typical binocular. In the past, binoculars labeled as “wide-angle binocular” have been promoted as being the ideal sports binocular, though there is really no specific field of view number that separates a wide-angle binocular from a typical binocular and, what’s more, you may not need that extra wide field of view, anyway.

It really depends on your position relative to the field. If you have a sideline seat or floor level seats, you are very close to the action and that binocular with the extra wide field of view, such as the Bushnell Xtra-Wide binocular can be helpful. If you are in the nosebleed section, though, any binocular will have plenty in the way of field of view. Either way, a 7x or 8x binocular, such as the Nikon Action Extreme 8x40 binocular will have plenty in the way of field of view.

Last issue is full-size binocular versus compact binocular. A compact binocular sure is handy; you can carry one into the stadium or arena in your purse or pocket, but be advised, compact binoculars are not as comfortable to use for long periods of time in terms of eye strain. If you are going to be using a binocular for more than a quick peek, now and then, a standard 8x42 binocular is hard to beat as a binocular for sports watching.

Compact binoculars for glasses

2010-02-04T06:45:00.000-08:00

There are some features found on today’s binoculars that we take for granted. Full multi-coating (for maximum image brightness), phase-correction (for better resolution on roof prism binoculars), waterproofing (for all weather use) and more were not common binocular features in past decades and, even when available, were very expensive options found only on premium grade binoculars. Yes, all of those standard features on current binoculars were once available only on the best binoculars, but all can now be found on binoculars well under $200.

As an eyeglass wearer, all my life, the one binocular feature I most appreciate as now easily found is long eye relief. This binocular feature allows you to keep you to wear your glasses when using a binocular and still see a full field of view. Back in the 70s, 80s and even well into the 90s, it was a real hassle to find a binocular with long eye relief. This was especially true on compact binoculars. Indeed, it has not been that long for even premium compact binoculars to have long eye relief. What a relief (okay, bad pun) it has been to be able to get a compact binocular, such as that Leica Ultravid BL 10x25 or that Nikon Premier LX 10x25 that now offers enough eye so I can keep those glasses on my face, where they belong, rather than taking them off every time I want to use my compact binocular. After all, the whole idea of a compact binocular is convenience.

groundhog day

2010-02-03T05:52:00.000-08:00

Not sure if the groundhog saw its shadow, yesterday, but I have yet to see a groundhog in the neighborhood or I might have been watching for a groundhog. I suspect we do have groundhogs in this area of suburban Milwaukee, though, since we do have so much other wildlife practically at our door. It may just be a matter of doing a bit more exploring and watching on my part.

Groundhog or not, I still see still see a great deal of wildlife when I walk or ski the trail that starts a couple hundred feet from my door. Even if I discount what I see at my very active bird feeders and what I have added to my birding list, my local wildlife list is quite long. To be sure, I use my binoculars for more than just watching the bird feeders or birding. For instance, I have yet to go a day in the local forest preserve without seeing deer and they are typically so tame and so close as not to need a binocular. I have even taken some nice photos with my film camera, but simply haven’t bothered to do try with my digital cameras. I promise to do that very enjoyable task, shortly, and post some pics.

This morning, I am heading out on the skis, compliments of a two-inch snow we had, yesterday. Fresh snow also makes for good tracking and that, in turn, also provides opportunities for some pics and I will post some of those in a future blog. In the meantime, got to go wax my skis.

Today’s bird is the House Finch, one of the most regular visitors to my feeders. As photographic subjects go, they are not too fidgety. In fact, these two were quite cooperative, the other morning. Enjoy.

Rangefinder review

2010-02-02T04:58:00.000-08:00

Some words with a single definition actually describe a wide range of products. When it comes to optics, “rangefinder” is such a word. The word, itself, is self-explanatory, but there are many types of optical instruments that have rangefinders.

In it’s simplest form, a rangefinder is an instrument that does one and only one thing – determine distance to a selected target. The modern handheld rangefinder is a laser rangefinder; it incorporates an invisible laser that hits the target, then sensors in the rangefinder pick up the reflections of the laser beam off the target and, finally, a computer chip in the rangefinder notes the time it takes to receive the reflection and does the math. You see the distance displayed on a screen in an instant. The laser rangefinder is also incorporated into many weapons systems, surveying equipment and other high tech instruments. However, this technology is also appearing in many sporting products, such as target and hunting riflescopes, such as the Nikon Laser IRT riflescope.

That’s a far cry from the old mechanical optical rangefinders. In this type of handheld rangefinder, you see two images superimposed on each other. You then merge the images into one single image and read the distance on a dial. These handheld optical rangefinders have all but disappeared, but that system still can be found in rangefinder cameras, such as the Leica M9 camera, which is one of the very few manually focusing cameras in production.

Lastly, there are rangefinder binoculars that get you a binocular and rangefinder in one package. However, you must exercise caution, here. Only binoculars advertised as laser rangefinder binoculars use a laser rangefinder and these typically start in price with the Leupold RXB-IV . Less expensive binoculars that advertise a rangefinder do not include a laser. Instead, you see a grid of lines when you look though the binocular. You then bracket the object you wish to see between two marks on the grid, do some calculations and determine a distance. However, the one caveat with this system is that you must know the height of the object in question to do that math. This is an old technology and, for most users, not very useful. It is still offered in many marine binoculars as much out of tradition than out of practicality.

Winter bird watching

2010-02-01T05:34:00.000-08:00

In some respects, winter, up here in the north, is an “off” season for birders and birdwatchers in terms of numbers of different birds seen. Most of us are lucky to count thirty or forty species if we really work at it, but that does not mean it is time to put away the birding binoculars or stop watching the birds.

As a passionate and ardent bird watcher, I love winter. Even though the numbers and variety are not there, birds are more obvious and easier to spot with the lack of cover, but, especially, birds seem even more spectacular against the, sometimes, drab background of our winter landscape. Birds seem more colorful, somehow. Then, too, winter can hold a surprise or two, since birds sometimes travel a long way in search of food – you never know what bird might find its way into your neighborhood. Indeed, some of the truly rare birds I have seen, such as a Snowy Owl, made a visit during the winter.

Mostly, though, winter is time to feed the birds and just sit and watch them at the bird feeder. Winter is not the only time to feed birds, however, but it is the season for many of us time when we have more time to watch the birds at our feeder. When that weather warms up, we tend to be on the move, more, just like the birds. As always, birding takes many forms.

Oh, though I would add a little color to your winter with my pic of a cardinal at my feeder. He was watching me as I took his pic as much as I was watching him.

Best binocular

2010-01-29T05:48:00.000-08:00

Okay, back me against the wall, and ask me to state which binocular was the best binocular I have ever owned. That, of course, will never happen and if I even I made the attempt, it would mean having an argument with myself as to how to define best. In truth, the quest for the best binocular is a myth; there are simply too many ways to define best and there is no such thing as a binocular that is best in every way. You might as well ask me as to how to define the best telescope, the best spotting scope, the best camera or best camera lens. Forget it.

Searching the old memory banks, though, and several excellent binoculars I've owned come to mind. They were not without their flaws, but they were excellent, in their own ways. One of the top candidates for best optics would be my old Nikon 10x42 Premier SE binocular - I can’t honestly say I’ve looked through a better binocular in terms of optics, though I would have to say there were others which belonged right in the same class. The Nikon Superior E proved its worth so often, even when compared side-by-side with other binoculars, that I never once regretted selling a much more expensive binocular to get it. Another favorite of mine, for years, was the Swarovski 8x30 SLC for just being so nice in the hands that I often took it birding in lieu of optically better binoculars, though no Swarovski binocular is ever a slouch in terms of optics. Another binocular that I miss, to this day, was perhaps the one that carried the most memories; a binocular that had been with me in some very difficult times; a binocular that was practically my last material possession when I was down to my last dime. That was my Leica Trinovid 8x20 compact binocular. That’s the one that hurt the most to sell, even if it wasn’t the best.

The list goes, on and on. There has been no best binocular, but there sure have been some great binocular I have owned.

Binocular predictions

2010-01-28T07:02:00.000-08:00

I often wonder how much better optics can get with binoculars. Have we reached a point of diminishing returns on binocular performance? Can future technology actually provide us with better binoculars? If you've looked through premium binoculars such as the new Swarovski EL HD (the Swarovski Swarovision binocular) or any other top end Zeiss binoculars, Nikon binoculars, Steiner binoculars, Leica binoculars and so on you have to wonder if there is anything left to improve. Where will future technology take us with binoculars?

Okay, time to brush off my crystal ball. Madame Joanie predicts that most future developments in binoculars will be in binocular construction, rather than optics. For instance, I predict that the image stabilization will become miniaturized to the point where it will be possible to fit image stabilization in a binocular with a minimal penalty as to size and weight. I also predict that image stabilized binoculars will become more reliable and durable.

Based on current binocular trends, I also predict that binoculars will continue to become lighter and easier than ever to carry with the development of ever stronger and lighter synthetic materials. I, for one, still prefer metal construction, but I am old school and I don't think the folks who make binoculars will be checking with me anytime soon.

Lastly, I could be wrong, but I don't think we will see binoculars added to cell phones anytime, soon, but then, I never expected to play music on a cell phone, get on the Internet with a cell phone or take pictures with a cell phone, either.

Feeding birds

2010-01-27T06:13:00.000-08:00

Okay, no more teasing about global warming to explain our somewhat atypical January weather. According to our weather folks, here in the Milwaukee area, our snowfall amounts for the month and the season are down because we are experiencing an El Nino winter and this current weather pattern fits previous El Nino winters we’ve had in the Milwaukee area. Hey, I want to be accurate and scientific, after all.

Of course, the birds in my backyard could care less about the reasons for the weather; they just adapt or perish, as do all creatures and, given the amount of food that disappears from the feeders on a daily basis, I’d say they are adapting quite well. I don’t mind at all; watching birds at the feeder is the best therapy I know for beating the winter blues.

In fact, I was talking to another gal who has been feeding birds for years and she said she read a report that putting up bird feeders and watching birds has become a popular therapy at many assisted living homes, rehab facilities and so on. I find it interesting that so many of us that are having problems or issues, of one sort or another, can so easily relate to birds, even when we are having difficulties of the human kind. I am speaking, now, for myself, because I have spent many an hour at the kitchen table, bird watching, bird feeder style, when I have been down, myself and it does help. I also know several people who have started feeding birds as therapy while recovering from a major health crisis and they swear by it, even though they still don’t know one species from the next.

I strongly urge you to give bird feeding a try if you know of someone in this predicament. Feeding birds is one of the very best ways to bring nature into the life of someone who is homebound, for one reason or another. Feeding birds is a relatively inexpensive hobby and you don’t even need binoculars to watch the action, though watching the birds through a binocular certainly adds to the fun. Then, too, nearly any binocular will work for watching birds at a feeder. You do not need a special birding binocular to follow the action.

New bird on my bird list

2010-01-26T13:49:00.000-08:00

Global warming? Okay, that explanation for all quirks in the weather is getting to be a tired joke, I know, but it is a fact that we, here in Milwaukee, have had two rainstorms this winter. This weekend’s rain basically eliminated any of my cross-country skiing for the time being, though I am sure winter will deliver more of that white stuff for my fun. In the meantime, the birding and, especially, the birdwatching at my feeder, is better than ever, though a winter thaw sometimes results in decreased activity. I suspect it is the birds way of saying winter is far from over, yet. Regardless, they are welcome.

Added a new bird to my feeder bird list list with a Brown Creeper. I usually see a few of these birds spiraling up and down tree trunks, each winter, out in the woods, but this is a first for me at my feeder. Welcome to my yard and help yourself, my tree climbing friend! This morning, my little, brown, feathered wonder was helping himself to some suet, much to the chagrin of a nearby and very impatient White-Breasted Nuthatch. From a distance, the Brown Creeper is something of a drab brown bird, but, up close in the spotting scope, the Brown Creeper shows a wealth of fine detail. No, I haven’t been able to get the Brown Creeper to pose for a pic, but I will be watching, spotting scope and digital camera at the ready. In the meantime, check the Cornell All About Birds website for a good pic and a nice description.

Got go fill my feeders. Want to be a good hostess, after all.

Electric bike

2010-01-25T08:20:00.000-08:00

When it comes to bicycling, I am not ashamed to say that I am hardcore. In the fall of 2007, when I was living in the suburbs north of Chicago, I decided to go bike all the way, so I sold my car and made preparations to commute the 7 plus miles, one way, to work during the Chicago winter on my bicycle. Of course, everyone thought I was crazy and some were genuinely concerned for my health and safety. I assured them that I had biked through the winter, before and knew what I was doing.

I am proud to say that I made it through that winter and the following winter of 2008/2009 on a bicycle and all without owning a car; that is saying a lot, given those winters were some of the worst on Chicago record for snowfall. I could write a book on how I did this and, heck, I may just do that, but, before you decide to sell your car and ride a bike through snowstorms and subzero cold, let me tell you that the snow and cold were not the worst things I faced as a bike-only commuter, those two years, nor were the hazards of heavy traffic and riding the bike in the dark. I dealt with those as best I could, but I was nearly forced to by a car by something I had overlooked when I formed my plan.

One thing I assumed that would be constant was my health and, as we all know, your health is never something you can take for granted. What to do when you are sick and have no car? I got the flu, both winters, even though I had gotten flu shots and, due to an injury caused by a fall on the ice, I was forced to ride with a bruised leg for a couple of months. Let me tell you, riding to the drugstore when you have the flu or a cold to get a prescription filled is anything but a romantic adventure. Almost as bad, is facing a long commute on a bicycle when you have one bruised and sore leg and you are facing a headwind of thirty plus miles per hour.

Those experiences had me looking for solutions, though I refused to accept anything but a bike solution. I would not turn traitor and get a car. One of the solutions I considered was an electric bike or an add-on electric motor kit for a bike, just for those situations when I needed a little help. I know the concept of an electric bike offends some bike purists and I was once of the same mind when I was not solely dependent on a bike. However, the reality of living completely on a bike made an electric bike a serious option when my health was not in its usual top form. There simply was no car to fall back on.

Life has a funny way of surprising you. I would still be riding a bike in the winter and living my bike, only, lifestyle, today, if my Bill hadn’t walked into my life. It’s one thing to take chances riding in the dark or a snowstorm in traffic when there is no one else in your life, but your perspective on safety changes when you love and are loved. Then, too, I work from our home, now, so there is no need to commute in the winter. I never did get that electric bike

Electric bike? Actually, there is still an electric bike in my plans, or, should I say, our life. Bill and I do bike, together, but Bill has some old back and foot injuries that limit his speed and range on a bike. That's a shame, because there are so many good bike trails near our home that begged to be explored. That electric bike may just be the answer to keep him biking, in the years, ahead, and keep us biking, together, over greater distances. If an electric bike can do that, I would be proud to own an electric bike.

Computerized astronomy binocular?

2010-01-22T06:07:00.000-08:00

Two of the challenges to a newcomer using astronomical binoculars, are locating objects and identifying objects when you do locate them, since there are no computerized astronomy binoculars on the market - you are the computer when you use an astronomy binocular. If you want a computer, you need to buy a computerized telescope. I don’t see learning the night sky without the aid of a computer to be a problem, at all; it is a very necessary and useful step on the path to becoming an amateur astronomy and, best of all, it's a lot of fun.

The key to locating objects is to first learn the basic constellations and that means getting a basic star map that shows constellations, such as the Celestron Sly Maps Chart. Constellations are where you start when you wish to locate an object; astronomy objects are commonly organized by the constellation where they are found. The officially recognized constellations by astronomers are actually chunks of the sky rather than any specific outline of stars. You can connect those star dots any way you like, but knowing where those constellations are gets you into the right stellar neighborhood. Then, too, just tracing the outlines of constellations is fun in, itself and a relaxing way to spend an evening.

Now that you have a map with the basic constellations, you need to match up what you see on the map to what you see in the sky in terms of scale. Obviously, that little outline on the map will be a much larger object in the sky, but once you have identified one constellation in the sky and note how it relates to the map, the other constellations start to fall in place in terms of relative size.

Still having problems? Come on over to my place some clear night and I will be happy to help you trace those outlines and be your tour guide to the night sky or visit your local astronomy club. We astronomers tend to be a social lot and newcomers are welcome.

For the birds

2010-01-21T05:47:00.000-08:00

Everyone I know, here in Wisconsin, who has birdfeeders in their yards is reporting a lot of activity and that definitely includes me. Bill and I are doing a great job of supporting our local Wild Bird store, but I am not complaining. Before I married Bill, I lived in an apartment that did not allow bird feeders, although I cheated a bit and just threw some black oil sunflower seed in front of my patio window. This attracted some Juncos and a Mourning Dove, now and then and the usual bunch of House Sparrows - not much variety, but at least I had something to watch with my binoculars. It was definitely better than nothing. Just for the sake of old memories, I would even set up the spotting scope and remember better days. To be sure, the old adage that you don’t know what you have till it’s gone, is so true. After so many years of feeding birds and watching with my binoculars on a very active level, it really hurt not to do some birdwatching at my feeders.

Now that I am back to feeding birds in a serious way, I can’t believe I went so long without feeding birds. Sitting at my kitchen table, sipping coffee, binocular at the ready, is back to being an essential element of my daily routine. Yes, I even have the spotting scope setup, pointed at the bird feeders, so I can take pics - just like the old days. Bird watching of this sort hardly qualifies as aerobic exercise, to be sure, but it is one of the best ways I know reduces stress, not to mention being a lot of fun. Not sure if anyone has done a study on the therapeutic effects of watching birds at a feeder, but it sure works as therapy for me.

First binocular

2010-01-20T07:11:00.000-08:00

Do you remember your first binocular? Not too tough if you are young, but when you are eligible for senior citizen status, like me, you may have to reach far back in the old memory banks. In my case, though, I remember that binocular quite well. I was a freshman in college and had worked all summer in various part-time jobs, so, with a pocket (okay, small, pocket) full of money, I headed to the nearest camera store.

The clerk was a guy I knew from high school and though we never dated, he and I were on good terms. I’m not sure why he grabbed a Leitz binocular, first and handed it to me, but I suspect he was being paid on commission or maybe his boss was watching. Naturally, I was very impressed with the Leitz (later to be known as Leica binoculars), but the price tag was a lot bigger than my small cache of money and not in the budget of a college student.

I settled for something far more modest in a Tasco 10x40 binocular, which was serviceable, or so I judged, based on my limited experience and expertise with binoculars. That Tasco binocular did, indeed, prove to be quite serviceable, and more than adequate to start my career as a serious birder and binocular astronomy addict. It lasted for many years, only to bite the dust when my brother-in-law dropped it when I let him take to a football game. I sent it back to Tasco and they offered to repair it for the very reasonable price of thirty dollars, but by then, I had my eye on more expensive binoculars.

Is there a moral to this story? I think so. It proves that you don’t have to spend a ton of money on a first birding binocular or first astronomy binocular. Truly, I hate to see anyone, especially a young person, balk at trying their hand at bird watching or astronomy because they have been convinced it cost too much.

Binocular or spotting scope?

2010-01-19T07:15:00.000-08:00

I have talked to many customers who have been to Yellowstone and, while there, saw the wolves. Naturally, these folks want to see them up close in more detail, so they ask whether binoculars or spotting scopes are the better choice for their next trip. At the risk of sounding like a pushy salesperson, I tell them they should really take both a binocular and a spotting scope.

A binocular should always be your first tool for wildlife watching. You will be using a binocular far more than you will use a spotting scope, not only because it is more convenient to use than a spotting scope, but also because a binocular is much easier to use than a spotting scope. A binocular is what you use to locate wildlife and a spotting scope is what you use if and when you need to take a closer look, but it all starts with a binocular. You have to spot wildlife first and nothing beats a binocular when it comers to scanning the meadows and pastures for wildlife. As far as how to choose a binocular for wildlife watching, you can always go to a 10x binocular, but if you plan to team a binocular with a spotting scope, 7x or 8x is more than adequate magnification and a 7x or 8x binocular is easier to use than a 10x binocular.

As far as how to choose a spotting scope, most spotting scopes are pretty much the same. What distinguishes one spotting scope from another is performance and that is directly a function of optical quality and that, in turn, is directly related to price. When you start shopping for a spotting scope, though, remember that you must use a tripod – you cannot hold a spotting scope by hand due to the high magnifications – so be sure to budget for a good tripod. Another option for securing a spotting scope, especially in a park like Yellowstone, is a car window mount, so you can use your spotting scope without leaving your vehicle.

Bill and I plan to travel west this summer and we will be carrying both binoculars and a spotting scope, not to mention cameras, fishing gear and …

Bird identification clues

2010-01-18T08:56:00.000-08:00

It sometimes amazes newcomers to bird watching and birding how some of us old pros can identify birds without the aid of a birding binocular. More than once I have just casually said there is a such and such without even bothering to lift my binocular or even peek through my spotting scope, much to the amazement of the folks in my group. No, this is not bragging; anyone who has been serious birder as long as I have could do the same thing. When you have seen some birds so many thousands of times, you can easily identify them just the way they fly, the way they sit, they way they hop, walk, run and so on, not to mention their general shape and so on. It's often just a combination of these things, rather than a specific clue, but it only comes with experience.

For the same reason, I have noticed a trend among many experienced bird watchers and birders to cut back a bit on binocular size, simply because they don’t need quite so much binocular performance to identify birds, so why carry the extra size and weight? I still recommend a full-size birding binocular for the beginner, since a beginner needs all the performance you can get from a birding binocular, but in truth, there is very little that an 8x42 can do, that an 8x32 of equal quality cannot do.

Okay, you don’t have to watch birds for four decades to learn this art of identifying birds by their general shape and impression; you can do it simply by watching common birds, with or without your binocular, till those birds become so imprinted in your mind that when something new and different shows up, it will stand out like a sore thumb. When that newcomer bird does make an appearance, you will also be surprised at just how subtle some of those clues can be that tell you this bird is different. Next time that flock of House Sparrows invade your bird feeder, take a closer look for that one bird that seems a bit out of place, then take a peek with your binocular. You’ll be an old pro bird watcher in no time.

How to buy a binocular?

2010-01-15T06:17:00.000-08:00

How to buy a binocular? In the old days it was simple: you just headed to your local outdoors store and picked up a binocular or two from the display, asked the sales person a few questions, and made your decision. You then paid your money and went home with a binocular.

Those days are all but over, though, for most people, simply because very few stores carry any kind of selection of binoculars, these days. It’s a matter of business; a small or even medium sized walk-in retail store simply can’t affords to carry a large inventory on binoculars – the local markets they serve don’t generate enough sales to justify it. That means, if you want to walk into a store and see any kind of a selection of binoculars, you need to find a very large outdoor store and, even then, the binocular selection may be limited. There is also a problem finding the one person who really knows binoculars in a walk-in store. Hopefully, that person is not out to lunch when you arrive after your long drive.

All of this means that most people now buy their binoculars online from Internet dealers such as OpticsPlanet. To be sure, no walk-in store can match the selection of binoculars at OpticsPlanet, not even the largest outdoors store and, of course, you can buy a binocular from OpticsPlanet any time of day or night, right off the website. Got a question about binocular basics? Even if it is 2 AM in the morning, you can get help when those questions with some of the articles I have written with the customer in mind, beginning with How to Buy Binoculars, then on to more specific applications, such as Astronomical Binoculars, Birding Binoculars, Compact Binoculars, Hunting Binoculars and more. If that isn’t enough, you can always call and ask questions during daytime business hours.

It's that easy to buy a binocular, these days.

Nikon 10x25 Premier LX - premium compact binocular

2010-01-14T07:07:00.000-08:00

I've long been a fan of premium compact binoculars, though I know there are some folks who do not like a compact, no matter what the quality. To be sure, compact binoculars are not for everyone. Is a compact binocular right for you? See my article, Compact Compact Binoculars (How to Guide). This will give you an honest appraisal of both the pros and cons of a compact binocular

Assuming a compact binocular is right for you and, assuming you want to go right for the very best, but can't quite squeeze the budget enough for that $700 plus Swarovski Pocket or Leica Ultravid, let me recommend the also superb Nikon Premier LX, in either the Nikon Premier LX 8x20 or the Nikon Premier LX 10x25. I currently own the Premier LX 10x25, but have also owned and used the Premier LX 8x20.

Is the Nikon Premier LX the equal of a Swarovski or Leica? That depends on how you define "equal", so let's just say it does belong in that company. I know, because I also own the Swarovski and the Leica. Optically, the Nikon Premier LX is definitely in that company. My Premier LX 10x25 has resolution, edge sharpness and eye relief that compares very nicely with my Leica 10x25 Ultravid. The only optical difference between these two premium compacts is the better contrast and color saturation of my Leica Ultravid, but the Nikon is no slouch in this category. The Nikon Premier LX falls short in this reagrd only because the Leica is exceptional.

In terms of handling, my Nikon Premier LX 10x25 and the Leica Ultravid 10x25 have a quite different feel in the hand. The Nikon is not quite as slim and trim as the Leica, but those with large hands may actually prefer the Nikon in this respect. I prefer the Leica for handling and I also prefer the the Leica for its placement of the focusing knob - at the eyepiece end of the binocular as with a conventional binocular. The Nikon Premier LX has a front focusing knob, as per the Swarovski Pocket binocular. I have no issue with this at all and have used this focusing setup for many years with no complaints. It's just that I prefer the focus knob position on the Leica.

Why such a large price spread between the Nikon Premier LX and the Leica Ultravid or Swarovski Pocket? It's primarily a difference of where these are made. The Nikon Premier LX is made in Japan, the other two are made in Europe and that helps considerably with the price. At only slightly more than half the price of the Swarovski Pocket binocular or the Leica Ultravid compact binocular, the Nikon Premier LX 10x25 gets my vote for best value in a a premium compact binocular.

Spring birds in the winter

2010-01-13T06:36:00.000-08:00

The weather is warming, this week, up here in Milwaukee. It may actually get into the forties this week! That may put a temporary hold on my skiing, so my thoughts have turned to birding and, especially, spring birding. Nothing like a January thaw to give a body a case of spring fever, birding style.

Spring is the prime time of year for birdwatching and birding. Birds are migrating and in a hurry to mate and raise their young. In the spring, this means that birds are at their visible best and very active. However, the action actually begins earlier than many people suspect. Whenever the ice goes out on your local lake, for instance, is the time to grab your birding binocular and start searching for waterfowl and gulls. Nothing like a little open water to bring in the birds. In fact, if you can find some open water, even in January, you will find waterfowl and gulls. Last night, right at sundown, the air above the Little Menomonee River near our home was filled with Mallards. I suspect the Mallards had a spot with open water all picked out to roost for the night. To be sure, they were a beautiful sight in my Leica Ultravid binocular and a nice addition to the birds I have been seeing at my bird feeder.

A bird that I have not seen in numbers that I saw in Illinois each winter are Canada Geese. I suspect my new suburban neighborhood is not quite as prime habitat for Canadas as my former suburban neighborhood in Illinois, but I'm sure most homeowners in my current neighborhood are grateful for that. Still, Canadas are gorgeous, as well as, interesting. I confess that I do miss them in the winter. They were fun to watch and no binocular needed. to be sure.

Another large bird that I will be anxious to see, again, come spring, is a Wild Turkey. I have seen three Wild Turkeys, earlier this fall, over in the park. My digital camera and spotting scope are setup for some digiscoping, ready for some pics, when they make another appearance.

Old binoculars

2010-01-12T06:18:00.000-08:00

I’ve been doing a bit of housecleaning in my new home and, in the process, have come across many an old binocular. Bill is not the type to throw anything, away, so, okay, that does make more work for me, but it also makes it fun when I come across some of these old binoculars. For the most part, these old binoculars have seen better days; like most old binoculars, the prisms are badly out of alignment and, since these old binoculars haven’t been used or focused for many years, most of the focusing mechanisms are stuck. No, I won’t get these old binoculars fixed, because fixing old binoculars is never cost effective. On the other hand, I won’t throw these old binos, away, either. I like the older binoculars and will just put them on the shelf as decorations and also to remind me that I have been using and selling binoculars for a very long time.

Looking at these old binoculars reminds me of how things have changed over the years. All of the old relics in the photograph were made in Japan, for instance. In those days - back in the 70s and 80s and well into the 90s – made in Japan was equivalent to our current made in China. There really were no made in China binoculars in those days and all the cheap and mid-priced binoculars were made in Japan.

How things have changed! The expensive stuff - Swarovski binoculars, Zeiss binoculars, Leica binoculars, Steiner binoculars and so on - still come out of Europe, but “made in Japan" now means a good to premium grade binoculars, such as the superb Nikon EDG binocular, both in terms of quality and price. In other words, don’t look for a cheap binocular made in Japan – you won’t find it. As with nearly all manufactured products, the production of less expensive binoculars has moved to China to keep the price, down.

Where will the cheap binoculars of the future be made?

Astronomy binocular jewel

2010-01-11T06:50:00.000-08:00

On a cold, clear Saturday night in January, most folks are home by the fireplace or out painting the town red, so to speak. This last Saturday night, for me, meant some astronomy, since the sky did clear. I didn’t stay out long, with the temperature down around ten above, but I did stay out long enough to enjoy one of my favorite objects in an astronomical binocular and that is the Pleiades, sometimes known as the Seven Sisters, but also well known to astronomers by the designation M45. For those of you who don’t know, the Pleiades is a bright knot of stars easily visible to the eye, even in a light polluted urban area. In other words, this bright open cluster of stars is anything but elusive – it’s one of the easiest objects to find in the sky with binoculars or telescopes using low power.

The Pleiades star cluster is named for the Seven Sisters of Greek mythology: Sterope, Merope, Electra, Maia, Taygete, Celaeno, and Alcyone, along with their parents Atlas and Pleione. Each of these figures is represented by a bright star in the star cluster, though you will need some optical aid to actually separate them. The good news is that any binocular will do that – you don’t even need an astronomy binocular – and a binocular is the best tool for seeing the whole star cluster in a single view. If you are using a telescope, it is critical to use as low a magnification as you can get. Otherwise you will only see a small, but magnified section of the cluster.

So why bother to go out on a frigid, cold winter night with a binocular to see this astronomical jewel? That’s the reason in a nutshell – the Pleiades is a breathtaking jewel of beautiful blue-white stars that will give any handful of diamonds a run for the money. One of the reasons they are so bright and intense is that they are relatively close and the other is that they are relatively young and very hot. To make it even more fun, find a star atlas or star map and learn to identify those brightest stars by their names. It will help you make a personal connection with the night sky that will reward you each time you venture out with your binocular on those fall and winter nights.

Just remember to dress warm

2010-01-08T07:53:00.000-08:00

Carrying a birding binocular on a regular basis can earn you reputation as a “peeping Tom”, or, in my case, maybe a “peeping Joanie”. It’s happened, before, to me when I forgot to explain to my neighbors that I am an avid birder and birdwatcher. I think I am safe, though, in my new Milwaukee neighborhood – Bill has done a good job of bragging me up and explaining what I do for both fun and to pay some bills.

I suspect the local wildlife also thinks I am a “peeping Joanie” they way I keep them under constant surveillance with my binoculars, cameras and spotting scope. I make no apologies for that, however - my bird feeders are well stocked and all birds are invited. (The squirrels do fine, too – they get leftovers that spill from the birdfeeders and I also throw out some corn and millet for them.) In fact, my Chickadees usually scold me when I am out refilling the feeders and there are days when I could reach out and touch one. I suspect they will be landing on my back, next.

It works both ways - I have some wildlife that “peeps” on my yard. One is a Cooper’s Hawk that makes a pass at my bird feeders, every afternoon, hoping to snatch an unwary bird. Our local deer also like to keep an eye on us, too. I suspect they get nervous about or dog, Roscoe, but I caught the one in the pic with my Panasonic FZ50 digital camera, yesterday morning. Roscoe was barking up a storm in our living room. I walked out from the kitchen to see a deer staring into our living room window. Once he saw me, he bolted across the street and took refuge in the trees, but he continued to stare. I took the pic, then went back to washing my breakfast dishes.

Astronomy binocular or telescope?

2010-01-07T06:56:00.000-08:00

One of the reasons I so love astronomy with a binocular is that there is no computer or electronics or digital anything. No, I am not opposed to those things, but after being on a computer all day, writing and making a living, I need a break. Then, too, I have always preferred to do things, manually, without benefit of a computer or electronics, even when using a telescope or a camera.

Binoculars are a simple tool for astronomy. You supply the expertise, the navigation, the identification and, in return, you get the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment when you find a tough object in the night sky and you definitely get the sense of awe when you frame beautiful open clusters such as the Double Cluster, the Beehive or the Pleiades in your astronomy binocular.

I often get the question from beginners: telescope or astronomical binocular? The answer I give is always the same; get both, eventually. A binocular and a telescope complement each other; there is some overlap, of course, but there are some objects best seen in an astronomy binocular and some objects best seen in a telescope.

I could, of course, make a strong case for starting with the astronomy binocular. If budget is an issue, you can get a quite good astronomy binocular for the same price as a cheap telescope. That’s important, because a cheap telescope can frustrate as much as encourage you when you start in astronomy. Nor do you have to buy a model specifically labeled “astronomy binocular”. Many a happy binocular astronomer uses a common 10x50, such as the Nikon Action Extreme 10x50 and, if you need to get the most for your money, a 10x50 binocular can also be used by day for a great many other binocular uses. No, you don’t need a giant binocular (as in my pic), but that is always an option, too.

No matter what you choose in the way of an astronomical binoculars, though, it will teach you the basics of the night sky and when you do buy that telescope, you will make better progress. Make no mistake, though: astronomy with a binocular is a rewarding and unique way to enjoy the night sky in its own right.

Milwaukee birding and outdoors

2010-01-06T07:48:00.000-08:00

I’ve been known to say that I carry a compact binocular wherever I go and this is true with only a few rare exceptions (I was in church in the pic, so no binocular). Mostly, it’s a habit I developed from all my years of birding and wildlife watching and, yes, there is always some wildlife to see, even in the city and definitely in the suburbs. Now that I have moved to a beautiful suburban section of Milwaukee, my compact binocular habit has been strongly reinforced and you will always see a compact binocular on my kitchen table for catching all the latest action at my bird feeders. Definitely bring your binocular when you come visit and I'll put on a pot of coffee and do some bird watching in real style. If you live in Milwaukee or visit Milwaukee, I strongly recommend you carry a binocular. I am happy to report that a birding binocular will get good use in this city.

Yes, in the few shorts months I have lived in Milwaukee, I am very pleased with the birding and the wildlife. As cities go, I have found Milwaukee, in general, to be more open and less congested than my last address, namely Chicago. My neighborhood, specifically, is the next best thing to living out in the woods. We have a fair expanse of forest across the street and I suspect this is one of the big reasons my bird feeders are going crazy this winter. This same forest also has a paved bike trail, which also doubles as a fabulous ski trail when the city forgets to plow it. When the city does plow it, I just go backcountry on one of the many deer trails through the brush.

There is a park only a few hundred feet from our house with an open area and it appears to be a good spot for telescopes, though I am still waiting for the skies to clear - it has been a very cloudy winter. For sure, though, skies are darker, here, than they were in Chicago.

As for fishing, I will report on that come spring

What can I say? This country gal is doing well in this big city, not to mention having the best husband in the world.

Birding Snobs

2010-01-05T06:04:00.000-08:00

House Sparrows - there are no "trash birds" as far as I am concerned.

Are some birders snobs? First of all, let me say that I have been a birder all my life and have been around birders, all my life and the overwhelming majority are the nicest people you would care to meet. It's been one of the best parts about being a birding group leader and birding guide.

The answer, though, is, yes, there are some birders that are snobs, just as there are snobs in every other interest group or activity group I’ve joined over the years. It is human nature; you will always encounter people who need to feel superior to others and, thus, you will find some few birders who need to look down their nose at others. I’m not talking, here, about the overly exuberant and sometimes rude birder who has to impress others: those birders are not necessarily snobs; they sometimes just need to slow down a bit. I’m talking about true snobs and they can show their true colors in several ways.

Some birders are snobs about the birding binoculars or the birding spotting scopes they use and just assume that anyone who doesn’t own the best and greatest in a binocular or spotting scope are not serious birders. Now, I do carry and use the best in the way of birding optics, but I know better than to think that equipment makes the birder. To those people who rate birders by the birding binoculars they carry around their necks, you should’ve met my college ornithology professor. He carried an old beat up Tasco binocular, but he was as good a birder as I’ve ever met, not to mention being an excellent and demanding teacher.

Some birders rate other birders by the length of their life list or by the number of great birding destinations they’ve visited. I rate that as a better measure of someone’s bank account or length of time they’ve been birding, perhaps, but I know from experience that it takes more than that to make a skilled birder. Some of those impressive life lists and loaded passports don’t translate all that well to skill out in the field.

The last type of birding snob is, perhaps, the least obvious, but, to me, the most worrisome. These are birders who assign human values to birds; who rate common birds as beneath their notice and, worst of all, rate some birds as evil and categorize other birds as trash and worthy of eradication. This hurts me, personally, because of my earth-centered spiritual belief that all life is worthy, but it also irritates me from an ecological point of view. No, don’t bother to inform about the ecological disruption caused by birds such as the House Sparrow or the Starling. I know full well how these non-native birds have impacted our environment, but I also know that we imported those birds and we have created the environment that allows them to flourish. I also know that there is nothing unnatural about humans and other animals acting as vehicles for species transport to new areas. If we are guilty of anything, here, we are guilty of accelerating the process with our technology and our surge in population. Besides, all the nasty expletives in the world won’t make them disappear.

So, next time you see that House Sparrow or Starling when you are birding with me, please refrain from the slurs, labels and putdowns about these birds. They are here because they best fill the niches we have created for them and that kind of competition is as old as life, itself, on this planet. Furthermore, the presence of House Sparrows, Starlings and Pigeons can actually be beneficial. Many inner city urbanites simply don’t have the budget for a guided birding trip to Costa Rica and these so called “trash birds” are quite capable of sparking an interest in nature and birding. What could be more important than an opportunity for these people to connect with nature in this ever more urban society? Surely, this is better than no birds. Then, too, many a backyard birder simply enjoys the presence of birds, any birds, in their backyard. They appreciate all birds. Why can’t a few so-called “real birders” do the same?

By the way, all pics you see in my blogs, such as the House Sparrows at the begining of this blog, are my own. Feel free to ask questions about digiscoping.