Binoculars

I must correct Happy Hunter about his advice. A 10x25 binocular means
the 10 is the magnification and the 25 is the size of the objective
lens in millimeters which is the front or biggest lens. It has nothing
to do with FOV. Field of view is listed in the manufacturers spec
sheet as visible feet at 1000 yds. The larger the number of the
objective lens the more light it lets in. In low light a 10x50 will
allow you to see more than a 10x25.


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Karstic wrote
and would the opinions
viewing, beach

You might run "binoc" thru Dejanews for this NG if you want
to read numerous posts on this subject over the last year.
Here are my (combined and edited) responses to a couple of
binoc's questions here not long ago:

Have you looked at the Pentax HR series? I have a pair and
love them, and I think they'd meet your criteria. They
also have a waterproof version out now, but I don't know the
designation. The HR's are waterproof enough for me. The
eye relief on the HR's is outstanding, in case you wear
glasses.

I paid well under $300 for mine a couple of years ago, which
is amazingly cheap considering the quality of these binocs.
I compared a lot of binocs before I settled on the 8 x 40
HR's. The 8 x 40 Leicas were better, but not enough better
that I could justify paying 4 or 5 times as much.

I have a pair of Nikons (older, 8 x 20) and
love them for their low weight, small size, non-fogging and
clarity. They are *okay* if you spot an animal and want a
closer look. However, the small field of view and small
exit pupil you get with any 20 - 23 mm objective lens binocs
makes them nearly worthless for finding game.

I find that for big game hunting, the bigger, heavier 8 x
40's are more than worth taking. The little Nikon's go
when I'm bird hunting and want to be able to take a closer
look at big game I might run into, i.e., for casual
observance. How I wish I could see thru a pair of 8 x 23's
the same picture I see thru a pair of good 8 x 40's.
Unfortunately, it isn't even close.

Cush


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I bought a pair of Fujinons last summer and used them hunting this
year. They were awesome! Reccomended by fellow in this news group.
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you can back up from this link and see other models, but I reccomend
these. Great detail and color. Reccomended by Audibon folks. Heavier
than my Nikon Lites but ten times the binocs. I made a custom strap
from a pair of suspenders to take strain off of neck. You might look
around the web, I think I paid $319. I spent more time looking through
these binocs this year hunting then I ever have before. Good luck


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...

I searched long and hard for binoculars last year. I was ready to put down
some serious cash. Problem I found was once you spend 50 or 60 bucks,
binoculars don't get a whole lot better for the buck anymore. I found
though that the magnification and Field of View are the most important issue
in binos. I like to use a 10 power with a 30-40 FOV. I look for bucks out
past that traditional 300 yard mark, so power is important, but I also need
to see if there are does hanging around the buck so I need a wide FOV. If
your hunting closer in, the lower power is easier to settle in on an object.
I would stay away from anything less than 7 power.

In the compact, you get an in-line presentsation of the lenses. This
creates a better view for most purposes. But, it reduces the FOV. If you
get any higher than a 25 FOV, it's nolonger a compact so you may as well get
the full size binnoculars. I carry a compact 10x25 and a full size 10x40.
The compacts fit in my belly pack and are there just in-case I forget to
grab the bigguns or like this year when my hunting partner forgot his. They
are handy to have around. Both pair set me back around 80 bucks. And none
of my hunting buddies with the Zeiss's have spotted any deer that I didn't
spot first.

Happy Hunter


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I personally like Nikon. I've used them for scopes, binoculars, and photo
equipment, and really haven't found any parallel for the price. Usually, if you go
to a quality photo store this time of year, you can find some really good deals.

Matt


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