A Binoculars Buying Guide: What Do You Need and What Should

Sea Wolf":2gb4w3yr said:
Lotsa stuff clipped...

** I understand he's a bit of a loose cannon using overstatement and shows some favorite brand preference, which leaves some others offended. He also uses his evaluations to generate income through internet referrals, so is not seen as objective.

Take Care,

Joe. :teeth :thup
Click to expand...

Joe, i would say you had a talent for understatement. Rockwell is not thought highly of in many camera circles.

For Nikon gear, I use Thom Hogan's reviews, and for gear in general, I've found that the customer reviews at B&H Camera will give a lot of non technical feedback.
 
Wandering Sagebrush":362ta464 said:
Sea Wolf":362ta464 said:
Lotsa stuff clipped...

** I understand he's a bit of a loose cannon using overstatement and shows some favorite brand preference, which leaves some others offended. He also uses his evaluations to generate income through internet referrals, so is not seen as objective.

Take Care,

Joe. :teeth :thup
Click to expand...

Joe, i would say you had a talent for understatement. Rockwell is not thought highly of in many camera circles.

For Nikon gear, I use Thom Hogan's reviews, and for gear in general, I've found that the customer reviews at B&H Camera will give a lot of non technical feedback.
Click to expand...

I'm not really very familiar with him at all, but after your first statement, I did some looking up other's comments about him, and decided to acknowledge that he had his detractors. (!)

*Could I interest you in a Ken Rockwell Voodoo Doll complete with Hat Pins and a Laser Gun?
*Perhaps we could BBQ the doll on a spit at the next CBGT?
*Photos of same might be good on some of the detractors websites?
*And like Ken, we could ask for donations to support our work? :smile

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Another follow-up regarding my on-going attempts at repair service from Canon: since making a rather terse post on a Canon sponsored forum, I have been contacted by two Canon Customer Service reps. Both seemed to sincerely want to find out where the breakdown in communication occurred and make that right. They assured me that new procedures are in place since my last attempt - if the response I got this time is any indication, they are responding promptly and professionally.

Good to know. I use Canon cameras (used on my photos here) and really liked the IS binoculars until the exterior surface started disintegrating. The binoculars shipped off to Canon Service yesterday, and I'll be looking forward to seeing what they can do for them.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
We have a wonderful pair of Fujinon marine 7x50 binoculars, but I would like to add something that is much more powerful so I can scan distant rocks for critters and birds, and also look far out over the desert valleys. I've seen descriptions for powerful binoculars in the range of 16 and 20, and I've also seen spotting scopes that are even much stronger in magnification. I've never tried using a spotting scope so have no idea what they are like in that regard. I plan to do so prior to any purchase, but if anyone has experience with using a spotting scope I would be interested in hearing about it, and in the pros and cons vs strong binoculars. Thanks!

Rob
 
It has been touched upon here, but over long desert distances there will be heat and dust aberrations which will cut way down on your sharpness of the image.

I have a good quality 20 to 60 X spotting scope. I use a good tripod and often weights on it to keep it extra steady. You cannot use one on the boat. I prefer to use the Fijicon techno Stabi 14 x 40.

20 power binocs--again only if you have a good tripod--and the optics are going to be very expensive.
 
I have often used a spotting scope for spotting...from land. The ones I have go from 15-40 magnification and are quite useful. The downside is a smaller field of view and an absolute need for a stable platform. I would never try to use them from a boat, even at a dock.
 
I have recieved my Bushnell Legend HD binocs and am very pleased. They are compact, light, bright and are the best glasses I've had.

Here's look'n at cha,

Carpy
 
Back
Top