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Anne Elk
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Joined: 07 Sep 2018
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Anne Elk
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PostSun May 23, 2021 7:33 pm 
I decided that my upcoming X-C roadtrip would be really enhanced if I had a set of good binoculars along. I was totally ignorant about binocular technology, down to "what do the numbers mean?" but I had experience in the past with bad compact binos, and wanted something better - but also to know what to look for, and what you're getting/not getting for the huge price range. Google served up a great informational website run by a fellow in the UK: https://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/guides/what-to-look-for-when-buying-binoculars.php His website is HUGE - he goes into great detail about all aspects of binoculars, not just the optics. There are articles and videos about construction, features, pros/cons, best values for the price in different price brackets. He's a prolific reviewer of all kinds of brands, and does annual "Best Binos" reviews. Makes recommendations for best size/configuration depending on whether you want them for birding, hunting, general use, etc. After a little over an hour of reading, I was definitely educated and ready to shop. Highly recommend.

"There are yahoos out there. It’s why we can’t have nice things." - Tom Mahood
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mike
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mike
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PostSun May 23, 2021 8:58 pm 
I've found that the most important number is "eye relief". 15mm absolute minimum. 16-17 up is better. For ease of use, quickly acquiring focus, non-tiring over time, use with glasses etc. gotta have it.

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JonnyQuest
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PostMon May 24, 2021 8:48 am 
With regard to magnification, don't assume more is better. Tailor for your needs, and realize that higher magnification makes image stabilization challenging.

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Cyclopath
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Joined: 20 Mar 2012
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Cyclopath
Faster than light
PostMon May 24, 2021 7:03 pm 
I got my mom a set of image stabilized binoculars years ago. She loves them, favorite pair she's ever had. I think that others are optically better but in real world causal use the stabilization was appreciated.

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cdestroyer
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cdestroyer
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PostTue May 25, 2021 6:46 am 
years ago in the navy we were using experimental stabilized binos,, since the horizon at sea is 25 miles clarity was not a problem

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Franco
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PostFri May 28, 2021 2:36 am 
OK , I did not read it but when someone starts with : So you have decided to purchase a pair of binoculars, but where do you start? puts me off because a pair of binoculars really means two binoculars. Bino = two Ocular= well I think we all know. Bino is the prefix often shortened to bi , as in bicycle, bilingual, bifocal and so on... Monocular on the other hand means ONE ocular , just as mono does in monocycle and the rest. (sorry, it's a pet peeve of mine...and I sold binos for a living)

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Franco
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Franco
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PostFri May 28, 2021 7:44 pm 
The commonest mistakes I see when people use binoculars are Not setting the difference between one eye and the other (very few people have exactly the same vision from both at 8 or 10 time magnification) Not opening or closing the two barrells to get the a perfect circle (no, you are not meant to see two circles as they show in the movies) Wearing glasses (prescription or sunglasses) without folding or pushingthe eyecaps back.

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