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You
are going on safari to observe wildlife in their natuaral habitat.
So, BEG, BORROW
or STEAL some Binoculars. They
will be the most important item you bring with you on your journey.
Birds and animals may not only be a little too far to see they also
lie in the shadows of grass and/or trees. Binoculars will bring
them to you.
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What the specifications mean
Magnification Power - Binoculars
are identified by two numbers. The first is magnification power,
the second is the diameter of the front lenses, explained below.
An example: A 7 x 35 binocular has a magnification power of 7. A
magnification power of 7 means that an object will appear seven
times closer than it would to your unassisted eye. For example,
if you view a deer that stands 200 yards away from you through 7x
binoculars, it will appear as though it were 28.6 yards away (200
divided by 7). So, the greater the magnification power the better
the view, right? Not necessarily. Binoculars with magnification
powers greater than 10 can amplify the movements of your hands,
making hand-held viewing more difficult.
Objective Lens Diameter -
The second number used in binocular identification refers to the
diameter (in millimeters) of the objective lenses (those farther
from your eyes). A 7 x 35 binocular, therefore, has objective lenses
measuring 35mm. The diameter of the objective lenses largely determines
how much light your binoculars can gather. If you have two binoculars
with exactly the same specifications except for objective lens diameter,
those with the larger diameter objective lenses will capture more
light. More light means a brighter view, particularly in low-light
conditions.
Field of View - This specification
tells you the width of the area (usually in feet) that you can view
in a single glance, 1,000 yards from where you stand. Usually a
higher magnification power results in a narrower field of view.
Exit Pupil - The exit pupil,
measured in millimeters, refers to the diameter of the shaft of
light that exits each eyepiece and reaches the pupils of your eyes.
Calculate this number by dividing the diameter of the objective
lenses by the magnification. A 7 x 35 model, for example, has an
exit pupil of 5mm (35 divided by 7). Generally, a bigger exit pupil
means more light reaches your eyes, producing a brighter image.
A large exit pupil also makes it easier to maintain a full image
if your hands move or shake. Keep in mind that your eyes' pupil
size varies from approximately 2.5 mm in bright light to 7mm in
low light.
Brightness - Some manufacturers refer to relative brightness to
indicate the quantity of light that binoculars transmit to your
eyes. The higher the relative-brightness number, the brighter the
image. This specification serves as a key indicator of how much
light will reach your eyes. Binoculars with high relative brightness
make good choices for low-light viewing.
Eye Relief - Eye relief describes
the distance behind the eyepiece at which the whole field of view
is visible. Longer eye relief increases your comfort by allowing
you to hold the binoculars away from your face.
Bottom Line - Compact binoculars (common specs: 8 x 25, 10 x 25)
generally provide excellent daytime viewing. Since they're small
and lightweight they're your best option for weight-sensitive activities
such as backpacking and mountaineering.
Bottom Line
Compact binoculars (common
specs: 8 x 25, 10 x 25) generally provide excellent daytime viewing.
Since they're small and lightweight they're your best option for
weight-sensitive activities such as backpacking and mountaineering.
Full-size binoculars (common
specs: 7 x 35, 8 x 42, 10 x 42) are the better choice for serious
wildlife viewing. They often provide a wider field of view and greater
brightness than compact models. Full-size binoculars outperform
compact models in low-light conditions.
Match binocular features to your activity. Examples: Get waterproof
binoculars for use while kayaking. Buy lightweight binoculars for
a 1,000-mile through hike.
(from www.rei.com)
Personally, I went with the compact binoculars
that I can use for both wildlife viewing and backpacking. When I'm
not using them while on a game drive they fit really well in my
pocket. This keeps them accessible yet out of the way when I'm using
my camera.
BINOCULARS
AT REI
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