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need advice for ocean viewing

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Tooie View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tooie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: need advice for ocean viewing
    Posted: December/04/2009 at 09:47

Folks, my friend owns an ocean front condo on the Gulf of Mexico. He is interested in buying:

1. great binoculars; and
2. a great telescope....maybe that interfaces with a camera and/or computer
 
Cost is not necessarily so long as they are a good value (well worth the money).
 
Should the bino be on a tripod? Or should two bino's be purchased:a) one on a tripod and a  smaller one for walking around...taking onto the decks, etc? Obviously, the telescope will be on a tripod and will be used both for long range viewing, primarily stars.
 
Thank you for you consideration.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/04/2009 at 10:40
Ocean front means that you would be in contact with saltwater spray, on your equipment, at some point in time. 
I do not know of ANY waterproof telescopes.
 
You would need at least a JIS Class 6, or better, waterproof binocular to be able to rinse off the saltwater spray.
 
For higher magnifications and long distance viewing you would definitely need a tripod for steady viewing, unless you can afford something like the Canon 10x42 L Image Stabilizer WaterProof binocular.
 
 
SWFA does not list this binocular for sale.
 
For Long Distance viewing on a triod I would recommend this binocular. (primarily for stars) Shocked Two-eyed viewing is much more comfortable for prolonged stargazing sessions.
 
 
 


Edited by Bird Watcher - December/04/2009 at 20:47
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tahqua View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/04/2009 at 12:40
The Steiner Military models in either 15x80 or 20x80 are a great choice for looking out over the water. I use the 15x80 for watching passing ships and star gazing and the work great. The contrast and resolution are very good and with the nearly 5.5mm exit pupil are very forgiving and good in low light.
 
Doug
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Farris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/04/2009 at 13:22
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/04/2009 at 14:54
Originally posted by Tooie Tooie wrote:

Cost is not necessarily so long as they are a good value (well worth the money).

 
What is the maximum price that you are willing to spend?
 
http://www.steiner-binoculars.com/binoculars/law/415.html
 
http://www.steiner-binoculars.com/binoculars/law/420.html


Edited by Bird Watcher - December/04/2009 at 14:58
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Tooie View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tooie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/04/2009 at 15:11
Hello Birdwatcher: There's no maximum. Just needs to be great stuff at a fair price....value , if you will. We all know what that means.
 
Thanks 
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silver View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote silver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/04/2009 at 19:38
 If, you want serious answers to questions like this, you should front some Gumbo and rum punch.  At least some Beignets...
 
I've lived on the Red Neck Riviera at KAFB for the summer... Maybe some of our Cajun Brothers will chime in on this one.   Lots of extra fine sand.  It is every where and gets tracked everywhere.  The sand gets blown around and is in the air with the salt.  That combo bangs hard on lenses.  Lenses need to be cleaned a lot. Which it not done right can be even worse.  You want caps that are tight and hard to loose. 
 
Now watching girls on jet skis takes a lighter and faster glass than fishing boats.  The best 7x50 Marine Binoculars you can get is always a good choice.  If you can get filters that is even better, because of the extra protection and there is a lot of glare around water even late in the day and early morning.  8x30s are great for girl watching.  You can get 9x63, 10x70, 15x80 ships stuff.  It is not cheap.  There is the extra high end Nikon models that have limited production, then some stuff from the former eastern block that is a good value.  The Fujion stuff is hard to get as "Uncle" is buying that up to use in the middle east. Steiner is rugged, but even the high end of thier stuff is not extra sharp, but it is rugged.  I like the individual focus stuff as the sand and salt stay out better.  That is also out of vouge for the market.
 
Spotters... Id go with a Nikon ED and be happy.  Its sharp and while expencive, it is is replaceable. Get a good polarizing filter, you will need the protection and cut the glare.
 
"Down around Biloxi... The pretty girls all dance in the sea..." Captain Buffet (Jesse Winchester)
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Duce View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Duce Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/05/2009 at 11:44
If price is not a problem it would be hard to beat the Zeiss photoscope , I hear Leica is comming out with one too. If your friend is going to take the scope back and forth in and out of the US he will need documention to prove where he bought it to avoid taxes each time he enters the country.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Loci Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/15/2009 at 07:54
I've been on a few ships here in Houston Ship Channel that had Eastern European crews, mostly Croats, and they had some Kalinka binoculars in the wheelhouse that were surprisingly good.  They were 7 x 50s and had a built in compass.  If you are looking at moving objects, or are moving yourself, I wouldn't go above 7 or 8x because it will be too difficult to maintain a stable image.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 338LAPUASLAP Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/15/2009 at 10:29

LEICA IS THE BEST WAY TO GO WITH SUN AND WATER AND REFELECTION...

No one
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Tooie View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tooie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/15/2009 at 11:09
Hey .338,   Which Leica?     Thanks
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 338LAPUASLAP Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/15/2009 at 14:43
No one
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m_freeman View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote m_freeman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/02/2010 at 23:32
Originally posted by Tooie Tooie wrote:

Hello Birdwatcher: There's no maximum. Just needs to be great stuff at a fair price....value , if you will. We all know what that means.
 
Thanks 
get a scope that will adapt to a Digital SLR then you could get into the low end Nikons or Canons and tether right up to a laptop the possibilities are endless with the SLR option. high quality video, stills broadcast wireless worldwide 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote m_freeman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/02/2010 at 23:35
also make sure you can get screw in circular polarizer filter on the front of scope this will remove all the glare and overwhelming reflections.
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Tooie View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tooie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/03/2010 at 05:00
Hey M_ Freeman.....what models will do what you suggest? That what I think his wife wants.
 
Thank you
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