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Whale-Watching under $40 |
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celiothrkn
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/07/2015 Status: Offline Points: 2 |
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Posted: June/07/2015 at 00:35 |
I plan on going whale-watching, and I’m shopping for
binoculars. Given budget constraints, I am considering:
Bushnell Falcon 10x50mm Bushnell Powerview 10x32mm Barska Lucid View 10x42mm My rudimentary research suggests that for whale-watching, I should buy a 50mm or at least a 42mm for the
distance. However with that said, I know that Bushnell outranks Barska. Even
within Bushnell, Powerview outranks Falcon. Any suggestions? |
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PhilR.
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/02/2008 Status: Offline Points: 162 |
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1. Objective size choice is more for light levels, not distance. Magnification is for distance. 50mm is good if the light levels are low, but most whale watching is usually done during the daytime. Also, since there isn't much in the way of a forest to block the light where the whales typically are (except for the very elusive spotted pygmy forest whale of Easter Island), a 50mm will essentially be overweight overkill, especially so in 7x or 8x. 2. If you are viewing from land, then get a 10x. If viewing from a boat, then go lower. The movement of a boat on the waves will be greatly magnified (by really close to ten times) by the use of a 10x bino. I would not go more than 8x, and personally I would choose 7x for it's wide FOWWV. 3. Most things below $40 are toys. I would not recommend any roof-prism bino in this price range, however the porros in this price range can be serviceable. I would get an 8x40 such as a Celestron Up Close or Olympus DPS-1, both of which can be found in your price range if you shop around. You might even be able to find a 7x35 DPS-1 in your price range, which would also be an excellent choice. I believe you can also find these in 10x, if you are viewing from land. You could also go to an auction site and buy an older pair of porro binos from a reputable brand. You can get some very good stuff for cheap that way, *if* you know them well..... |
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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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Welcome to Optics Talk, Maties!
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NW425
Optics Apprentice Joined: May/16/2015 Location: NH Status: Offline Points: 56 |
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I agree. If you've ever been sailing, magnification out at sea makes me queasy. I'd imagine if youre on a boat theyll be bringing you up close to the whales.
I'd get a $60 set of celestions off (website) maybe a 6x30 and you should be fine. As another poster mentioned, an objective lens are for capturing light, which should not be too important while at sea in the middle of the day. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please remember the rules that you agreed to when joining OpticsTalk.
Edited by Skylar McMahon - June/09/2015 at 08:23 |
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