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Binoculars for watching sports

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Category: Other Optics
Forum Name: Binoculars
Forum Description: Anything that requires two eyes to look through it
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=41163
Printed Date: March/28/2024 at 23:34
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Topic: Binoculars for watching sports
Posted By: sirgilligan
Subject: Binoculars for watching sports
Date Posted: January/30/2015 at 17:08
I have season tickets to college basketball. We are about half way up. I can see the game well enough but at times I would like to have some binoculars.

I have Vortex Diamondback 8x32, and they have too much magnification. I really like them, but when I use them the field of view is such that I can only see the player with the ball and about 5 feet around them.

I have looked for lower power and found it is difficult to find such a beast. So, I am thinking maybe 6x Vortex Viper HD 6x32. But maybe there are some porro type at 6x that would be good?

The need to be quick, you know how it is, you are watching the game and you notice that one player is starting to push on another and you want to see what is going on. It is not like I would watch the entire game through them, besides we DVR the games anyway and can watch it on TV over and over. Just something to bring it all closer when something interesting is going on. The other night the opposing coach was livid about something and got a technical, it would have been nice to try and read his lips and see what he said to the referee.



Replies:
Posted By: Klamath
Date Posted: January/30/2015 at 18:01
You might look for a 6x30 Leupold Yosemite.

Another wild hair idea (I may get yelled at here Big Smile) is the Bushnell Spectator 4x30.  They really are not much of a binocular as far as tech spec go.  However I have a friend who is really into binoculars with two young boys.  He had the 4x30 for each and surprisingly he let the boys outgrow them.  Relatives gave them for presents.  The thing is they have a HUGE field of view.  They are also permanent focus which only will work if you have no eye issues and good accommodation.

http://swfa.com/Bushnell-4x30-Spectator-Binocular-P8742.aspx

The Yosemite is superb.


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Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron



Posted By: Bird Watcher
Date Posted: January/30/2015 at 19:17
I'm a big fan of the Nikon 7x35 9.3*  w i d e  FOV Porro prism.

http://swfa.com/Nikon-7x35-Action-Extreme-ATB-Binocular-P42214.aspx - http://swfa.com/Nikon-7x35-Action-Extreme-ATB-Binocular-P42214.aspx


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I prefer Porro prism binoculars especially those made in Japan. (i.e. Minox BD 10x44 BP) 8>)


Posted By: Klamath
Date Posted: January/30/2015 at 21:19
Originally posted by Bird Watcher Bird Watcher wrote:

I'm a big fan of the Nikon 7x35 9.3*  w i d e  FOV Porro prism.

http://swfa.com/Nikon-7x35-Action-Extreme-ATB-Binocular-P42214.aspx - http://swfa.com/Nikon-7x35-Action-Extreme-ATB-Binocular-P42214.aspx


Good point.  I forgot about those.  I have the 7x35 Aculon and through a bit of searching, got it new to my door for $80.00


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Steve
"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted". William Bruce Cameron



Posted By: PhilR.
Date Posted: January/30/2015 at 23:11
I would also suggest the Leupold 6x Yosemite.  We use these for football games.  They are sharp and bright, and should be bright enough for indoor use.  They are also very light in weight (over 1/2 lb lighter than something like a 35mm Nikon Action Extreme), so you won't mind them hanging from your neck for several hours.  The nice thing about 6x is that as things go quickly towards or away from you, you don't have to change focus nearly as much as 8x.  The price is nice as well.


Posted By: Bird Watcher
Date Posted: January/31/2015 at 15:44
sirgilligan,

If price is an issue there is also the Nikon 7x35 Aculon.
Same w i d e 9.3* FOV & a several ounces lighter than the Nikon AE. 

http://swfa.com/Nikon-7x35-Aculon-A211-Binocular-P61649.aspx - http://swfa.com/Nikon-7x35-Aculon-A211-Binocular-P61649.aspx


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I prefer Porro prism binoculars especially those made in Japan. (i.e. Minox BD 10x44 BP) 8>)


Posted By: RifleDude
Date Posted: January/31/2015 at 18:47
Originally posted by sirgilligan sirgilligan wrote:

So, I am thinking maybe 6x Vortex Viper HD 6x32. 

If I want less than 8X magnification, that's exactly what I'd get. I tested the Viper 6X32 that Koshkin loaned me for a few weeks, and it was fantastic! This was the version before the HD model, so I haven't seen the HD version, but if it's an improvement on the regular Viper, it must be spectacular.

Although I like the more "3D like" view a nice porro prism bino offers, I personally don't care for the form factor of porro prism binos from a bulk and handling/ergo standpoint, but to each his own.

I thought the Viper 6X32 was optically superior to the Leupold Yosemite personally.


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Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.


Posted By: Bird Watcher
Date Posted: January/31/2015 at 23:13
Originally posted by RifleDude RifleDude wrote:

Although I like the more "3D like" view a nice porro prism bino offers, I personally don't care for the form factor of porro prism binos from a bulk and handling/ergo standpoint, but to each his own.
Ted,

I get easily confused over terminology like depth-of-field, depth-of-focus, & 3D. Question

Whether using a Leupold 6x32 Katmai roof prism, or Nikon 7x35 Gold Sentinel Porro prism binoculars,
I find that focusing is less of a concern, overall, as they seem to have depth-of-field, depth-of-focus,
& 3D, all rolled up in one. I attribute that to their low magnification.

The Leupold 6x32 roof prism, which I bought for my wife's small hands, is too tiny for my XL hands.
My Nikon 7x35 Porro prism has no discernible bulk or ergonomic issues & fit perfectly in my hands.

When it comes to binoculars & bulk & ergonomics it has always been a matter of individual choice. Wink




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I prefer Porro prism binoculars especially those made in Japan. (i.e. Minox BD 10x44 BP) 8>)


Posted By: tucson47
Date Posted: February/03/2015 at 12:19
I use the 6x30 Yosemite for basketball and football.
My wife and I are very happy with them.
Easy to use and follow the action.
Bright for indoor or outdoor night games.



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