Binoculars, walkie-talkie, and lens recommendations

Discussion in 'Geek Cave: Computers, Tablets, HT, Phones, Games' started by purr1n, Mar 29, 2021.

  1. Brad358

    Brad358 New

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    For binoculars I like 7 x 50, the magnification isn't spectacular but it's enough and is a good balance between magnification, weight, stability and field of vision while the optic diameter is great for lower light conditions. I still have Nikon marine binoculars from my years at sea, they're long obsolete from their professional maritime series (7 x 50 is pretty much the standard marine binocular, or was), rubber armoured, water proof and pretty much bomb proof. I'd recommend checking out the Nikon 7 x 50 IF WP which seems to be the equivalent model.
     
  2. Thad E Ginathom

    Thad E Ginathom Friend

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    Haven't sailed for decades (sob) but it used to be a thing that newcomers to small boat (yacht) sailing would come aboard with an amazingly expensive pair of binoculars designed to watch wrens half a mile away. With that magnification you can't even keep a buoy in view long enough to see what colour it is, let alone anything else.

    Dry-land birders can go for the magnification. Anything that involves being on a moving platform needs modest magnification.
     
  3. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Modest magnification or bigger boat (more stable). The 8 x 42 Celestron are working more than well enough for me for birds and airshows.

    Maybe a chunkier 10 x 50 later for birds and stars.
     
  4. jmcmasterj

    jmcmasterj Friend

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    The Sony 200-600 is a great lens. I'm planning to purchase one for birding.

    I recently upgraded my a6000 to an A7C, which is like a mini a7iii. I also tried the a6600, which has nice features but basically the same image quality as the a6000.
     
  5. Brad358

    Brad358 New

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    One thing I'll give the Nikon binoculars, I didn't mollycoddle them, they've bounced off a few decks in rough weather, been around the world more times than I want to count, been through environmental extremes (I worked for British Antarctic Survey, and spent a lot of time in the Persian Gulf and SE Asia where temps can be 40C+ and 100% humidity) and the things are still in excellent order. Even cosmetically, the rubber armour is still excellent, alignment of the elements still bang on and everything is still tight and silky smooth. I don't know what the modern Nikon stuff is like (mine are marked as made in Japan and were from a line very much known for being bomb proof) but the ones I have show a build quality that is extremely unusual in todays world of disposable stuff.
     

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