There are many binocular features to consider when choosing binoculars and all the options available are important.
What power binoculars do you need?
All binoculars have a pair of numbers ##x##, for example 7x42. The first number is the power (magnification) and the second number is the size of the lens (42mm). In this example, the 7 means 7 times closer than seeing the subject with only your own eyesight. The lower the magnification, the brighter the subject will appear and the wider the area that you will be able to see. So, decide on what you are normally looking at: birds, landscape, etc. The more powerful binocular will be harder to keep steady because of the small FOV (field of view). If you are going to use the binoculars at dusk a lot, you will need a larger lens size (maybe a 50mm instead of the 42mm lens. The larger the lens size, the more light that is let in to your eyes.
Coated or non coated lens?
Coated lens also affects the brightness of the subject that you are looking at. Coated lenses increase the amount of light that will make it all the way through the binoculars to your eyes. The more light, the more contrast. Do you need that option? The coating of the lens will increase the cost of the binoculars.
How close do you need the binoculars to focus?
Always test the binoculars to see how close you can focus. Look around the store and focus on the closest subject that you can find. Measure the distance from your binoculars to the subject. Do you need to focus any closer (wildlife, mushrooms, etc.)?
How wide do you need the field of view (FOV)?
Field of view is the width of the area you see through the binoculars. Take two different pairs of binoculars (7x42 and 8x42) and look at the same subject. You will see that the 7x42 has a large FOV than the more powerful 8x42 binoculars (the larger the magnification, the smaller the FOV). How important is it for you to have a larger FOV? The smaller the FOV, the harder it is to spot smaller subjects (birds for instance).
How heavy is the binoculars?
Are you going to be hiking with the binoculars? Are the binoculars going to be carried in a backpack or are they going to be worn all the time? Weight is a very important factor when choosing binoculars.
Do you need water resistant or waterproof binoculars?
Are you going to be kayaking with your binoculars or just walking through the rain? Waterproof binoculars are more expensive than water resistant binoculars.
How durable are the binoculars?
Are you going to be climbing, hiking, kayaking or just walking and not putting your binoculars in situations that you need extreme durability? If you need durability, choose the binoculars that have that feature.
How do the binoculars feel in your hands? There are adjustments for focusing the binoculars. Are the adjustments and the balancing weight of the binoculars comfortable in your hands?
Do you wear glasses?
If you wear glasses, the binoculars must have eyepieces that have eyecups that either retract or roll down. This is important for people who wear glasses and will wear them when using binoculars. Check to make sure that the eyecups are replaceable if they become damaged.
What is the warrantee and the repair service for the binoculars?
Some expensive binocular manufacturers will give you a new pair of binoculars when they can't repair them when they become damaged. Check out the reliability of the manufacturer.
Bino Straps
The bino straps are a great accessory for your binoculars. Make sure there are bino straps available for the pair of binoculars you choose.
Don't forget to learn how to maintain your binoculars correctly because incorrect methods might damage your binoculars and choose your binoculars wisely.
Write By Philip Tulin
Sunday, 2 September 2007
Backpacking Clothes
The easiest way to ruin a perfectly good backpacking experience is to have clothing that does not perform well. The clothes must be comfortable and protect you from the elements (wind, rain, snow, etc.). Layering your clothes is the most effective way to keep your backpacking experience both happy and safe.
Layering:
Layering uses a number of types of clothing to create a comfortable and effective result. By mixing and matching the types of layers, almost every situation that can occur while backpacking is covered. By having the right combinations of layers, the backpack will be lighter to carry. Layering consists of lightweight clothing, wicking clothing, inner layer, mid layer, insulation layer and outer layer (jacket, etc.) Wicking clothing keeps you dry by pulling the sweat from your skin and transferring the wetness to the outer layers. Layering will keep you warm when it is cold and keep you cool when it is hot.
Layer Types:
Inner layer clothing wicks the moisture from your skin. This layer is usually worn when there is the possibility of aerobic activity and during moderate to cold conditions. Mid layer clothing protects you during good weather conditions and should be comfortable. Mid layer clothing are usually long sleeve shirts, T-shirts, etc. Insulation layer clothing is for additional warmth during colder environments. It is worn when conditions become extremely cold and the inner and the mid layer does not provide enough warmth. All the layers worn together should be comfortable and not too bulky. The outer layer is a rain jacket, hiking jacket, rain pants, hiking pants, etc. The outer layer protects you from the rain, wind, snow, etc. You should always pack outer layer clothing with you even if you don't think you might need that layer. During emergency situations, the outer layer might be the layer that protects you from a disaster.
Types Of Materials:
There are many choices of fabrics for all the layers. The most important reason to use a specific fabric is based on the type of weather conditions that might occur. If the weather is hot, cotton absorbs moisture and also takes a while to dry. During hot weather, cotton is very effective. Capilene® and Polypropylene are very effective wicking fabrics. They evaporate quickly. Fleece is very effective for cold situations and some fleece have wind stopping ability built into the fabric. The outer layer choice is the most complicated. Do you need water resistant/breathable, waterproof/non-breathable or waterproof/breathable? There are always pros and cons associated with each choice. The water resistant/breathable outerware is usually the least expensive, for shorter trips in good weather and the chance of inclement weather is low. The waterproof/non-breathable is totally waterproof, but also is much hotter to wear because the outerware does not let the sweat or heat out. They must have openings to vent out the sweat or heat. The waterproof/breathable outerware is the most expensive and work in the most variety of situations.
Don't forget to learn how to maintain your backpacking clothes correctly because incorrect methods might damage your backpacking clothes and choose your backpacking clothes wisely.
By Philip Tulin
Layering:
Layering uses a number of types of clothing to create a comfortable and effective result. By mixing and matching the types of layers, almost every situation that can occur while backpacking is covered. By having the right combinations of layers, the backpack will be lighter to carry. Layering consists of lightweight clothing, wicking clothing, inner layer, mid layer, insulation layer and outer layer (jacket, etc.) Wicking clothing keeps you dry by pulling the sweat from your skin and transferring the wetness to the outer layers. Layering will keep you warm when it is cold and keep you cool when it is hot.
Layer Types:
Inner layer clothing wicks the moisture from your skin. This layer is usually worn when there is the possibility of aerobic activity and during moderate to cold conditions. Mid layer clothing protects you during good weather conditions and should be comfortable. Mid layer clothing are usually long sleeve shirts, T-shirts, etc. Insulation layer clothing is for additional warmth during colder environments. It is worn when conditions become extremely cold and the inner and the mid layer does not provide enough warmth. All the layers worn together should be comfortable and not too bulky. The outer layer is a rain jacket, hiking jacket, rain pants, hiking pants, etc. The outer layer protects you from the rain, wind, snow, etc. You should always pack outer layer clothing with you even if you don't think you might need that layer. During emergency situations, the outer layer might be the layer that protects you from a disaster.
Types Of Materials:
There are many choices of fabrics for all the layers. The most important reason to use a specific fabric is based on the type of weather conditions that might occur. If the weather is hot, cotton absorbs moisture and also takes a while to dry. During hot weather, cotton is very effective. Capilene® and Polypropylene are very effective wicking fabrics. They evaporate quickly. Fleece is very effective for cold situations and some fleece have wind stopping ability built into the fabric. The outer layer choice is the most complicated. Do you need water resistant/breathable, waterproof/non-breathable or waterproof/breathable? There are always pros and cons associated with each choice. The water resistant/breathable outerware is usually the least expensive, for shorter trips in good weather and the chance of inclement weather is low. The waterproof/non-breathable is totally waterproof, but also is much hotter to wear because the outerware does not let the sweat or heat out. They must have openings to vent out the sweat or heat. The waterproof/breathable outerware is the most expensive and work in the most variety of situations.
Don't forget to learn how to maintain your backpacking clothes correctly because incorrect methods might damage your backpacking clothes and choose your backpacking clothes wisely.
By Philip Tulin
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