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UL binoculars

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Oct 22, 2012 at 9:17 pm #1295461

Dale Wambaugh
BPL Member

@dwambaugh
Locale: Pacific Northwest

I discover these Bushnell Next View binoculars today. Not as cool as the little Tasco monocular I found, but an interesting design. The black section on the left side slides out to adjust for the user's eye spacing and the black slide on the top is the focus adjustment. Marked "Bushnell 7×18 Wide View 15-0718 S*A7". They hit my scale at 3.8oz (4.4 with the 3D foam case). Not as sharp and bright as my Nikons, but 1/3 the weight and a nice compact shape for packing. $4 in a thrift store :)

Oct 22, 2012 at 10:39 pm #1923805

Franco Darioli
Spectator

@franco
Locale: Gauche, CU.

Minolta (later Konica-Minolta) had a couple of those . (6x and 8x I think)
Don't remember the weight but were OK for the size
(similar, not the same)

Oct 22, 2012 at 10:49 pm #1923806

Dale Wambaugh
BPL Member

@dwambaugh
Locale: Pacific Northwest

Clamshell-style "opera" binoculars have been made for a long time, but heavier with lots for glass and metal and typically 4x. These aren't "fine" optics by any means, but I thought they were interesting in an UL way.

Oct 22, 2012 at 11:15 pm #1923807

Franco Darioli
Spectator

@franco
Locale: Gauche, CU.

Opera glasses typically use Galilean optics, that is 2 lenses no prisms ,3x magnification, mostly a fashion accessory
These types do have a prism and a much more usable magnification.
(I sold some of those Minolta to opera goers)

These were 4.2 oz

Oct 22, 2012 at 11:31 pm #1923810

Brian Johns
BPL Member

@bcutlerj
Locale: NorCal

Great for star gazing and often quality affordable options for 1-2 oz. Brunton makes a few, as well as Bushnell and others.

Oct 23, 2012 at 12:05 am #1923812

Dale Wambaugh
BPL Member

@dwambaugh
Locale: Pacific Northwest

The obvious advantage to binoculars is in 3-D viewing. Depth perception can be critical, particularly in boating.

Optics aren't as necessary for hiking and lean to the gadget/toy side and unneeded weight. They can lend a lot of enjoyment to wildlife as well as astronomy. I could make a weak case for them being an aid to land navigation.

Oct 23, 2012 at 12:36 am #1923814

Franco Darioli
Spectator

@franco
Locale: Gauche, CU.

Personal preference but for one I don't like monoculars.
As well as the 3d viewing bit (sense of depth) I simply find it difficult to find the subject quickly with monoculars as well as holding them steady.
However I usually had in stock the largest selection of monoculars in town…(that is 3 or 4 compared to 40-100 binos)
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