happy 2010!
Rick
Is your participation in the binocular forums to find a better glass for birding or to just find a better glass?I joined this site to better my understandings as a birder,but I find myself spending less time on the birding fundaments part of it and more on the search for optical nirvana.It's not that I've lost any fascination with birds,it's just that I've acquired a fascination with optics.I spend as much time looking at telephone wires to check for edge distortion as I do looking at birds..Not that there's anything wrong with that....:)
I tend to be a bit compulsive at times to the point of losing site of what the original objective was....to view birds better.I've decided to put the new el's on hold and be satisfied with the 8x32 se's Zen 7x36 and 6.5x21 Papilio's,and sell everything else.I can see this could get to be like my audio obsession......next years model will bring tears to you eyes and your wallet.I got to get a grip,more birds less binoculars....I think I can....I think I can....
Here's an interesting take on it....
http://www.aba.org/birding/v39n4p36.pdf
It's all about the gear my friend! Far more fun scowering the online stores and forums from the comfort of the Lazy Boy for the latest sightings of binoptica perfecta than trudging miles through rural landscapes in poor weather lugging pounds of gear hoping to catch a glimpse a tiny grey birdus stupidus that you can't even catch or deep fry.
happy 2010!
Rick
I know exactly what you're saying. I started looking on here to research bins and acopes with the purpose of upgrading my views of the birds. I have become addicted to researching. There's something very compulsive about digging out every last bit of info and opinion on a particular piece of equipment. Even though I can't afford and have no intention of buying many of them.
I love it :) and now my dad's started doing it so we can discuss the merits of different models (phone bills are going up :) )
But I do spend more time on here than in the field. But what can you do when it's dark outside?
If it gives you pleasure then go with it. So long as you can keep your hands away from the plastic cards!