Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood
Many years ago I read the US Coast Guard manual for coastal spotters and deck hands during WW2. The summary was that on deck, 6x binoculars were the best comprimise for most purposes like reading ship-to-ship communication beacons, recognizing ship/aircraft profiles, rescue, weather and many other purposes. Deck and rail mounted 10x, 15x and 20x binoculars were also used on ships. On shore for coastal batteries, test showed that 7x50 binoculars were the best comprimise to recognize ships at sea, incoming aircraft and small boats, etc. and pedestal mounted 15x and 20x binoculars had functions. There were a few 10x binoculars in use especially when spotters were able to brace themselves laying on their stomachs on dunes or rooftops and when spotters were able to sit.
The Coast Guard said that they had reached these conclusions after extensive testing and training. It assumed fit young men with specialized training, and the need to get the identifications correct was a matter of life and death. The binoculars were all top notch quality for their day. Other countries came to similar conclusions although various armies had needs for binoculars with smallish exit pupils especially in deserts. Today the SARD 7x50 and some of the U-Boat binoculars of WW2 are recognized as being of such quality that trying to make them today would not be possible because the selling prices would be too high.
So since we all use binoculars in different ways and different poses, how much magnification can you use, standing in a stiff breeze or sitting in a comfortable chair with high armrests, or even using a tripod mount? I find ultra wide angle bins to be easier to use as the power is upped. Looking through a 3 degree wide keyhole view with a 14x binocular is pretty impossible for me, but 14x with Erfle eyepieces for a 6 degree view is almost something I can do for long periods. How about all of you out there?
I'm compiling this info to forecast our needs here at the ranch. Listing the method you use your bins, your age, the target objects, the amount of training you have using the bins listed, the use and weather/lighting conditions plus other factors would be helpful in determining what to have to offer/rent to visitors. I'll list my extensive group of different bins for different uses in a reply. Thank you all in advance.
At the horizon, I can handle up to eight power, and for a few seconds I can manage a ten power. Well above the horzon, seven power is my limit. I often use a twelve power, on a monopod, from the horizon to the zenith.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood
I've tried 10x power binoculars and just can't use them,the increase in power
is rendered useless due to hand shaking,8x power bins are better but personally 7x power is what i'm using and have every intention of staying with them.
some might think using lower power bins might limit their use at long range targets,but again this seems (to me) not to be the case.the extra
steadyness combined with added brightness and field of view make them
extremely comfortable to use for long periods in all weather conditions.
If you are intending to introduce a person to binoculars for the first time,
a good pair of 7x42 would be ideal,7x30/32 might be even better but
these seem thin on the ground(especialy in the uk).
for me,the ideal setup would consist of..
(1)7x42 binocular
(2)lightweight fieldscope..60mm with 20x wide angle used with a mono pod
matt