Mike Krzywonski
Can anyone recommend an ideal size/magnification of binoculars for storm spotting, some that aren't too bulky & heavy, yet provide adequate magnification?
Chris Gullikson
EF2
I happen to like 8x42 for their size. These are what I have: http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4700
First pair I have owned that I spent more then 100 bucks for. Well worth the investment, they have stayed in perfect alignment unlike every other pair I have owned.
First pair I have owned that I spent more then 100 bucks for. Well worth the investment, they have stayed in perfect alignment unlike every other pair I have owned.
John Diel
EF5
I have an older set of 10X50 Bushnell's that work out pretty good. Decent in lower light and plenty of magnification. They aren't so heavy that you will wear your arms out holding them up, and built well enough they will handle almost anything short of a big fall on cement.
I've used them in hunting, chasing, surveillance, and comet watching. They really do work out pretty well. They aren't Steiners, or Leupold's, but for $50 they work out rather well. Compared to a set of 12X60 (I forget the brand, but they were a $1K set) we used in competition shooting, they held up fairly well. Not quite as bright, not quite as sharp, but adequate for our uses. After all, we're comparing an apple and orange here, eh?
I would suggest you look at a minimum of 10X50.
JD
I've used them in hunting, chasing, surveillance, and comet watching. They really do work out pretty well. They aren't Steiners, or Leupold's, but for $50 they work out rather well. Compared to a set of 12X60 (I forget the brand, but they were a $1K set) we used in competition shooting, they held up fairly well. Not quite as bright, not quite as sharp, but adequate for our uses. After all, we're comparing an apple and orange here, eh?
I would suggest you look at a minimum of 10X50.
JD
Derrick Herndon
I use the Nikon Action 7x50. They have worked well as a general purpose binocular for sky gazing, storm spotting and the occasional football game. They are well made but not too expensive (~ $80). Weight is 2 lbs 3 oz. but they can be tripod mounted. Make sure if you wear eyeglasses that you get a pair that allow the eyecups to be folded back.
Olivier Staiger
EF3
i have some 10x35. just slightly larger than the tiny 10x25 but more light, faster lens. i recommend up to 8x40. bushnell has 10x35 with image stabilization. of course 10x50 is great but , well, bigger, heavier...
or...
if your chase vehicle is the DOW, maybe you want to look at Fujinon 40x150 as perfect binocular companion ?
;-)
or...
if your chase vehicle is the DOW, maybe you want to look at Fujinon 40x150 as perfect binocular companion ?
;-)
Robert Rohloff
EF3
I have used a pair of Nikon 10 x 50 that I have used for years. Pretty good low light not to heavy. I have used them on patrol in all light conditions as well as chases. Any larger and it is too hard to hold steady. If you have the money the image stabilized ones are great, similar to what you see on camcorders.
Roger Brown
EF0
I also vote for the 10x50's. I have a couple of pair and love 'em. If you go much higher in power you will have a harder time keeping them stabilized and may need to brace yourself or use a tripod. The 10x50's also work pretty good for astronomy!
My $.02
Roger
My $.02
Roger
Billy Griffin
Canon makes some really nice binoculars with an "image stablization" built in. Really effective in low light applications.
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=107
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=107
Mike Peregrine
EF5
Binoculars work the same way as camera lenses or telescopes ... the wider the aperature of the lens, the more light can get through to your eye. So you can get clearer images at higher magnifications. 10x50 is generally considered to be a more or less ideal magnification-to-aperature ratio, and would work well for spotting. I used to have some Bushnell 10x50s that I liked. Other good brands for binoculars are Nikon, Celestron and Apogee.
