Binocular advice

[actionoptics]

exit pupil changes with age

Ø Exit Pupil refers to the diameter in mm of the circle of light visible at the eyepiece. The larger, the brighter, but our ability to fully utilise the binocular exit pupil, diminishes with age.

AGE* DAY* NIGHT
20* 4.7 mm* 8.0
30* 4.3 mm* 7.0
40* 3.9* 6.0
50* 3.5* 5.0
60* 3.1* 4.1
70* 2.7* 3.2
80* 2.3* 2.5*

Myopic or short sighted, and you can add a bit
Hyperopic or long sighted, you have to subtract a bit.
Source – Hebditch May ‘47

I don't understand the reference to a large exit pupil being able to
compensate for a mild mis-alignment.
Any mis-alignment will cause eye strain or headaches.
I have two binocular collimators in my workshop - one to use whilst
actually moving the prisms into the correct positions and the
other to make sure the adjustments are spot on.
The difference between almost-aligned and spot-on is noticeable.

 

[GrahamD]

I have often wished that I had paid a little more and got an image stabliser pair - that illusive ship name that I can see but not read....

Save money on the binos and get an AIS receiver.....then you'll only need reading glasses to find out the ship's name

 

[Stooriefit]

Thanks

Thanks to everyone for their comments. Looks like we narrowed it down to 7x50s and a few new suggestions for a make.

Alastair

 

[johnalison]

Ø Exit Pupil refers to the diameter in mm of the circle of light visible at the eyepiece. The larger, the brighter, but our ability to fully utilise the binocular exit pupil, diminishes with age.

AGE* DAY* NIGHT
20* 4.7 mm* 8.0
30* 4.3 mm* 7.0
40* 3.9* 6.0
50* 3.5* 5.0
60* 3.1* 4.1
70* 2.7* 3.2
80* 2.3* 2.5*

.

Excellent. That makes me about 40 years of age, which is odd since I had my 40th birthday over 30 years ago.

 

[noelex]

There is a big standard deviation which makes it worthwhile measuring your own pupil size as you have done.
That is a nice pupil for a 70+ year old but figures listed in the table are also a little smaller than I would have expected on average.

 

[actionoptics]

pupil size

I agree and as the figures were first published in 1947, does that suggest we
are healthier on average or more of us wear spectacles now so don't strain
our eye muscles?
I can't find a modern chart for comparison.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Be different

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1108/11081910hdbinoculars.asp

 

[Monique]

Did you see the price???

 

[Lakesailor]

Ø Exit Pupil refers to the diameter in mm of the circle of light visible at the eyepiece. The larger, the brighter, but our ability to fully utilise the binocular exit pupil, diminishes with age.

AGE* DAY* NIGHT
20* 4.7 mm* 8.0
30* 4.3 mm* 7.0
40* 3.9* 6.0
50* 3.5* 5.0
60* 3.1* 4.1
70* 2.7* 3.2
80* 2.3* 2.5*

Myopic or short sighted, and you can add a bit
Hyperopic or long sighted, you have to subtract a bit.
Source – Hebditch May ‘47

Excellent. I have often wondered whilst driving about at night how I could have driven in road rallies as my ability to see detail and the clues of the lights of approaching vehicles seems not to be up to the job.

It was some time ago. (maybe 30 years)

 

[billcole]

I've got a pair of Swift Audubons (8.5x44) which I bought secondhand about 20 years ago. They are the old fashioned, non roof prism type, so quite bulky, but the optical quality really is very noticeably better than all other bins I've looked through, although I've never tried any of the top price level, leica/steiner/swarofski types. My Audubons are sharp and bright, but in my opinion the best thing is that they have low levels of flare, giving a nice contrasty image. ( Tech note...flare is the internal scattering of light reflected from lens surfaces and binocular interior surfaces, which causes what should look jet black to look grey etc )

I think the current version Audubons have more advanced coating than mine (so may be even better for contol of flare), and cost about £350-400 new. Googling reveals them to be well respected among the birdwatching community.

 

[david_bagshaw]

I also recommend Monk optic
They have a good range of kit,and importantly know what they are on about.

A satisfied customer from over 15 years ago.

 

[planteater]

The idea that I can't use my binoculars because the battery is flat is a nonsense.

I'm happy to lose the compass light or even IS but I'd like a simple optical path from the front to the back as a bare minimum.

I think I'll pass on the Sonys

 

[webcraft]

it's far easier to grab the plain compass (standard Plastimo puck one) for most purposes.

You need to learn to use the compass, but it is invaluable - especially for taking bearings on lights at night.

- W

 

[webcraft]

I also recommend Monk optic
They have a good range of kit,and importantly know what they are on about.

A satisfied customer from over 15 years ago.

We bought ours from Monk. They sent us two to choose from, their own brand and a pair of Fujinon Mariners. They charged us for the most expensive pair (own brand) and refunded the difference when we posted them back and kept the Fujinons, which have done us proud for eight years now.

A fantastic company to deal with.

- W

 

[mjcoon]

I think the current version Audubons have more advanced coating than mine (so may be even better for contol of flare), and cost about £350-400 new. Googling reveals them to be well respected among the birdwatching community.

Hence the use of the name Audubon. He was a bird painter who shot many birds in order to get a close up view. The binoculars are meant to make that unnecessary!

Mike.