Becca Knox: "I am moderately myopic and I have astigmatism, so my vision
with contacts
is less than perfect. I use disposable soft ones for vigorous outdoor
activity (like when there is a ball involved) but I much prefer birding
with my glasses. With my contacts, I can get focused on a bird through
the binocs, but then when I have to switch to spotting them with my bare
eyes I have trouble re-focusing. I use Nikon E-series binoculars with my
glasses, folding back the rubber eyepieces.

"As for the drips and moisture - I take a corner from a good dish towel
along
with me to wipe the lenses when necessary and I almost always wear a hat
with a brim - no sunglasses for this birder! I want to see the actual
colors!"


Beca's right. Contacts are not for those with moderate or acute
astigmatism, although I've heard of contacts slightly weighted at the
bottom so that they stay in position. My solution to the drips problem is
to use a long-billed cap and an ocular cover for the binos. I just
invested in an Op-tech soft neoprene pouch for the binos, from ABA, that
covers the oculars and that also keeps the binos from swinging out when you
bend over. I swear by Photo-gray changeable glasses; the colors are true
and you don't have to switch between regular and sunglasses. Better than a
dish towel is a so-called traveller's towel made of non-woven plastic
cloth. It is very soft, has an enormous capacity to soak up water and
lasts forever.

Herb Curl

h.curl at hazmat.noaa.gov "You may be only young once but you can be
Hazmat/NOAA, 7600 Sand Pt. Wy., NE immature the rest of your life."
Seattle, WA 98115-0070
(206) 526-6272