Subject: New to the list
Date: Jun 23 08:33:33 1999
From: Mike P. Gagel - hlthpro at home.com


Hi Nancy:

I have a pair of Bushnell binoculars I am very happy with: 8x42 (8x
magnification and 42 mm across for the objective lenses), 430ft at 1000yds
field of view, and soft rubber roll-up eye cups (I wear glasses full time).
I don't know what ER refers to but I suspect it has something to do with the
size of the exit pupils (the lenses you look into). My documentation doesn't
quote an ER value, but I measured the exit pupils and they are 22 mm or 7/8"
across. My binoculars cost under Cdn $200, so you should be able to find
them for under US $140. (You can find them branded with the BirdLife
International logo at Wild Birds Unlimited stores.)

Mike

-----
Mike P. Gagel
Vancouver, BC
E-mail: mailto:hlthpro at home.com
Bird Links: http://members.home.net/hlthpro1/birding/

-----Original Message-----
From: TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu
[mailto:TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Dan and Nancy
Padberg
Sent: Tuesday, 22 June 1999 22:51
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: New to the list


....

The only thing
I'm lacking is a pair of binoculars. I have read just about everything
there
is on the web related to binoculars including a search of Deja News. My
price range is approx $200. I will be using them to see birds in the trees
around us, on the ground and at the hummingbird feeders. The furthest
distance on our property is 365 ft from one corner to the other. The
highest tree is less than 200ft. We are on a south facing slope, but we are
in shade by 5pm. We get sun in the tops of the trees until around 7pm this
time of year. Unless I get totally addicted to birding, most of my viewing
will be done on our property. I can't bare to leave it yet.

So, I figure I need a wide field of view. My husband and I wear glasses
so will need good eye relief. Anyone ever tried the Meade Safari Pro 8 x
42 (430' FOV, 19mm ER)? How about the Celestron Ultima 8 x 40 (347'
FOV, 19mm ER)? Any other suggestions? There are so many choices. I am
going to test some at stores in Portland. Anyone bought anything by mail
from Focus Camera? I believe there just might be more choice in
binoculars than there are types of birds! Can anyone help me narrow down
the field?

I'm trying to be patient and not make a choice I will regret, but I need to
see these birds. I saw one in a tree about 40 ft from me and up about
30ft. His call sounded like a cukoo clock, but he was just too far for me
to identify. So frustrating. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Nancy
Prime Images Photography
Zigzag, Oregon
http://www.primeimages.com