Tweeters,

My friend, Dorothy Husband, wanted me to forward this reply to Alex MacKenzie's recent query about a scope for a person with a bad eye. Having birded a lot with Dorothy since she lost an eye, I can tell you that she really likes binoculars because of the stability and ease of holding them to the face.

Diane Yorgason-Quinn
Wauna WA
Avosetta at hotmail.com






I have been birding with one eye (my left eye) for several years and since June of 2003 have been using my Pentax Binoculars 8x43 that I purchased at ABA sales at their convention in Eugene, Oregon. They are great for both far and near sightings.



Even though I have never owned a scope, since they are expensive, I find that other birders with scopes are always willing to share, and I do like the view from a scope, as binoculars have limits to distances.

Dorothy Husband
Des Moines WA

(dhdw at juno.com)




Date: Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:44:46 -0800
To: alexam at u.washington.edu; tweeters at u.washington.edu
From: tweeters at dartfrogmedia.com
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] scope question
CC:

You don't say what your friend's friend's budget is, but I would be surprised if one could get a decent scope for the cost of some very nice binoculars. We've had binoculars in the $200-$250 range that were great for birding: clear bright optics, accurate color transmission, lightweight, and good magnification. Even though the person in question uses only one eye, binoculars in a modest price range would probably have better optics, be easier to handle, would hold their resale value better, and could be handy for sharing with friends (there's a lot to be said for birding in a group). They're also just a lot handier than scopes, which are heavier and, because of their typically higher magnification, require a tripod.

Marc Hoffman

At 10:34 AM 11/24/2009, you wrote:




Hello,

A friend just sent me this email query, and as I am also a beginner with nearly no knowledge of scopes, I'd like to pass it on to you wonderful folks for suggestions -- please reply to alexam at u.washington.edu -- thank you kindly! -Alex MacKenzie, Seattle

My friend's email:
A friend at work wants to get her mother, who has recently gotten into
birding and who has only one functional eye, a scope for Christmas. Her
mother is not all that hardcore (yet) and my friend has a limited budget
so she wants something good but not professional. I said I?d ask you for
recommendations. Do you have any? Brands to consider, minimum settings to
seek out, whatever?

Please advise and thanks ever so.

_______________________________________________



Marc Hoffman
Kirkland, WA
http://www.dartfrogmedia.com
mailto: tweeters at dartfrogmedia dot com


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