BajaNomad - Telescope suggestions

Telescope suggestions

oxxo - 9-9-2007 at 09:01 AM

I know there is a lot of good information on this Board.

The fish are jumping this morning about 100 yards off the beach. Further out, maybe a mile, I see larger fish jumping that look like billfish.

I want to purchase a tripod telescope. I have no experience with them. What should I look for? What features do I need and what don't I need? I am not looking to spend thousands of dollars, just good value for the money. This will be primarily for watching the activites on the water, whether jumping fish, or passing whale, or a passing boat or eye candy on the beach. I would prefer a wide field of vision. I don't need anything that works in low light. Have I asked the right questions?

Thanks for any help.

oldhippie - 9-9-2007 at 09:06 AM

I had a friend that had a huge pair of binoculars, she, no I'm kidding, he, had to use a tripod because they were so heavy.

Binocs will give you the widest field of view.

[Edited on 9-9-2007 by oldhippie]

Bruce R Leech - 9-9-2007 at 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by oldhippie
I had a friend that had a huge pair of binoculars, she, no I'm kidding, he, had to use a tripod because they were so heavy.

Binocs will give you the widest field of view.

[Edited on 9-9-2007 by oldhippie]

Binocs don't do anything to give the wider field of view. they only give you stereo vision and double the cost. get a good wild Field spotting scope and stay under 15X. get the largest mm of prime lens that you can afford 100mm or up.

Bruce R Leech - 9-9-2007 at 09:41 AM

I have a 1,000 mm camera lens that I bought an adapter for so I can put a eye peace behind, it works good and these bigger lenses have mounts for a good tripod.

Cypress - 9-9-2007 at 10:21 AM

oxxo A spotting scope might be what you're looking for.

oldhippie - 9-9-2007 at 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bruce R Leech

Quote:

Originally posted by oldhippie
I had a friend that had a huge pair of binoculars, she, no I'm kidding, he, had to use a tripod because they were so heavy.

Binocs will give you the widest field of view.

[Edited on 9-9-2007 by oldhippie]

Thanks Bruce, you're right. But stereo vision is how depth perception is achieved, or am I wrong again?

Maybe a refractor with a binocular eyepiece?

edinnopolo - 9-9-2007 at 10:46 AM

OXXO,

Stay with a spotting scope. I've tried, and have , both, and the telescope has way too much amplification and is almost impossible to aim at a subject this close by. A good spotting scope will give you enough problems trying to focus in on your subject, believe me.

edinnopolo - 9-9-2007 at 10:53 AM

oxxo,
Maybe magnification is a better word :?:

Diver - 9-9-2007 at 11:08 AM

Agree that the spotting scope is the best way to go for seeing down the beach and nearshore area; and less expensive.
A telescope with a few different magnifiers would be my next choice.
This would be more expensive and a bit harder to use but more versatile if you want to look at the heavens, candy ultra close-ups or read the names of boats on the horizon.

.

Bob and Susan - 9-9-2007 at 11:15 AM

i have both too...

the telescope is almost worthless...
too powerful...
not enough light...
eyepiece too small...

we got sakura 90 x 90 binoculars for us and the casitas

you can not believe how clear these are...

bino.jpg - 41kB

Diver - 9-9-2007 at 11:18 AM

Those look like big bad boys !

How big and how much do they weigh ?
Light enough for the wife but too heavy for the youger kids ? :lol:

Or too heavy for the wife too ?? :lol:

edinnopolo - 9-9-2007 at 11:31 AM

And at what price :?:

Bob and Susan - 9-9-2007 at 11:35 AM

105FT/1000Yards

Net weight: 2lb 3oz,
Dimension: 8"(W) 9"(L)

oxxo - 9-9-2007 at 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
we got sakura 90 x 90 binoculars for us and the casitas

Bob, I have a physical condition and not too steady with my hands. (okay guys sock it to me with the Pacifico jokes, I can take it)

Is there a tripod option with the Sakura's?

DianaT - 9-9-2007 at 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Diver
Agree that the spotting scope is the best way to go for seeing down the beach and nearshore area; and less expensive.
A telescope with a few different magnifiers would be my next choice.
This would be more expensive and a bit harder to use but more versatile if you want to look at the heavens, candy ultra close-ups or read the names of boats on the horizon.

.

Good enough to keep an eye on Iralandia? :tumble:

mtgoat666 - 9-9-2007 at 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by oxxo

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
we got sakura 90 x 90 binoculars for us and the casitas

Bob, I have a physical condition and not too steady with my hands. (okay guys sock it to me with the Pacifico jokes, I can take it)

Is there a tripod option with the Sakura's?

90x magnification is a lot -- you will want a tripod or monopod to use 90x, very hard for anyone to handhold 90x and get good image.
suggest you look at image stabilized binoculars like those made by Canon (and others). they work like IS camera lenses, remove shake due to hand-holding.
10x to 18x magnification is good for hand holding.
Canon L IS 10x42 binoculars will set you back about $1k, but they have really nice optics, 10x mag, image stabilized, weather proof, and 42mm lens diametr so pretty useable in low light.
it's tempting to buy cheap binoculars, but try some high-quality image-stabilized optics, and you will quickly realize that $$ are well spent.
if in san diego, check out Oceanside Photo & Telescope (or check out their website) for good selection you can put your hands on

Diver - 9-9-2007 at 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter
Good enough to keep an eye on Iralandia? :tumble:

No telescope big enough to see it from here.

And you sure don't need one from your place !
Go ahead and rub it in some more.
Enjoy your relaxation while you can; when we get there I'm planning to tell my very active 6 year old that Auntie Diane really likes to spend time with kids and he should do his best to visit as often as possible !
How early do you get up ? :biggrin:

bajamigo - 9-9-2007 at 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by oxxo

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
we got sakura 90 x 90 binoculars for us and the casitas

Bob, I have a physical condition and not too steady with my hands. (okay guys sock it to me with the Pacifico jokes, I can take it)

Is there a tripod option with the Sakura's?

If you can talk yourself into believing this is the last pair you'll buy, I'd recommend Canon binocs with Image Stabilization. Mine are 15 power, and from two blocks away, I can see a license plate clearly. Then I press a button to activate the stabilizer, and I can read every number/letter as if it were stock still. Expensive, but a great toy for steady viewing of distant objects, without a tripod.

DENNIS - 9-9-2007 at 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter
Good enough to keep an eye on Iralandia? :tumble:

Where's that?

Russ - 9-9-2007 at 05:26 PM

Swaroski has the best optics I have looked though. It is hard to believe what a difference quality makes. Just google Swaroski to find a dealer. They are very expensive. These are on my wish list.

[Edited on 9-10-2007 by Russ]

Swaroski Field Scope.jpg - 47kB

Bruce R Leech - 9-9-2007 at 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by oldhippie

Quote:

Originally posted by Bruce R Leech

Quote:

Originally posted by oldhippie
I had a friend that had a huge pair of binoculars, she, no I'm kidding, he, had to use a tripod because they were so heavy.

Binocs will give you the widest field of view.

[Edited on 9-9-2007 by oldhippie]

Thanks Bruce, you're right. But stereo vision is how depth perception is achieved, or am I wrong again?

Maybe a refractor with a binocular eyepiece?

you are 100 % right on that one and 2 scops are always better than one. not because you can see more but because it is a lot more comfortable gazing in stereo

Hook - 9-9-2007 at 07:55 PM

Stereo vision can be a good thing when spotting around the beach. Depth can be a good thing.

10x power binocs CAN be hand held, if you're even moderately steady. I have a pair of 10x50 Bausch and Lomb binos for bird spotting that only ran me about 130.00 US. Razor sharp. On land, they're fine. Spotting scopes are a hassle for things moving as fast as billfish or schoolers like tuna or dodos.

Much easier to follow fast-moving quarry with binos. Especially if they see you oogling and beat a retreat. :lol:

Uh, which kinda prey are we talking here.................???

oxxo - 9-9-2007 at 08:19 PM

I have a pair of Canon IS 8x25. That is what I was using this morning. But they just don't have enough umph.

I am aware of the Canon and Fuginon stabilized 15x. The problem is that they eat batteries like crazy and they are heavy. I want to be able to study something for several minutes, where I can be comfortable with a tripod.

The next time I return to CA I will stop by the Oceanside store. Thanks.

oldjack - 9-10-2007 at 08:47 AM

Try 'sa pair of the binoculars from Big Five Sporting goods store.... they have a sale every month on 10x50's that are only about $20!!!!!... they are really pretty good... I have a very expensive pair of binoculars that I paid nearly $1k... they are better but.... for $20 I can let the kids play with them and my guests are always pleased with the ability to watch off-shore or gaze at the mountains... they are great for looking at the full moons also... have someone pick up a pair and try them.... $20 might be just the right price point.. Big Five stores are all over the West shouldn't be a problem finding one...........

Hook - 9-10-2007 at 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by oxxo
I have a pair of Canon IS 8x25. That is what I was using this morning. But they just don't have enough umph.

I am aware of the Canon and Fuginon stabilized 15x. The problem is that they eat batteries like crazy and they are heavy. I want to be able to study something for several minutes, where I can be comfortable with a tripod.

The next time I return to CA I will stop by the Oceanside store. Thanks.

If the prices for those IS units havent deterred you, I wouldnt worry about the battery consumption. Costco to the rescue on the batteries.

tripledigitken - 9-10-2007 at 10:28 AM

I have the Nikon 10 by 42 ATB Monarch model. I am very happy with them. They are around $300. When I researched them that price range seemed to provide the most bang for the buck. It is easy to spend over $1000 on binoculars!

With regards to "field of view". The second number in the binoc's description relates to FOV, the first is the magnicfication.

If you multiply the mag. (10) by the second number (42) you get the field of view (420), which is 420' of view at 1000 yards distance.

ie a 8 by 25 binocular will yield 200' at 1000 yds.

8 x42 to 10 x 50 are about as powerfull you can view unstabilized.

Before I purchased the nikon binoc I had a $100 pair made by Pentax. The new pair are worlds better than the old, both in terms of low light and clarity.

Hope this helps anyone purchasing binoculars. :yes:

Ken

[Edited on 9-10-2007 by tripledigitken]

mtgoat666 - 9-10-2007 at 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken
I have the Nikon 10 by 42 ATB Monarch model. I am very happy with them. They are around $300. When I researched them that price range seemed to provide the most bang for the buck. It is easy to spend over $1000 on binoculars!

Ken

[Edited on 9-10-2007 by tripledigitken]

actually, that is not how you calculate field of view. FOV is not really related to the second number, which is the lens diameter -- lens diameter typically determines how bright an image you get, large diameters better in low light.
there are so many variables for binocs, but one of the most important is exit pupil diameter -- the larger the exit pupil diameter, the easier to view without vigneting (for some reason, you pay significantly for larger exit diameter)

Hook - 9-10-2007 at 11:24 AM

The Chiva has got it right here.

cbuzzetti - 9-10-2007 at 11:44 AM

Just a little side note about telescopes. They will invert the view.

They are designed that way. Don't know why.
A spotting scope is what you want for land based viewing.
Binocs with tripod mount will be the most portable. :yes:

I need a new pair of binocs so I am off to Big5. $20 sounds just right for me.

tripledigitken - 9-10-2007 at 11:47 AM

I stand corrected on the calculation of field of view. It is more complicated than the "rule of thumb" I had mentioned.

(magnification times lens diameter yields field of view)

Thanks goat for correcting me!

Your humble binocular reviewer,

Ken