Which binoculars for sports events such as horse races? (1 Viewer)

[Canip]

ASCOT ! Even royalty can't get their mouth shut, it seems ...

The Queen, modern, with image stabilized Canon binoculars (12x36?), high mag, relatively narrov FOV.

The King, conservative, with traditional Porro I binocular, looks like 6-8x 35mm (?)or similar, lower mag but likely somewhat wider FOV (?).

I for myself would use something like an APM 6x30, Kowa 6.5x32 (possibly even a Visionking 5x25) or something similar with a low mag and wide FOV. Older 7x35 Fujinon could also be great. PLUS I would wear the bino with the strap around my neck

What would you use at an event where frequent panning and rapid movements are the norm ?

 

[Thotmosis]

My Leitz 7x35 B would do a great job at the horse races!

EDIT: this question is discussed before, it seems the pro‘s use(d) a Zeiss 15x60 on a tripod

Which Bins are these?....Race Caller's Binoculars

I was just reading this article and was wondering what the binoculars are in the photo? They look like a rubber coated Zeiss...but which model? (Could they be a 10x50 or a 15x60 BGAT?) http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-11/race-caller-greg-miles-to-retire-after-36-melbourne-cups/8428894...

www.birdforum.net

 

[mwhogue]

Comparing just now my Canon 12x36 IS III with the picture, it does appear that's the model the Queen has in hand. Of some interest perhaps, it appears she is using an aftermarket strap with quick connect feature.

My pick would be the Kowa 6.5x32 to observe more of the field including any possible contender for a dramatic come - from - behind win.

Mike

 

[normjackson]

King has Ross Stepruva 9x35?

Seems the top trainers are generally the folk to look to for properly researched, and generally no expense spared choice of optics.

 

[Binastro]

My milkman and his son, who has an electrical degree but prefers being a milkman, both use 8-24x50 at about 14x to see the horses at the back of the track.

I gave the son a large stack of heavy, large format aircraft books and was amazed that he scooped them up from the floor in one go in one hand. Incredibly strong but slim and tall. It seems being a milkman ain't bad.

I have often asked if the binoculars still work and does he want more.
He says they work fine after about ten years now.
Cost £12 from Daily Mail.

15x50 Canon IS seem popular.

The mint Hensoldt 16x56 Nacht Dialyt that I got for £20 from the charity shop were I think used for horse racing.

The real punters with money at stake seem to use higher magnification and concentrate on the back of the track.

In movies, all sorts of binoculars are used, but the only low powers are the old field glasses in old movies.
I doubt that a VisionKing 5x25 would show enough detail.

I don't think I have been to a horse race, but maybe once to a greyhound race.

My S. African friend says his ancestors chased down ostriches on foot. It took about a day to catch them.

I think a human is also faster than a horse over a day or so.

Regards,
B.

 

[normjackson]

Here's what our most distinguished race commentator used to see the far side of the course; looks like a German 10x80 flakglas :

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/07/29/17/2AF020E400000578-0-image-a-11_1438187147168.jpg

 

[Trinovid]

My S. African friend says his ancestors chased down ostriches on foot. It took about a day to catch them.

I think a human is also faster than a horse over a day or so.

Without fur or feathers, we don’t have the overheating problem. My friend with Tarahumara heritage used to run with his horses and could keep going longer than they could due to overheating.

 

[Binocollector]

Without fur or feathers, we don’t have the overheating problem. My friend with Tarahumara heritage used to run with his horses and could keep going longer than they could due to overheating.

I've read once that man can outrun every animal over longer distances.

Considering the binos - a wide angle 8x30 might be nice for the occasion.

 

[Binastro]

The Zeiss 20x60S was, according to one source, designed to view the far side of horse racing tracks.

B.

 

[Trinovid]

I've read once that man can outrun every animal over longer distances.

That’s what he always told me too. Now with binoculars we can even see further than they can!

 

[dries1]

Try out running a pack of these.
(PIC from web)

 

[Binocollector]

Try out running a pack of these.
(PIC from web)
View attachment 1517023

I wasn't talking about shorter distances. See if they can run 40km.
A Tiger won't even go after you if he can't get you with the first charge. He's too heavy and uses up too much energy.
Quite clearly on short distances most animals will be faster. But they don't have the stamina.

 

[dries1]

Have you seen these dogs hunt, they can run for miles.

 

[jafritten]

That’s what he always told me too. Now with binoculars we can even see further than they can!

Pronghorn have an amazing eyesight that is said to be like a human using 8 power binoculars. https://www.uwyo.edu/barnbackyard/_files/documents/magazine/2017/winter/0117antelope.pdf

They have a field of vision of 320 degs.

Also, they can run like hell. They could run a marathon in 45 minutes.

"Unlike cheetahs, however, pronghorn antelope are distance runners rather than sprinters, and can run 11 km in 10 min, an average speed of 65 km h" Running energetics in the pronghorn antelope - PubMed

Ask your friend if he can outrun them

 

[Binastro]

My friend relates how his colleague was chased by a lion and he leapt up to a high branch of a tree to escape.

Afterwards he tried on several occasions to reach the same branch and could not get near it.

Maybe we need these at the Olympics.

Regards,
B.

 

[Binastro]

Post #14.

I think a cheetah was timed at maybe Walthamstow greyhound track at about 71mph rather than the 61mph given above.

I'll try to find this, although it was long ago.

Regards,
B.

 

[Binocollector]

Have you seen these dogs hunt, they can run for miles.

Still not as far as we could.

How humans evolved to become the best runners on the planet

Humans can outrun any animal on this planet. Runners have enough endurance for marathons and ultramarathons because of how our bodies evolved.

www.businessinsider.com

Humans are the best long distance runners in the animal kingdom, here's why

The evolutionary development enabled our ancestors to come out of the forests and survive the arid savannahs of Africa, say scientists.

www.thelondoneconomic.com

 

[gcole]

My friend relates how his colleague was chased by a lion and he leapt up to a high branch of a tree to escape.

Afterwards he tried on several occasions to reach the same branch and could not get near it.

Maybe we need these at the Olympics.

Regards,
B.

It’s amazing what one can accomplish when one’s ass is on the line

 

[jafritten]

For horse races I'd use Nikon 8x30 E2.

 

[Maljunulo]

Low magnification with a wide field.

Horses are not small, nor do they hide behind branches and leaves while flitting through trees and shrubs.