BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="John Dracon" data-source="post: 3234540" data-attributes="member: 14799">45 - I echo your comments on the Vortex described.  As one grows older, there is IMO a kind of metamorphosis that takes place with binocular users who use them frequently.  They tend to drift to lower power binoculars for reasons. No one grows steadier as they age.  It just doesn't happen.  Nor, generally, does their eye sight improve.It is an established biological fact that for the over whelming majority of users, their own exit pupils began to shrink as they age.  Just look at a young child who seems to be all pupils.  Then start looking at the eyes of adults as they grow older.  Look at their pupils in day light  or at dusk. A six power binocular on a solid rest will reveal a great amount of detail that is not causing a handicap with users.  The can see sufficient detail compared to a hand held binocular of 8 or 10 power.  Steadiness improves the recognition of details.  Also, since most 6 power binoculars use 30 mm objectives lens, the exit pupil of 5 mm is probably one of the most important features for alignment and ease of use.  But to get that in 8 power requires a 40 mm lens; in 10 power, a 50 mm lens, which automatically increases the size, weight, and cost of the instrument.   Assuming we are looking through a quality binocular, the power and the exit pupil become the "critical mass" , IMO of ease of use and detail recognition, not a higher power.When one reviews the history of Zeiss, it is apparent that although they made many different power binoculars, the classic ones were the 7x50 and the 8x30.  The 7x50 simply trumps the 8x30 with its generous 7mm exit pupil.  Young men as lookouts were on naval ships using the 7x50 because they could use every bit of light coming through the 7x50 looking for submarines.  The admirals on the bridge didn't have to hoist those monsters too often or chafe their necks carrying them around.  The soldiers in the European fields found the 8x30 quite useful. Why not 6x30s?  Tradition dies hard in all countries. The US armed forces during WW2 and Korea had basically two choices: the time honored 7x50 and the 6x30, the latter being a better choice for terrestrial users than the 8x30. The US settled on the 6x30 because it found after comprehensive assessments, the average soldier could see better with a lower power binocular.Human biology hasn't changed over the years.  I can cite from real experience.  As an 18 year old, I found myself in Korea shortly after the armistice was signed, but we were jarred when one of our sentries was killed one night, stabbed by an unknown person.  As a young Marine I walked guard duty at night full of apprehension.  This was before night vision stuff was available.  Our only asset were having young eyes and a realistic rule of engagement to follow.We carried the M1 with 7 rounds in the clip, and a live round in the chamber with the safety off and finger on the trigger.  We were ordered to shoot to kill anyone who refused to be identified or refused to halt.  It was that simple.  No political correctness, no asking for permission from a higher order.If the reader of this thinks I am exaggerating, they are mistaken.  One night I captured a Korean infiltrator who was hiding by a truck.  He was 15 feet from eternity when he was looking at the end of my rifle and decided to cooperate and drop a bag of stolen gear including a .45, wallets, knives, and tools.  These came out of a motor pool tent he had slashed into that night. Yes, I was a  little bit scared, but he didn't know that I evolved from a hunting culture and had killed many mammals: deer, elk, bear, antelope included.  I was use to pulling the trigger. Shooting him almost happened.  He was just lucky that night.  We were trained by Iwo Jima survivors, who were the meanest, nastiest, profane men alive.  They knocked us around for a purpose.  This was before all the kinder, gentler nonsense began.  When we walked guard duty, we prayed for a full moon night.  I could actually see quite well at night at age 18.  But when the skies were cloudy and the wind was blowing and the monsoons were pouring, and you are robbed of most of your senses, your nerves are on edge.  And you need nothing to keep your imagination from poking you.   I salute our young men and women who are asked today to do their duty under enormous handicaps as they serve us.  Sorry for the aside, but it does relate to binoculars, my binocular vision of one power I always carry with me.IMO most birders could use a healthy dose of 6x30 use from a quality binocular. I predict as they grow older, it will become a binocular of great use.John</blockquote>

Verification