My first alpha binoculars (1 Viewer)

[Pinewood]

This is exactly the reason that I went for NL 8x42 after comparing with NL 10x42, EL 8.5x42, and NV 10x42. However, later I missed the extra mag and added NL 10x32 for more reach and lighter weight. Now I can see the difference of x8 and x10 clearly, in terms of the size of the image. Anyway to my surprise, the difference between detail recognition by both mag is not significant.

Hello Viraj,

What I gained in image size in a 10x, was more than offset by what was lost from the extra effort to keep the binocular steady. For any target much above the horizon, there was no improvement because of handshake.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur

 

[Viraj]

Hello Viraj,

What I gained in image size in a 10x, was more than offset by what was lost from the extra effort to keep the binocular steady. For any target much above the horizon, there was no improvement because of handshake.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur

Hi Arthur.

That’s so true. However, I like the x10 power more probably due to more of psychological factors. Also the low weight and size of NL 10x32 suits my small hands better that in turn helps me for more secure grip and steady image.

Happy birding.!

Best,
Viraj

 

[lesjumelles]

I would not rely on wikipedia, an ophthalmologist can measure your personal pupils with high accuracy. And “average“ is not the „median

If you don't believe Wiki, ponder what could possibly be gained by lying about that? The decrease in pupil size with age is an established fact. That Wiki page on exit pupil references three published studies confirming that: "Aging Eyes and Pupil Size", "Factors Affecting Light-Adapted Pupil Size in Normal Human Subjects" and "A linear regression analysis of the effects of age related pupil dilation change in iris biometrics."
But I'm a retired scientist, so I'll look it up and see if I can find another one. .... Here's a quote from an optics science study (Optom Vis Sci. 2016 Sep;93(9):1093 The Effects of Age, Refractive Status, and Luminance on Pupil Size by Guillon et al): "Pupil diameter decreased significantly with increasing age, the effect being most marked at low luminance." Sure, there are individual differences. That is why I recommended trying different binoculars side-by-side. Blanket statements (like Birders need 8X, or Don't get a 10X or 12X because you won't be able to hold it steady) are just opinions.

 

[NatureLover123]

If you don't believe Wiki, ponder what could possibly be gained by lying about that? The decrease in pupil size with age is an established fact. That Wiki page on exit pupil references three published studies confirming that: "Aging Eyes and Pupil Size", "Factors Affecting Light-Adapted Pupil Size in Normal Human Subjects" and "A linear regression analysis of the effects of age related pupil dilation change in iris biometrics."
But I'm a retired scientist, so I'll look it up and see if I can find another one. .... Here's a quote from an optics science study (Optom Vis Sci. 2016 Sep;93(9):1093 The Effects of Age, Refractive Status, and Luminance on Pupil Size by Guillon et al): "Pupil diameter decreased significantly with increasing age, the effect being most marked at low luminance." Sure, there are individual differences. That is why I recommended trying different binoculars side-by-side. Blanket statements (like Birders need 8X, or Don't get a 10X or 12X because you won't be able to hold it steady) are just opinions.

Hello, yes I don’t argue against some papers or common accepted knowledge, but when I look in the mirror at my pupils with dimmed light they are easily at 5 or 6mm and I am over 40

Cite: „That Wiki page has a table showing that even at age 40 the pupil diameter is lower than at age 20 (3.9 vs 4.7mm) and both smaller than that 6.25mm exit pupil of an 8X50 bino.“

This is demotivating, isn’t it 😅

 

[lesjumelles]

Hello, yes I don’t argue against some papers or common accepted knowledge, but when I look in the mirror at my pupils with dimmed light they are easily at 5 or 6mm and I am over 40

Cite: „That Wiki page has a table showing that even at age 40 the pupil diameter is lower than at age 20 (3.9 vs 4.7mm) and both smaller than that 6.25mm exit pupil of an 8X50 bino.“

This is demotivating, isn’t it 😅

The Wiki table agrees with you. The dimmed light numbers listed include 5.8mm at age 50 and 5.2mm at age 70. However, I do almost all of my birdwatching in broad daylight. For the numbers in that table, the researchers did this: "After 2 minutes of adaptation at 1 lux illumination, the right dark-adapted pupil diameter was measured using the NeurOptics pupillometer, with accommodation controlled by distance fixation." I wondered how bright one lux is. The website test-and-measurement-world.com has these values:
Full daylight is 10752 lux; an overcast day is 1075; a Very Dark Day is 107, Twilight is 10.8, and Deep Twilight 1.08 lux.
All this talk about low-light levels has me wanting to do a comparison of our 12X42 Swarovski and our 10X42 Zeiss at dusk. In broad daylight, the 12X brings out more detail for both my wife and I. She describes it as having "more reach." but she likes the lighter weight of her 10X. A toy I'm wanting to explore is a thermal monocular, which can see in total darkness.