|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OpticsBlog – Thoughts and reviews of binoculars, telescopes, scopes, sights, and much more - birdwatching, astronomy, target shooting - pretty much anything related to optics, nature, and life!Wednesday, January 28, 2009Meade ETX-LS
The big news in the telescope world this year is the new Meade ETX-LS, though it has yet to appear on store shelves. The buzz is all about this new ETX-LS "light switch" system that supposedly allows the computer to align itself, with no help for you. From a telescope marketing perspective, this is sheer genius, though I am personally far more interested in seeing the 6" ACF optical tube. I don't care for computers on my own telescopes, but I have always been a fan of 5" and 6" Schmidt-Cassegrain optical systems. That new Meade 6" ACF telescope, with or without the LS system, could be a dandy. We'll see.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009Monopods for cameras and hiking
Is there any difference between a monopod used in photography and a monopod used for hiking? Interesting question and one I get, now and then. I have used both types of monopods for either use, but there are differences. Monopods used for photography and cameras, such as the Bogen 682B, tend to be quicker to set up - you're more likely to get quick-release mechanisms on the legs such as lever locks and a few will even have a leg warmer - a foam section designed for padding when you carry the camera/monopod slung over your shoulder. Camera monopods, though, in my experience, are not designed to support the weight of an adult if you must really lean on the monopod in a critical situation on the trail. Too often the legs sections slip under the weight of an adult, no matter how secure the locks. For trail use, I much prefer a real hiking monopod with twist locking rings which hold the monopod leg sections more tightly than lever locks. Hiking monopods, such as the Stoney Point, also tend to be trimmer and lighter in weight.
Monday, January 26, 2009First monocular
Monoculars have never been as numerous as binoculars, but monoculars have been around for a long time. My first monocular was a Bushnell 7x20 roof prism I purchased back in the early 70s. As monoculars go, it was very well made - all metal, no plastic. I bought it with the hopes that it would substitute for a birding binocular that I could not afford at the time. I soon learned that monoculars are handy and effective for some uses, but definitely no substitute for a serious birding binocular. My disappointment was somewhat offset when I discovered how darn handy that monocular was for other uses. Now, of course, I own and often carry both a monocular and a binocular. The monocular has become a full time resident of my purse with a compact binocular as a sometimes guest.
Thursday, January 22, 2009Nikon EDG spotting scope
Some of our folks have returned form the Shotshow - the premier shooting industry trade show - with some good news from Nikon. Nikon will be adding a Nikon EDG spotting scope to their already excellent spotting scope lineup which now features the Nikon Prostaff and the venerable Nikon Fieldscope. I have owned and used a Nikon Fieldscope for many years, but often wondered if and when Nikon would ever go beyond the Fieldscope spotting scope to keep up in the premium spotting scope market. Not that the Nikon Fieldscope is not a premium spotting scope; far from it. Makes me all the more curious as to what the new Nikon EDG spotting scope will have.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009Comet Lulin telescope or binocular
There is a comet due to show up in the early morning February skies this next month by the name of Comet Lulin. As with all comets, it's anyone's guess how bright it will actually be, and, as always, I am optimistic, despite the fact that I have been through more than one "comet bust". Either way, I will be ready with a binocular or a telescope. For the really great comets with long extended tails, I have had my best views in a binocular. For the smaller, fainter, comets, though, I often use a telescope. Will have to wait on Comet Lulin to see which I will use.
Monday, January 19, 2009Binoculars and spotting scopes for spring
Lot of winter left, of course, but it is only natural for us outdoor types to be thinking ahead till spring and all the outdoor activities that have lain dormant over the winter. For me, spring means birding for warblers and shorebirds and that means both binoculars and spotting scopes. Warblers and other songbirds require birding binoculars, of course, but to be serious about shorebirds, a birder needs a spotting scope. I have lived in other parts of the country where I spent more time behind a spotting scope than a binocular, but, even here in Chicago, I manage to keep my spotting scope busy. Looking forward to another spring migration.
Thursday, January 15, 2009Perfect grab and go telescope
Everyone wants a telescope with lots of performance and everyone would love to have a telescope with great portability and ease of handling. Both are a matter of telescope size - more size means more performance, but more size also means less portability. Is there a good compromise for these frigid nights in a telescope big enough to impress, but still small enough to grab and use before our hands go numb with cold? Yes! My favorite is the Meade ETX-125 PE. As a gal, even I can pick up an ETX-125 (with some huffing and puffing, true) and carry it, mount and all, outside on my patio. How does an ETX-125 perform? Hard to beat those great Mak optics. Some of my best looks at Saturn and Jupiter have been with an ETX-125. The ETX-125 may be all the telescope an urban astronomer ever needs.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009XC ski accessories.
With all the snow these last couple of winters, I finally fulfilled one of my life's ambitions and started cross-country skiing. As accessories go, XC skiing is fairly straightforward, but one thing on my list that we do carry is some of the UnderArmor Cold gear. No need for the Extreme Cold UnderArmour since XC skiing is about as aerobic as it gets. I've also found, as always, that a compact binocular is handy for scouting fields for tracks left by other skiers or snowmobiles. I don't mind breaking trail, but always nice to have someone else do it, too. I also plan to test some ski goggles in the Bolle Boost OTG. Mostly I am curious how much fogging I will have with this or any goggle.
Monday, January 12, 2009Binocular and telescope during hard times
When times are tough, people typically cut back on luxury items and "extra-curricular" interests. This is understandable, but I sometimes think it can also be a mistake when carried too far. It's when I am a bit down and worried that my astronomy observing and my birding most refresh and nourish. Nothing like taking your mind off your troubles by looking through a telescope under a dark, night sky or even just heading into the backyard with a binocular to watch some birds. Better yet, go for a nice long walk, but don't forget that binocular. Don' let hard times keep you from your binocular or telescope.
Friday, January 09, 2009Moon telescopes
There was a day when "lunar" or "moon" telescopes were quite popular in amateur astronomy. That was prior to the days when men landed on the moon. These moon telescopes were generally small refractors - no need for large telescopes with something as bright as the moon. In fact, any telescope can be used effectively to observe the moon. For many years after the moon landings, however, interest in the moon faded. Deep-sky objects - galaxies, nebulae and star clusters - were the main focus for amateurs and these objects still dominate in amateur astronomy. Things are changing, however, largely as a result of light pollution. The menace of light pollution is mostly a matter for deep-sky objects and has little effect on the moon, so many urban astronomers are now pointing their telescopes at the moon as a target of opportunity and, to the surprise of many, discovering that the moon presents an ever changing landscape of subtle detail and things to see - enough to keep any amateur busy for a very long time.
Thursday, January 08, 20092009 telescope?
My astronomy year in 2008 was done almost exclusively with an astronomy binocular and, I must say, that despite the horrible light pollution, I managed to see a lot more than I expected to see. For 2009, I may do more work with the telescope, but, darn it, the big is just so handy Nikon 10x70 Astroluxeand available, I can't get up the energy to deal with a telescope as much as I used to do. If my 2009 astronomy year does see much in the way of a telescope, it will have to be something small and portable.
|
|
|
|
|
© 1999- OpticsPlanet, Inc
- telescopes,
binoculars,
microscopes,
riflescopes,
rangefinders,
& more.