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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Long Range Scopes and Other Optics
Trouble seeing detail through binos
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<blockquote data-quote="M77Fan" data-source="post: 2039998" data-attributes="member: 115996"><p>Most of what has already been said is true. You do generally get what you pay for in optics. And even "name brands" are not always best. While I use Nikon photo equipment, I have found their binoculars to be pretty bad - but maybe they have improved by now. I have Swarovski binocs largely due to a DIY sheep hunt some years back. At the time I was spending a lot of time behind Ziess binoculars at work and they woere good, but I had also looked through Swarovskis. Before buying my own, I ordered both from Cabela's and did a side by side comparison. Set them up on tripods to eliminate all the hand shake and tested them against each other at dawn, dusk, and during the day. The Swarovskis edged out the Ziess in several places that made a difference to me. The difference in price was negligible. I still have the Swarovskis, and the company has given great service even when a scratch on a cover glass was my doing. They refurbished it and sent it back no charge. </p><p></p><p>So one suggestion I would make if purchasing new optics is compare if you can before you buy. Going to a well supplied store like Cabela's is best, but ordering 2 and sending back the one you don't want can also work. For best clarity rest your binoculars on something: a tripod, bipod, monopod, your pack, a tree limb, or whatever can steady your hand movement. Go from standing to sitting or kneeling if the cover around you allows, especially in the wind, as this can eliminate a certain amount of sway from your body movement. Any and every optical device benefits from a steady rest. The higher the power the more this is necessary, but even with a lower power, rock steady provides better clarity for the power you have. This applies to spotting scopes too.</p><p> </p><p>There was one comment about using your scope. A thought on this is have you adjusted the focus on your rifle scope lately? It occurred to me recently to do so after an eye doc told me I had "age appropriate" changes in my eyes. My scope that had been riding on my rifle for years didn't seem quite as clear as it had. Now it does, after a little focus adjustment. This also applies to your binoculars. Have you checked the balance on both sides lately? If they are individual focus, could one or both have moved? If you have a single eye balance, maybe it needs adjustment to bring the sharpness back? If they were really inexpensive and are also old, they may have outlived their useful life. A friend of mine on an antelope hunt was having difficulty seeing through his binoculars what I was describing, so I handed him my binoculars. After looking through mine he called his "my first grade binoculars" for the rest of the trip. After looking through his, all I can say is his were abysmal. </p><p></p><p>Just some thoughts. I use all my optics a lot, and I expect performance. But there is nothing like making sure your focus is right, that the balance is correct, and that you are using a rest to enhance the clarity of your view. Cleaning them regularly is also a must.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="M77Fan, post: 2039998, member: 115996"] Most of what has already been said is true. You do generally get what you pay for in optics. And even "name brands" are not always best. While I use Nikon photo equipment, I have found their binoculars to be pretty bad - but maybe they have improved by now. I have Swarovski binocs largely due to a DIY sheep hunt some years back. At the time I was spending a lot of time behind Ziess binoculars at work and they woere good, but I had also looked through Swarovskis. Before buying my own, I ordered both from Cabela's and did a side by side comparison. Set them up on tripods to eliminate all the hand shake and tested them against each other at dawn, dusk, and during the day. The Swarovskis edged out the Ziess in several places that made a difference to me. The difference in price was negligible. I still have the Swarovskis, and the company has given great service even when a scratch on a cover glass was my doing. They refurbished it and sent it back no charge. So one suggestion I would make if purchasing new optics is compare if you can before you buy. Going to a well supplied store like Cabela's is best, but ordering 2 and sending back the one you don't want can also work. For best clarity rest your binoculars on something: a tripod, bipod, monopod, your pack, a tree limb, or whatever can steady your hand movement. Go from standing to sitting or kneeling if the cover around you allows, especially in the wind, as this can eliminate a certain amount of sway from your body movement. Any and every optical device benefits from a steady rest. The higher the power the more this is necessary, but even with a lower power, rock steady provides better clarity for the power you have. This applies to spotting scopes too. There was one comment about using your scope. A thought on this is have you adjusted the focus on your rifle scope lately? It occurred to me recently to do so after an eye doc told me I had "age appropriate" changes in my eyes. My scope that had been riding on my rifle for years didn't seem quite as clear as it had. Now it does, after a little focus adjustment. This also applies to your binoculars. Have you checked the balance on both sides lately? If they are individual focus, could one or both have moved? If you have a single eye balance, maybe it needs adjustment to bring the sharpness back? If they were really inexpensive and are also old, they may have outlived their useful life. A friend of mine on an antelope hunt was having difficulty seeing through his binoculars what I was describing, so I handed him my binoculars. After looking through mine he called his "my first grade binoculars" for the rest of the trip. After looking through his, all I can say is his were abysmal. Just some thoughts. I use all my optics a lot, and I expect performance. But there is nothing like making sure your focus is right, that the balance is correct, and that you are using a rest to enhance the clarity of your view. Cleaning them regularly is also a must. [/QUOTE]
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Trouble seeing detail through binos
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