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Caution in Binoc Recommendations



I will echo the recommendation about the Swift Audubon's, but with some
cautions generally about such things:

1.  Cheap and/or moderately priced porro prism binoculars (like the Swift
Audubon's) are prime candidates to be out of alignment at the time of
purchase.  If they are shipped, they will be thrown around and can lose
alignment during shipping.  It is always best to look through the actual
ones you intend to buy to make sure the alignment is satisfactory.  If this
is not possible, you are really rolling the dice when you buy porro prism
binocs from a mail-order company.  Roof prisms generally keep their
alignment better.

2.  One should be aware of important factors such as eye relief.  Eyeglass
wearers require considerably more eye relief than the Swift Audubon's can
provide.  The Swifts have a huge field of view, but have very poor eye
relief.  For an eyeglass wearer, the most important factor in beginning
their search is eye relief.

3.  Try not to put too low a ceiling on your price range.  The difference
between $100 and $300 can be a staggering difference in optical quality.
The beginner will have a better experience when they can actually see the
bird well and not experience eye strain.

4.  The beginner who has some spare change will do well to buy the very best
they can possibly afford.  At the upper price ranges you have many options,
and fewer of them will be bad options.

John
--
John and Paula Wright     h 252-756-5139

jwright@skantech.net      Greenville, North Carolina