The problem with the typical 7x50 is instrument, with the remaining light
that some of the features which make falling without effect on the irises.
it most desirable for the deep-water So, what does this mean to you? It
sailor become a liability when one means a 7x35 or 8x40 binocular—both
Old Myths
is trying to scope out a harbor before offering 5mm exit pupils—more closely
going ashore or when he or she wants aligned with our own pupils in bright
to check out the local flora and fauna light, is going to show you all you
Die Hard
without wearing out shoes treading can see, and do so in a package
to sites that could be as easily be weighing about half as much
appreciated with just a little as a typical 7x50, and one
more magnification. that is considerably
The venerable 7x50 may
And with just the less bulky.
magnification of
not be the perfect binocular
a 10x binocular, Going Too Far?
for the Puget Sound sailor.
an object a mile Just how far
away can be can this duplicity and
viewed as it would convenience be taken?
appear from a distance Frankly, those instruments are
By William Cook
shorter than two football just about the right size. Thirty-five
fields! to forty-five millimeter binoculars are
the most popular sizes for nature study
Smaller May Be Better and bird watching. And as for boating?
For all those who sail the blue water,
Thus, as people become more Every square-inch of optical surface of
or must deal with marine hazards
scientifically savvy and consumer the objective lens provides the light-
at dusk and dawn—and all times in
conscious, we find more and more grasp of nine fully-dilated eyes.
between—the time-honored “7x50”
sailors opting for binoculars capable of That means while our trusty
binocular (pronounced seven by fifty)
pulling double duty. 7x50 remains the king of low-light
is without reservation the best choice.
But, is anything short of a bulky navigating, instruments in the
It provides a relatively wide field of
7x50 going to be able to perform well 35-45 millimeter objective category
view, the brightest image possible in a
as a piece of sailing gear and a tool for are more than effective for day-sailors,
reasonably-sized instrument, and lacks
sightseeing and nature watching? The and at the same time are a practical
many of the image-robbing “jitters”
answer is a resounding “yes,” especially and convenient alternative to the more
so prevalent in its more powerful
here in Puget Sound! robust seagoing binoculars for daytime
cousins.
use.
But, here in the Puget Sound
What Is Really Needed?
region, there is much more to do
Most cruising of the Sound is done A Word of Caution
and appreciate than
by day-sailors and in good lighting. Be aware, however, the concept
cruising alone, and
This can relegate our trusty of ever-greater convenience can be
many destinations
7x50s to being taken too far. Quite often individuals
can be more fully
a very heavy, express their bewilderment as to why
enjoyed through the
u n w i e l d y we would go to the expense of creating
use of a more versatile
o v e r k i l l . huge telescopes to explore the reaches
binocular than the
Why? While of space when binoculars in the 20-
one that has come to
the aperture to 25 millimeter range can provide
be a constant resident
of a binocular excellent images.
of the wheelhouse.
is always the In binoculars, as in our largest
same, ours is telescopes, the greatest “power” of an
not. Our eyes instrument is not in the magnifying
are automatically “power,” as many people suspect, but
stopped down rather in its light grasp—or its ability
(meaning that our to capture available light to present to
pupils constrict) as the eyes.
we are exposed to Thus, for those cruising and
ever-brighter light. checking out the wonders of Puget
The fact is that Sound, a smaller binocular may just
on brighter days our be the way of the future—especially if
eyes are only capturing the Puget Sound cruiser is to consider
about 20% of the light convenience and economy and maybe
passing through the a shot at being a trendsetter.
48° No r t h , No v e m b e r 2009 Pa g e 36
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