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Geographic latitute and low light binoculars |
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anweis
Optics Master Joined: January/29/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1148 |
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Posted: December/02/2008 at 06:55 |
Ok, so i've traveled from 10 degrees latitute South to 72 degrees lat. North, in pursuit of outdoor diversions such as fishing, hunting, birding, hiking, and the rest.
Because i always use binoculars, I've noticed something that most people don't know, or notice, or pay attention to.
Closer to the equator, the sun is at a greater angle overhead, day and night are almost equal, and the transition between day and night happens very fast. Say, at 6.55 am it is totally dark, and at 7.00 am it is bright day already and full sunshine. The period of morning or evening twilight is very short, 5 minutes, maybe.
As one travels North or South away from the Equator, the morning and evening twilight are much longer, nights are longer, daylight is dimmer in winter, etc., all the way to 40-60 degrees North or South, where winter days can be very dim, with many hours or days of twilight, when 2 pm is just as dim as the 5 minutes before sunrise.
What difference does this make for choosing a hunting binocular? The further North you hunt, the larger exit pupil and better quality binoculars you need. If i hunted in Minesotta or Wisconsin or some other northerly location, i would choose a good 7x42, no doubt. In South Texas, however, a 8x30 would do just fine, because i would have fewer minutes of scanning for game during twilight.
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lucznik
Optics Master Joined: November/27/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1436 |
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Hmmm... I had never thought about this in the way that you present it however, what you have stated makes excellent sense.
Thank you.
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What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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It seems to me that unless you are trying to go as compact as possible or there are tight budgetary constraints, as long you just select a binocular with outstanding light transmission and an exit pupil of at least 5mm, you should be well-served for any and all environments. Even if you don't need the additional low light performance in some areas you hunt, it certainly doesn't hurt to have it available. Chances are a binocular that performs exceptionally well in low light will also provide good image quality in other lighting and environmental conditions.
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9042 |
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I like my 7x42 Zeiss anywhere when hunting. But, you bring up a very interesting point that some folks might base their decision..............good one.
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spf2
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/02/2007 Status: Offline Points: 169 |
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it is a very interesting topic. If in doubt, always get larger exit pupil binoculars to handle low-light condition.
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Dale Clifford
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: July/04/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5087 |
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top - morning and evening, bottom daytime bird hunting(chukars,doves,peasants)
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