StumbleUpon | RJTutino's comments & reviews

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Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:41:30 -0800

Hi, Friends,

It's RJ coming back with some info on a fairly new, yet very old, optical product.

Have you seen that great spy thriller, The Bourne Ultimatum? If you have, you remember how Matt Damon made such wonderful use of his monocular. It got him "up close and personal" with friend and foe alike and played a major role in his successful adventures.

Perhaps it is the popularity of that movie and other similar recent flicks featuring heroes and their monoculars which has rocketed that tiny optical device into new prominence. In the last six months, we have had an unprecedented number of inquiries and orders for monoculars at our website, http://www.obinoculars.com. Most folks are looking for a reliable, effective, compact magnifier with innovative design which will bring the world around them closer and make it more identifiable.

Is a monocular something you might like or need on the trail or in your back yard? Let's take a closer look (excuse the pun). What is a monocular? Basically, it might be described as half a binocular - how simplistic can you get? It is made up of one optic "tube" - and you use one eye for viewing, like a telescope. A monocular is smaller, lighter and, generally, less expensive than a comparable binocular. I say comparable, because, as with all else in life, high quality will cost more. Like binoculars, monoculars come in a variety of magnifications and sizes... zoom monoculars are also available, allowing you to go from a low magnification, like 6x or 8x normal vision, to 20x normal vision or more. For those seeking night vision optics, a night vision monocular is especially attractive, because it is much less costly than a binocular version. Usually, magnification in a night vision monocular does not exceed 5x, as anything greater than that is not effective.

When is a monocular preferable to a binocular? When you want the ability to take a quick look at distant objects with relative ease. .. when you want your optics to be lightweight, small, easily carried or stowed and ...when you want a variety of features at an affordable price. Some of those features include a wide range of magnifications, objective lens sizes (outer lens measured in millimeters), waterproof and fog proof options, and field of view choices.

When is a monocular impractical? When you want to view distant objects for a long period of time, as eye comfort becomes an issue when squinting through one eye... when you need high magnification, as it is more difficult to hold a monocular steady enough to keep images clear and sharp (although some zoom monoculars are tripod mountable)... when you need a larger objective lens (to let in more light) for dawn and dusk viewing and for a wider field of view...and when you need optics for astronomical use.

As for the cost factor, you can get a good quality monocular for $50 to approximately $175, depending on lenses, coatings and other features. Brunton, Carson and Vanguard are among the leaders in this price range. The magnificent Zeiss monoculars are more costly, up to $250, but are a great visual experience. Night vision monoculars range from approximately $150-$275. Night Owl Optics, Yukon and Famous Trails are popular brands with good track records.

Hopefully, this discussion has been helpful to you, as you consider what to pack for your next hiking expedition, drive through the countryside, or undercover "NYPD Operation". If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at support@obinoculars.com . I will be happy to hear from you and give you whatever assistance I can. See you at the next Bourne movie!!

Rosalie J. Tutino

http://RJTutino.stumbleupon.com/review/19074916/

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:41:38 -0700

FAQ FROM http://WWW.OBINOCULARS.COM

GPS SYSTEMS - HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE FOR ME?

GPS SYSTEMS are the hottest items in electronics. They get us where we are going quickly, safely and without arguing over "turn right - no, turn left". Maps are practically obsolete these days. We all want A GPS - we probably all need one, but how do you choose the right one for you?

First and foremost, you must decide how and where you are going to use your GPS. Sounds simple, but it really isn't. There are dozens of different varieties of GPS Systems. For auto, motorcycle & biking travel - for boating and fishing (lakes, rivers, shoreline, offshore, with charting capabilities, with fishfinders, etc. ... there are even fishfinders which attach to fishing poles, if you can believe it)- for hiking and for integration with personal training software. There are many which combine land and marine maps, so that you can take these "crossovers" from car to boat to hiking trails, and back. In most instances, hikers and boaters are able to mark thousands of way points to find their way home, even from the most remote areas. Here's a unique item. Garmin has produced a handheld full GPS system which, in addition to guiding you over on-road and off-road venues, can track your dog's every move, even when you can't see or hear him, by means of a wireless transmission unit attached to his collar. This provides an added measure of security when taking "Rover" into new, unfamiliar territory.

Another feature to consider is specific mapping - U.S. Only; U.S. and Canada, including Puerto Rico & Alaska; North America & Europe; North America & Caribbean, Inland Waterways Only; Coastal Shores Only; etc., etc., etc. Most people buy systems loaded only with maps they will use most frequently. If more extensive mapping is needed, most systems can import (by download or card slots) a wide range of optional maps.

Cost and size of the GPS are other factors you should consider. Prices vary widely - from under $200 to over $1300 - depending on the flexibility and amount and type of information you require. Screen size is something most people don't weigh into their choice until they find themselves straining to see their next move. Portability can play a role, too. Do you want a good sized screen with both window and dash mounts or would you prefer a handheld unit which is compact and lightweight and more practical for long hiking trips? And, consider "long-life" battery types and recharge capability which may be offered as options - especially if you plan hikes or camping trips of several days duration. If you won't be able to recharge your batteries during an extended stay, spare batteries are a wise investment

Popular brand names such as Garmin, Magellan, Cobra and Bushnell offer excellent value and advanced technological features which provide good quality reception in almost all environments and geographic areas mapped into their units. Once you have made your choice and receive your new GPS, you will be flabbergasted by what it can do for you - regardless of your type of journey or your destination. In addition, you will find your GPS is more than useful - it is FUN!!

WE INVITE YOU TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE, http://WWW.OBINOCULARS.COM TO BROWSE THROUGH OUR MANY AND VARIED GPS SYSTEM OPTIONS... WE OFFER DEEP DISCOUNTS IN ALL PRICE RANGES.

ENJOY YOUR TRIP!

THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR BLOG - PLEASE SUBMIT ONE OF YOUR OWN.

Simmons Optics - Bincoulars - CaptureView

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:19:34 -0700

Simmons optics and the wide variety of their products.

http://RJTutino.stumbleupon.com/review/19058948/

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:28:42 -0700

FAQ FROM MY WEBSITE, http://WWW.OBINOCULARS.COM

WHO USES NIGHT VISION OPTICS?

Night vision optics are widely used by mariners and fishermen, law enforcement and security personnel, hikers, wildlife observers, campers and hunters.

HOW DO NIGHT VISION OPTICS WORK?

Night vision optics amplify existing light (moon, stars, surrounding artificial light) and often use high power IR illuminators, which act as an additional light source, to produce higher quality resolution - even without natural light sources.

WHAT IS THE BEST TYPE OF NIGHT VISION BINOCULAR OR MONOCULAR FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON?

A night vision device's range is usually affected by its gain (illumination factors), magnification and resolution. As a rule, higher magnification gives more ability to view distant objects, but decreases the amount of available light captured. For the average person, best results may be achieved by combining a high-speed lens with magnification below 5x. High gain is required when viewing far-off objects and is less important when observing closer objects.

THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES OF NIGHT VISION BINOCULARS, MONOCULARS, MARINE NIGHT VISION, AND TRAIL CAMERAS ON MY WEBSITE, http://www.obinoculars.com

http://RJTutino.stumbleupon.com/review/19058511/

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:26:54 -0700

FAQ FROM MY WEBSITE, http://WWW.OBINOCULARS.COM

WHAT DO THE NUMBERS ON BINOCULARS AND SPOTTING SCOPES MEAN?

The numbers you see associated with binoculars, monoculars, or other optical equipment represent a formula, for example "7 X 35" or "10 X 42" . The first number is the power, or how many times larger you will see an object through the binoculars than you can see it with your naked eye. So, a 7X magnification is 7 times larger than your naked eye, while a 10X magnication allows you to see an object 10 times larger than with your naked eye. The second number in the formula is the size of the "objective" lenses, or the front lenses of the binoculars. The diameter of objective lenses is expressed in millimeters. And, as with the aperture of a camera lens, the size of the objective lenses determines the amount of light that enters the binoculars. The more light, the clearer and sharper the image in lower light conditions.Together with magnification, this element is crucial to the effectiveness of binoculars in a variety of light conditions.

CHECK OUT OUR QUALITY OPTICS ON OUR WEBSITE, http://WWW.OBINOCULARS.COM . WE INVITE YOU TO BROWSE AND ENJOY REVIEWING THE MANY FINELY CRAFTED BINCOUALRS, TELESCOPES, NIGHT VISION OPTICS, RANGEFINDERS, SPOTTING SCOPES AND DIGITAL CAMERA BINOCULARS AND TRAIL CAMERAS YOU WILL FIND THERE. GREAT PLACE TO INTRODUCE CHILDREN TO THE TOOLS AVAILABLE TO THEM TO EXPERIENCE THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD AROUND THEM AND ABOVE THEM.

http://RJTutino.stumbleupon.com/review/19058380/

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:25:55 -0700

FAQ FROM MY WEBSITE, http://WWW.OBINOCULARS.COM

HOW TO CHOOSE BIRDING BINOCULARS.

Everyone loves to observe birds in their natural habitat. However, serious birdwatchers need very specific kinds of binoculars and spotting scopes to make the experience comfortable and effective. Birding binoculars should be lightweight (for a long day on the trail), durable, waterproof, fog proof and compact enough to be stowed away in a pocklet or travel bag. The magnification of your binoculars should be determined by the locations and types of birds you usually observe. Most birdwatchers prefer 7X - 10X magnification (that is, the multiple of the distance you can see with your naked eye.) If you are interested in waterfowl which may be seen across stretches of water, the higher magnification would be preferable. If your subjects are in closer proximity, you might want lower magnification with a wider field of vision. Many birdwatchers opt for camera binoculars so that they can capture their subjects "permanently" and share their sightings with others.

You can find the perfect birding binoculars, digital camera binoculars,and spotting scopes at http://www.obinoculars.com where quality products are priced at value discounts every day. Stay tuned - I will share many tips about binoculars, telescopes, night vision and other types of optics in the days and months ahead.

http://RJTutino.stumbleupon.com/review/19058882/

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:25:03 -0700

MANY PEOPLE VISITING MY WEBSITE, http://WWW.OBINOCULARS.COM, HAVE LITTLE EXPERIENCE WITH TELESCOPES AND WANT TO LEARN MORE BEFORE PURCHASING. HOPE THIS INFO IS HELPFUL TO YOU, TOO!

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A REFRACTING TELESCOPE AND A REFLECTING TELESCOPE?

Refracting Telescopes, or Refractors, use concave and convex lenses to gather light and bend it to make objects seem larger. The convex lenses, which are curved outward, make things larger, but they tend to blur an image. The concave lenses curve inward and make objects clearer, but smaller. Therefore, when combining these two lenses, the telescope makes objects appear larger and clearer.

Reflecting Telescopes, or Reflectors, use mirrors, not lenses, to collect and magnify light. Because they do not bend the light, there is no color distortion. Light is collected by a big concave mirror which reflects light to a smaller flat mirror. This smaller mirror directs the light to the eyepiece lens located at the side of the telescope, which magnifies the image.

You will see many examples of each type at http://www.obinoculars.cOM

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Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:24:16 -0700

FAQ FROM MY WEBSITE, http://WWW.OBINOCULARS.COM

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ROOF PRISMS AND PORRO PRISMS ON BINOCULARS?

Erecting prisms are used to correct for an inverted image. There are two basic types - Roof Prisms and Porro Prisms. Porro Prisms give binoculars their classic design with a "jog" in the lightpath through each barrel; while Roof Prisms create straight optical channels.

YOU WILL SEE MANY EXCELLENT EXAMPLES OF PORRO PRISM AND ROOF PRISM BINOCULARS ON OUR WEBSITE, http://WWW.OBINOCULARS.COM

http://RJTutino.stumbleupon.com/review/19058843/

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:23:34 -0700

FAQ FROM MY WEBSITE, http://WWW.OBINOCULARS.COM

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CAMERA BINOCULARS WITH VGA AND THOSE WITH MEGAPIXELS?

Actually, both employ megapixels; however, VGA systems usually have less than a 1 megapixel capacity. This means the resolution of VGA photos is less than that of digital cameras with higher megapixel capacity. Nonetheless, VGA produced photos are clear and sharp, but usually may not be printed and enlarged beyond a 4"x 6" size without some distortion. Because their resolution is low, VGA camera binoculars are popular among people who regularly share their photos on the internet, where it is desireable to send lower resolution images to insure quick, trouble-free transmission. In addition, VGA camera binoculars are less expensive. Digital camera binoculars with higher megapixels can, of course, produce higher resolution photos which may be printed and enlarged to greater sizes. However, one must be sure to reduce the resolution on high megapixel photos when transmitting them through emails, as they require much more memory and may not be transportable, depending on the capacities of the sending and receiving equipment.

YOU WILL SEE EXAMPLES OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF DIGITAL CAMERA BINOCULARS AND DIGITAL TRAIL CAMERAS ON MY WEBSITE, http://WWW.OBINOCULARS.COM

http://www.obinoculars.com/page/1302555

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:21:35 -0700

I enjoyed reading the comments people had about the products and services offered at this site. It sounds as though customers are truly satisfied and feel the personal touch often missing on the net.