Binoculars

[Wookie]

I need to buy a pair for a birthday present for someone in Calgary. I know nothing about them or where to go. Looking to spend between $50 - $140.

Any suggestions?

[BlackArcher101]

Any outdoors sportsman store. Even canadian tire will have em. Camera stores too.

[Bagor]

What will they be using them for?

You have basically 2 figures.

e.g. 8 x 42

8 is magnification level and 42 is the lens diametre.

Don't assume that higher power is better as there are a lot of trade offs. Also consider weight. Heavy if you're carrying it around your neck all day.

Loads of info here.

http://www.binocularscanada.com/faqs.asp

[4X4]

Yea, if you're using them for astronomy, you don't want to go overboard on magnification. The field of view becomes too small. 7 or 8 is perfect. Lens size around 35-50mm.

[Wookie]

Thanks!

My mom has a great view from Tuscany (NW calgary) of COP, Mountains, Valley, etc. Wants them to. . . I don't know... Look around? So they wouldn't be carried anywhere. Didn't think she'd be using them for astronomy. Just to be a neighborhood creep I guess

[BlackArcher101]

Ah, the ol' looking into high rise apartment windows to make sure everyone is safe reason.

[Locke]

Nonsense, fashion your own set out of 2 cardboard toilet-paper tubes, an empty kleenex box and a shaving mirror.

A homemade gift always has more thought in it than anything store bought.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by Locke

Nonsense, fashion your own set out of 2 cardboard toilet-paper tubes, an empty kleenex box and a shaving mirror.

A homemade gift always has more though in it than anything store bought.

A lot less complicated too.

[Rathji]

Before my dad died, he had a small feud with the guy who owned the hobby shop next door to my parents place. The hobby shop guy would complain about parking in front of his sign and it drove my dad crazy. One year for Christmas I bought him some binoculars at his request. My dad would sit there at the kitchen table with the lights on, watching him in his shop with binoculars just to agrivate him.

I bought them at Sears IIRC.

Now they sit on my dresser, just waiting the time when there is a wet tshirt contest in the backyard across the alley...

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Rathji

Before my dad died, he had a small feud with the guy who owned the hobby shop next door to my parents place. The hobby shop guy would complain about parking in front of his sign and it drove my dad crazy. One year for Christmas I bought him some binoculars at his request. My dad would sit there at the kitchen table with the lights on, watching him in his shop with binoculars just to agrivate him.

I bought them at Sears IIRC.

Now they sit on my dresser, just waiting the time when there is a wet tshirt contest in the backyard across the alley...

Preaching to the choir brother....

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Locke

Preaching to the choir brother....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi68hPMinAI

[Locke]

Originally Posted by 4X4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi68hPMinAI

Your rickroll attempt will go down as one of the least successful ever.

J/K, that video is pooched friendo.