ShipStore.com Beacon: Binoculars and Pre-Fuel-Hike Shipping!
Issue 56, November 7 2005
http://www.ShipStore.com
Floating your boat since 1982 TM


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IN THIS ISSUE:
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~ WELCOME ABOARD: Greetings from Captain Jim
~ CAPTAIN'S TIP: How to Choose Binoculars
~ CAPTAIN'S SPECIALS: Binocular Bonanza
~ CAPTAIN'S CONTEST: "Win a Shopping Spree" Drawing

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~ WELCOME ABOARD: Greetings from Captain Jim
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Well, we've all known it was coming. Fuel prices have been skyrocketing, and it was only a matter of time before the shipping industry passed along the hikes to all of us.

It's happened. Monday morning, shipping prices will go up. UPS will add a 4.5% fuel surcharge for Ground and 12.5% for all Air and International services. FedEx is going up 4.5% for Ground and 20.00% for all Air/Express/ International services.

So, we've decided to mail out Monday's Beacon early to give you a special opportunity to lock in current shipping prices if you order before Sunday at midnight (ET). Order after Monday, and you pay the increase. Order before Monday, and save a bundle.

Sound good? Get your Holiday shopping done now and save hundreds of dollars!

Captain Jim
captjim@shipstore.com

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~ CAPTAIN'S TIP: How to Choose Binoculars
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I recently returned from a safari in Kenya. Like boating, safaris invite lots of speculation and debate about gear. And despite the generally dissimilar gear required for these two recreations, binoculars and other related optics are ubiquitous to both boating and safaris.

It became abundantly clear to me that, despite every gearhead's enthusiasm for reciting binoculars features, many people don't really understand the binocular basics. So I've attempted a basic binocular primer to help guide your buying decisions. Of course, if you feel like I've left out something important, just zip me off an email.

Despite the grumblings of marketers, let's start with the fact that there's no universally perfect or superior pair of binoculars. What? That's right, no "best" binoculars, only the best for YOU based upon your individual preferences and needs.

In order to choose the optimal pair of binoculars for you, let's start by demystifying things a little. It's true that binoculars are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and trying to select the right ones can be a little daunting. But remember, binoculars are simply a pair of telescopes joined together and aligned so that you see the same thing through each one. So finding the right pair of binoculars for your needs is easier than it may seem.

Although there's an ever expanding list of features offered by most binocular manufacturers, the basic selection criteria boil down to magnification, brightness, focus and field of view. I'll explain these criteria in a moment, but first, let me remind you that the most important part of the equation is your needs and preferences. So, while reading about binocular magnification, binocular brightness, binocular focus and field of view, ask yourself these questions to help determine what binoculars to buy:

What is the primary purpose/use of the binoculars?
What is your ideal weight for the binoculars?
How important are comfort and ease-of-use?
Will you use the binoculars with eyeglasses/sunglasses?
In what lighting conditions (light, shade, dark) will you use the binoculars?
How durable should your binoculars be?
What price range do you feel comfortable with?

There are a wide variety of binoculars available, so you shouldn't have any trouble matching your preferences and needs with an ideal product. Now let's take a look at the four basic criteria.

Magnification - Binoculars are classified with a pair of numbers. The magnifying power, indicated by the first number, refers to the number of times a subject is magnified. So 8x32 binoculars magnify a subject eight times. The higher the magnification, the larger the subject will appear to the viewer.

Brightness - The second number indicates the size of the larger, front lenses (also called objective lenses). The larger the objective lense, the more light is able to enter the binoculars. Generally speaking, more light gathered and transmitted results in brighter, sharper, more detail viewing. In 8x32 binoculars the diameter of the objective lenses is 32 millimeters. Another factor affecting the brightness of what you see is the whether or not the lenses are coated. Manufacturers are employing a wide variety of lense surface coatings to optimize your view by improving contrasting and brightness while reducing glare.

Focus - In addition to magnification and brightness, the ability to focus your binoculars is very important. In general you will want center-focusing binoculars which permit you to simultaneously refocus both eyes at once. It's also good if your focusing is quick and easy, and if you can focus on things up close as well as far away. But this will depend a bit on what you use your binoculars for.

Field of view - Now, the next criteria to evaluate a pair of binoculars is the field of view. This refers to the area that can be seen while looking through a pair of binoculars, in other words, the width of the visible area you see when looking through the binoculars. It's generally helpful to have a larger field of view in order to locate a distant subject, especially if it's small. You may also wish to consider the depth of field. This refers to the distance between the viewer and the subject (and even beyond). You want the subject to remain in focus even if it moves nearer or farther from the viewer.

Got it? It's not so daunting as it seems. Good luck finding the perfect pair of binoculars to suit your own needs and preferences.

George Davis, Beacon Editor
editor@shipstore.com

PS: Several days after sending out this newsletter, we received a helpful email from UK-based Beacon subscriber, Alan Brooks, who clarrified and dilated my binocular selection explanation, and if you're thinking you might be ready for a new pair of binoculars, you'll want to read what he has to say. We've posted his addendum called "How to Choose Binoculars, Part 2" in the ShipStore.com Blog to help you choose the right binoculars.

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~ CAPTAIN'S SPECIALS: Binocular Bonanza
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Bushnell BINOCULARS 7X50 WATERPROOF
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/BUS/BUS137502.html

Bushnell BINOCULARS 7X50 PERMAFOCUS ( Part # BUS 175007 )
http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/BUS/BUS175007.html

Bushnell BINOCULARS 8X42 POWERVIEW
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/BUS/BUS138420C.html

Nikon Stabileyes VR 12 x 32 Binoculars
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/NIK/NIK7456.htm

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~ CAPTAIN'S CONTEST: "Win a Shopping Spree!" Drawing
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Win a $100.00 credit at ShipStore.com by submitting your 4th of July photos for the First Annual Independence Day Photo Contest. Photos should clearly capture the Independence Day theme, but the subject is totally up to you. Get creative. To be eligible, all you have to do is send us your photo(s) before August 1. If you have a digital camera, please send your photos as an attachment, preferably in JPG format. If your photos are printed, please scan them and send the digitals as an email attachment to: editor@shipstore.com . It's that easy!

You'll be sent a confirmation email to let you know that we've received your submission. Good luck.

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COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
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CONTACT INFORMATION
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