Is it a good choice for watching whales?
1722664
these are so powerful you need a very stabil platform--watching from shore they would work fine--from a boat you would never find the whale, too much movement
1722665
Yes it is, but you will need a heavy-duty tripod to lessen induced motion and a pistol-grip head to easily control your aim. Otherwise, your hands will get tired and your ability to hold it steady decreases the longer you hold it by hand
654994
Yes, but with some cautions. I've done a fair amount of whale watching of gray whales migrating along the California coast. The problem with using any kind of high power spotting scope is that they have a narrow field of view and you usually don't know exactly where to point it to see where they will next break the surface. I've had better luck with binoculars because you can move them much more quickly. With any spotting scope, use it at low power and mount it on a tripod with a video head that allows you to quickly move it. If you're in Hawaii watching pods that don't move so quickly this will be a better solution. Yes, but with some cautions. I've done a fair amount of whale watching of gray whales migrating along the California coast. The problem with using any kind of high power spotting scope is that they have a narrow field of view and you usually don't know exactly where to point it to see where they will next break the surface. I've had better luck with binoculars because you can move them much more quickly. With any spotting scope, use it at low power and mount it on a tripod with a video head that allows you to quickly move it. If you're in Hawaii watching pods that don't move so quickly this... » Read More Yes, but with some cautions. I've done a fair amount of whale watching of gray whales migrating along the California coast. The problem with using any kind of high power spotting scope is that they have a narrow field of view and you usually don't know exactly where to point it to see where they will next break the surface. I've had better luck with binoculars because you can move them much more quickly. With any spotting scope, use it at low power and mount it on a tripod with a video head that allows you to quickly move it. If you're in Hawaii watching pods that don't move so quickly this will be a better solution. « Show Less
907654
It's reliable. I have two on my sailboat as 'security cameras' I can keep track or anyone in front which is not visible by window and the back can actually see waves from passing boats going too fast. For this purpose, would recommend a 7" monitor to see more. Have experimented with different cameras and the small size does limit the view. They are like cool little postcards though the focus and color is really good. The larger monitor makes the price soar, however.
1721288
I'd have to agree with J.W Kennedy, it is very quirky. I'd suggest the Fisheye or La Sardina cameras for a true beginner. Even the Holga would be a bit easier (although that uses 120 film).
772676
I think it would bo ok, it zooms in pretty well. Audio might not be the best, if you're relying on it for that.
1954777
I live next to a state park. I have only watched the stars & moon, land animals, and anything on top of the water. If you are talking about underwater, I think it would have to be the clearest of waters.
2089791
It works really well, I am kinda old school and just want to see bottom structure and schooling fish and for this I think it works great. especially for the price! I hope this helps
2206771
Yes, this would be a very good telescope for watching the Bay. When you use the 20 MM eyepiece that comes with the telescope it inverts the image so you see what you are looking right side up. The 20 MM eyepiece gives you 50X and if you use the 3X barlow with the telescope, you get 150X. The 4MM eyepiece gives 250X, but this eyepiece is only good for astronomy, because if you use this eyepiece to look at the Bay, what you will be seeing will be up side down.
2133905
These are very good general purpose binoculars. I did several comparisons, and these were the clear price/performance leader. There are better (and more expensive...) choices for specific purposes, depending on your level of interest and expertise. Just this morning I saw several ducks on the pond behind our house, which is over 100 meters from the back of the house. I easily identified a mallard duck family (only one duckling) but had to go to the Cornell ornithology site to identify 2 male hooded mergansers; the latter were quite remarkable, with their large white plumes! Hope this helps. CS
1986935
I have this tripod but do not use it for bird watching. Take a look at the Canon image stabilized binoculars. Mine is the 8 x 32 and steady as a rock bird watching which means I can follow the birds when they move around. IS makes a big difference in binoculars just as it does in camera lens. The 8 x 32 is a good balance between price and weight for carrying around all day. If you have never looked through a pair of Canon IS binoculars you will be shocked how great they are. Besides my cameras I use this tripod on my Canon 20 x 80 spotting scope. Nice for objects 100yds to half a mile away or Saturn's rings, LOL I have this tripod but do not use it for bird watching. Take a look at the Canon image stabilized binoculars. Mine is the 8 x 32 and steady as a rock bird watching which means I can follow the birds when they move around. IS makes a big difference in binoculars just as it does in camera lens. The 8 x 32 is a good balance between price and weight for carrying around all day. If you have never looked through a pair of Canon IS binoculars you will be shocked how great they are. Besides my cameras I use this tripod on my Canon 20 x 80 spotting scope. Nice for objects 100yds to half a mile away... » Read More I have this tripod but do not use it for bird watching. Take a look at the Canon image stabilized binoculars. Mine is the 8 x 32 and steady as a rock bird watching which means I can follow the birds when they move around. IS makes a big difference in binoculars just as it does in camera lens. The 8 x 32 is a good balance between price and weight for carrying around all day. If you have never looked through a pair of Canon IS binoculars you will be shocked how great they are. Besides my cameras I use this tripod on my Canon 20 x 80 spotting scope. Nice for objects 100yds to half a mile away or Saturn's rings, LOL « Show Less
2036243
I used mine in the ocean and it did great! Although unless the water is super clear you won't be able to see anything.
219559
I think so, not too big like regular size binoculars. I think they would be strong enough for bird watching, thats my personal opinion!
48137
Sorry, couldn't tell you that. But having now used them to watch whales, glaciers and other wonders in Alaska, and getting close views of beauty in the Med, I can tell you that they are great.
881591
I've been using this binocular for spotting birds or watching objects. The optics quality is better than than 300mm telephoto lens. One problem I found is that seeing objects for few a short period of time, i.e. over 20 seconds, develops shaking scene by slight hand movement. A monopod with binocular adapter will fix this, which I gonna try.
119500
I've used these guys pretty extensively on boats, including whale watching, my own 27' sailboat and on various deep sea birding trips. They work great and are my go-to binoculars in that situation. They complete cut out engine and wind vibration. They do not help with the motion of the waves. I find that the powers up to about 15x are useful on a boat. If the swell is normal or high then the 10x are about as high as you can go. For flatter days or bigger ships the 15 or 18x are useful. For example, I use the 15xs on a fast catamaran ferry and they work fine unless the swell is bad. On a small fishing boat or sail boat I would think the 10x would be about the highest I would go.
2249546
Depends on what you consider long range I guess, I use them out on my boat and watching other boats 400-500 yards away no problem. You can see if they have a fish on or not. You can see how many people are in the boat.Hope that helps
758856
I use them to watch the races at gulfstream park. They are very good at isolating individual horses with very good details. If you are seeking a broader view, go for something with much less magnifying power.