Field Guide to Binoculars and Scopes
Modern binoculars and scopes meet a variety of user needs. This Field Guide provides readers with a concise, organized reference that explains the functions and configurations of instruments commonly used by bird watchers, hunters, amateur astronomers, and military and law-enforcement members. This book also addresses the rationale behind instrument design choices, with hardware examples illustrating specific arrangements and features.
Now available as an eBook from:
Table of Contents
- Glossary of Symbols and Notation
- Fundamentals
- What Are Binoculars and Scopes?
- How Are These Instruments Used?
- Basic Optical System Parameters
- Instrument Size and Weight
- Pertinent Eye Parameters
- Structure of the Eye
- Pupil Size
- Interpupillary Distance
- Resolving Power
- Accommodation
- Stereoscopic Capability
- Luminosity and Chromatic Sensitivities
- Basic Configurations
- Galilean Systems
- Keplerian Systems
- Binoculars
- Binocular Types - General Considerations
- Compact Binoculars
- Mid-Size Binoculars
- Full-Size Binoculars
- Giant Mounted Binoculars
- High-Magnification and Wide-Angle Binoculars
- Military and Law Enforcement Binoculars
- Astronomical Binoculars
- Monoculars and Spotting Scopes
- Monoculars
- Spotting Scopes
- Riflescopes and Weapon Sights
- Riflescopes
- Weapon Sights
- Astronomical Scopes
- Refracting Form
- Newtonian, Cassegrain, and Gregorian Forms
- Schmidt-Cassegrain and Schmidt-Gregorian Forms
- Maksutov-Cassegrain Form
- Richest-Field Form
- Mounts for Astronomical Binoculars and Scopes
- Light-Duty Mounts
- Heavy-Duty Mounts
- Tripod Attributes
- More about Equatorial Mounts
- Dobsonian Mounts
- GOTO Drives
- Binocular and Scope Performance
- Stereoscopic Vision Through a Binocular
- Resolving Power with Optics
- Binocular/Scope Efficiency
- Handheld-Binocular Efficiency
- Distortion Effects
- Limiting Magnitude of a Binocular or Scope
- Diffraction Effects
- Obscuration Effects
- Atmospheric Scatter Effects
- Atmospheric Seeing Effects (Elevated Path)
- Atmospheric Seeing Effects (Horizontal Path)
- Optical System Considerations
- Focusing for Different Target Locations
- The Diopter Adjustment
- Erecting Prisms
- Prism Refractive-Index Effects
- Lens Erecting Systems
- Eyepiece Configurations
- Selection of Interchangeable Eyepieces
- The Field Stop
- Parallax
- Light Transmission
- Vignetting
- Stray Light
- Light Baffles
- Reticles
- Variable-Magnification (Zoom) Systems
- Image Stabilization Techniques
- Rangefinding Techniques
- Mechanical System Considerations
- Overall Size of a Binocular
- Weight of a Binocular
- Ergonomics
- Environmental Considerations
- Housing Design
- Binocular Hinge Mechanisms
- Binocular Collimation Mechanisms
- Object Focus Mechanisms
- Diopter Adjustment Mechanisms
- Sealing and Purging
- Photography Through Binoculars and Scopes
- Basic Photography Techniques
- Interfacing the Camera
- Integral Cameras
- Maintenance of Binoculars and Scopes
- Protection and Cleaning of the Instrument
- Testing the Instrument
- Test Setups and Methods
- Modular Construction
- Desirable Instrument Attributes
- General Considerations
- Attributes for Bird Watching Binoculars
- Attributes for Hunting Binoculars
- Attributes for Military Binoculars
- Attributes for Astronomical Binoculars
- Attributes for Spotting Scopes
- Attributes for Astronomical Refractor Scopes
- Attributes for Newtonian Scopes
- Attributes for Catadioptric Scopes
- Equation Summary
- Bibliography
- Index
Preface
The intent of this Field Guide is to explain the functions and configurations of various types of binoculars and scopes to the beginner as well as to the experienced user. We also attempt to show why a given instrument is designed the way it is.
Binoculars of various sizes - ranging from pocket size to giant models, high magnification and wide angle types, and ones used for military, law enforcement, marine and amateur astronomical applications - are considered. Scopes include small monoculars, spotting scopes, riflescopes, weapon sights, and astronomical types as large as 300 mm. Mounts for the larger instruments are also considered. Theoretical explanations of optical and mechanical systems performance are summarized.
We acknowledge with thanks Bushnell Outdoor Products, Carl Zeiss AG, Carl Zeiss Sport Optics, Leuopold & Stevens, Moller-Wedel GmbH, Questar, Schultz Optical, Inc. Loupe Direct, Steiner, Swarovski Optik KG, and the University of Arizona's College of Optical Sciences for technical information and illustrations included here.
We also thank John Greivenkamp, Wright Scidmore, and Bruce Walker for reviewing the manuscript and offering valuable suggestions for corrections and clarifications.
Any mention of specific hardware in this Field Guide is not meant to be an endorsement, but rather, it is intended to cite an example of a certain instrument configuration or design feature of potential interest to the reader.
The authors dedicate this Field Guide with love to the memory of Paul's late wife, Betty, and to Daniel's wife, Suzanne.
Paul R. Yoder, Jr.
Norwalk, Connecticut
Daniel Vukobratovich
Tucson, Arizona
