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Nature Photography & Optics

Digital binoculars

19 years ago

I was wondering if any of you have an opinion on digital binoculars? I'm considering ordering some and wondered if any of you have experience with them. I'm looking at the Celestron Vistapix 8 x 32 3.0 megapixel. Any input will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Laurie

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Comments (3)

luc_quebec
19 years ago
I am also interested.

I would like to see some pictures taken with those binoculars.

Luc
CharlieC
19 years ago
I've had a few and the only one that was worth mentioning was a Pentax (think it's been discontinued). The others (lots of different names on very similar/identical devices) tend to have a so-so pair of binoculars with a really lousey fixed focus camera. Check the specs - the ones I've seen are out of focus closer than 50 feet. A finch 50 feet away at 8 magnifications is still a small bird.

The "better" ones have a real memory card. The more basic units store the pictures in volatile internal memory that disappears when you change the batteries (or when the batteries go dead). If you haven't downloaded them - they're gone. I got rid of that binocam when I got home from a rough winter hike and found the cheap battery contacts had malfunctioned and all my pictures were gone. Most don't have a screen to view the pictures so you don't get to see them in the field.

If you want one anyway, try eBay - there's sure to be someone practically giving one away!

Things to look for are a removable memory card, LCD viewing screen (they all have a small readout that gives exposure number, resolution, etc. but most don't let you see the picture), and a camera that focus with the binoculars and focuses closer than 50 feet. Read the description very carefully - some manufacturers say the binoculars focus but don't mention the camera.
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momma_d
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks for your input. I've enclosed a link to the pair I'm mulling over. They do have an LCD screen and the removable memory card is a must as I have a Mac and would have to use a card reader to view the pics.

We're taking a trip to Maui in a couple weeks and I need some new binoculars to take with me.............when I started looking, I found the digitals and was intrigued. Decisions, decisions - LOL.

Laurie

Here is a link that might be useful: Vistapix

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