O u td o o r W o me n U n l i mi t e d
No Limits
Volume 2 Issue 1
June 2019
Get Up Close and Personal With
The First Cast
Your Binoculars
T
ake a good look around an item of gear
that should be included in any big game
hunter’s bag is a good pair of binoculars. O.K.,
so what does “good” mean? As usual, you
normally get what you pay for, but an under-
standing of a few particulars will help you make
an educated purchase at the store.
FIRST OFF, IF YOU DON’T recognize the
brand name, and if your pals don’t either, don’t
buy them. Now the nitty-gritty. The numbers
imprinted on binoculars tell you something - -
10x50, 8x32, 16x50, 277ft/1000 yards, and so
forth. A 10x50 binocular yields a magnification
of 10 power and makes objects appear 10 times
closer.
The next number, 50, represents the
“objective” (front) lens diameter in millimeters.
The last set of numbers tell you the “field of
view” at 1000 yards such as 277 feet. You’ll
probably be using your glass in low light condi-
tions at times, so now the term “exit pupiI”
comes into play.
Dividing the objective lens diameter by the
magnification to arrive at the exit pupil number
(50mm/ 10x=5mm). An 8x32 binocular would
yield an exit pupil of 4 mm (32mm/8x). In gen-
eral, the bigger the exit pupil the brighter the
image. The light gathering ability can now be
expressed with a number that denotes the
“relative brightness” of the binocular. To find
that number, simply multiply the exit pupil num-
ber by itself, 5x5=25, or 4x4=16.
Again, the higher the number the brighter the
image. It follows, then, that the 10x50 binocular
would be a better choice in low light conditions,
plus you have more magnification. But watch
out, the 10x50s are a good bit larger and is 10
power too much? Is size your main criteria?
Do you want high magnification maybe at the
expense of light gathering ability?
YOU KNOW YOUR NEEDS, so now start to
noodle it out. Next, investigate the lens coat-
ings and prisms. Lens coating allow more light
to pass through the lens. Some manufactures
coat only the front surface e of each lens while
others coat both sides – those are the best.
Prisms bend light to limit the length of the binoc-
ular, and they are not all constructed the same.
Rebecca Wood
A
t a young age, my grandfather opened my eyes to the excitement of the outdoor adventure. Under a ma-
jestic white oak, shadowed by its heavy branches full of acorns, my grandfather whittled and carved. I
watched his rough hands work patiently. He would gaze over his large glasses and pipe, smile and continue
with no words spoken. I waited anxiously as he crafted a gift that would change my life forever. He worked
each whittle as it would be his last; carving delicately into the tender cane. Occasionally, he would pause and
have me hold the “cane stick.” Soon the beauty of its origin would unfold and I would become the proud recipi-
ent of my first “cane fishing pole.” With tears in his eyes, I hugged him and hurried to make my “first cast.”
Y
ears have past and I have never lost the passion and respect for nature that my grandfather instilled in
me. It is from this passion for adventure, eagerness to learn and willingness to sacrifice that the idea for Out-
door Women Unlimited was born. OWU was created to afford a new innovative
opportunity for women and families to participate in outdoor educational
activities and to accept no limits to the possibilities of achievement.
O
WU is a 501(C)3 non-profit, membership based organization providing women
with the educational opportunities and hands on experience in the outdoors.
The program is composed of a variety of activities supported by a professional
team of instructors and volunteers.
T
hrough the years, the Outdoor Women Unlimited program has provided education for members in outdoor
life skills while building their knowledge in natural resources and conservation. It provides professional instruc-
tion with provisions for advancement, and minimizes event costs to allow increased membership participation
for all women. . It provides outdoor events that strengthens and encourages family participation and ensures a
safe and professional environment with appropriate accommodations and materials for women in an outdoor
setting. These include water and food at each activity location per event; professional equipment provided by
trained/licensed instructors (i.e. Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association, Alabama Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources, Lower Wetumpka Road Shotgun and Sport Club and others). transpor-
tation provisions at event site; professional guidance in class selection; availability of safety equipment (flotation
devices, ear plugs, safety glasses, safety helmets, professional first aid on site, restroom provisions, apprecia-
tion gifts provided for all members, volunteers, sponsors and donors per event. OWU is funded primarily
through membership, grants, sponsorship, donations, and fundraisers.
Rebecca
REAL Outdoor Women Accept No Limits
.
“BK7” prisms refract less light, and image quali-
ty is not as good as with the other prism type,
the “BaK-4”. Because of their internal arrange-
ment, binoculars are usually of the “porro prism”
or “roof prism” design. The “Porros “ are usually
larger and less expensive than their roof prism
cousins.
Roof prism binos are more expensive because
they incorporate special coatings their prisms
and are constructed to closer tolerances. So,
you are now armed with facts to help you make
a wise selection. Decide just how you will be
using your binos. That done, consider how
much money you are able to spend. A decent
pair of binos may cost less than $100, but a
darn good pair of roof prism binos may set you
back $600 or more! It’s your pocketbook.
Fred Marshall
WE WANT YOUR STORY! Please email
us your personal story of why you are
an outdoor woman. It can be a child-
hood experience, an outdoor adventure
or a testimony of why you believe in
Outdoor Women Unlimited. Email your
article to [email protected] or by mail
OWU, Post Office Box 1292, Wetumpka,
AL 36092
Do just once what others say you can't do, and you
will never pay attention to their limitations again.
- James R. Cook