best airplans view from binoculars

[timelord]

HELLO

I just have a quick question if i may.I do alot of plane spotting and
have a pair of binoculars they are 10x50 wide angle 7 , 367ft at
1000yds. just would like to know what are the binoculas for planes spotting
I also have airnav 3d

THANKS
eamonn

[Alan Parker]

I've use a pair of Nikon 16x50 & found them to be excellent, Not to heavy & you can hold them without the use of a tripod ( although i sometimes use a monopod ) its easy to spot planes at 30,000ft. I used to have a cheap pair of 12x50 but the 16x50 brings them much closer. It also pays to get quality glass aswell but that depends on what you can afford.

[timelord]

well thanks for that alan when you say spot them at 30,000ft can you see then clear and the markings on them & colours

[tarbat]

Some recommendation on the previous discussion at http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php?topic=2587.msg22402#msg22402

[Alan Parker]

well thanks for that alan when you say spot them at 30,000ft can you see then clear and the markings on them & colours

Yes you can see them clearly but not enough to read the regestration. Would advise not to go over 16x50 as they may prove difficult to hold without the use of a tripod.

[Southwest]

My pair of Swarovski 10x50 EL's give me excellent performance.  They have a great field of view and are crystal clear, mind you, they should be for the price.  I can easily pick out colour schemes of the high flying overflights.

To be quite honest, anything over this is overkill.  Even with a pair of 16x50's, unless they are a good quality make, what's the point.  You are not going to read the reg at 35000ft, even if it's under the wings! 

[Deadcalm]

I have a pair of tripod mounted Oberwerk 100mm binoculars on my mezzanine, permanently pointing west - I can see most of the high level traffic passing, but obviously not registrations.

DC

[Southwest]

My pair of Swarovski 10x50 EL's give me excellent performance.  They have a great field of view and are crystal clear, mind you, they should be for the price.  I can easily pick out colour schemes of the high flying overflights.

To be quite honest, anything over this is overkill.  Even with a pair of 16x50's, unless they are a good quality make, what's the point.  You are not going to read the reg at 35000ft, even if it's under the wings! 

Sorry, that should be 10 X 42......having a mare of a day, roll on 5.15

[SpeedWagon]

I have the Canon 12x36 Image Stabilizer binoculars and love them. So easy on the eyes and I can read the registration on most airliners and sometimes the number on the fin at over a mile (1.5 Km). A bit pricey but to me worth it.

[Aerotower]

I have 30x60 :D i buy them on www.armeriaalvarez.com

https://www.a-alvarez.com/tienda/modelo.php?mod=10364

[timelord]

holy airbrakes. thanks everybody for your views,it helped alot.

THANKS
timelord

[EK01]

I have the Canon 12x36 Image Stabilizer binoculars and love them. So easy on the eyes and I can read the registration on most airliners and sometimes the number on the fin at over a mile (1.5 Km). A bit pricey but to me worth it.

Good grief, Speedwagon. Just checked these out on the website. I don't think I could justify that price to the missus !

[viking9]

Some of the binoculars listed have a poor brightness or light gathering factor so may only be used in very good light. To find the light gathering factor divide the diameter of the object glass (in millimetres) by the magnification, so that for a pair of 16 x 50 binoculars the value is 50/16 which is 3.125. For a 12 x 36 it is just 3.0. 10 x 50 gives a factor of 5.0 and is the best all round instrument for spotting.

Tom

[microlight]

I have a pair of Opticron 15 x70's - brilliant kit

[Bob SEN]

Mine are overkill............. ;-)   Sunagor 20 - 100x70 & Sunagor 20 - 100x50 ........but they do the job............ :-)