AMD Radeon R9 380X Review
Just last month we put together our annual guide to the best graphics cards on offer at every price point. The key battles took place at $100, $150, $200 and $300, with top graphics cards such as the Radeon R9 390X and GeForce GTX 980 Ti taking us to $400 and beyond.
In the $100 to $200 range it was all AMD as we recommended the R7 360, R7 370 and R9 380. However, the jump from the $200 Radeon R9 380 to the $300 R9 390 left a void that normally we’d expect both AMD and Nvidia to fill with something for around $250.
We first caught wind of rumors about an upcoming Radeon R9 380X a few months ago, expecting it to be a new card and not a rebrand. As you might recall, the only cards in the R9 300 family to use AMD’s current-generation Tonga GPU are the Radeon R9 285 and R9 380, meaning they are built on a 28nm manufacturing process and use AMD’s GCN 1.2 architecture.
Today we put all R9 380X rumors to rest. AMD’s latest graphics card starts at $230, sporting a Tonga GPU featuring 2048 SPUs, 128 TMUs and 32 ROPs. This is the same core configuration we’ve seen before with GCN 1.0 GPUs going as far back as 2012 with the Radeon HD 7970 and more recently with the R9 280X, however the memory subsystem is considerably different in the GCN 1.2 enabled R9 380X.
Whereas older GPUs were fed data by the way of a 384-bit wide memory bus, the 380X is limited to a 256-bit bus, as was the case with the Radeon R9 285 and R9 380 before it. However, unlike the 380, the 380X will come stock with at least 4GB GDDR5 and AMD tells us they are targeting gaming at 1080p and 1440p resolutions.
The default AMD specification calls for a core clock speed of 970MHz and a memory speed of 1425MHz, which provides a data rate of 5.7 Gbps. It should be noted that the 256-bit wide memory bus limits the 380X to a memory bandwidth of just 182GB/s, the same memory bandwidth of the 380, affording it a little over 50% less memory bandwidth than the R9 390.
Interestingly, the Radeon R9 380X has been rated with the same 190 watt TDP as the slower R9 380 in spite of its more complex core.
Because they are based on the same architecture we can safely assume the 380X will consume more power and therefore generate more heat nonetheless.
Meet the New Radeon R9 380X
Although the R9 380X is based on the latest Graphics Core Next architecture, at its roots you will find a graphics card that is almost four years old now, the venerable Radeon HD 7970. Debuting back in January 2012, the 7970 ran for a cool $550 and was at the time AMD’s flagship part.
Like the HD 7970 and R9 280X, the R9 380X features 1792 SPUs, 112 TAUs and 32 ROPs, while the TDP rating has been dropped considerably from 250w max to 190w, though the card still requires a pair of 6-pin PCIe power connectors. The clock speed has been set at up to 970MHz, 5% higher than the original HD 7970 and almost 15% higher than the R9 280X.
That all looks great for the R9 380X until you look at its memory subsystem, which sees the 384-bit memory bus severely downgraded to 256-bit.
The first Tonga graphics card we tested (Radeon R9 285) provided rather lacklustre performance.
Then the R9 380 managed to considerably improve, and while not a pixel crushing monster, at $200 it provides an enjoyable 1080p gaming experience and is certainly preferable to Nvidia’s GTX 960.
Still, despite the success of the R9 380, we have to wonder if a 2048 SPU Tonga R9 380X can bridge the gap between the R9 380 and R9 390? From where we’re standing it seems far too limited by that 182GB/s memory bandwidth.
On hand for testing we have the Sapphire Nitro R9 380X 4GB OC graphics card which features a custom PCB and cooler design, along with some factory overclocking. Sapphire has boosted the core clock speed by 7% to 1040MHz, while the memory has been overclocked by just 5% to 1500MHz (6.0Gbps).
The Nitro R9 380X 4GB OC is a great looking graphics card featuring an extended height to accommodate two large 100mm fans and a nice big back plate.
Test System Specs
- Intel Core i5-4690K (3.5 — 3.9GHz)
- x2 4GB Crucial Ballistix Elite DDR3-2400
- Asrock Z97 Extreme6 (Intel Z97)
- Silverstone Strider Series (700w)
- Crucial MX200 1TB (SATA 6Gb/s)
- Radeon R9 390 (8192MB)
- Radeon R9 380X (4096MB)
- Radeon R9 380 (2048MB)
- Radeon R9 285 (2048MB)
- Radeon R9 280X (3072MB)
- Radeon R9 270 (2048MB)
- Radeon R7 370 (2048MB)
- Radeon R7 265 (2048MB)
- Radeon HD 7970 GHz (3072MB)
- GeForce GTX 970 (4096MB)
- GeForce GTX 960 (2048MB)
- GeForce GTX 950 (2048MB)
- GeForce GTX 760 (2048MB)
- GeForce GTX 750 Ti (2048MB)
- GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost (2048MB)
- Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
- Nvidia GeForce 358.
91 - AMD Catalyst 15.11.1 Beta
Benchmarks: Assassin’s Creed, Battlefield
The Radeon R9 380X averaged just 48fps in Assassin’s Creed Unity at 1080p using the ultra-quality settings with Nvidia’s Percentage-Closer Soft Shadows (PCSS) turned off. This meant that the 380X was just 7% faster than the R9 380 and GTX 960, while it was 16% slower than the R9 390. Interestingly, the R9 380X was just 4% faster than the old Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition and R9 280X.
This time the Radeon R9 380X was 2% slower than the R9 280X despite delivering a respectable 59fps. Although the R9 380X beat the R9 380 by a 9% margin, it was a whopping 29% slower than the R9 390.
The Sea Eagle 380x Inflatable Kayak
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The Sea Eagle 380x Inflatable Kayak | In-DepthJames2022-05-19T12:54:32+00:00
Sea Eagle 380x Expedition Inflatable Kayak. A highly versatile inflatable kayak for fishing, recreational floating and expedition trips.
See more info and prices at Sea Eagle.Com
I’ve owned the Sea Eagle 380x Explorer Kayak since 2003. I’ve used it for fishing, lazy day trips on scenic Montana rivers and long overnight float trips. Despite owning two other inflatable boats, I tend to find myself using this inflatable kayak for most activities that take me “to the water.”
In short, I’m a happy owner of the Sea Eagle 380x inflatable kayak, which I’ve had for years. And the redesign of the boat (in 2012) kept the best parts of the older kayak, while making the boat significantly lighter and providing much better drainage for whitewater use. (read article that compares the old 380 kayak to the new 380x kayak for more info.)
The Sea Eagle 380x, along with it’s longer cousin the 420x, are considered expedition level inflatable kayaks. As such, I consider these kayaks the “workhorses” of the inflatable kayak world. They are suitable for multi-week floats, running pounding whitewater, fishing and lazy floats.
Related Article : Expedition Level Inflatable Kayaks Explained
On this page, I’ll provide a thorough guide to the Sea Eagle 380x inflatable kayak.
It is my hope that the information presented here will provide people with a better understanding of whether or not a high-end yet affordably priced kayak like the Sea Eagle 380x inflatable kayak is the right boat for their uses (hint…it likely is for most uses).
Information covered in this article includes:
- Benefits of the 380x
- Best Uses for the 380x
- Summary
Benefits of the Sea Eagle 380x Inflatable Kayak
Whitewater
The Sea Eagle 380x kayak is a high-pressure inflatable kayak, which allows it to thread its way through large waves without bending. Newly redesigned self-bailing drain valves prevents the kayak from filling up with water in the event you hit a big wave wrong.
For solo paddlers, the size of the 380x is just perfect, although the smaller 300x might be preferred by solo paddlers who frequent Class IV rapids. Provided the boat isn’t heavily weighed down, solo paddlers will have few problems maneuvering the boat through waves and around rocks.
Do note, however, that for whitewater use – the lighter the boat is, the better. Thus, if you plan on taking the kayak through big waves or heavy whitewater, do not overload the boat with heavy bags or other gear (a lesson learned the hard way!).
Durability
The Sea Eagle 380 Inflatable Kayak is built out of 1000 denier hull material, which is essentially the same material used in guide-quality rafts that are used for commercial float trips. This tough material allows this inflatable kayak to withstand nasty encounters with rocks, downed trees and gravel bars without puncturing or tearing.
I’ve probably put well over 1000 miles on this kayak in the 10+ years I’ve owned it. I’ve put exactly zero holes in it. Granted, I don’t do anything stupid with the boat, such as dragging it over areas that are full of sharp, pointy rocks or where shiny broken glass gleams in the midday sun. And admittedly, I haven’t tried taking my Buck Knife to the boat to see what might happen to the boat, either.
Still, 1000+ mies in 15+ years…and zero rips or holes in the boat. To me, that pretty much says it all about the durability of the boat. And if you really feel like it, you can even drive a jeep over it.
Weight Capacity
The Sea Eagle 380 Inflatable Kayak has an excellent capacity rating of 750 pounds. This capacity rating makes it perfect for two paddlers plus gear who are on extended float trips. And for solo paddlers, the large capacity of this kayak allows you to literally take everything but the kitchen sink on multi-week trips AND still have room to stretch out in the kayak. Just remember, if you’ll be going through whitewater or big waves – do not overload the boat.
What You Need to Know About an Inflatable Boats Capacity Rating
Now, let us talk more about capacity.
All inflatable boats (kayaks and rafts) have a “capacity” rating. That rating basically means how much weight the boat can float without becoming dangerously overloaded and can still handle tolerably well.
Notice the emphasis on tolerably. Any boat that is loaded with people and gear to the boats capacity rating will handle sluggishly, at best. For flatwater (lakes and slow moving rivers that lack whitewater), this isn’t a problem. While the kayak will be a bit more difficult to initially start and to stop, on lakes and flatwater this is a minor nuisance easily overcome with adjustments in paddling technique.
However, on rivers with swift flows and whitewater, a sluggish boat is a recipe for an “unpleasant float” at best and a dangerous one at worst. On swift moving rivers, it is crucial that the boat (raft or kayak) respond instantly to paddle strokes and not act like a pregnant whale.
Because of this, a rough rule of thumb is that if you plan to float swift moving rivers that contain whitewater, never load the raft or kayak beyond 1/2 the rated capacity.
Portability
The updated Sea Eagle 380x weighs 38 pounds and packs down into its own moderate sized carry bag. The bag fits into any trunk quite simply and a shoulder strap makes it easy to carry. Once inflated, the light weight of the kayak makes it easy to carry around low-water areas, mandatory portages, or even through the woods to reach seldom floated rivers or lakes.
Ease of Setup
The Sea Eagle 380 sets up very easily. If you are using the bellows pump (the manual pump), give yourself about 15- 20 minutes to infate the boat and get everything else set up. Using an electric pump will shave about 5 minutes off inflation time, on average.
Related Article : How to Setup the Sea Eagle 380x Explorer Kayak
Expandability
The Sea Eagle 380 has many options that can be added onto it, expanding its usefulness. One mandatory option should be the purchase of stow bags, for both the stern and bow. These bags are specifically shaped to fit on top of the kayaks bow and stern.
These bags are very useful for storing the bellows pump, the bellows hose and any other “kayak things” you might happen to bring with you while on a float (such as a tie line, among other things). The bags also make a handy place to stash lunch and beverages, too.
Another expansion that people should consider for the boat is buying a few more D rings and the glue to attach them to the boat. These D rings allow you to easily attach your gear to the boat in convenient places. While the 380x comes with 6 pre-installed D rings, I’ve found that you can never have enough of these handy rings on the boat. I installed six additional rings on my boat and use them constantly.
Warranty
All Sea Eagle products have a 3 year warranty against manufacturing defects and also come with a 30 day “on-the-water” try-out period. If you don’t like the boat during this try-out period, just send it back – no questions asked.
Best Uses for the Sea Eagle 380x Inflatable Kayak
There’s no shortage of inflatable kayaks on the market today.
Because of this, it is often difficult to decide which kayak to get – or if a different type of inflatable boat might be better for a persons particular uses. So, let’s go over some of the ideal uses for this kayak.
For Whitewater
If you want to run Class III or Class IV whitewater, then this boat is for you. Period. While other good quality inflatable kayaks (such as from Aire and NRS) run big whitewater too, they are usually much more expensive and lack the weight capacity and versatility the 380x has. Lastly, if you plan on hitting Class III or greater whitewater, don’t even think of buying a cheap kayak – you’ll immediately regret it the first time you hit the big waves.
For Lake Paddling
Inflatable kayaks are far, far easier to paddle across flatwater than traditional rafts are.
While the newer “catarafts” and pontoon boats work great for flatwater paddling (due to a rowing frame), catarafts and pontoon boats generally lack the whitewater ability and capacity that the Sea Eagle 380x possesses. Still, if you plan to paddle on flatwater or in Class I/II whitewater and won’t need much weight capacity, a cataraft or pontoon boat is an option to further investigate.
The 380x, when you use the detachable skeg, works well for flat water paddling. That said, there are better boats available for those who plan to do lots of flat water/lake paddling (such as in the Boundary Waters or long floats down rivers that have little current). Probably the best inflatable kayak for lake and flat water paddling is the Sea Eagle FastTrack.
Related Article : The Best Inflatable Kayaks for Lake & Flat Water Paddling
Another option for lake paddlers is the PaddleSki, also from Sea Eagle. The PaddleSki is a catamaran kayak, which is basically an interesting cross between the 380x Explorer Kayak and a pontoon boat.
It works superbly for flatwater paddling, while still retaining the ability to run up to Class III whitewater and the superb durability of the Explorer Kayaks. Several interesting options can also be added on to the PaddleSki, including a sail, rowing frame and a motor. More information about the PaddleSki.
For Multi-Night Float Trips
The Sea Eagle 380x is ideal for multi-night float trips down remote rivers and in remote lake regions (such as the Boundary Waters). The large capacity allows paddlers to take a good weeks worth of gear with them (just remember to pack light). Since the Sea Eagle 380x is immune to weather, it can be used in well-below freezing conditions or on the hottest of days without any worries about damage to the fabric. And the superb durability of the kayak should remove fears of “getting stranded” due to a leaks, tears or punctures in the kayak.
For multi-night float trips, no boat is better than the Explorer Series of inflatable kayaks from Sea Eagle.
Summary
The Sea Eagle 380 Explorer Inflatable Kayak is, in my own opinion the best inflatable kayak on the market for the price you pay – and is happily priced much less than other quality inflatable kayaks you’ll find by a significant margin. In terms of “bang for the dollar,” the Sea Eagle 380x (and its larger cousin, the 420x) are hard to beat.
The Sea Eagle 380x Inflatable Kayaks versatility, durability and portability make it ideal for anyone who can only afford one boat and want to be able to fish in it, run whitewater rapids, aimlessly float rivers or paddle around on lakes – while still being able to pack the boat into the trunk of your car.
In short, this inflatable kayak is the perfect all-around inflatable boat.
Check latest prices and view packages available for the Sea Eagle 380x Kayak at Sea Eagle.Com
- View Manual for the 380x Kayak (.pdf file)
Web Resources
Sea Eagle Home Page
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How to choose the right binoculars? Recommendations of professionals.
Telescope1.ru
Contents
How to choose the right binoculars?
- Introduction
- Common mistakes when choosing binoculars
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Basic criteria for choosing binoculars
- Why might binoculars be needed?
Main manufacturers of binoculars
- Nikon
- Kenko
- Zeiss
- KOMZ (Kazan Optical and Mechanical Plant)
- Weber
- Hawke
- Yukon
- Celestron
- Levenhuk
- Minox
Binocular classification
- Hunting
- Compact
- Theatrical
- Astronomical
- Marine
Recommended binoculars
- Binoculars for hunting and field observations
- Universal Zoom binoculars
- Compact binoculars
In this section you will find practical information to help you choose from the variety of binoculars available on the Russian market.
We did not set ourselves the goal of copying Wikipedia and giving general information of an encyclopedic nature. On the contrary, we tried to systematize our experience and the disparate data that can be found on the net.
Binoculars main features:
Usually binoculars have 2 or 3 digits in the name, indicating the lens diameter and magnification.
For example, Nikon Aculon 10×50 means that this binocular has a magnification of 10x, and
its lens diameter is 50 mm, while the name Nikon Aculon 8-18×42 implies that this binocular has a variable magnification from 8x to 18x with a lens diameter of 42 mm.
Common mistakes when choosing binoculars
- The higher the magnification, the better
This is far from true. The magnification must be selected depending on the purpose for which and under what conditions the binoculars will be used, and also pay attention to its aperture (lens diameter).
If you want to make panoramic observations in the field or from a window, then you should not take binoculars with a magnification of more than 12x, otherwise the binoculars will give a small field of view, and you will most likely have to mount it on a tripod.
For binoculars with an aperture of less than 40, we recommend choosing a magnification of no more than 10x. Otherwise, the image may appear dark to you. - Chinese binoculars all poor quality
Once upon a time, this may have been true, but now even well-known companies such as Nikon and Zeiss have moved their production to China, and even less famous manufacturers have extra-class binocular lines made in China. - The more expensive the binoculars, the better they are
To simplify too much, it is. The expensive Zeiss is much better than the cheap Veber. But if you compare models from different manufacturers, but of the same class (by type of optical glass, enlightenment, moisture protection), you will notice that prices can differ significantly.
Often it’s all about marketing, or brand awareness. For example, Levenhuk (a relatively expensive brand) gives a lifetime warranty on its binoculars, but this does not mean that these binoculars are better than other Chinese counterparts.
FAQ
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I want to buy binoculars. What do you recommend?
Depends on the budget of the purchase and the purpose of use. Of course, budget models are less preferred in terms of quality and functionality, but you can find suitable binoculars in every price segment.There are no universal binoculars for all occasions, and you will need to decide on your goals before buying.
Learn more about the types of binoculars -
Which manufacturer would you recommend?
We recommend Nikon — these binoculars combine high quality and value for money. However, in our range there are other brands worthy of attention.
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What does the name of binoculars mean?
For the convenience of the buyer, the binocular manufacturer, the name of the line (budget, hunting, theatrical, etc.) and the magnification of the binoculars and its aperture (lens diameter) are included in the name.
The magnification and aperture indicators are what determine the image in binoculars, its distinguishability and quality.
The first digit in the binocular model is the magnification, the value of the magnification of the desired object. The second number is aperture.
The higher the magnification, the larger the object, but the field of view decreases accordingly, and the image becomes darker. The larger the aperture, the more light will enter the telescope, the image will be brighter, but a larger aperture will increase the size of the binoculars.
There are binoculars with variable magnification, it is usually indicated in the name by numbers through a hyphen. -
Why do binoculars have different shapes?
It depends on the type of prisms used. Some (porro prisms) are machined from a single piece of optical glass, and the contours of the binoculars follow the complex shape of the prism, so some binoculars have a “step” between the lens and the eyepiece. Others use a roof prism, which is more compact.
If we talk about the image quality of different types of prisms, then the porro prisms are considered the best, although in modern roof prisms there is practically no loss of quality due to special processing. -
What is the best binocular magnification?
The magnification of binoculars is always associated with expediency and range of applications.
It is possible to create theatrical binoculars with exceptionally high magnification — up to 20 times, but this will automatically give a small field of view and the ability to examine the performers’ costumes that are insignificant from the point of view of the plot.
Usually, manufacturers themselves calculate the parameters necessary for various needs, among which you can already choose the desired range of multiplicity. But not only the multiplicity should be paid attention to — the aperture is very important, on which the illumination of the image depends.
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How to choose binoculars?
Decide on the budget and purpose of use, the manufacturer continue to consider acceptable magnification (preferably in comparison) and illumination, paying attention to the necessary parameters — moisture protection (for use in bad weather), gas filling (lenses will not fog up), tightness (moisture or dust will not get into ), dimensions (they are affected by the type of prism). -
Nikon Action EX 10×50 CF and Nikon Aculon A211 10×50. What is the difference?
The magnification and aperture of these binoculars are identical, and the dimensions differ very slightly. It can be seen that one model is twice as expensive as the other.
In more expensive binoculars, there is also a gas filling of the pipes — this prevents the lenses from fogging.
Also, in more expensive binoculars, the field of view is somewhat larger, and rubber as the material of the eyecups is more convenient if you look into the device for a long time.
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Which binoculars give the brightest picture?
If you are guided primarily by the ability of the device to collect light, then first of all pay attention to the diameter of the lens (aperture) and coating (enlightenment) of optical parts.
The larger the aperture, the more light the binoculars will collect. But if you choose between coating options, preferably FMC — full multilayer coating of all optical elements. -
Why do I need a binocular bracket?
Large binoculars are difficult to use without a tripod bracket: hands get tired, the image may start to “shake”. The bracket will take the load and transfer it to the tripod.
Such support is mainly needed for large astronomical models, marine binoculars. -
Which binocular accessories can I buy?
The main parts that you may need are usually already included in the kit.
This is a strap for carrying the device on the chest, a case for safe transportation, a bracket (if necessary). There is no tripod included with the binoculars.
Zoom binoculars perfect?
The idea to buy a device with a variable magnification (zoom binoculars), of course, is obvious. However, it should be taken into account that, due to the complex design, such binoculars cannot be made airtight and gas-filled (it can fog up or “catch” water), and due to the presence of extra lenses in the device, variable magnification binoculars will always produce an image of worse quality compared to similar binoculars with fixed multiplicity.
Basic criteria for choosing binoculars
| Objective diameter (aperture) is the most important characteristic of an optical instrument. Affects the aperture ratio, resolution, viewing angle, dimensions of the binoculars. | |
| Field of view at a distance of 1000 m is the distance from the extreme right to the extreme left point of the area visible through binoculars. | |
| Multiplicity (magnification) — how many times the binoculars magnifies the visible image. The higher the magnification, the larger the object, but the smaller the field of view and the aperture ratio of the binoculars (the picture is darker at high magnification). A more versatile option is variable power binoculars, but this versatility comes at the expense of image quality.  |
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| Prism system — used to obtain a direct image when viewed through binoculars. Without prisms, the observer would see a mirror image. Prisms are Porro or Roof and affect the appearance and dimensions of the binoculars. The design of Porro prisms is more bulky, but since the prism consists of a single piece of optical glass, it does not incur additional light loss. Roof prisms are more compact, but they are glued together from two optical glass elements and create additional light loss. To correct this effect, in advanced models of binoculars, a special phase-correcting layer is applied between the elements. |
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| Optical glass type prisms : BK7 (Borosilicate Crown) is an inexpensive glass used in basic binoculars. BaK4 (barium crown) is a glass with a high refractive index, which results in less light scattering at the edges of the field of view.  |
| Optical coating (AR) is the application of layers of a special substance to the optical surfaces of binoculars that come into contact with air, which increases their light transmission. There are usually four types: Single Coated (C) — A single AR layer is applied to some optical surfaces. Full single-layer coating (FC) — one anti-reflective layer is applied to all optical surfaces. Multilayer coating (MC) — an antireflection layer is applied in several layers on a part of the optical surfaces. Full multilayer coating (FMC) — an antireflection layer is applied in several layers on all optical surfaces. |
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Exit pupil is the diameter of the image seen through the binocular eyepiece. The larger it is, the more details of the object can be distinguished and the less light is needed for this. In other words, binoculars with a large exit pupil are more suitable for observation in low light conditions. Numerically, the diameter of the exit pupil is equal to the binocular aperture divided by its magnification.The eye relief allows you to use your binoculars more comfortably without having to bring them close to your eyes. Relative brightness is a comparative characteristic that determines the effectiveness of the device in low light. Depends on the diameter of the exit pupil, and is numerically equal to its square. |
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| Dust and moisture protection (PVZ) and tightness — to use the binoculars in adverse weather conditions, we recommend that you make sure that they are protected from moisture and dust, or completely sealed. | |
Gas filling (typically nitrogen) — in this case, the lenses of the binoculars will not fog up during a sharp change in temperature. For example, if you left a warm room in the cold, or at high humidity. |
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| Prism Coating (PP) — Applies to Roof Prism binoculars only. Because the prism consists of two glued parts, the place of gluing is the cause of optical distortions. In order to avoid them, binocular manufacturers add a special phase-correcting layer to the gluing site. | |
| Aspherical Lens (Asph.) — While the surface of a conventional lens is limited to two regular segments of a spherical surface, the surface curvature of an aspherical lens is maximum at the center and becomes smoother at the edges. This lens shape minimizes spherical aberrations, reduces the curvature of the image field, and makes the image brighter and more contrasty. | |
ED lenses is an optic made of a special glass that refracts light of different wavelengths almost equally, which reduces the color aberrations introduced by the lenses. |
Why might binoculars be needed?
Hunting binoculars Pick up
Binoculars with aperture from 35 to 50 mm and magnification from 7x to 16x. Preferably in a sealed and nitrogen-filled case, this will provide protection from adverse weather conditions.
Universal Zoom binoculars (for observations in the city and nature)
Binoculars with variable magnification. The aperture and range of magnifications can be completely different, depending on the dimensions of the binoculars. Variable magnification makes it possible to use binoculars both for panoramic observations and for studying small details of a distant object. But this versatility also has a downside. The image quality in such binoculars is usually worse compared to the analogue of constant magnification.
Compact binoculars (for tourism and hiking) Pick up
Binoculars with aperture from 20 to 30 mm and magnification from 7x to 12x.
Their main advantages are light weight and small dimensions. On the other hand, the small aperture makes these binoculars quite dark and limits their field of view.
Theater binoculars Pick up
Theatrical binoculars are made according to the optical scheme of Galileo (there are no turning prisms). Such a scheme gives compactness, but at the same time, a sharp deterioration in the picture at a multiplicity of more than 4x.
Astronomy binoculars Pick up
Large and heavy binoculars with apertures from 60 mm and magnification from 20x. Used to observe celestial objects. Due to its weight and dimensions, tripod mounting is required.
Marine binoculars Pick up
These are waterproof binoculars that should provide maximum image brightness even in low light conditions. Usually the best option in this case is 7×50 binoculars. There are also so-called float binoculars. Often marine binoculars are equipped with a built-in compass.
Major manufacturers of
binoculars
Nikon
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An excellent choice in the middle and high price segment, there are both the simplest Aculon series, and the more advanced Prostaff and Monarch with gas filling and ED optics, as well as the elite EDG series.
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Proprietary Coating and Optics Technologies
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Kenko
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Although the brand is not well known in our country, in our opinion it is the best manufacturer in terms of price-quality ratio at the moment.
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Zeiss
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The company has been producing top-class optics since 1846. With its participation, fundamental discoveries in optical physics were made and implemented. Produced optics for the Kaiser’s army and for the Wehrmacht during the world wars.
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KOMZ (Kazan Optical and Mechanical Plant)
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Binoculars strictly for lovers of domestic products.
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standards
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At the moment, they are comparable in price to the Nikon Aculon series, which we would recommend purchasing.
Weber
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A domestic company whose head office is located in St. Petersburg, and production in China.
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Hawke
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We recommend that you take a closer look at this manufacturer for those who do not want to overpay for the Nikon brand.
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The Endurance series are excellent binoculars with low dispersion (ED) optics.
Yukon
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The company was founded on the basis of the Belarusian factory «Beltex Optic», with a sales office in the USA and head office in Lithuania. All the advantages associated with build quality are manifested in more advanced Pro and Point models. Basic models are not remarkable for anything other than design, but are noticeably more expensive than their counterparts.
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Celestron
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We recommend paying attention to astronomical binoculars from this manufacturer. All other series are unremarkable, but we can’t say anything bad about them either.
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Levenhuk
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The company positions itself as American, although it is not.
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It is a domestic brand made in China. Binoculars are overpriced, but in return, the manufacturer gives a lifetime warranty on all products.
Minox
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German manufacturer of high quality optics of all levels. Recommended for those who are not ready to spend large sums on Zeiss.
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AVer F17-8M — Document cameras with gooseneck
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- Image sensor
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- CMOS color image sensor
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- Total pixels
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- 8 MPix
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- Output resolution
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- Windows®: Full HD 1080p (1920 x 1080)
- Mac®: HD 720p (1280 x 720)
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- TVL
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- 1000 (max.
)
- 1000 (max.
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- Increase
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- 27.2x total zoom (1.7X AVerZoom TM + 16X digital zoom)
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- Frame rate
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- 30 fps (max.)
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- Focus modes
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- Auto / manual
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- Capture area
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- Larger than A3 horizontal (540 x 326 mm)
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- Image rotation
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- Electronic swivel 0° / 180°
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- Internal memory
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- Built-in memory (240 XGA images)
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- External memory
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- SDHC card (32 GB max.
)
- SDHC card (32 GB max.
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- Videography
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- Yes
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- Image effects
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- Color / B&W / Negative / Mirror / Fix
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- Image adjustment (white balance / exposure)
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- Automatic / manual
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- Presentation Tools
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- Yes (spotlight and screen mask functions)
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- Split screen
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- Yes (Vertical and Horizontal)
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- PIP
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- Yes
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- Display mode
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- Sharp / Graphics / Motion / Microscope
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- Capture mode
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- Single / continuous
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- User profiles
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- Up to 3
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- Timer
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- Yes
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- Flicker filter control
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- Yes (50/60 Hz)
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- Light
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- Built-in LED lamp
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- HDMI in/out
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- 1 in, 1 out (through)
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- RGB input/output
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- 1 in, 1 out (D-sub 15-pin, through)
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- Mini USB 2.
- Mini USB 2.