ClintonBrothers.com Blog

For being such a simple device, there sure are a lot of choices when it comes to binoculars. There have been some recent technological advances in binoculars that include electronic image stabilization and digital image capturing. That means those simple binoculars do more than just magnify, they can now keep the image steady and even take a digital picture of what you are spotting in your binoculars. But for the most part the main job of binoculars is simply to magnify. So how should you choose and what should you consider when reading binocular comparisons or ratings of binoculars?

The first feature you should look at is the binoculars’ power measurements. The power is listed by a pair of number such as 10×25, pronounced “ten-by-twenty five”. The first number is the amount of magnification. In this case the image would be magnified by a power of 10, or in other words would appear 10 times closer than without the binoculars. The second number listed is the size of the lens in millimeters. In this case the lens is 25 mm in diameter. So the larger the first number, the closer your subject will appear to be. But what about the second number? The lens size determines how much light enters the binoculars. The more light, the sharper and brighter the image will be. So at first glance it would seem you would want binoculars with the highest power measurements as possible. But you must consider that larger lenses mean larger and heavier binoculars, and in most cases, more expensive too. So it is best to first consider what you plan to use your new binoculars for.

If you just want to observe birds at your back yard feeder, then a small birding binocular or spotting binoculars that are light and simple to use would be the best choice. If you plan to mount your binoculars on a tripod and use them for astronomy study, you should choose a larger Celestron binocular. Your decision will most likely involve compromising size and weight for power and image quality. You should pick the highest powered binocular that you are comfortable holding and carrying. Obviously you wouldn’t want to haul large-lensed high powered astronomy binocular to a concert. You should choose compact binoculars that are easy to carry and conceal.

Aside from a binoculars’ power measurement, additional features to consider are weatherproofing and the electronic capabilities mentioned earlier such as image stabilization and image capturing. If you plan to use your binoculars for camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, boating or any other outdoor activity, you should probably choose a weatherproof or waterproof binocular. Waterproof binoculars have a rubber coated body which keeps out moisture and protects the optics and internal parts from corrosion. Stabilizing binoculars and camera binoculars are fun and those features are great, but those same electronic features add size and weight to the binoculars. Are those features worth the added size and cost? That is a decision you will have to make when you compare binoculars.

Once you have decided where you will be using your binoculars and what you will mainly be using your binoculars to observe, you can then make a smart decision about the size and power you need. And with most purchases, you should first know your budget and then match your needs to your budget. Perhaps you should choose used binoculars? Sometimes buying used binoculars is the smartest choice. Other times buying new is the only option. Take your time and make a smart buying decision and enjoy your binoculars.

Hiking shoes versus hiking boots? Hiking shoes win. Okay, next issue? No, really. Hiking or running shoes are better for most backpacking trips, at least during late spring, summer and early fall. Boots are heavy, hot, stinky, and stay wet forever. A pound on your feet is like five on your back (some say six), so three-pound boots leave you much more tired at the end of the day.

Hiking Shoes And Ankle Support

You may have heard arguments for the necessity of ankle support, but throughout history people managed without stiff ankle-supporting boots. The problem is weak ankles, not a lack of support. You can solve this by walking a little each week on uneven ground (not in the mall).

Some may need boots, but be sure your ankle problems are not just due to a lack of exercise before you settle for backpacking in hiking boots. You may also need hiking boots if you carry more than thirty pounds when you backpack. Cut the weight down, though, and you’ll be more comfortable anyhow.

Why Running Or Hiking Shoes?

Feet stay cooler in a good running shoes than in hiking boots. This means fewer blisters. After switching to running shoes and lightweight socks years ago, I stopped getting blisters. I don’t mean fewer blisters. I mean haven’t had one blister since I switched. Not even after a 110-mile 7-day trek in the Rockies, for example.

How To Choose Your Shoes

Try to keep below two pounds per pair, unless you have size 13 feet. If the weights are not shown in a catalog, you’ll have to guess which hiking shoes are lighter based on the description and photo. Quality shoes have soles stitched to the uppers, so look under the insoles (a removable insole is another sign of quality shoes). You can usually find a good pair of running shoes that weighs less than 28 ounces for under $80, or half of that on closeouts.

There’s nothing quite as liberating as ditching the heavy pack and heavy boots and hitiing the trail in running shoes. You get to go more miles, and in comfort. You get to run up a hill just to see what’s there. I have yet to meet a person who has tried backpacking in hiking shoes or running shoes - and then returned to boots.

The portable evaporative coolers are the best option to beat the heat if you are residing in a hot and dry climatic region and looking out for some cost effective cooling system. They work by using either the direct or the indirect evaporative cooling techniques. What makes the portable evaporative coolers all the more attractive and useful is the fact that you do not require to install it permanently at any place. These evaporative coolers can be carried easily from place to place depending on the area that needs cooling.

Requirements For Portable Coolers

Before opting for a portable cooler, it is essential to know how well it can satisfy your requirements. The portable units are suitable for rooms that are small in size. For better results, you need to position them near doors and open windows. The opposite side of the room needs to have an opening for proper air circulation. Water has to be poured at regular intervals as the water consumption rate can go up to 3-4 liters per hour. It is best to search for models having variable fan speed and water level gauge.

Workings Of Evaporative Coolers

The evaporative coolers provide a natural way of cooling the room temperature by supplying a constant flow of fresh and cool air to keep you comfortable during summer. Placed next to an open window or door, they draw outside air and make it pass through moisture rich pads. This process cools and filters the warm air which is then circulated in the room. The fresh cool air entering the room flushes out the stale hot air through the open doors and windows.

Due to their portable nature, you can not control the water level by connecting them to water mains. The water level needs to be regulated manually by adding water at regular intervals.

Maintaining Your Portable Cooler

Extreme humid conditions decrease the cooling capacity of evaporative coolers. Moreover, humidity can speed up corrosion of the cooling unit and shorten its lifespan. Make sure that your portable swamp cooler has regular supply of water to moisten the pads. Use water softeners to decrease mineral content in water to ensure that no mineral sediment is accumulated on the wet pads. Proper filtering system must be installed to restrict pollens and odors from entering your room. The water line requires protection against freeze bursting during winters. With their low initial cost and equally low cost of operation, the portable evaporative coolers come as a blessing for those with restricted budget.

Wining is the one of the most important aspects of any race. But in the whims of winning a race, we tend to forget the significance of our own safety. Especially as the All Terrain Vehicle race is known for its rough terrain tracks, it demands much more concern with safety.

For this reason, wearing the correct ATV gear is highly recommendable for all ATV riders and for all those people who regularly participate in such races. Wearing a proper gear will definitely ensure the safety of the rider. In case of an accident, the rider wearing proper gear may get hurt but that would never be life threatening; whereas without ATV gear it would be definitely fatal.

A number of racing gear manufacturers have stretched out their products line, keeping in mind the significance of safety for the increasing number of riders. The products line consists of a number of safety gears, which protect various parts of the riders’ body from serious injuries. These protective gears are made of strong materials and provide excellent safeguard. They also come in numerous styles ranging from professional gears to amateur ones. The numero uno brands in ATV protective gears provide a number of designs for both men and women.

Some of important protective gears are -

- Motocross Helmets
- Motocross Gloves
- Body Armor
- Collar
- Motocross Boots
- Knee and Shin Protector
- Chest Protector
- Jackets
- Rain Jackets
- Motocross Jerseys
- Kidney Belts
- Motocross Pants
- Goggles
- Elbow and Wrist Protector
- Skins

The helmet is the most important of all the protection gears. During any ATV race, wearing a helmet is necessary, even if the race is for a short duration. This is because, in case there is an accident, the helmet would protect the skull from severe injury. Though the law in some places does not enforce wearing a helmet, but it is important for one’s own safety.

Using protective gear during an ATV race is very important. Wearing a protective gear will never be harmful to the rider, but it will definitely diminish the chances of serious damage.  So it is strongly recommended for all ATV riders to use high quality and well-recommended ATV gears.

On the field there’s only so much you can do to care for your sleeping bag. Just remember to keep it clean and try to keep it away from anything wet including wet and dirty clothes.

At home you can do a lot more to maintain your sleeping bag so that it can last a little bit longer. These tips cover how to wash, dry, store and repair your sleeping bag in the proper way.

Washing and Drying

- Keep your sleeping bags clean by washing it frequently but only when it is necessary. Washing too much can break down the properties of both down and synthetic fills.

- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions manual and use mild soap. You can hand wash or wash in the gentle cycle of a washing machine. If your sleeping bags are too large, bring them to a launderette and use a larger machine but never dry-clean a sleeping bag.

- When using the tumble dryer, use the lowest setting . Put a tennis ball into the machine to prevent the down from clumping. The ball will help dissipate the clumps.

- When wet, handle with extreme care. Do not dry on a clothesline. Find some place to that can support the weight of the bag so that the delicate baffles do not tear. Hanging it on the dryer is a common practice.

Storing

- Store your sleeping bag in a large cotton storage sack. Make sure the bag sit loosely in the sack. Avoid putting the bag in a stuff sack for long periods of storage because compressing it too much will reduce its loft.

- Don’t store the sleeping bag in a plastic sack as the moisture will be trapped and hence provide a suitable breeding ground for mould, mildew and bacteria. Only store your bag when it is completely dry.

Repair

- Tears need to be repaired immediately especially the ones on the shell and lining.

- For temporary repairs use a duct tape or Gaffa tape. Instead on cutting the tape in a square, cut it in a circle so that it doesn’t snag the fabric.

- Permanent repairs can be made with a nylon repair tape or patches that are sold in most outdoor stores.

- You can also ask a professional company that can do repair jobs for tears, separating seams and zip problems. There are quite a few of these companies around and they might even throw you a discount if you ask nicely.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gordon_Petten

There are many elements to consider when decorating a room, such as focal points and accent pieces. Both are very important. They help to express your personality and tie different elements in a room together. Cross stitching can be used in both of these decorating elements.

Focal Points:

A focal point is an element in the room from which everything else revolves around, or in other words, is focused upon. In large rooms and in houses with open concept layouts, there can be more than one focal point. Focal points are often part of the architecture of the house, for example, a fireplace or a bay window. If no architectural focal point(s) exist, one can be created through the placement of an electric fireplace, a tv or a piece of artwork (including pieces that have been cross stitched). Once you have defined your focal point, place the furniture around it, to emphasize the focal point and to create a sense of unity in the room.

One way to create a focal point when using cross stitching, is to group similar pieces together. First, cross stitch and frame each design separately. Then, hang the finished pieces in a grouping. The groupings can have the individual pieces either spaced evenly from each other in a straight line (perfect for hallways or stair cases), in a shape (like a square or circle) or in a geometric pattern (which work best on a large empty wall). Remember, that to emphasize the cross stitching as the focal point, place the furniture around it. Pot lights can be used to illuminate the cross stitching and provide a cozy atmosphere to the room, while an area rug on the floor can help to tie the furniture, lighting and artwork together. Your focal point should inspire conversation, or at the very least, deep contemplation.

Accent Pieces:

The most important aspect of accent pieces is colour, which is used in several different ways. The accent piece can have multiple colours which will tie in the different colours in a room, for example, by using a picture as the accent piece. Accent pieces are also used to add contrast, through bright or dark colours. If the walls in a room are creamy beige, add contrast by having a small, dark brown coloured accent piece, such as a cushion on a chair.

Cross stitching can be used on accent pieces, such as pillow cushions. Pillow cushions can be placed anywhere – on a bed, a chair, couch or even on a bookcase. They can be any size, shape or colour, which makes it easy to accent your decor and the colour can add contrast to the room.

While multiple cross stitched pieces can be used as a focal point, one cross stitched piece can be used as an accent piece. The most important aspect here is the use of colour. Colour can be used to either tie in the different colours in the room or to add contrast. Artwork, including cross stitched pieces, can also be rotated within the room or taken from another room in order to change the feel of a room. One piece can be used to tie in the decor and a different piece can be used to add contrast.