Archive for March, 2010

How Do Binoculars Work and Choosing the Right Binoculars

Friday, March 12th, 2010

Binoculars are a vital piece of equipment that can enhance daily activities such as hunting, birding, hiking, and sporting events. Primarily binoculars take a distant image, enlarges it through a series of lenses for viewing; while remaining small and light enough to be mobile. Within this article, the series of lenses in a pair of binoculars will be examined while explaining how they work to produce a magnified image.

Binoculars for the most part are built fairly straight-forward and simple. There are the lenses at the end of the optical tube called the objective lens. The objective lens which is measured in millimeters, gathers light and focuses the light on the ocular lens. The ocular lens is the small lens in the eyepiece. Binoculars are really two small scopes mounted side-by-side so the user can view the desired image with both eyes instead of just one eye.

When inspecting a pair of binoculars, there are two numbers the individual will notice which are expressed as 10×42mm or something similar. These numbers describe the binoculars capabilities. For example, the first number (10) in 10×42 is the magnification, this will magnify the image ten times the images normal size. Note: in most cases, the stronger the magnification, the smaller the field of view will be. The second number (42) in 10×42 in the aperture. The aperture is the size of the binoculars objective lens. The aperture is measured in millimeters, the larger the aperture, the more light is gathered. The smaller the aperture, the less light is gathered. Further more, the two numbers can also express the exit pupil.

The exit pupil is the amount of light rays that enter the objective lens and exits the ocular lens. The measurement of the exit pupil is achieved by dividing the aperture lens size by the magnification size. For example, the Nikon 10×42 Monarch Binocular, the exit pupil would be found by dividing the aperture (42) by the magnification (10), equaling 4.2 exit pupil. A higher exit pupil means the binoculars will work efficiently in dim light. For well-lit surroundings, an exit pupil of 2.5 to 4 is sufficient. If the individual holds a pair of binoculars at arms length, they will be able to clearly see the circle of light in the eyepiece, representing the exit pupil. In-between the aperture lens and the objective lens is the prism.

There are two types of prisms in common use, porro-prism and roof-prism. The porro-prism binoculars can be identified by their offset tubes; the objective lenses are not lined up with the ocular lenses, the ocular lenses are usually closer together than the objective lenses, but the opposite can also be true, particularly in compact models. The porro-prism binoculars are usually optically superior to the roof-prism binoculars, especially in medium priced class binoculars. Porro-prism binoculars have a single pivot between the two halves of the binoculars, therefore easier to adjust for the inter-pupillary (distance between the eyes).

Roof-prisms are basically in-line inside the optical tube, this makes for a more compact set of binoculars. Roof-prism binoculars have straight tubes (the objective lens is in-line with the ocular lens) which makes them more compact. The roof-prism binoculars usually have two pivot points between the tubes and are a little more difficult to adjust for the inter-pupillary (distance between the eyes).

The components of binoculars, such as the optics have changed over the years, but the basic construction of binoculars and how they work has remained unchanged. All binoculars still have three major components. The objective lens which collects light and focuses that light in the users eyes. A set of prisms which invert the image, turning the image right-side up, and the ocular lens that magnifies the image. With this information on individual will have the basic knowledge on how binoculars work and will more easily decide on what type of binocular is right for him or her.

To view and purchase premium Binoculars and many other top quality optics visithttp://www.binoculardepot.com.

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

Keep Your Bike Safer With Bike U Lock

Sunday, March 7th, 2010

Many people love to ride their bikes around for exercise and to save the environment by decreasing pollution, but one thing that everyone has to consider is the high level of theft. The high quality bikes that are produced today have caused more cases of theft than ever before and if you want to keep your bike safe you must keep it under lock and key and the best type of bike lock is the Bike U Lock.

The Bike U Lock comes in different degrees of security. There are bike locks for minimum to ultimate security. These locks would serve people in low crime areas to high crime areas. A basic U Lock comes with steel shackles, disc cylinders, strong locking mechanism, dust covers, keys, and they are usually able to fit comfortably under any bike. The cost of a bike lock can range from $20 to $150 depending on the level of security.

The Bike U Lock helps to reduce theft and it offers security and safety to the rider. The minimum security bike lock is used for well lit and low crime areas. It usually comes with a 1/2 “shackle that is resistant to hand tools and it has a bent foot design. It comes with a reinforced collar and a disc style cylinder and it can run about $40. A moderate lock is for use in moderate to high crime areas, and it comes with a 9/16″ hardened steel shackle, and it is resistant to leverage and cutting. It has reinforced cylinders, anti-drill and anti-pull mechanisms, and it has a design that protects it against twisting attacks. It also has a double dead bolt locking system. This model can run about $65.

A strong security Bike U Lock is used for high crime areas and it comes with a 5/8″ maximum preferred steel shackle. It is resistant to leverage and bolt cutter attacks and it comes with a vinyl coating for protection. It also has a double dead bolt lock, and it can cost about $80. The ultimate lock is used for some of the most high crime areas in the largest cities. It comes with granite, parabolic square section that is hardened steel. This protects against cropping and twisting attacks. It has a power cell double lock mechanism and it can cost about $110.

The Bike U Lock is a much needed device for any biker who wants to protect his property, especially if he lives in a high crime area. Most of the locks come with several keys and highlighted areas on the lock where the keys can be hidden. This lock comes in many different security levels, so it is easy to find the one that best fits your situation. Also the cost of these locks is very minimal considering the fact that they are protecting something very valuable, your transportation. Being safe and protecting ones property is natural for anyone and the best way to do it is to use the most effective bike locks on the market today.

Shawn has been writing articles online for nearly 4 years now. Not only does this author specialize in diet, fitness, recipes and weight loss, you can also check out his latest website on BikeULock which reviews and lists the best Onguard Bike Lock for everyone.

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

Shawn Parker - EzineArticles Expert Author

Different Types of Boxing Gloves

Sunday, March 7th, 2010

Boxing training can be a great way to socialise, exercise, maintain and improve your fitness levels.
Having the right kind of equipment is essential.

Boxing gloves come in a variety of sizes, materials and colours.

Leather gloves are recommended for training, although leather may cost a little extra, they will last longer. For fitness classes, this may not be an issue, but for punching the heavy bag, focus pads and even sparring it is more important.

For professional boxing, you will see gloves tied on with laces, this provides a snug fit for the boxers. For training purposes in the gym, Velcro wrist straps are more popular as you can easily put the gloves on and remove them yourself, with laced boxing gloves, you will need someone around to put them on and take them off.

Having the right size gloves is also important.
Boxing gloves come in small, medium and large sizes. The average man will need a large size and the average woman a medium. The weight of boxing gloves range from 10 - 20 ounces, children boxing gloves range from 4 - 8 ounces.

The heavier the glove, the more protection it offers. Beginners are recommended to use 12oz 14oz or 16oz gloves.
For sparring purposes, 16oz gloves are standard.
In a professional boxing match, the fighters usually wear 10oz gloves.

When training, always wear hand-wraps to provide extra protection for your knuckles, wrists and the small bones in your hand.

Never use worn out gloves, try to change your boxing gloves at the first signs of wear.

And finally,

ENJOY YOUR TRAINING!

Quality boxing gloves can be found at http://www.ukboxingstore.co.uk.

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