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                                        Which Binoculars do I buy?
                                        
                                         By Jack R. McCarty

Would you like to change the way you view the world around you?  Good
binoculars can do just that.  The problem is there are tons of choices at various
price levels.  So, which ones do you choose?  

Let’s look at choices in three price ranges, Inexpensive, Mid-Range, and Best of
the Best.Inexpensive:  This is a tough one.  I almost recommend not to buy
“cheap” binoculars.  They are more difficult to adjust and see through, often
making usage frustrating.  For this catagory, be prepared to spend between $75
and $125.  Bass Pro Shops sells their Redhead Pursuit (8x42) for $90.  Other
brands to consider would be Bushnell and Nikon.  Bushnell offers the H20 Porro
Prism line from $100 to $120 and the Nikon Action 8x40 runs around $75.  Stay
away from the ultra compact, very low priced models.  They are convenient but
very difficult to see through.  

Spend  just a little more for some that fit your hands and eyes. You will be more
satisfied.Mid – Range: You can spend $250 to $500 and own a very nice pair of
binoculars.  I prefer the Pentax DCF series and have owned both the 8x42 and
the 10x42.  The 8’s are actually a little brighter and easier to hold still.  You
should be able to find these in the $300-400 range.  

For the money, they are hard to beat.  You should also look at the Nikon Monarch
ATB series.  These are similar in price and feel to the Pentax models.  Best of the
Best: Get your pocketbook ready.  Here is where you can make an investment in
your outdoor experience.  

The big three are Leica, Zeiss, and Swarovski.  The prices are the same…very
high.  They range from $1500 to $2000, but this buys an excellent pair of optics.   If
you spend a lot of time looking at birds or going to ballgames, these can almost
change your life.  They are ultra clear and they see things with incredible detail.  
The price is reflected in the excellent quality of the glass in addition to the
polishing and coating techniques.  

Most of these units also come with Lifetime warrany.  While shopping around, try
the Leica Ultravids.  They are absolutely beautiful.  In the Zeiss products, try the
Victory series and the EL serices by Swarovski. I’ve tried the Swarovski EL 8.5x42
several times…just incredible.  

Be sure to look through several pair.  The choice becomes all about feel,
especially in the hands and against the face.  

Good luck with your optics shopping!  
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The Dangerous World of Butterflies
by Peter Laufer

Is the world of butterflies dangerous?  Peter Laufer journeys into the butterfly world
in The Dangerous World of Butterflies; The Startling Subculture of Criminals,
Collectors, and Conservationists, finding that the world of these exquisite insects
can be dangerous.  His journey takes him across continents to butterfly preserves,
farms, museums, bug fairs, and prisons.  He talks with breeders, conservationists,
collectors, entomologists, and smugglers as he learns about the butterfly industry
and underground.  Over a two year period, Laufer’s travels take him throughout the
Americas and beyond, giving a look into a world filled with intrigue and greed.  Well
documented and readable, the book could use photographs of the beautiful
butterflies that are mentioned in the text.  However, as the dust jacket states, this is
“a true tale of beauty and obsession, smugglers and scientists, and nature’s most
enigmatic creature.”  

Review by Florence Box