Q:
How far will the Yardage Pro range? Why can't I range to a deer 400 yards away or why can I not range to the golf pin at 304 yards?
A:
These are excellent questions and probably by far our most frequently asked questions. Unfortunately, a quick answer cannot be given.
There are many variables that contribute to the ranging performance:
Weather conditions - rain, dust, and high humidity will limit the ranging capabilities.
Lighting conditions - low light gives the best ranging conditions.
Target size - the bigger the target, the better chances of ranging to it.
Target reflectivity - Brighter targets, such as white, ranges great; black colored objects range poorly.
Target surface - The actual material of the target will affect the range performance - a flat, smooth sign is much easier to range than a matty haired animal.
Angle of Incidence - The angle at which the laser hits the target also makes a difference - the closer you are to reflecting the laser off the target at a 90 degree angle, the further you can range.
Hand steadiness - this factor will obviously vary from person to person. You think you have a steady hand? Try holding a laser pen pointer steady on a wall 30 feet away. You will be surprised at the amount of movement. The laser is the same way. It illuminates a bigger spot than the pen pointer but you are ranging 1000 feet or more. It doesn't take much movement to have the laser on a different target than what you intend. This will become even more of a factor as people upgrade to longer ranging devices.
Q:
Do you have any hints for beginners on viewing through a telescope?
A:
Certainly, here is an excerpt from one of our publications.
For beginners it is best to put in some practice by viewing terrestrial objects during the day. Initial experience can be gained during this time of the operation and use of your telescope. If your telescope is equipped with a moon filter, be sure to remove it from the ocular, do this before viewing objects and only use the filter(s) for their intended use.
Never mount more than one accessory (except moon filter) with your ocular lens. This shifts your focal length and prevents you from getting a proper focus, (Example: Barlow and Star Diagonal, 2Omm ocular lens.
Let's talk about POWER: It's a natural tendency for all of us to want to magnify the moon, planets and stars as much as possible so as to be able to see it as closely as we can. Wouldn't it be wonderful to see the "canals" on Mars or the ice cap on Jupiter or the Apollo landing sights on the moon?
Yet, the pure and simple physics of light transmission, refraction and magnification through optical lenses make this a very challenging task. As one seeks to increase magnification of an image, more and more of the light is lost or reflected. And as more magnification is achieved, the more interference occurs from ambient or casual light sources, as well as from the atmosphere itself. That is why the more experienced telescope user knows that viewing is generally more enjoyable at lower powers.
That is why we suggest you begin learning about your new telescope by starting at the lower powers. After you gain some skill and practice at low powers, you can carefully move up when viewing conditions are best.
By starting with the lowest powered ocular lens, this allows you to focus in and find objects prior to using the higher powered oculars (5mm, 6mm, 4mm or 2x Barlow) produces a smaller field of view. If the image is fuzzy at higher magnification, drop down to a lower magnification as the atmospheric conditions are not sufficient to support the high magnification at observation time. Remember, the higher the number on the ocular, the lower the power. To figure the power of an ocular lens you divide the number on the ocular into in to the focal length of the telescope. (Example: 700mm/20mm=35x). Avoid touching or jarring the scope while viewing. This results in vibration that causes the image to shimmy or move. Also make sure that all assembly screws are secured as tightly as possible. When viewing at night, allow at least 15 minutes for your eyes to become adapted to the dark. If you wear glasses, remove them when viewing through your scope unless you have an astigmatism.
Q:
Are the range finders water proof?
A:
All models are water resistant with the exception of Yardage Pro Legend. It is 100% waterproof and can be submerged in water and even floats. Treat the water restistant models much the same as you would a digital camera.
Q:
What is the difference between Night Vision generations?
A:
The key difference between the night vision generations is the intensifier technology. Gen. I devices use an intensifier tube that amplifies ambient light by accelerating electrons and striking a phosphor surface just like a television. Generation II devices add a micro-channel plate that multiplies the number of electrons before they impinge on the phosphor screen, thus increasing gain; Generation III devices further add a Gallium Arsenide photocathode which creates significantly more photoelectrons than Gen. II devices. Generation II and III devices offer greater light amplification but a price beyond the reach of most buyers. Generation I devices are high quality and provide light amplification adequate for most recreational activities and for many professional uses.
Bushnell has introduced an Advanced Night Vision device that produces images comparable to Generation 2 devices. The Advanced Night Vision device does not contain a Micro Channel plate, but uses fiber optic bundles to eliminate distortion thus providing excellent resolution and a flat field of view. The result is superior image quality comparable to Generation 2 devices at half the cost.
Q:
Will I lose my pictures if I take out or change the batteries?
A:
If the batteries are removed from the ImageView™, any photos stored in the internal memory will be lost (except models #11-0830 and 11-0832, these have non-volatile “flash” memory). Some ImageView models include a slot for an external (SD) memory card, providing additional, non-battery dependent storage. Be sure to download your photos to a computer before changing batteries. Keep an eye on the battery indicator, so you can plan to download before your batteries get too low.
Q:
Am I required to use the included Roxio PhotoSuite® software to view and download photos from the ImageView™?
A:
No, if you already have other photo imaging software on your PC that you prefer (and is capable of accessing standard TWAIN devices-most imaging software is), you may use it instead, as long as the ImageView™ drivers are correctly installed first. The "import" or "load" menus in your software should be able to access the ImageView™ photo files, which are stored as .bmp (standard bitmap) format on the ImageView 11-1025, and standard JPEG (.jpg) files on other models.
Q:
Does it matter which USB port I connect the ImageView™ to? Can I use a USB hub?
A:
As the ImageView™ gets power from the USB connection while downloading photos, it may not work correctly when plugged into a front panel or keyboard USB port on some computers. We recommend using a rear panel USB connection. Avoid using a USB hub, unless the hub has its own AC adapter to supply power to connected devices.
Q:
Why am I receiving one of the following error messages?
“Failed to open camera” followed “
“Camera device connect error”
“General failure in response to MSG_OPENDS. An operation error just occurred?”
A:
The driver has not been installed correctly. Follow the instructions below to fully remove and reinstall the driver, which should correct the problem.
1. With your camera plugged in:
a. Click on “Start”
b. Click on “Setting”
c. Click on “Control Panel”
2. Within the Control Panel window there is an icon named “System”
a. Double click on the “System” icon, that will take you to “System Properties”
3. In the System Properties screen, Windows 2000 or XP users will click on the tab for “Hardware.” If using Windows 98 or ME, click the “Device Manager” tab and skip the next step.
4. Then click on "Device Manager"
5. Within “Device Manager” you will see one of the following files:
a. Imaging Devices or Other Devices, with either USB camera, Bushnell ImageView or Dual mode camera listed, and with a yellow question mark or exclamation mark showing.
b. Right click on USB camera, Bushnell ImageView or Dual mode camera, and then click on “Uninstall” or “Remove”
6. Go back to the control panel
7. Double click on “Add/Remove Programs”, you will find the driver listed as follows, depending on your ImageView model#:
“Bushnell ImageView” or
“Dual Mode Camera (8008) VGA”
8. Click on the driver name for your ImageView model as listed above.
a. Then click on Add/Remove or Change/Remove (an uninstall shield wizard will pop up on your screen and take you through a removal process)
b. Unplug the camera from the computer.
9. Click on the Windows “Start” menu (lower left corner), and select “Search” or “Find”
a. Choose to search for “Files or Folders…”
b. Under “Search for files or folders named…”
enter “sndp202”.
c. Select “Local Disk (C:)” under “Look In…”
d. Click “Search Now”
e. Select by clicking on and then deleting (press “Delete” key with file(s) highlighted) any files or folders found which begin with or contain “sndp” (e.g., sndp202, vsndp202.dll, sndp2023.dll, dsndp202.ax, etc).
f. Click “Start A New Search”
g. Now go through steps 3-6 again to find and delete any files or folders that include the name “aodp202”. (Note: you may not find any, depending on your ImageView date of manufacture)
10. Now restart your computer.
11. Reinsert the disc and install the driver only (when that is finished you will be able to go into the PhotoSuite program and download your pictures. If you installed PhotoSuite earlier, you do not need to reinstall it now.)
Q:
What is the best way to keep my scope lenses clean?
A:
With proper care, your scope should last you a lifetime. When cleaning the lenses, reasonable precautions are necessary. Dry dirt and dust can be removed by air blast or with a soft brush. Fingerprints and lubricants can be wiped off with an eyeglass tissue or a cotton swab and a mild soap solution. Use the lens covers supplied with your scope whenever convenient.
Q:
What is the best way to care for and clean my binoculars?
A:
When handled with care, your binoculars will provide years of trouble free service. Like any precision instrument your binocular should be given reasonable protection.
1. If binoculars feature rubber "fold-down" eyecups, store them with the eyecups up. This avoids excessive stress and wear placed on the rubber eyecups in the down position. Twist-up and pop-up eyecups can be stored in either position.
2. Avoid banging and dropping.
3. Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing in your vehicle as temperature fluctuations and prolonged vibration can damage any optical instrument.
4. Never look directly at the sun with your binocular. It may be very harmful to your eyes.
5. Keep your lenses clean with the following instructions.
- Blow away any dust or debris on the lens (or use a soft lens brush).
- Remove dirt or fingerprints with a soft cotton cloth by rubbing in a circular motion.
Coarse cloth or unnecessary rubbing may scratch the lens surface causing permanent damage.
6. For a more thorough cleaning, you may use photographic quality lens tissue and cleaner. Always apply the fluid to the paper or the cloth, not directly on the lens. The new microfiber cleaning cloths and "lens pens" are also highly recommended. They do not require cleaning fluid.