Optics 101: How to choose and use binoculars and scopes

Field optics are vital tools for naturalists and explorers. But the range of options can be confusing:

• Porro or roof prism?

• Best magnification / lens diameter combo?

• Close focus?

• Field of view?

• Waterproof?

• What is meant by BaK4 glass? Flat field? Multi-coating?

Jonathan and Roseann have been using field optics professionally for over 35 years—and were early fans of Swarovski Optik: Jonathan used an early pair of 10x50 Habichts in his sea kayaking business in the 1990s. They will walk you through all the elements of what makes a quality pair of binoculars or spotting scope, and what is worth paying for—or not. Using Swarovski, Leica, and a few other brands as examples, they will also make recommendations based on workshop attendees’ field uses (we’ll send you a questionnaire before the workshop).

This workshop is suitable for anyone who uses or is considering buying field optics: naturalists, travelers, explorers, birdwatchers, and hunters.

An interactive Q & A session is included, with Ben Lizdas of Swarovski Optik.

Length: 1.5 hours

SPECIAL DEAL: Note that for a limited time (March 13 – 28), 7P Overland will be offering select Swarovski optics in their shop with a special Exploring Overland deal: free shipping and a free cleaning kit. https://7p.io/product-category/expedition-optics/

One-Case Toolkit – Episode 3 – Tool Rolls and Cases (Online Workshop)

This is part three of the One-Case Toolkit series online. Please note we had some bandwidth and camera-quality technical issues on this recording, so parts of the over-head camera show-and-tell stutter a bit, but the information is solid!

Assembling a quality set of tools for a field repair kit is only half the job. For tools to function efficiently and make repair jobs easier, they need to be stored properly, in a way that protects them, reduces noise, and above all keeps them organized and logically accessible. In this segment Jonathan will discuss ways to do that, from Pelican cases to Wolf Packs to Zarges boxes, and a variety of tool rools.

An interactive Q & A session is included.

Length: 1 hour, including Q&A

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Resources from the Episode:

Company websites:

http://www.step22gear.com

http://www.adventuretoolcompany.com

http://www.blueridgeoverlandgear.com

Tool Storage Products:

Step22 Pangolin $145

Step22 Stingray box $85

ATC Wrench Roll $60

ATC Shop Roll $100

Blue Ridge Tool Bag $136

Blue Ridge Recovery Bag $70

7POverland sells their recovery kit in this bag https://7p.io

Socket rails: Amazon—Casoman 6-piece ABS socket organizer ($19.97)

Tools mentioned:

Hammer – https://www.parktool.com/category/tools

Ground cloth – Rescue Essentials QuikLitter https://bit.ly/2N56HmM

and https://www.blueridgeoverlandgear.com/collections/tools/products/trail-creeper-multi-mat

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One-Case Tool Kit – Episode 2 – Wrenches and torque wrenches (online workshop)

Part two in Jonathan’s series on his legendary One-Case Toolkit.

Don’t even think about using pliers on that nut. Aside from a socket, a wrench is the only proper way to fasten or remove a nut of bolt without damaging it. But what wrenches should you carry? How big should you go? What about ratcheting wrenches and box wrenches? We’ll also discuss torque “wrenches,” and why you should have and use one regularly.

RESOURCES FROM THE WORKSHOP:

OVERVIEW: THE CONTENTS OF THE ONE-CASE TOOL KIT

From the workshop chat, some of the products and tips mentioned by viewers:

• Knipex pliers wrench solves most of the stated issues with adjustable size.

• The original style beam torque wrenches weren't (aren't) ratcheting. That's probably where the name got set.

• With a beam torque wrentch , one can measure the torque as one removes the fastener, in case the torque specifications are not available. I use it to measure torque while removing head bolts on a engine with a blown head gasket to pinpoint which head bolts are less tight and /or which cylinder could have issues.

• I learned today to get a torque adaptor in order to save space. Thank you. Axle nuts may go up to 250 ft. lbs.

• Okay, on a R1200GS the Rear wheel drive to swinging arm, M12 x 1.5 is 100 Nm (74 ft-lbs)

• In aircraft accident investigation the torque to remove fasteners is routinely measured

• Engine crankshaft pulleys will approach 250 ft-lbs also.

• I believe break away torque when loosening a nut is typically higher than the original tightening torque. So I’d be careful trying to determine appropriate torque that way.

• Tech engineer here, a good factory torque spec will assume a level of cleanliness and thread treatment. more friction in the threads mean you need more torque to achieve a given tension. most anti seize will lower friction and thus torque required compared to dry. but if manual says to anti seize and torque to x, hopefully the engineer already accounted for it and you don’t need to adjust.

• http://www.torque-rod.com/

• My experience with the torque rod is they are not very accurate. I was tested them on a machine in my lab, I would not trust them.

• For fasteners without factory specs available, there are tables of standard torques that have different values for different thread lubrication conditions. Bossard has a good fastener handbook PDF you can find online for metric ones.

• I love my Knipex pliers, very durable and user friendly. Always get More tools.

• I've seen some tables where based on fastener size there are (typical) applicable torque specifications. There's a DIN standard, if my memory's not wrong.

• ‘Load indicating washer’ are the ones that squirt at right torque. Hardish to find in metric sizes in small QTYs in US

One-Case Tool Kit– Ep. 1 – Ratchets-Sockets (Online Workshop)

Jonathan’s One-Case Toolkit is legendary. His tool classes regularly sell out at Overland Expo. This free online workshop aired September 12 launches a series dissecting the contents of the One-Case Tool Kit, beginning with what he calls “the most important tool you can have:” ratchet and socket sets.

RESOURCES FROM THE WORKSHOP:

OVERVIEW: THE CONTENTS OF THE ONE-CASE TOOL KIT

From the workshop chat, some of the products and tips mentioned by viewers:

Park Tool hammer is *not* deadblow.  https://www.parktool.com/product/shop-hammer-hmr-4?category=General%20Shop%20Tools#tabbed-section

Here's the soft/hard face dead blow I mostly reach for these days.  I like this one.  (I also have a Snap-on ball peen deadblow that gets used everywhere.)

https://www.kctoolco.com/gedore-247-h-30-combination-hammer-kombi-plus-r-30-mm/

[h/t Don Hiscock]

With that Britool set no longer available, have you found a good alternative. What would you buy if you were putting the set together today?

https://www.exploringoverland.com/overland-tech-travel/2018/10/2/the-versatile-14-inch-ratchet- 

Look near the bottom of this blog post from Jonathan

FACOM is part of Stanley-Black & Decker.  Really good stuff.  FACOM and Proton share a lot of stuff (both premium SBD brands).

This is the Proxxon set in the article mentioned: https://www.amazon.com/Proxxon-23286-65-Piece-4-Inch-2-Inch/dp/B000VD1R8U.

Tekton 1/2 - https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-2-Inch-6-Point-Socket-Ratchet/dp/B07P7WLYFH/

Torque adapter brand was Facom

For ODB-II…. I have a Gap IIDTool for the Land Rover and in addition to letting you know codes, you can (re) program all the ECUs and modify the suspension. Super helpful for any Land Rover owner. [h/t Troy Angrignon]

I like the ScanGuage, but it doesn’t decode, so you need a manual also. I use it as supplemental gauges; nice bonus that it reads ODBII codes. [h/t David Robinson]

Micro Start https://themicrostart.com

and

NOCO brand (similar to Microstart)

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Designing a Vehicle Build, Including a Virtual Troopy Tour – Free online workshop

Have you ever daydreamed about designing, and then actually building, your “dream vehicle” for overland adventure? In this free Overland Tech and Travel workshop, we walk you through how we started keeping field notes on their “perfect overland vehicle” in the 1990s, and then by 2016 began the process of buying, designing, and building our ultimate overlanding vehicle, a 1993 Land Cruiser Troop Carrier converted to a pop-top camper in Australia and eventually—after 29,000 kilometers and four years exploring Australia and southern Africa—imported home to Arizona.

RESOURCES FROM THE WORKSHOP:

Download PDF of build and specs. (left)

Download PDF of additional specs, resources. (this information also copied below)

Download vehicle weight / distribution report.

IMPORTATION – The U.S. allows virtually any vehicle over 25 years old to be imported without the need to conform to current standards. That means Troopies powered by the 1HZ engine—introduced in 1990—are now eligible. 

• AUStoUSA.com Darwin Troopy: $16,000 U.S. 1993, eligible for importation in 2018. [bought June 2016]. 244,800 km / 152,000 miles on odo.

• Expedition Centre in Sydney. Daniel Fluckiger, Australian/Swiss owner

  • Mulgo aluminum pop-top conversion for the Troopy (and the Defender 110). Full standing headroom in the back, drop-down double bed with mattress; when closed raises the height of the vehicle only 30mm.

• Arrived in Australia mid-July 2016 for a three-week crossing of the Simpson Desert.

FIRST ROUND OF ACCESSORIES FOR 2016 MADIGAN LINE / SIMPSON DESERT 

• Warn XD9000S winch in existing ARB bumper, spooled w/100 feet of 3/8-inch Dyneema.

• ARB Intensity 21 round LED lamps

• National Luna NL50 fridge/freezer combination

• 125-watt photovoltaic panel

• Brackets for MaxTrax at front of roof

Second round of modifications (2017), Tasmania & RED DESERT CENTER TRIPS

• Cabinetry per CAD drawings

• 95-liter stainless-steel water tank between chassis rails

• ARB Twin air compressor

• Kaymar rear bumper/carrier

• Recaro Specialist M seats and SupaFit covers

• Eezi-Awn Bat 270 awning, two side panels

Third round of modifications (2018) WESTERN AUSTRALIA DESERT CROSSING

• Ultimate Suspension springs, twin-tube gas shocks, “Sumo” springs

• 180-liter Long Ranger rear fuel tank

• New 16x7 wheels and BFG All-Terrain tires

INSURANCE: progressive.au. and then Assurantiekantoor Alessie (Neth.) for Africa

SHIPPERS:  International Vehicle Shipping Services (IVSSUK); Trade Ocean in Namibia

COST: Total investment to date, not including the Recaro seats or repairs, is $43,000 US.

MILEAGE TO DATE: 18,000 mi / 29,000 km over 4 years, 3 continents

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