In a world filled with binoculars, spotting scopes, range finders, and many other optical tools, why would anyone want a monocular? There are a variety of considerations that eventually lead to a nice in which the best monocular becomes a very viable tool.
In truth, the whole idea of a monocular is to have a single, multifunctional device. It may not in any one way be better than another tool but has a combination of traits that make it a very versatile device. It can cover the needs met by many other optical tools. They are often as powerful as a set of binoculars with a field of view that is often the same if not larger. They weigh much less, fit in a pocket easier, and allow you to do anything a binocular can do. It's likely that a good monocular will eventually replace the binocular as the portable tool of choice.
Spotting scopes are a very specific tool that is often far more powerful than any monocular but are not usable by hand. Even a moderate spotting scope will need a tripod or brace to make it usable. When you can get by with less magnification, a monocular is a superior tool in portability, size, and ease of use.
While a rangefinder is a monocular of sorts, it's the electronics that allow it to do its job. While it will not be replaced by a monocular, rangefinders are specific tools that are often not needed. If you are after the magnification alone, a monocular has more power and is much lighter and smaller.
As for the rest of the hand usable optical devices, if there is one you are looking at, compare them to one of the best monoculars available below and see what suits your needs best. With any job, having the correct tool makes a huge difference!
Wingspan has a wide range of optics, all of which are fine quality at amazing prices. They may not be as well known as some brands but they are quite prolific in the bird watching community where they have some avid followers. Quality glass, construction, and more than a little attention to detail make them a great choice in a mid-level monocular.
For a start, this is a fixed 12 power monocular that has plenty of power for viewing at some quite long distances. Depending on what you are looking at, 800 yards is likely a reasonable distance. For the size, this is quite a powerful monocular. There may be a few with more power but not many.
Optically, the wingspan is very clear and crisp with coated lenses that add to the brightness granted by the sizable 50mm objective lens. Combined with a top focus and roof prisms, you get more than a bargain when it comes to sheer image quality. For the price, these are some of the best optics you are likely to find.
The entire scope is covered in a durable rubberized armor that prevents slipping and provides drop protection. On top of that, the whole scope is water and fog proof. This also prevents any issues with the intrusion of dust or other contaminants. When it comes to the best monocular on a budget, the wingspan is a very good choice!
Xgazer is a newer maker of entry and mid-level optics aimed at the consumer who wants a powerful optic that won't make too big of a dent in their budget. Being new, you often get quality much higher than the price would otherwise indicate. This is to help develop a reputation but plays well into the hands of those looking for a good monocular at a great price.
The Point View model of Xgazer's monocular line come in several powers from 8 to 12 with matching objective lenses for the best image quality. At the lower end, you are looking at a 500-yard scope but the higher end should get you closer to a thousand. It all depends on where and what you are looking at but whatever it is, you can be sure to get a great shot!
Xgazer uses fully multi-coated glass on all of their optics for the absolute best in image clarity, crispness, and incredible brightness. This is partially due to the oversized objective but a little bit of refinement from the coatings is very welcome. The lenses are anti-glare of the best quality they can be for the price. Have no doubt that you will get all the detail you want with this monocular.
With a soft-touch eye cap and fully rubberized armor that is 100% non-slip and drop resistant, this compact scope is ready for hard use. It may lack some weather-proofing but is otherwise quite durable and capable of standing up to some minor exposure to rain and moisture. All of this adds up to a durable scope that can protect the sensitive lenses and BAK-4 prisms to give it an exceptional, long life.
When it comes to compact, powerful monoculars, you can look to Roxant for the answer. They have been making optics using the same highly successful process for years and know a thing or two about what makes the best monocular. For them, it all starts with quality materials and a spot on the manufacturing process.
This is the smallest scope we have selected, being only the size of the palm of your hand. That said, it is a 6 power optic which packs quite a punch for something that size. Perfectly usable up to 500 yards and maybe a little further, this ends up being among the most convenient monoculars you could ever own. Simply stick it in a pocket for those times you need it.
Roxant uses optical grade glass the same as manufacturers that make much more expensive monoculars. Then they use their own recipe of multi-coating to add all of the clarity and vibrancy you could ever want from a scope. When you are only using 6 power, having the best possible image quality is absolutely necessary.
It does have a rubberized coating that is less for armor and more for providing a solid grip. It also lacks any form of weatherproofing. This scope is not designed for hard use but for those times at a ballgame or concert when you just want to see a little more. If that sounds like the use you need, Roxant has made the Grip series just for you.
Avid photographers may recognize Leica from their top of the line cameras and other optical hardware. Without a doubt, they are among the best in the world when it comes to perfect quality. There is a price associated with such quality but if you are after the best, this is a product that is well worth the money. There are no downsides when it comes to the Leica Monovid.
The tiny Monovid has impeccable lenses and when it comes to sheer optical quality, there are only equals. None surpass the precise, highly tuned lenses and perfect BAK-4 roof prism. Simply put if you are a sucker for the best image you can get through a scope, look no further. You will find it here in spades and nothing else is likely to come close.
Lecia uses a central focus nob to tune their fully multi-coated lenses. When it comes to high-contrast, ultra-sharp, and impeccably clear glass, this is the top of the line. Made the same way they make their professional camera equipment, this is an optic you can bet on. When paired with its 20mm objective lens, you will get simply the brightest view possible.
If there were a weak point in the Lecia it would be the durability. While it is backed with a limited warranty, there is no weatherproofing on this monocular short of the lens coatings and a sealed tube. While those are helpful, some rubberized armor would be a good addition to this optic. If you take care, this is supreme quality but not something you want to see hard use in the field.
Everyone has heard of Bushnell and their many amazing lines of optics from rangefinders to rifle scopes. Well, they make an outstanding line of monoculars which can compete with the best of the best when it comes to quality. In the famous Legend line, they have added a monocular that is sure to blow away any outdoorsman and for a price that's pretty hard to beat.
As a 10 power monocular paired with a 42mm objective, this is hardly the most powerful monocular but it is near the top end for most companies. Out to 800 yards, you should have no issues what so ever. Not only because the Legend Ultra has quite a bit of power but the overall quality of the glass is absolutely astounding.
When it comes to the lenses, Bushnell has the whole process nailed down to perfection. All of their lenses use Bushnell's ED Prime Glass and multi-coat on every air to the glass surface. Even the BAK-4 roof prism is phase coated for perfect light transmission. All of this combined gives you a monocular that is sharp, bright, and able to see even in the dim woodlands.
Designed for hunters and other outdoorsmen, this scope has all of the best in weatherproofing and durability. From the 100% sealed and purged interior for water and fog proofing to the rubberized armor to protect against drops and dings, this monocular should last a lifetime. If you want a scope that can handle the worst the backcountry has to offer while still providing the best optics you can get, the Bushnell Legend is the answer.
If Wingspan sounds like a brand that interests you, they do have a few budget models that are noteworthy. While the price tag is noticeably lower, you won't find a whole lot of difference in the quality. They may lack a little of the refinement and durability but if you can get by without that, this a great by!
Available in an 8 or 10 power version, these are quite powerful and more compact than most other monocular in their price range. The magnification was not one of the places they made budget cuts to get a more affordable optic. As far as fixed power monoculars go, either the 8 or 10 power is a good choice for ranges anywhere from 500 to 800 yards.
The optics are quite good even if they are lacking a multi-coating. The large 42mm objective lens lets in sufficient light to keep things bright while the BAK-4 Prism transfers a clean, clear image, no matter the range. While the overall image quality is unlikely to leave you awing, it will probably be enough to surprise most optics users. There are low-end scopes with advanced coatings that don't look as clear.
As for durability, you have to start with the lifetime guarantee. If it breaks under normal use, it will be replaced. Otherwise, it is water, dust, and fog proof and can handle smaller drops with its rubberized coating. This also makes it resistant to slipping from your hand or getting scratched up when stored. It even comes with eye caps to keep your lenses in perfect condition. Despite the price, this is still a monocular that will last a lifetime.
GoSky makes a wide range of optics centered on the idea of telescopic photography with a smartphone. If you are going to offer this as your selling point, you have to make sure your optical quality is at the peak of its game. Any little mote or imperfection can have drastic effects on photo quality. And that's not even mentioning the issues of getting the camera to reference with the lens.
In the case of the Titan, you get a massively powerful 12x fixed magnification that should easily get you good imagery out to 1000 yards or more. Maybe not with the highest details if you are trying to get shots of something small but for landscapes, it is perfect. If you want smaller and tighter detail, you will be in the 300 to 500-yard range. That would be for birdwatching and similar endeavors.
Fully multi-coated lenses combined with a generous 50mm objective lens gives your camera or eye all the brightness it would ever need to get that perfect shot. Combine that with an enlarged BAK-4 prism for perfect alignment and crisp, vibrant color transfer and you have an optic perfectly suited to photography. This is no easy feat and GoSky pulling it off so well is astounding.
They didn't forgo the durability features either. With a fully rubberized coating and included lens caps, you get the great impact and scratch resistance. Combine that with a fully waterproof, fog-free, nitrogen purged interior, and this will work anywhere you care to take it. It even comes complete with a phone attachment that fits most iPhone, Samsung, and other smartphones.
In the world of optics, these reviews have covered almost every need but one, extreme power. If you want a clear view of something distant, no one can give that to you like a company that is renowned for its telescopes. Orion Optics has taken the lessons learned from years of making high powered optics and refined them down to a palm-sized monocular.
What makes the Orion so special? How about a max power of 25x on a zoom monocular. It can be adjusted down to 10x which is still quite powerful but nowhere near what it does at the high end. You won't see power like this very often from too many companies because of the many challenges involved.
Where some companies can add to the optical quality for better results, when you get into the high magnification range, it becomes necessary. The 42mm objective alone would not give you enough light for a good image so they have had to pull out all of the optical tricks to make things work. The end result is a monocular that gathers light well and can give you amazing vista-like views, even in low light.
This monocular has the standard rubberized coating that is quite comfortable to hold and highly slip resistant. It is completely waterproof and fog resistant for use in most environments. Being as fine-tuned as it is, it may not be as rugged and robust as similarly sized monoculars but it will hold up well enough. Just make sure to use the included carry case when transporting it for the extra protection.
If you have been waiting for a true tactical monocular that can serve any and every need you might have, this is it. Hands down, Vortex is leading the industry in quality, affordable optics that outperform most other brands that cost far more. At twice the price, this would still be a value and loaded with quality and features beyond any other optic at this price.
This is a mid-power optic at 8x and is fixed so that's all you get. Not that 8x is a bad level of magnification, it is quite good at ranges you would normally want a monocular for. There are more powerful optics out there but none with features like the Vortex.
It all starts with extra-low dispersion glass that is sure to capture every image perfectly. That is then refined down by Vortex's own multi-coat and paired with a slimline 36mm objective lens. With the quality of every other process, Vortex can use a smaller objective and still provide out of this world quality. If you want better, you are looking at companies that specialize in glass only.
The Solo is mission ready with a reticle, large focus wheel and full weatherproofing. The internals are nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed for performance in any environment at any time. It has its own durable rubberized armor for a better grip and the ultimate level of damage resistance. If there were ever a monocular made for the tactical side of things, this would be it.
If you came here with the goal of finding perfect glass combined with amazing function, the only place to look is at Zeiss. While many of the other companies have good glass and a few have great glass, none can compare with the company known for its lenses. Many of the best cameras and other optics use Zeiss lenses in their products because no one beats them.
For a monocular that is this small and slim, you get a whopping 10x fixed magnification. If you wanted one power to do most any task, this would be it. The reason you get quality of this level in a monocular so small is the precision ground lenses that have made Zeiss famous. If the quality of the image is what matters most to you, this is the best monocular choice for you.
The glass alone is not what makes this scope so bright, clear, and vibrant. Zeiss' own patented anti-reflective multi-coating technology makes every view crisper while allowing a smaller 25mm objective. The overall effect is a slim and comfortable optic that fits in the palm of your hand and weighs nearly nothing.
The Zeiss Monocular does have a no-slip rubberized armor and is quite resistant against rain and splashing water but it is not fully waterproof. Most environments, this monocular will perform perfectly. For those who need more durability, you may want to look elsewhere but for overall quality, nothing beats this monocular. All things considered, for most people, this is the best of the best.
So, when it comes to monoculars what should you be looking for? No two are the same or even have the same setup. Understanding what you are getting is vital for choosing the right product. You have to know it's limitations and functions to make an educated decision.
Below is a list of the many possible criteria you could encounter when looking at a monocular. The best monocular for you may not be a universal decision. Consider the points below well before you pick the right monocular for your needs.
As you read through the below list of considerations, you will see that they are all interconnected in some way. Changing one can affect many, if not all, of the others.
With any optical device, the number one factor deciding how well the device works is the overall quality of the lenses. There are some things that can be done to make poor quality lenses perform somewhat better but nothing will fully rectify the issues you get with bad glass. This is one of the reasons you should make sure the monocular you are buying is one of the best monoculars on the market today.
How can you tell if the monocular you are looking at has good glass? That is a hard thing to do; most companies don't advertise that their glass is junk. You really have to go by the overall reputation of the company as a primary guide. Price can also be a good indicator of the overall quality you are going to get out of a monocular.
Poor quality glass can make your view cloudy and dim with dimness being the first sign of bad glass. If you get a monocular that makes the view look like its twilight, your best bet is to return it. The good glass should leave everything looking crystal clear. Everything added to that glass should improve the view and make things sharper and brighter.
The worst glass will have bubbles, motes, and visible imperfections that will always be there. There is no way of improving glass like this and the companies that use it should be admonished. There is no excuse for selling an optic with glass this inferior on any product. This is the trademark of the worst monoculars and other optics.
Some companies have become well known for the glass they use. Companies like Vortex and Zeiss use some of the clearest glass and therefore produce the best monoculars. These are the gold standard and what other companies should aspire to.
While the quality of some of the monoculars listed above may be better than others, any of them should provide you with a crystal clear view. Some will have superior brightness, contrast, or clarity but on the whole, they will all perform well. If not, they would have never been selected for this list or in any way be considered among the best monocular for you.
When you begin your search for any optical device, power is almost universally the deciding trait in what you get. There is an obsession with getting the monocular or other optical devices that simply have the largest numbers. It is undeniable that a monocular should be chosen based on its overall power and performance but sometimes other factors can be just as important.
So how do you know the power and what does it mean? On any optical device, there will be a number like 10×44 or maybe 8-12×44. In this number, the first is the overall power. In the case of the hyphenated number, you have a zoom or variable power optic that can be sued at different powers. We will discuss that more below.
Most monoculars will have power levels less than 10 and very few will ever go above 15 power. This is a restriction of the overall size of the device. If you got much more than that, you would need a monocular the size of a spotting scope and that would defeat the entire purpose and intended use of a monocular.
What power you need will depend on what purpose you are going to use it for and how large a monocular you are willing to carry. Even the best monocular cannot be incredibly powerful while being tiny. This is something you will have to find the balance between on your own. Simply consider what you need and go from there.
Anything less than a 5x monocular will generally only be useful for a couple of hundred yards. As you move into power in the range of 10, you can get 500 to 800 yards with some clarity. 15x will get you better than a thousand yards if all other factors of the monocular are of good quality.
While more magnification seems better, there are downsides other than size to consider as you get more power. The main consideration is that more powerful optics need more light to maintain brightness. There are a few industry tricks that help to overcome this but there will always be limitations. If you get a monocular that seems very powerful for the price, it is likely that the scope will appear dim.
As we move forward, we will cover some of the ways that companies overcome this dimness as they increase power. If you want to understand more about the effects magnification has on brightness, this is a wonderful article by Wired.com that goes into all of the nuts and bolts of the process. If you can understand and apply the points discussed here, you will be far better off when picking the best monocular for your needs.
In that example above, the 10×44, the second number is the diameter of the objective lens in millimeters. While this can affect a number of factors, the most important to most people looking for the best monocular is the overall brightness of the scope. Simply put, the larger the objective lens, the more light can filter through the lenses to your eye.
Before we get into the other positives of a larger objective lens, you do have to consider what it does to the size and weight. Often the largest amount of weight in a monocular comes from the glass used in the lenses. As an objective lens gets larger, it will have to get thicker in the middle to maintain magnification. This can add significant weight proportional to the total weight of the monocular.
What do you get for that added weight? In addition to being the number one factor in determining the brightness of the optic overall, the objective is the largest piece of glass and effects optical quality more than any other part of the monocular. If you have a bad objective lens or one that is improperly sized, you will see the quality of your monocular decline.
Another area that the objective lens can affect is the field of view. This would be the size of the view at a given distance, we will discuss that more below. The larger the objective lens on a monocular, the more area you can see at once. Sometimes you may want to see a larger area for uses such as hunting but other times you may want more of a spotting scope.
You can definitely get monoculars that do one or the other better. If you get a monocular that is better at seeing details at in a smaller area, all other optical components will have to be the best you can get. Otherwise, your scope is likely to be too dim to see much through it.
For optimal performance, you are likely to not have to worry much about the overall size of your objective lens. Most companies have a formula that will give them the best sized objective lens for a quality image given the power of the monocular. If the scope you are looking at varies much from the average power of similar scopes, there may be an issue.
If you are after the best monocular you can get, you want to look at competing brands just to make sure everything lines up.
While having quality glass is vitally important to have the best optical quality, the nature of magnified optics makes glass along insufficient in some cases. In order to improve the overall quality of the image, most companies use coatings on their optics. These may achieve a variety of different effects based on the needs of the particular monocular.
Before we go in depth about the effects of lens coatings, we should discuss the levels of lens coating. There are four levels you are likely to find on the best monoculars. You can get coated, fully coated, multi-coated and fully multi-coated. These are ordered from least to greatest effect but any coating on your optics is better than none.
Coated lenses have a single chemical applied to a single lens, usually the objective lens. If you step that up to fully coated lenses, every lens will have that same coating for a multiplying effect on the image quality. While the effect may not be extreme, it is noticeable in most optics. Some optics that use cheaper glass will rely on a single coating to improve their optics.
Multi-coated and fully multi-coated work the same way but with a variety of chemicals that may be applied as a mixture or as separate layers. In many cases, multi-coating on lenses will have a dramatic effect on image quality. This is a sure sign that the optic you are looking at is one of the best monoculars that money can buy.
So, what can coatings affect? Generally, a coating is applied to filter the light in some way. Generally, this will be a chemical that affects what light colors are transmitted through the objective lens. While in truth it does not allow any more light to transfer through the lens, the manipulation of the light spectrum will make the image appear brighter, crisper, or add contrast.
Some coatings are applied that will help to reflect the sharper part of the light spectrum that causes glare and mirage. In a more powerful optic, this is a vital component if a company wants to produce only the best monocular. Glare with magnification can limit the effectiveness of the optic and cause retinal damage. This is probably the most important coating a good optic can have.
Other coatings may be preventative measures. Some coatings are designed to inhibit fog on lenses. Some optics have issues with fog if they are not completely sealed. A very few monoculars may also have a coating to protect the lens against scratching. With the cost of quality lenses, anything that can prevent accidents or even dust from damaging the lens is a welcome addition.
The best possible monocular will be fully multi-coated with chemicals that refine the light for a better overall image. In addition to that, they should also prevent glare, fog and lens damage. If you can get a single optic that has these traits, you know you have found a true prize in the monocular world.
Prisms in their own right are a complicated topic that can be difficult to understand but doing so is important to make sure you are getting the best monocular. Poor prism quality is hard to recognize up front but can make the image dim, out of focus, or even blurry. If a prism is listed for the monocular you are looking at, it's worth taking note of.
When an image is transferred through lenses, it gets flipped upside down. This change of orientation is in the physics of how light works. The prism has the job of making sure the image arrives at your eye in the correct orientation. Otherwise, using any type of optic would likely cause vertigo on top of being useless.
There are two orientations of prisms that are often found in optics, roof prism, and Porro prism. They both do the same job but are oriented differently inside the monocular tube. As far as quality goes, you can get fine results from either prism type.
Roof prisms are the newer technology that allows for very compact optic designs. These are small prisms aligned inside a tube that is directly in line with the objective and eyepiece. The best roof prisms are more expensive than other prisms and need to be higher quality to be as effective.
Porro prisms are becoming more popular because of their affordability for the same quality as a roof prism. You can tell when an optic uses a Porro prism by the offset in the tube to allow for the proper reflection. To get high-quality images, a Porro prism can get by with slightly less quality and still produce a good image.
With either type of prism, the best monocular brands will provide a consistently good quality image. As long as you get the end result you are after, either will work well. Typically roof prisms will be a more compact design but cost more. For a more detailed analysis of the differences and which are preferred, you can check out this very helpful blog post.
If that isn't enough on the topic of prisms, a brief discussion of prism materials is useful. There is a classification of prisms based on how they are manufactured. The only two that you will really need to concern yourself with are BAK-4 and BAK-7.
BAK-4 are a much better option when it comes to prisms. These will be far superior to BAK-7 prisms but will cost more. While BAK-7 can produce a reasonably good image in lower magnification monoculars, you are better off to stick with BAK-4. If no prism is listed by the manufacturer, you can almost be sure they are using sup-par prisms.
Focus, being necessary to actually use a monocular, is not always an option that is included. Some optics of lower power can get by without much in the way of focus but if you get a more powerful monocular, you will need to have some form of focus control to make sure you get the best the monocular can offer.
If you are checking out any of the best monocular brands, they should all have focus adjustment. The issue becomes the location of the focus, how easy it is to manipulate, and the overall effectiveness. This can be a hard point to consider but an important one.
The simplest form of focus adjustment is the eyepiece focus. This is the most cost-effective to produce as well as the easiest to adjust during use. On the downside, this tends to be the least effective overall. There is no mechanical advantage to the adjustment and in some cheaper monoculars, it works by just sliding the eyepiece. Getting a perfect focus can be very difficult with these types of adjustment.
Tube-based focus adjustment has the mechanical advantage that eye-piece focus is lacking. This makes it far easier to adjust and fine-tune but still suffers from being not the most effective. The end results can make for a perfectly useable monocular that most people will have no issue with.
The final form of focus is on the body of the scope. Rather than using simple rings to adjust the focus, it makes use of a mechanism that will adjust the distance between the lenses. These are by far the most expensive versions available only on the best monocular brands. Overall, they are very effective but can be tricky to adjust while holding the monocular.
We briefly mentioned the field of view above as well as giving an idea of what the term means. But why is it a concern? Depending on what you want a monocular to do, the field of view can be very important. There is no universal 'best' field of view and they are not consistent between brands. This is one point where only you and your planned use can be the deciding factor.
A narrow field of view will help you focus on smaller points and are useful in situations where you need to see only a small area in greater detail. This could be the case with uses in sports like golf as well as hobbies like bird watching. In both of these instances, you will not need to see much of what is around your intended target.
Wider fields of view are often most used by hunters, sports fans, and in security roles. Being able to see the target without losing sight of the area surrounding it is a great way to stay aware of the whole picture. This can let you see not only who holds the ball but who they are throwing it to. You can see the deer you just spotted while still seeing if any other deer are hiding nearby.
If you plan a variety of uses, most monoculars are somewhere in the middle. While this is a concession that means your optic is not the best for any specific purpose, it does mean that it can cover a lot of uses well. For most people, these are the best choice.
The greatest majority of monoculars are in the hands of hunters who use them to augment their rifle scope. If this is the case, you will want something with a broad field of view. That way it can do the work your rifle scope is not capable of. When you need that tight in, detailed view you can go to the scope on your rifle.
Most of the time you will see the field of view represented as a number of feet at 1000 yards. This is the distance you will see from one side of your view to the other without moving the monocular. While the overall effect can be hard to understand, this video provides some very good perspective on the topic.
The greatest majority of monoculars are fixed power meaning the level of magnification is constant. The remainder has a range of magnifications in which they can be used. As to how beneficial each type is for you will depend on how you plan to use it and how much you are willing to spend.
For two monoculars of the same quality, a fixed power will always be the better price. The addition of the zoom mechanism can add significantly to the price of a monocular. Though not always true, the best monocular is usually the fixed one on the topic of quality alone. This does not mean you can't get a good quality zoom binocular but the best brands often specialize in a fixed power.
In addition to having a better price, overall fixed power monoculars tend to have better optical quality and lenses that are specifically matched to function well at their magnification. For most people, this may not even be noticeable depending on how they use their monocular. However, if you want the absolute best monocular optically, get a fixed power.
There is much more to say about zoom monoculars but the most pressing is their versatility. Having the ability to see a wide angle with a good field of view and then tighten that in to see detail is a huge asset. This is what makes zoom monoculars much more popular in most outdoor pursuits.
You may also notice a slight difference in durability between a zoom and fixed magnification monocular. Zoom monoculars can be slightly more fragile if the zoom mechanism is not properly manufactured. Any time you add moving parts you invite a way for the product to fail. Even a small amount of dust can cause issues if the mechanism is not completely sealed.
Often zoom monoculars are somewhat larger and heavier than their fixed counterparts. While it may not be enough to measure for most people, those who travel long distances and count in ounces may want to take this into account. Usually, the difference will be only a couple of ounces, if you are willing to carry the extra weight, the zoom may be a huge benefit.
While far from a common addition to a monocular, some do have reticles much like a rifle scope. You will often see these types of monoculars used on movies and TV where the tactical type of character uses one to scope out a target. But is there really a use for these monoculars for the everyday user?
For most people, the answer is likely not but I have never found them to be a distraction in the first place. They do add some versatility to your monocular that you would not have otherwise. If you never see yourself using a monocular for any of the following, there is little reason to worry about getting one.
The primary use for a reticle is with long range shooters. With a reticle and a known level of magnification, a shooter can easily estimate range to a target. While most rifle scopes also have this advantage, it can be helpful to have a secondary device to get a second opinion on longer shots where small variables can affect accuracy.
These types of monoculars have also been used in forestry to estimate the height of distant trees as well as their coverage when they fall. While rangefinders are taking over this role, it was the monocular that was used in the past. Very few people will ever need this function but should you ever be in the role of a forester or logger, it may be handy.
Most marine binoculars and monoculars use reticles to be able to tell the distance and size of objects. This is often used as a navigational aid and probably beyond the realm of the layperson. However, this can be a rewarding hobby pursuit.
Any decent monocular is an investment and one that is intended to be used outdoors. This means it can be exposed to dust, weather, temperature extremes, and the occasional drop or scrape. Having a monocular that can easily hold up to these conditions and potential abuse should be one of your first considerations.
Of course, if you are a sports fan or bird watcher you may be able to get by with a little less but for hunters and other outdoorsmen, you should aim for the best. There are a number of features that can help with the resistance and durability.
Many monoculars have a rubberized armor that prevents damage from small drops and scrapes. This can also help in weatherproofing to some degree depending on its construction. While these are important, the main benefit of having a rubberized armor is the improved grip it provides. It is far better to never drop your monocular than to have to rely on the armor to protect it when you do.
A second feature that is very important in terms of protection is having a monocular that is completely sealed. This prevents moisture and dust from getting inside the scope. Over time both of these can cause damage and eventually ruin your optic as well as causing constant optical issues. An improvement on this is an optic that is filled with an inert gas like argon or nitrogen to prevent fogging.
Having a monocular that has O-ring seals around the lenses does more than just help in keeping out foreign matter. This also prevents jarring damage to the lenses and their alignment. While not necessary by any means, this is definitely a sign you are getting the best monocular for the money.
Because monoculars are often of non-standard sizes, finding lens caps that fit can be a problem. Most of the best monocular brands sell their monoculars with lens caps and they are a great addition. The lenses are the most important part of a monocular and protecting them should be the primary concern.
A final note on damages is to get a monocular with a warranty if possible. Unforeseen things happen at the factory and in the hands of the user. This is just one more assurance that your investment is safe.
In the grand scheme of things, how much a monocular weighs is probably a minor consideration. If you are a backpacker that needs the lightest gear, you may want to factor that in. Anyone who travels long distances with gear knows that ounces lead to pounds. However, weight is not a primary concern for most users.
Size, on the other hand, can be a huge factor for some people. Hunters who don't want to carry a pack will need a monocular that fits easily into a pocket or that can be worn on a lanyard. While most monoculars are rather small, to begin with, some are definitely smaller than others. There are several that weigh mere ounces and are just a few inches long.
As long as the power you need is available, smaller will tend to always be preferable. The downside of that is that the most powerful monoculars are only available as larger models. When you do find a small, powerful monocular it will often be far costlier. If you are willing to pay the additional price, you can be sure to get the most usable monocular.
Smaller monoculars also tend to be more durable. The size and weight decrease the impact of any drops and the smaller overall surface area decreases the chances of adverse impacts from weather.
All of the above points considered, many people prefer a larger monocular that fills the hand better. They feel they get a more secure grip and have an easier time pointing the monocular accurately. While this is not universally true, it is often the case. Larger monoculars are often easier to aim at a target, especially at a distance.
There are hundreds of monoculars made by dozens of companies around the world. Many of them share the same glass and a few even share the same lens treatments. However, the function is all on the company producing the final product. If you are out for the best monocular, you need to get it from the right supplier.
We have done our best to pick leading products from manufacturers that are well regarded in the optics industry. Not all of them are high-end producers that are known to be the cream of the crop. We wanted a range of monoculars of different prices that brought a lot of value for their quality.
In their price range, each of the monoculars above could be considered the best monocular in it's class. They will all do an admirable job and last for years with proper care. Anything short of that would be a subpar product and not worthy of a spot on this list.
While there are many monoculars that we passed over for various reasons, a number of companies produce fine monoculars. Just not for the dollar for dollar value of the products above. These have the reputation to back up their performance and would make a fine addition to your kit.
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Men's 'Winfrey' flecked T-shirt from Brave Soul. Crafted from soft cotton jersey, the tee is detailed with a contrasting shoulder yoke. Complete with short sleeves, a ribbed crew neck and a brand patch above the hem.


1 Manasseh was 12 years old when he started to rule. And he ruled in Jerusalem for 55 years. 2 He did very wrong things that the LORD did not like. The people who lived in the country before the Israelites had done all those things. The LORD had helped the Israelites to push those people out of their country. 3 Manasseh built again the high places for worship that his father Hezekiah had destroyed. He built altars to worship the Baals and the Asherahs. He bent his body to worship all the stars in the sky. 4 The LORD had said about the LORD's house, 'My name will be in Jerusalem for all time.' But Manasseh built altars in the LORD's house. 5 He built altars in the two yards of the house of the LORD to worship all the stars. 6 He sacrificed his sons by fire in the Ben-Hinnom Valley. He did magic and he tried to know about future events in wrong ways. He used people who spoke to spirits. He used people who did magic. He did a lot of very wrong things that the LORD did not like. So the LORD became angry with him.
33:6Manasseh was the king of Judah from about 687 BC to 642 BC.
7 He made an idol out of wood and he put it in God's house. But God had said to David and to his son Solomon, 'I will put my name in this house for all time. I have chosen Jerusalem from the cities of all Israel's tribes. I chose it as the place to put my name for all time. 8 I do not want to take Israel's people away again from this country that I gave to your ancestors. But they must be careful to obey all the rules that are in my Law. And they must be careful to obey all the laws and the rules that I gave to them by Moses.' 9 But Manasseh caused Judah's people and the people in Jerusalem to sin. So they did more evil things than any of the nations that the LORD had destroyed. The LORD had destroyed those nations when he brought the Israelites into their country.
10 The LORD spoke to Manasseh and to his people. But they would not listen to the LORD. 11 So the LORD brought the officers of the king of Assyria's army to attack them. They took Manasseh. And they put a piece of metal in his nose and metal chains to tie his feet together. Then they took him to Babylon. 12 When Manasseh had a lot of trouble, he asked the LORD his God to help him. He told the God of his ancestors that he was not a great man.
13 When he prayed to God, and God listened to him. And he listened to what Manasseh was asking for. So he brought Manasseh to Jerusalem again. And he caused him to become king again. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God.
14 After that, he built a new wall outside the wall of David's City. He built it to the west of Gihon, in the valley and at the way in to the Fish Gate. The wall went round the hill called Ophel. And he made the wall very high. And Manasseh put officers and soldiers in all the strong cities in Judah.
15 He took away the gods of other nations and the idol from the LORD's house. He took out all the altars that he had built on the hill of the LORD's house and in Jerusalem. He threw them out of the city. 16 Then he did repairs to the LORD's altar. He sacrificed friendship-offerings and thank-offerings on it. He told Judah that they must be servants of the LORD, the God of Israel. 17 But the people still sacrificed on the high places. But they only burnt sacrifices there to the LORD their God.
18 The other things that Manasseh did are in 'The Book about the Kings of Israel'. The prayer that Manasseh said to his God is in it too. And there were prophets who spoke to him in the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. Their words are in it too. 19 The words that he prayed are in another book. That book is called 'What the Prophets Recorded'. What he asked God for is in it too. The prophets also recorded in it all his sins and how he had not been faithful to God. He had built the high places to worship false gods. He had put up Asherahs and other idols in those places before he made himself humble. The prophets recorded all those places in that book. 20 Manasseh died and his servants buried him in his own house. Then his son Amon ruled instead.
21 Amon was 22 years old when he began to rule. And he ruled in Jerusalem for 2 years. 22 He did all the very wrong things that his father Manasseh had done. The LORD did not like those things. And Amon gave sacrifices to all the idols that his father Manasseh had made. And he worshipped them. 23 But he did not make himself humble in front of the LORD as his father Manasseh made himself humble. Instead, Amon did even more very bad things than his father had done.
24 Amon's servants decided to kill him and they killed him in his own house. 25 Then all the people in that country killed the men who had decided to kill King Amon. And they chose his son Josiah to be king instead.
33:25Amon was king for only two years from about 642 to 640 BC.


text:
Q: Connecting GND on secondary side to protective ground We have a battery powered equipment which mainly consists of a temperature sensor connected to a microcontroller via a filter. In addition to battery power we have now added the possibility to use a common 9V plug in DC power supply. When using this power supply the mesaured temperature fluctuates a lot which is a large problem. The whole device is of cause floating compared to earth and it seems to be large potentials (50 Hz) between the device and earth.
I have tried to filter all internal supply voltages without any success.
Between the sensor and the microcontroller is a common mode filter and an RC-filter. I could stabilize the temperature by increasing capacitor C1 to 1 uF but this will influence the temperature signal too much. The temperature decreases approximately exponentially with up to 200-300 degrees Celsius/second.
Another way to make the temperature reading stable is to connect system ground to protective earth which I have tried. Are there any disadvantages to do that? The best would be a power supply with secondary ground connected to earth but it seems that this is almost possible to find, at least in EU. Isn't that allowed. And the customer wants that almost any 9V plug in power supply could be used which is understandable.
Any advice?
See picture. Everything inside the red rectangle is floating regarding to earth. The power supply is connected with a 5.5/2.5 mm DC plug.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Tamilnad Mercantile Bank offers multiple tax-saving fixed deposit schemes that help taxpayers save huge chunks of tax from their income. These schemes, additionally, are eligible for deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
The Tamilnad Mercantile Bank, which began its operations in 1921, is one of the major scheduled commercial banks in South India. The business mix of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank stood at Rs.44,985.81 crores last year, registering a growth of 13.06% on a y-o-y basis. As on February 2016, the Tamilnad Mercantile Bank has deposits of around Rs.25,650 crores and advances amounting to Rs.19,336 crores.
The Tamilnad Mercantile Bank offers several products such as home loans, educational loans, tax saver fixed deposits and mutual funds.
The Tamilnad Mercantile Bank offers two tax saving fixed deposit schemes known as 'Malligai' and 'Mullai'. The tax saving fixed deposit schemes qualify for deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (from AY 2007-08). Individuals and HUF are eligible for deduction up to Rs.1.5 lakh for a five-year period or above. It is important to note that only the first holder of the fixed deposit account can avail of the tax benefit. Under the 'Mullai' fixed deposit scheme, you will be paid cumulative interest upon maturity of the scheme. Under the 'Malligai' fixed deposit scheme, you can withdraw the interest earned on a monthly, half-yearly, quarterly and annual basis.
You can claim a deduction of up to Rs.1.5 lakh on the interest payable for the purchase of a new property under section 24(b) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The interest which needs to be paid during the construction period can be divided into 5 instalments in a year starting from the specific year in which you constructed or bought your house. Under section 24(b), you can claim deduction on interest on home loan for construction, renewal and purchase of house property. Also, according to sections 80C and section 80CCE of the Income Tax Act, 1961, you can claim a deduction of up to Rs.1 lakh (principal repayment) on your home loan from your gross total income. For instance, if your taxable income is Rs.6,00,000, principal repayment is Rs.1,20,000 and the interest payable is Rs.1,70,000, you can claim a total deduction of Rs.2.5 lakh. Consequently, your taxable income will be Rs.3.5 lakh.
Amount: You can get up to Rs.300 lakhs as loan for buying a new house and Rs.25 lakhs for renovation of your house.
Eligibility: The minimum age is 18 years while the maximum is 50 years. The upper age limit may be increased to 60 years for professionals such as doctors, lawyers and chartered accountants among others.
The Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Educational Loan offers educational loans to students for higher education. You can claim deduction under Section 80E of the Income Tax Act, 1961 for the repayment of interest on your educational loan. You can avail of the deduction only if you have taken the loan for higher education of your spouse/children/self. It is important to note that only the interest on education loan can be claimed by you as deduction. There is no maximum limit for deduction as per Section 80E of the IT Act. You can claim deduction from the year you start paying interest on your educational loan.
The Tamilnad Mercantile Bank has entered into partnerships with various Asset Management Companies such as Sundaram Mutual Fund, Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund, UTI Mutual Fund, Reliance Mutual Fund, HDFC Asset Management Company Limited, Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund and ICICI Prudential AMC Mutual Fund. ELSS funds offered by the said companies offer various tax benefits as per section 80C of the Income Tax Act. ELSS funds offer capital appreciation along with tax benefits (no tax is applicable on long-term capital gains).


Do you want to experience time-saving features of PARCEL but still utilize your favorite word processor? PARCEL FastTrack is the workflow solution for you.
PARCEL FastTrack is available to purchase with any EDR order, or can be used on it's own for scopes that do not require EDR data. Order an EDR Premium Package and you'll get access to FastTrack bundled with your data and historical resources.
Watch a short demonstration and contact our support team to find out more.
"EDR laid out a new on-boarding plan this time around. They introduced a concept they refer to as the "blueprint for success', an implementation agreement."


text:
US vehicle efficiency hardly changed since Model T
By Max Glaskin
No change in fuel efficiency despite modern technological advances
(Image: © 2008 Ford Motor Company)
The average fuel efficiency of the US vehicle fleet has risen by just 3 miles per gallon since the days of the Ford Model T, and has barely shifted at all since 1991.
Those are the conclusions reached by Michael Sivak and Omer Tsimhoni at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute in Ann Arbor. They analysed the fuel efficiency of the entire US vehicle fleet of cars, motorcycles, trucks and buses from 1923 to 2006.
They found that from 1923 to 1935 fuel efficiency hovered around 14 mpg (5.95 km/l), but then fell gradually to a nadir of only 11.9 mpg (5.08 km/l) in 1973. By 1991, however, the efficiency of the total fleet had risen by 42 per cent on 1973 levels to 16.9 mpg (7.18 km/l), a compound annual rate of 2 per cent.
The improvements made up to 1991 were in response to two international events – the 1973 oil embargo by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and the Iranian Revolution of 1979.
'No external prods'
Both events disrupted oil supplies to the west, says John DeCicco, former senior auto issues expert at the campaign group Environmental Defense Fund, who was not involved in the new study.
Progress has stalled since then, though, despite growing environmental concerns. From 1991 to 2006 the average efficiency improved by only 1.8 per cent to 17.2 mpg (7.31 km/l). "We were in a period of complacency [during the 1990s]. There were no external prods to improve fuel economy," says DeCicco.
"By the mid-90s there was only us and the Sierra Club [a US grassroots environmental organisation] pressing for better standards," DeCicco says. If manufacturers addressed energy concerns at all, it was in the pursuit of "technological fantasies" like the electric car, he says.
Electric vehicle research continues to advance and now has high-profile governmental backing, but it's unlikely to have a short-term impact on average fuel efficiency in the US.
If the country's transportation fuel consumption is to fall by 10 per cent, Sivak and Tsimhoni calculate that the average fuel efficiency across the entire fleet will have to rise to 19.1 mpg (8.12 km/l).
President Obama announced in May that new cars should average 35.5 mpg (15.09 km/l) by 2016. But improvements to new cars could still leave the efficiency of the entire vehicle fleet largely unaffected without changes in policy, say Sivak and Tsimhoni.
They think there should be a financial incentive to promote owners of older vehicles to scrap them in favour of new cars, as happens already in some European countries. In addition, tax breaks should be given to encourage the development and introduction of fuel-saving technologies – particularly in the most fuel-hungry vehicles in each class.
"Society has much more to gain from improving a car from 15 to 16 mpg (6.38 to 6.8 km/l) than from improving a car from 40 to 41 mpg (17 to 17.43 km/l)," they write in their paper. "Similarly, the benefits are greater from improving a truck from 4 to 4.5 mpg (1.7 to 1.92 km/l) than from improving a truck from 7 to 7.5 mpg (3.19 km/l)."
Journal reference: Energy Policy (DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2009.04.001)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


UNICEF Nederland is one of the 36 National Committees that represent UNICEF International, the charitable foundation that actively works to provide a better world for today's children, particularly the most vulnerable. The Dutch Committee is responsible for raising funds that are implemented in 190 countries worldwide with the purpose of giving all children the opportunity to survive and develop. In addition, the Committee ensures that the Dutch Government adheres to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and is a co-founder of the Kinderrechtencollectief (Children's Rights Collective), a coalition of children's rights organizations.
UNICEF, as a global organization, has an easily recognizable brand that carries with it a powerful reputation. Its brand informs its ethos, heritage and identity, as well as a huge amount of credibility, so it obviously has to be maintained on all corporate communications and marketing materials. A properly formatted email signature with the UNICEF branding was therefore a must so there would be no risk of harming this brand reputation.
However, using Office 365 alone to manage signatures is not necessarily easy. It involves the creation of numerous Transport Rules and any signature design cannot be tested in advance. These limitations often make email signature management a chore for an IT department and can take up a lot time. With this in mind, UNICEF Nederland wanted to find an Office 365 signature solution that would make this whole process easier and less time-consuming.
"After reviewing all of the content on the Exclaimer website, we felt that this was exactly what we needed," he said. "The sales process was very easy and we were able to implement Exclaimer Cloud - Signatures for Office 365 without any external assistance." He was also offered a special charity discount, a standard practice by Exclaimer that he further appreciated.


text:
<?php

namespace vulkan\Core;

use vulkan\System\Config;
use vulkan\System\Transfer;

class ChartSectionInfo {

    /** @var \vulkan\Core\AstroMoment Object with date-time-gmt info */
    public $moment;
    /** @var \vulkan\Core\Location Object with location info */
    public $location;

    /** @var string Title of a section */
    public $title;
    /** @var string Description text */
    public $description;

    public function construct($params = null) {
        Config::settings($this, $params);
    }

    /**
     * Sets date && time
     * @param mixed $value Datetime str value (i.e. 1980-01-01 10:30:00) or a timestamp value
     * @param mixed|null $gmt Gmt time offset (i.e. 3:20) or a timestamp value
     * @return $this
     */
    public function dateTime($value, $gmt = null) {
        $this->moment = new AstroMoment($value, $gmt);
        return $this;
    }

    public function gmt($value) {
        if ($this->moment) {
            $this->moment->gmt($value);
        }
    }

    /**
     * Sets location params
     * @param float|array $lon Longitude (decimal format), if >0 => eastern, <0 => western OR array [$lon, $lat]
     * @param float $lat Latitude (decimal format), if >0 => northern, <0 => southern
     * @param string|null $name Location name, i.e. "Moscow, Russia"
     * @return $this
     */
    public function location($lon, $lat = null, $name = null) {
        if (is_array($lon)) {
            $this->location = new Location($lon[0], $lon[1]);
        } else {
            $this->location = new Location($lon, $lat);
        }
        return $this;
    }

    public function toArray() {
        return Transfer::serializeObjectVars($this, 'moment', 'location', 'title');
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


A MONG the Cherokee legends is one dealing with a portion of the nation which lost itself in the West because of the sale of Cherokee lands to the whites in 1721. The story was held to be a fact by the Cherokee, who insisted that travelers returning from the Far West brought word of a tribe living at the base of the Rocky Mountains that spoke the Cherokee language and lived after the Cherokee fashion. Sequoya, who invented the Cherokee alphabet and lifted his people to a literary plane, when more than seventy years old became absorbed with the legend and at last traveled west, crossed the Mississippi and penetrated into Mexico in search of his lost people. He lost his life in the Mexican Sierras, near San Fernando, the late Summer of 1843. These legends of lost peoples are common among many tribes. The Kiowa version has it that years ago one of the chiefs quarreled over a division of game and took some of his people over the Rocky Mountains, near the British border, where somewhere they may be found, retaining the Kiowa language and customs. The Tonkawa believe a band of their people were cut off from the tribe by a tidal wave on the Texas coast and fled back to Mexico. The Tuscarora have a story of the tribe being separated by the Mississippi, the western band remaining in the plains and becoming the enemy of the eastern band.


It's my pleasure to address the WssTP audience on behalf of the first ever Bulgarian Presidency of the ENVI Council!
Nowadays, Europe and its citizens need more security, stability and solidarity. Security which guarantees and protects the health of the planet and of the people. Stability which creates a competitive environment, including sustainable growth and a "green" economy with a focus on the transition to a circular economy and eco-innovations. Solidarity which is based on cohesion and the overall convergence of the society, while taking into account the geographic, cultural and socioeconomic specifics of the regions.
As a rotating Presidency, we put emphasis on the transition to a circular economy which is resource-efficient. We will work for sustainable growth, environment and conditions conducive to eco-innovative solutions.
When talking about circular economy one of the strategic resources of crucial importance we should focus on is water. Quality of life is impossible without quality and abundance of water. This goal is achievable only by common efforts on local, regional, national, European and international level.
As a country that is part of both the Danube and the Black Sea regions, we have a clear understanding on the importance of cooperation for water quality, fighting water pollution, but also the economic perspectives of well-governed water resources.
As a rotating Presidency, we welcomed the revision of the Drinking Water Directive. We consider DWD as one of the essential tools to ensure the quality of the water consumed in the EU. We are confident that our common objective will be that the revised Directive ensures the same level of protection of human health from adverse effects of any contamination of drinking water equally across the whole EU.
Last but not least, we know that water scarcity has worsened in some parts of the EU in recent decades, with damaging effects on the environment and the economy. The reuse of treated wastewater is, therefore, a good option to increase water supply and to alleviate pressure on the water resources, but has to take place in safe and cost-effective conditions. In that respect, the BG Presidency looks forward to the adoption of the new Commission proposal setting minimum requirements for water reuse.
In conclusion, I would like to point out that the Bulgarian Presidency comes at a key point for the future of the Union. I believe that the challenges brought us together and made us stronger. We should respond to crises with "more Europe" because I believe that the future belongs to a united, prospering and inclusive Europe. Because United We Stand Strong!


The first in our series of "Udrive Top Trumps" is our very own Jaguar E-type S2, with it's classic 70s race look. Described by Enzo Ferrari as the "most beautiful car he never designed", this thing of beauty has a top speed of 155mph and 265Bhp. To accompany the exterior beauty, the In-line 6 4200cc engine also sounds incredible and enables the E-type to do 0-60mph in just 6 seconds.
Take a look below for the full specifications of this motoring style icon!


text:
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ChipObject.h File Reference
#include "ChipObject/tAccumulator.h"

#include "ChipObject/tAI.h"

#include "ChipObject/tAlarm.h"

#include "ChipObject/tAnalogTrigger.h"

#include "ChipObject/tCounter.h"

#include "ChipObject/tDIO.h"

#include "ChipObject/tDMA.h"

#include "ChipObject/tDMAManager.h"

#include "ChipObject/tEncoder.h"

#include "ChipObject/tGlobal.h"

#include "ChipObject/tInterrupt.h"

#include "ChipObject/tInterruptManager.h"

#include "ChipObject/tSolenoid.h"

#include "ChipObject/tSPI.h"

#include "ChipObject/tWatchdog.h"

Go to the source code of this file.

<address style="text-align: right;">Generated on Wed Feb 9 11:20:44 2011 for WPILIB by

 1.5.8 </address>


text:
Broncos CB Kareem Jackson suspended two games
By Jeremy Bergman
Burrow to Bengals? Tobin says no decision made
Montana on SB LIV: 'Guaranteed my team will win'
Denver will finish its 2019 campaign without one of its starting defensive backs.
Broncos cornerback Kareem Jackson was suspended two games for violating the league's substance abuse policy. His suspension stems from a DUI arrest from September, the Broncos said in a statement.
"Kareem Jackson was arrested for driving under the influence on Thursday, Sept. 19. He immediately informed our team of the incident, which we promptly reported to the NFL and thoroughly reviewed as an organization," the organization said.
"There are high standards for the personal conduct of all members of our organization, and we have expressed our extreme disappointment to Kareem for his poor judgment. Under the NFL Policy and Program on Substances of Abuse, he has been suspended for the Broncos' final two games of the 2019 season."
In his first year with Denver after nine seasons with the Houston Texans, Jackson, 31, has started all 13 of the Broncos' games and is just a week removed from winning his first career Defensive Player of the Week award. Jackson logged 803 defensive snaps for Denver, third-most on the team, recorded two picks and a forced fumble and scored one defensive touchdown this season.
Jackson, who signed a three-year, $33 million deal with the Broncos this offseason, has two years remaining on his contract in Denver.
Already out of playoff contention, the 5-9 Broncos close out at home against the Detroit Lions and Oakland Raiders.
I would like to apologize to the Broncos organization, my teammates & fans. I understand the severity in my lapse of judgement and I will certainly not make this mistake again. I know I am fortunate to play in the NFL and am held to a high standard of professionalism and conduct.
— Kareem Jackson (@ReemBoi25) December 17, 2019
"Black Hole section will travel with Raiders t..."


Steve Hartmanis a Thought Leadership writer for Siemens PLM Software. Steve's experience is varied spanning the automotive, financial, real estate, travel and sporting goods industries as well as having written four published novels and cowrote a memoir. He has a wife, three kids, two dogs, a cat and a rabbit. And still, he carves out time to read, watch movies and write.


I hate exercising. Well, hate is such a strong word…I really don't like exercising. The kind where you go to the gym, take a class, push-ups, sit-ups etc. It's not that I don't exercise at all. I guess it goes in spurts for whatever is piquing my interest at that moment, but it never lasts. I'm just not that into it. In fact, if I didn't have to do it, I probably wouldn't exercise at all.
I should mention though that I absolutely love being outside. Any sort of outside activity. Preferably in the 75 degree range, but sign me up for any outdoor adventure. I wouldn't really have considered climbing mountains as exercise for example, but anyone on our climb up Mt. Bierstadt in Colorado last summer will tell you it was a herculean effort – well as least for some of us.
So when we found our new house, on 2.2 acres with a view of the Chattahoochee River, I immediately fell in love. Most of the property is actually wooded forest and just lovely. Deer walk through in the morning and though I'm pretty sure there are some poisonous snakes down there somewhere, it really is just heaven. This past weekend I decided to tackle a huge area of ivy that had become weed infested. Pulling weeds in and of itself is not exactly fun but I was thrilled just to be outside and in nature. In fact, it was a feels-like of 35 degrees but with my mountain climbing outfit on, I was completely content stomping through the bushes. I spent hours, clipping, digging, and hauling trash cans overflowing with weeds and twigs up the 18% grade hill to the dumpster. I found magnificent rock walls that had been hidden by ivy from years of neglect. I unearthed clay pots that used to hold beautiful flowers. I learned how to sharpen the large clippers because some of the dead branches were just too big for the small shears. Eventually, I found a good stopping point near a couple of trees. By now, I was in serious need of a snack and a hot shower. As I was cleaning up and catching my breath, I thought that this was so much better than going to the gym. I used all of the same muscles that I would have used working out, burning some serious calories. And my low-intensity cardio workout definitely got my heart pumping! The best part was I couldn't wait to start the next part of the garden tomorrow after work! I'd never said that at the gym before. In fact, I'm sure I had used every excuse in the book why I didn't need to go back to the gym the next day. I was doing all of the same exercises I would have done on the weight machines or in a class and learning new things at the same time, but because it was under the umbrella of something I was passionate about, I was more interested in continuing, working harder and longer than I normally would have done.
is remarkable. At Mount Vernon, we ask how school can look more like real-life. As an adult, if we were in a job that we hated, we'd quit. As a student, you can't quit the project that the teacher has chosen for you. You just plod along, never really engaging in the learning because it just doesn't interest you that much. With inquiry-based learning, student start by asking questions and finding their passions. How might all of the required learning in school fall under each student's passion? How does that really work in a school day with a room full of kids when there are all sorts of things that we have to get done and learning outcomes to check off? If every student had different passions and interests, how could teachers really keep a handle on what's going on each day? In general, inquiry-based learning can be messy and unpredictable. Teachers need to be able to let go of the control and trust the method. When students are doing something that they are passionate about, they will be more engaged, work harder and longer and retain the information better because the learning and skills are part of bigger context that matters to them.
If I were a student today in an English class, I'd hope the persuasive essay that I was learning to write could be to the local city official about prohibiting the use of harmful pesticides. In my math class, I hope that when learning about converting units of measurement, I could figure out how many wheelbarrow loads of potting soil I could get from a one ton delivery from the local gardening store since I'm replanting the side hill. If I was learning about even and odd, I hope I could find examples by looking at the plants and bugs in the front flower beds. In history class, I hope I could choose to research the indigenous people from Japan – the Japanese Maple in the front yard is one of my favorite trees.
In literature, I'd want to do my character study on Mary Lennox from the novel "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I just uncovered a hidden rock wall in the ivy bed which totally reminded me of the hidden door in the story. In science, during the unit on invertebrates, I wonder if I could research an interesting flat head worm I found in the garden. Apparently it's a dangerous predator that eats regular earthworms and with all of my new plantings, I really need as many earthworms to fertilize the soil as possible. If this was the work I could choose each day as a student, I'd be so much more engaged in my learning. How might we give the students at our schools the same choices? If you are already an inquiry-based school, how much of the day is really student driven? Or are there only a few PBL units a couple of times a year and that's it? I would argue that's not enough.
So here's a challenge for you…take out your lesson plans for the next week and pick one topic that every lesson and activity needs to fall under. Can you do it? Of course you can, but it might take some stretching on your part. Now pick another totally different topic. See? It's totally possible. You pick the what. Let the students pick the how. Curiosity and passion really do drive learning. I think you'll be amazed with the results.


Be reasonable and fair in your requests.
Be just in your discipline.
An immediate, negative consequence is usually best (because it is easily understood and free from psychological repercussions).
Be merciful in overlooking genuine accidents, as well as when you observe genuine repentance.
Be loving always and especially so when your child is behaving well.
Teaching obedience so you don't have to do anything else.
Most parents spend literally years and years painstakingly correcting their children over and over again trying to teach them the many rules of their household and of life. The need for discipline never ends, it just changes from subject to subject. At ages 2 and 3 the parents work on teaching them to come when called, then to share their toys, then to eat their beans. When they get a little older the parents focus on teaching them to pick up their room, and to wash their hands and to not talk back or tell lies. When they reach the teen years mom and dad try to teach them to call when they are going to be late, and to get their homework done on time, and to help in the yard once in a while. The focus is always on different tasks or actions. The discipline changes according to age and offense, but it is taken for granted that it will always be needed.
In our house when the kids are small, we begin by teaching only one thing, obedience. We discipline only for that, and then we don't have to do any of the rest.
Okay, what do I mean? Well, once your child knows and agrees with the fact that he must obey you every time, and that he must do so with a willing and pleasant attitude, then you scarcely have to teach him anything else, do you? Once he knows he must obey you, then you can simply "ask" him to pick up his toys and he will. You can just "ask" him to get ready for bed and he will. You can even just "ask" him to "Stop crying please," and he will do it. What could be simpler?
Sure, your child isn't perfect, and neither are you, so you will still need to do some correcting on occasion, and you'll still have to do a lot of teaching and guiding, but do you see the potential? In my experience, once you've convinced your child that his rightful duty is to obey his parents ("Children, obey your parents; this is the right thing to do because God has placed them in authority over you." TLB Eph 6:1), then your discipline needs will be cut to a bare minimum. THEN you can spend the vast majority of your time teaching, and nurturing, and enjoying, and LOVING your child. Sounds like a real deal to me, and it WORKS.
I believe in God of course and have as my ultimate goal, raising godly children who will raise godly children.
I love good and hate evil.
I keep my children away from other people's children as much as possible within reason: we home school, no nurseries, no babysitters outside of family, no Sunday school (gasp!), no preschool, no "over-nights", etc.
I teach them obedience early. I start before age one.
I do teach them "NO".
I am just and fair, but I recognize that I am the parent and they are the child.
I don't "count to 3". I expect them to obey the first time I tell them.
I don't lose my temper, or nag, or whine, or yell, or beg, or bribe, or "reason", to get my children to obey.
I do spank, but I rarely have to do it after age 3 because I don't use it as a "punishment" as much as I use it as a "training" tool, and by the time they are 3 they are obeying quite well and I just don't need it.
I try to be VERY consistent. I don't have a long list of rules, my only "rule" is that they must obey me immediately with a good attitude.
I focus on their attitude and character more than their actions.
I have high standards and am not afraid to make them different from the world's standards.
I try to include my children in all that I am doing rather than "entertaining" them or focusing life around them.
We enjoy each other, which is easy if they are obeying as they ought to be, and we parents are being loving and fair as we ought to be.
There are many more things, but those are what come to mind immediately. Of course they are no secret, just common sense.
WATCH to see that your instructions are carried out.
Correct them (with some immediate, negative consequence) after the FIRST refusal to obey (MEAN WHAT YOU SAY). No threatening, nagging, pleading, begging, bribing, yelling, etc. These are all forms of parental whining and they teach your child to disrespect you, and that you do not really intend to follow through on your threats.
Direct them to go back and do it again until they do it correctly.
Repeat the above (as many times as it takes) until the child obeys WITH A GOOD ATTITUDE, one of cooperativeness and willingness to obey.
From that time forth, vigilantly WATCH your child, and correct every future misbehavior in a similar way. Be consistent.
You must be consistent. I think that lack of consistency is the biggest problem most people have with their disciplining techniques (if they have the other basics right). The success you have is directly related to the consistency with which you apply the above rules. Don't wimp out. Don't give up. Don't make excuses. Watch your child and correct all disobedience. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Don't be afraid to set high standards and maintain them. Teach them to act the way you would like to have them act, not the way everyone else lets their children act.
Consistency does not mean "do exactly the same thing with every child or with every incident". Not every child has the same personality. Every child has a different emotional makeup. Not every circumstance is the same. A child's motivation will vary from time to time and incident to incident. Try to look at the end result and then do whatever you have to do to get there with each child. Learn to read your child and anticipate what corrections are needed.
What consistency means is that every single time your child needs to be corrected, you get up and do it, and you stay there and keep doing it until the message gets across. I remember talking on the phone one time and telling someone that I knew my daughter was jumping on the couch in the other room and that I should go stop her, but………then it hit me. Yes, that was it. That's exactly what I needed to do, every time. Now that would be consistency.
So, I started doing just that. I made it my top priority. I didn't go anywhere or do anything or even spend any time on the phone for awhile. I kept my children closer to me so I could see them, then I stopped what I was doing and corrected them every time they needed it. EVERY TIME. At first there were a lot of corrections and I had my doubts about it working, but by the end of the third day things were very much improved. By the end of the third month, I had a new family. Hardly any major disciplining was needed after that at all. It was a miracle!
If you are disciplining a lot, it is a good indicator that you are not being consistent. You can correct a child 10 times, then skip once, and you will have undone everything you accomplished the last 10 times. Now maybe if you correct them diligently 100 times in a row, then you overlook something (maybe when they are at super sympathetic grandma's house), it won't take too long to get them back in shape, but remember that you will have had to be consistent 100 times in a row first. Now I don't mean you should have to correct them 100 times for the same thing, just 100 times for any disobedience. IN A ROW!! You have to convince them that you "mean what you say and say what you mean".
When I first began writing about childrearing, I focused mostly on the subject of discipline because so many of the parents I met were failing in that area. They loved their children, but didn't know how to discipline them. But then I began receiving criticism for "never writing about loving my children". Huh? I guess I thought that was just a natural thing that all parents knew how to do and no one had to explain it to them. Wrong. I have come to find out that there are indeed some parents who go overboard with discipline and don't have a clue about how to express love to their children. With that in mind I am now trying to include advice on that extremely important part, no, mandatory part, of successful childrearing as well.
Once your children have been taught to respect your authority as they should, you will quickly find that the peace and order in your home will allow ample time for the love and affection most parents long to give their children. If you take advantage of the opportunity, the joy both you and they will experience, will be above and beyond what you would ever have expected.
As long as your children are obeying you, enjoy them. Hug them, kiss them, talk to them, do things with them, and especially include them in things you are doing. Smile at them when they come and talk to you. Welcome their attention. Answer their questions. Let them crawl in bed with you now and then. When they say "Can I go?", try to say, "Yes." When they ask to help, say, "Sure, you can do this for me." Laugh with them. Joke and kid with them. Be interested in the things they are interested in. Be excited about their accomplishments. Enjoy them in everything. These are the types of things you should be doing with your children most of the time. Disciplining, if you are doing it wisely, should only take up a very small percentage of your day. I know all moms have chores to do, but again, those things should not exclude your children. Do as much as you can with your children. Have them help you. Teach them everything you know. Fellowship with them. Tutor them in all the things of your life.
The Bible says not to "provoke your children to wrath". Are you fair in the way that you treat your children, or do you betray their trust and confidence in you by letting them get away with certain things, then punishing them for the same thing at other times? Do you emotionally abuse your children by praising them one minute then yelling at them the next? Do you consistently show them love and affection the majority of the time, or are you constantly picking on them for the smallest transgressions? Do your children know what is expected of them, or do you spring unreasonable demands on them without warning? Do you discipline them just as severely for a simple accident as you do for outright defiance, or do you lighten up when it is really an accident and overlook truly innocent mistakes? Are you flexible when possible, or are you unreasonably regimented for no good reason? Do you trust your child and let him know it by your approval and your smiles, or are you always suspicious and convey that by constant accusations and criticisms? Do you think the best of his intentions or do you always suspect the worst? How do you treat your child? Are you loving and pleasant? Or a critical, controlling ogre?
Your disciplining should be free from emotional abuse. Be straightforward and direct with your children. Tell them clearly what you expect of them. Be reasonable in your requests, and fair and just in the way you discipline. They should know that they can depend on you to correct them as needed, and to enjoy them when they behave, and that you love them always. (One of the best definitions of love I've heard is: " Seeking the best for the other person".) ENCOURAGE AND ENJOY YOUR CHILDREN!
I tend to think that praising your child goes without saying, but I have met an occasional parent who doesn't seem to ever do this. They never say anything nice to their child. They constantly find fault and criticize. They control every breath the child takes and still criticize. I have met many other parents who praise to excess, but do it the wrong way and/or at the wrong time. They are so worried about building up self-esteem in their child they over praise and create pride instead.
There are right ways and wrong ways to praise a child. Be free with your love and praise for your child, without going overboard. Don't create pride in your child by lavishing them with false flattery, but be generous with sincere and modest praise when it is warranted. Don't praise your child for anything and everything. Don't praise them for things they had nothing to do with such as looks and intelligence. Don't praise them constantly for every little thing, but do praise them when they overcome a temptation, or when they make a good effort, or when they need encouragement, and especially when they "go the extra mile".
I think the most important part of praise is not the specific words or timing, but having an attitude of approval in general, all the time. Look for the good in your child, and let them know by your attitude (and words and actions when appropriate) that you are very pleased with them. When you assess them, look at their hearts and motives, not just their outward accomplishments. Praise them when they make a choice to do the right thing. Praise them for kindness, generosity, hard work, and other indications of good character. Praise your child when he is being obedient and good. You don't have to use a lot of words either. Simply letting your child know that you are pleased with him is praise, and it is the best kind, and should be done very frequently.
If you train your children early, with reasonableness and consistency, there should be no reason to become frustrated or angry with your children. If your child will readily do what you ask him to, and you know how to handle the situation if he doesn't, the reasons for you to become angry will be gone. It is when a child is out of control, or when a parent doesn't know what to do about it, that the parent becomes frustrated.
Sometimes wrong parental expectations and wrong priorities enter into the picture as well. Some parents want their children to just "go away" while they go on with their lives as if they had none, and it might be better if they didn't. Some parents expect their children to act perfectly well behaved without any effort at instruction or training or discipline on the part of the parents themselves. These attitudes will lead to failure and frustration and anger. Get your priorities right. Recognize that parenting is a full time job, and do it to the best of your ability.
There should be no need to fear spanking if the parent is reasonable and does not spank in anger and frustration. IF the above rules are followed with consistency you will find that spanking will become rare and need not be severe. One swat on the bottom is usually all that is needed. Spanking is commanded in Scripture. Don't omit it. After your child is under control, it will often be enough to call a child over, look him in the eye, and say, "Don't do that again," or similar.
I occasionally have to give a more severe spanking for an offense that was more severe or one that I did not catch in the act. For example, one day, when our 2nd oldest daughter was about eight-years-old, she came inside with tears in her eyes holding Dad's umbrella, obviously broken. She confessed something about "the wall." After a little questioning, we learned that she and several of our other children had thought it would be fun to try jumping off the brick wall by the side of our house, thinking that the umbrella would let them down slowly (like Mary Poppins, I suppose). Each child was sternly lectured about the foolishness and danger of their actions. We asked them what they were thinking. Did they ask if they could do this thing? Didn't they think they might get hurt? What if one of the younger ones had broken his leg, how would they feel then? What about the umbrella? Did they have Dad's permission to use it? Did they know they were doing something wrong? Would they have done this in front of us? We didn't badger them or intimidate them, but we did convey serious concern. Afterward, each was spanked. Tearful and genuine remorse was sought and achieved (and they never tried the Mary Poppins jump thing again).
Many parents think of a spanking as a one time punishment or a payment for a particular misdeed. This is not the correct idea. Instead, spanking should be thought of as a training tool, used consistently, until the desired results are accomplished, permanently. This way the child will not think: "Oh, I can do what I want, all I will get is a spanking." Instead, he will think: "Uh-oh, I can see that I'm going to keep getting spanked until I stop this." Your child should not think that it is okay to sin as long as you are willing to pay the price. Doing what is wrong should not be considered an option at all, ever.
CONFRONTATION: Don't be afraid of a confrontation. It is helpful to set up a confrontational situation in the case of a toliler who is "out of control." For example, tell him to sit on the couch next to you. When he tries to get down, give him a firm swat on the bottom and say, "No" in an 'I mean business' tone. Continue this every time he tries to get down until he stops trying. If he actually makes it off the couch, tell him to climb back up himself, if he is big enough, or replace him if needed. Don't restrain him. Don't give in. Ignore his crying. You are not done until he sits there quietly for as long as you want him to without resisting. Let him fall asleep if he likes. Even after he stops resisting, don't let him down too soon. Ten or 20 minutes or even an hour is not too long. Once you have done this, continue to expect him to obey everything you tell him to do.
AMBUSH: Don't keep reminding, instead–ambush. If you've told your toddler not to touch the piano for example, he may obey you while you are watching, but not when he thinks you aren't. He must obey you always so the thing to do is to watch him and catch him when he doesn't think you are watching. If you see him touch the piano, walk quietly up behind him and give him a swat on the rear. When he turns to look, sternly tell him "Don't touch". The fewer words the better once he knows what he should be doing and not doing. Don't assume your toliler is too dumb to remember such things. They are not. Truly forgetting in a case like this is rare.
WATCH YOUR CHILDREN: A special word about watching your children: Allowing them to do whatever they please while you 'watch' to see that they don't get hurt or even to 'watch' that they don't do anything wrong is not the correct idea. You should certainly be observing their behavior and especially their attitudes in everything they do, but keep in mind that you are their teacher and tutor. You are not to be a mere spectator or even a coach. You should be involving them in your life as much as possible and teaching them how to live as you do. Do this together. This starts with the little ones and continues as they grow older.
DOING IT OVER: Here is another technique that works well to "train" children in certain circumstances. If one of them runs down the hall, I'll tell him to "walk". Of course he will forget since he figures it's not all that serious an offense. So the next time he runs down the hall I'll tell him, "Now go all the way back to where you started and walk down the hall this time." A couple of times of that and they seem to remember. It works very well for unwanted pounding up and down the stairs too. I don't usually spank children for these types of little things, I just "train" them by making it unpleasant when they forget. Of course if they don't learn the easy way then I do spank.
THINKING ABOUT IT: In order to bring your child to repentance, a spanking or other verbal correction alone may sometimes not be enough. Often sitting near you quietly to "think about what you've done" is helpful. Sometimes a soul-searching lecture (for children old enough to understand) is needed as well. Always be sure the correct attitude is obtained. You are not finished until your child and you are in agreement about what happened and what should have happened and what will happen next time. This should not be a "force" agreement. Your child should be repentant if he or she has done wrong and should be accepting of your discipline, while your discipline should of course be just and merciful according to the situation.
PRAISE YOUR CHILD: Don't forget to encourage and commend your children when they do good. Don't praise them only for academic accomplishments, but rather praise them especially for right attitudes and acts of unselfishness and kindness.