I have asked the tbh for a pressie but I don't know what too get ? I am right under a flight path so many planes , however binoculars don't give me the best image, so I'm after an alternative but not costing the earth any ideas

Obviously a telescope or spotting scope (with a suitable tripod) would give you additional, and maybe variable zoom, but the planes are still moving relatively fast so some decent and powerful binoculars would still be my choice.

I've got a decent bino but its my bloody arms shaking is the problem

A monopod for what you already have??

A monopod for what you already have??

For binos ?

You say your arm is shaking, so you want something to steady it; taking the weight off is the obvious solution, and a monopod is probably the simplest and most mobile solution; most smaller binocs wont have a mount, but that is rarely a problem, make a plate that can be screwed into the monopod mount, glue/fix a suitably sized bean bag to the plate and plonk the binocs on it.

Why not get the plane finder app, and you can see what planes are flying around you from the comfort of your armchair?

Yeah just downloaded an app " amazing"

Here's what I spend much time on.

I even go outside to see them flying overhead just to confirm what I'm seeing on the screen is correct.

 

Now that IS sad! 

 

 

http://www.flightradar24.com/

Yeah I'm with Mr Ree, FlightRadar24 is excellent. I mainly use the app on my phone or tablet, paid £1.99 for the pro version and it just keeps getting better, a recent update has introduced the 3D feature which gives a 'pilots eye' simulation using Google earth type maps moving in time with the actual plane you've chosen!

You can also use the augmented reality function and point your phone to the sky allowing the app to 'dot' each plane in view and give you its info.

Oh I sound like such a geek hahaha 

Yeah I'm with Mr Ree, FlightRadar24 is excellent. I mainly use the app on my phone or tablet, paid £1.99 for the pro version and it just keeps getting better, a recent update has introduced the 3D feature which gives a 'pilots eye' simulation using Google earth type maps moving in time with the actual plane you've chosen!

You can also use the augmented reality function and point your phone to the sky allowing the app to 'dot' each plane in view and give you its info.

Oh I sound like such a geek hahaha 

 

 

You'll be seeing the same inbound 'planes as me, mainly Ryan' and Easy coming in from Spain. 

I'm very fortunate here in that I'm directly under the take off fly path from Liverpool airport (at about 6,500ft)

 

Unfortunately, my mobby doesn't support apps, so it's just the pc for me.

 

We are indeed very geeky, and laughed at here too when I rush outside to see what I see on the screen flying overhead. 

 

Don't actually care tbh. It's a nice quiet interest and not doing anyone any harm.

I envy you on your app for your 'phone. Sounds really good that.

Edited 12 November, 201312 yr by Mr Ree

You arent that geeky, when my son was 7-12, we used to go out satellite spotting, try getting the serial number off the side of one of those!!!

(Used the "heavensabove" website for timetables and tracks).

Yeah I'm with Mr Ree, FlightRadar24 is excellent. I mainly use the app on my phone or tablet, paid £1.99 for the pro version and it just keeps getting better, a recent update has introduced the 3D feature which gives a 'pilots eye' simulation using Google earth type maps moving in time with the actual plane you've chosen!

You can also use the augmented reality function and point your phone to the sky allowing the app to 'dot' each plane in view and give you its info.

Oh I sound like such a geek hahaha 

Hey Pete. I'd luv to have the 'apps' that you've got on your mobby, but mine doesn't supprt such things, so wondering if it can be loaded onto my pc?

 

Meanwhile, just a heard a distant thundering outside and checked the site out to see the Ethiad Airbus 330 Dublin -Abu Dhabi flight was passing over.

Being a gorgeous clear night here now,  I just HAD to nip outside to confirm this of course!   

Hey Pete. I'd luv to have the 'apps' that you've got on your mobby, but mine doesn't supprt such things, so wondering if it can be loaded onto my pc?

 

Meanwhile, just a heard a distant thundering outside and checked the site out to see the Ethiad Airbus 330 Dublin -Abu Dhabi flight was passing over.

Being a gorgeous clear night here now,  I just HAD to nip outside to confirm this of course!   

 

Hi Victor, I'm not sure the app would run on a standard PC to be honest, maybe someone more technical could confirm that?! I have loaded the app onto a tablet and it works just as well, maybe invest in a cheap android tablet?

 

It's quite addictive isn't it?! I still find it odd that this info is so readily available though!

 

Cheers,

Pete

Hi Victor, I'm not sure the app would run on a standard PC to be honest, maybe someone more technical could confirm that?! I have loaded the app onto a tablet and it works just as well, maybe invest in a cheap android tablet?

 

It's quite addictive isn't it?! I still find it odd that this info is so readily available though!

 

Cheers,

Pete

 

 

Why's that then?. Only commercial not military

 

Addictive is the word though, yes.

 

I'm getting an anorak binoculars and note pad for crimbo.

They all think I'm bonkers and roll their eyes at me when they see me 'just nipping outside'. 

 

Watched on screen  an AA take off from Manchester bound for NY earlier, and then nipped outside to see it's silver fuselage glistening overhead at 11,500 feet less than 10 minutes later.

I came back in, all excited like a big kid just 'cus I'd seen it! 

Shouldn't really be admitting to all this online. 

 

Haven't been tempted to join the discussion forum yet, have you?  :wonder:

Edited 19 November, 201312 yr by Mr Ree

Not too sure about passenger jets, they are a bit tame, get yourself across to Wales and watch these!

 

 

Here's what I spend much time on.

I even go outside to see them flying overhead just to confirm what I'm seeing on the screen is correct.

 

Now that IS sad! 

 

 

http://www.flightradar24.com/

OMG 7366 planes in the air right now 

Why's that then?. Only commercial not military

 

Addictive is the word though, yes.

 

I'm getting an anorak binoculars and note pad for crimbo.

They all think I'm bonkers and roll their eyes at me when they see me 'just nipping outside'. 

 

Watched on screen  an AA take off from Manchester bound for NY earlier, and then nipped outside to see it's silver fuselage glistening overhead at 11,500 feet less than 10 minutes later.

I came back in, all excited like a big kid just 'cus I'd seen it! 

Shouldn't really be admitting to all this online. 

 

Haven't been tempted to join the discussion forum yet, have you?  :wonder:

 

I dunno, I guess you'd think the info would be treated as security sensitive to a certain degree. 

 

I'm terrible at watching the Airbus Beluga approaching, then having a look out as it goes over. Even get work colleagues asking me what aircraft they can hear in the offices sometimes haha

If I'm honest I've not been on the forum, rarely ever go on the website, it's fab enough on the mobile!!

OMG 7366 planes in the air right now 

I bet not one of 'em would be capable of bringing down tall buildings without help

I dunno, I guess you'd think the info would be treated as security sensitive to a certain degree. 

 

I'm terrible at watching the Airbus Beluga approaching, then having a look out as it goes over. Even get work colleagues asking me what aircraft they can hear in the offices sometimes haha

If I'm honest I've not been on the forum, rarely ever go on the website, it's fab enough on the mobile!!

I went up Moel Fammau this afternoon while the job's quiet, and that flew right over me on it's way down to Harwarden.

Hi Victor, I'm not sure the app would run on a standard PC to be honest, maybe someone more technical could confirm that?! I have loaded the app onto a tablet and it works just as well, maybe invest in a cheap android tablet?

 

It's quite addictive isn't it?! I still find it odd that this info is so readily available though!

 

Cheers,

Pete

 

I thought the App is just the mobile version of what you get on the PC with http://www.flightradar24.com/

It's quite addictive isn't it?! I still find it odd that this info is so readily available though!

 

Lots of people (like me) with ADSB receivers who have their own access to the data but also share it over the internet 

Is it a plane ( something to smooth wood) or an AEROPLANE.

Edited 4 December, 201312 yr by VWD