I know everyone can't use them, but I changed to (monthly) contact lens about 10 years ago and they have been great. A couple of years ago variofocal contact lens became available and I now use these, and these are excellent. (no problem with the optics or writing up notes)
My main reason for getting rid of the glasses was that they were a problem in the rain when playing golf, fishing or cycling but contacts solved the problem and are brilliant with any sort of optics.

Hi Alan, same as the others -no problem on scopes and bins with the vari f's
n.b.g on the computer and for music though. If you play an instrument, get a pair of mid-distance made up as well. you will get neck ache on a piano, or not easy on an instrument where you do not move your head, just you eyes i.e clarinet (me), trumpet, violin etc.

Point - if you are into astronomy, v.f's are a pain withe the finderscope and looking along the tube (as with a Dobsonion) but through the eyepiece no problems.

Got a new pair last week.

Geoff

I've been getting round the reading problem for note taking at least, by using a voice activated recorder with a small clip on mike. I do sometimes get funny looks though, when walking along seemingly talking to myself about tits and things.

Thanks all for the advice, I think I shall take up my optician's suggestion and go for the varis.

My problem is the other way round. I need reading glasses. No problems using optics but when i want to make notes or check a field guide i can't see a bloody thing This is more than likely because i always forget to take them with me

Cheers Dean.

Yup - I just fold down the rubber eyecups on my scope & bins, no problems at all with vari-focals.

Hi Alan,
I've been wearing varifocals for a few years and quite used to them. There's no problem with any optics (bins or scopes) and keep them on to look through- no need to lift them. You just use them the same as without specs except you leave any eye relief down i.e you dont twist out or pull out the eyecups which is what non spec wearers do.
They have been invaluable when watching the penguins and pelicans at pennington flash!
Cheers
Steve

-- Edited by Steve Collins at 18:37, 2008-01-25

I've been told by my optician that I now need glasses for distance work as well as the reading glasses I already have. He's suggested vari focals but I wondered how these work with bins as I don't want to be lifting my specs every few seconds to use the bins. Any tips from those of you out there who've already tried tested and modified all the options? Any comments (of a positive, non pi** taking nature) very welcome.