The   21MC,   captain's   command   announcing system, an approximate parallel to the JA The  22MC,  radio  room  announcing  system,  a substitute  for  the  JX The  24MC,  flag  officer's  command  announcing system, the intercom equivalent of the JF LOOKOUTS’ EQUIPMENT LEARNING  OBJECTIVE:  Explain  the  proper usage  and  care  of  lookout  equipment. You were born with the most important lookout equipment you will ever use-your own two eyes. In lookout work, your eyes are invaluable if you use them right. You have already learned a good deal about proper use of the eyes in night scanning and in day scanning. However, you still have much to learn about scanning and the equipment you are required to operate. The lookout on the average ship in the Navy will have most of the following equipment: binoculars binocular filters sunglasses dark-adaptation goggles alidades peloruses sound-powered phones various articles of foul-weather gear Although this gear may be stamped “U.S. Navy,” it is yours while you use it. And it is up to you to know how to use it and how to take care of it properly. BINOCULARS The most commonly used optical equipment is the binoculars (fig. 2-20). Although normally only 7 power, the binoculars gives a wide range of vision and is best suited for searching over a wide area or for following a swiftly moving target. The binoculars requires the use of both eyes; but since both eyes do not always have the same vision, it is best to adjust the focus for each lens individually. Proper focus is essential. If the focus is off, things look blurred, eyestrain is greatly increased, and maximum efficiency will not be obtained. Figure 2-20.-7 x 50 binoculars. Before focusing the binoculars for each eye, turn both scales to the +4 setting. Hold the binoculars firmly against your eyebrows. To get the focus for the left eye (only one eye can be focused at a time), cup the right hand over the right lens, cutting out all the light to that eye. Be sure to keep both eyes open, however, since closing one eye will give an incorrect focus. Train the binoculars on a small, well-defined object. Slowly turn the eyepiece from its +4 setting until the object stands out in sharp detail. The reading on the scale will give you the correct focus for your left eye. Now do the same for the right eye. The chances are the setting will be different. You might repeat this focusing process for each eye several times just to make sure the focus is right. Once  you  get  the  glasses  properly  focused, remember   the   settings.   The   best   reason   for remembering the settings is that it is difficult to focus your binoculars on a very dark night. The correct night focus is usually a -1 setting from your day focus for each  eye. The   other   adjustment   for   binoculars   is   the inter-pupillary  distance  (IPD)  adjustment.  All  Navy binoculars have the IPD scale on the hinge between the barrels. Find out what your IPD is and remember it. When you set your correct IPD on the scale, you will see a single circle in focus. At night, if you have the wrong IPD setting, light that should be going to your eyes will be cut out. Take a look through a pair of binoculars that is not adjusted for your eyes and then look through a pair that is properly adjusted. Notice the great difference. Keep this in mind when you see the binoculars that belong to 2-19