Clarification on costal "owl telescopes"
0Classified0-PGO
Posts: 28 ✭✭
Hello fellow wayfinders :)
What is the opinions on costal telescopes such as this one - I have seen them accepted at various places around the UK but I want to be sure.
Personally I am favourable towards them, especially if the wayspotter can point out the benefits of the views that the telescope provides i.e what landmarks it can help people to find.
Any feedback and opinions are appreciated, thanks!
Comments
I'm on the fence. I would 5* with a placard of information about the owls or where to look to find them. However, I wouldn't definitely 1* without it. I guess it would depend on where they are, how common they are, and how persuasive the submitter was. Likely end up in the 2-4* range.
I would approve it. its definitely permanent and is an educational tool. I feel like it has the value to be a wayspot
Depends how many there are, if there's one, sure, I'd 4 star it. If there was 2 ti 5, I'd call it owl observation area and explain the owls being seen etc. Any more than that I'd probably say no
@Gazzas89-PGO @JillJilyJabadoo-PGO @dman41689-PGO I think you guys got the wrong end of the stick - these costal telescopes commonly known as "owl telescopes" in the UK. Hence the name on the telescope, nothing to do with owls at all.
The purpose of said telescopes along seaside locations is to allow people to have a scenic lookout of the coastline.
I actually subbed one recently here's what it looks like:
Let me know what you think, thanks! :)
I've discussed these with someone on the wayfarer discord we agreed that they are a good tool for tourists when exploring new areas - as i've described with my nomination.
Ah ..... im from the UK and didn't know they were called that lol. If its just the standard pay for telescopes, I'd reject, they are a common, mass produced thing
I'd argue it's not so mass produced, it's not like a road sign, they're generally unique to sea-side locations.
Yes they can be "common" but I believe if the way finder can provide reasons as to the benefits of the view it provides, then it's useful for say, tourists. As the argument can be made they are useful for exploration
True it isn't a street sign, but as you said, it's at the seaside, I'm pretty sure I could go to the end of each blackpool pier as well as several places along the promenade and find a hundred. I could go to Ayr in Scotland, Rhyl in Wales etc. And find loads of these easily. If they were used to see specific things, like in Berwick in Scotland there's an island off the shore that's a protected area for a certain bird, if there was binoculars pointed at that island specifically to check them out, that would be OK, as its actually for something specific, rather than just looking out to sea
At the risk of being on the wrong end of the stick, I have been to many bodies of water than have telescopes, and they are definitely mass-produced and not unique. The OP says as much when stating they’ve been accepted at various places throughout the UK. Personally, I ignore them because they’re never the right height and they’re hard to get your eye at the correct angle and there’s not actually much to see out there, so I doubt I’d vote to approve.
Mass produced - not interesting - don't meet criteria. 1*
Haha. Good to know. I'd still use the same standards regardless of what they're for looking at. If there's educational or spotting info about the beach included, 5*, something less (but possibly still on the accept side) without it.
I can confirm that several places on the East Coast of England do have this style of telescope as well.
As I haven't been to the East Coast in England, so didn't want to presume lol
Thanks for the replies folks!
I understand the argument's - especially the one's that can be made that some don't always provide the best "views".
That being said the one I nominated is an exception, I do like the idea it can view several neighbouring seaside as stated in my nomination as well as other things meaning I'm still of the persuasion that other one's like this are eligible too as they encourage exploration.
I only nominated this one in the first place specifically for the views provided - going forward I will also only be nominating the "special" one's, that give the best views :)
This is a tricky one. The telescope itself is certainly mass-produced. But I would certainly consider accepting it as the anchor for a scenic viewpoint. So I think a good description and photos would help a lot. I also don't think I would accept more than one in a given area unless they are specifically designated for looking at different sites (like say, one pointing to an island in the north and another one nearby pointing to a lighthouse in the west).
Agreed, if the way-spotter can explain & shows us the views the nomination provides, then I believe it's a good POI, i'm not saying there should be multiple of them as POI's in one area, but as you said, if it's a good anchor for views, then a POI is surely deserved.
I still think it meets the criteria but the only thing about your nomination I would change is the title just leave it as owl telescope you don't need the location in the title thats what the description is for
Personally I would leave out owl as it causes confusion.
I would quickly research what sort of things you will be able to view from this particular telescope. This then makes a case why this is a particularly good place to explore.
I'd address the confusion over the name rather than omitting it. I find that the name adds intrigue because why would an owl telescope be pointed towards the coast.
Basically, a mass-produced telescope is not valuable; it is an included accessory on the viewpoint's property.
Therefore, the viewpoint is a POI worth approving (usually a PIN will be placed on a sign or guide map indicating it), but the telescope by itself is not worth approving separately from the viewpoint.
UPDATE:
POI was accepted, thanks for the feedback wayfinders! It definitely helped getting the POI accepted :)
I've also been told others have had these accepted on appeal too.
I don't speak for everyone but a large majority seem to agree they're eligible and I definitely agree too if they provide a unique-scenic lookout point and if the wayfinder can point this out in their nomination.
I hope this helps anyone nominating these in the future!
Hi there. I found one today. Is it still a good POI?
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zZNWVMg7n2D6ecKh_pVnSzBL2PjeNaLoishUsg9TlKmJsTt31Mm8DYTLYhVkOH1zJyr1EV9DFyuUFq6T3_Y6oV_lTrXuQNrYhy7FYTU4=s0
I've not seen a talking one. Whilst I doubt I'd 5* many for me they're interesting enough to be in the 2-4 range depending on the individual submission.
Gosh some things take time to come back round.😂
it says it gives a commentary so that sounds more like a visual and aural version of an information board, educational. So I think it’s worth a go.
It will need to be well presented and the case made.
Good luck