The Military uses of the Palantiri.

[JeffF.]

Hi Rumil,

I think the example of Sauron not spotting the Rohirrim is one of focus, a similar problem to modern aerial surveillance. If your system is focusing on a small point to gain clarity or detail then most of the 'wide view' is lost. I think using a stone to search for the Corsair fleet sailing up Anduin is a lot easier than searching for a force of Rohirrim (particularly when Sauron probably assumed that Saruman was preventing the Rohirrm from reinforcing Gondor).

I did not mean to imply that the stones were not used to their full potential during the Last Alliance, i concur that the victory they achieved is probably proof that the stones were used to advantage.