Looking to get some new binoculars and these look good for the money. Nikon Sportstar Zoom 8-24×25 Binoculars -
Will only be used for a bit of occasional bird spotting and dolphin watching now and then so don't need anything mega expensive. I did try a spotting scope but didn't realise the field of view would be so narrow. Also, the magnification was ridiculous (for our needs anyway) and not suitable for casual use - you could see a pimple on a flys bum from about a 1000 yards!
Not an expert but very happy with my Barr & Stroud 8X42 Sahara which were bought for similar reasons (not the dolphin bit though)
Complete speculation, but zoom lenses are always known to be inferior to fixed focal length lenses. At that budget you should be able to get an acceptable 8x42 that, if it performs well, I’d expect would give you much more enjoyment. A few other threads on here have made recommendations around they price point. I’m delighted with my RSPB 8x42 that were about 250 a couple of years back. If you have an rspb reserve with shop nearby do try that, as you can try out all the bins on actual birds before you buy.
This is an excellent binocular review wwbsite:
https://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/
IMO you won’t get much better than Hawke NatureTrek 8x42 in that price range.
100% avoid zoom.
Avimo 7x42’s come up fairly regularly on eBay now (ex army issue from about 1980 to 2010ish). You have to hunt for a decent pair but if you get them they have excellent optics, very robust and fixed focus so super easy to use.
Alternatively they were replaced by Steiner 8x30’s - also really good and a lot more compact but tricky to find.
I have Viking Kestrel ED Binoculars 8x42 and they seem good for the money and well reviewed (the RSPB bino's are rebradged Viking's)
I asked the question back in the spring for The Wife’s birthday present. Got recommended and bought a set of Vortex Diamondback 10x42. Superb binoculars.
Cheers all
100% avoid zoom.
^^^^ This.
I have some of those - and don’t like them!
Mine are used for nautical spotting purposes - and I will always used others.
I hate the mega zoom - and the shape is not easy to hold ( no idea why)
We've a pair of rspb ones that for the money are ace and some opticron ones which are nice
I used a pair of those Barr and Strouds looking at animals for hours on end and they were more than up to the task.
I have the Nikon Action 10x50 and find them superb. Big and heavy, obviously, but such a nice bright image I think it's worth it.
I have the Nikon Action 10×50 and find them superb.
I've got a set of those too. Really good bit of kit which I always take hiking / canoeing.
Zoom on anything under 2k is worthless.
I’d be looking at (in no particular order)
Viking
Opticron
Hawke HD
Vortex
There's some 'as new' 8x32 Viking Navigo on eBay at the minute. They're £200 new so might get a bargain. Not mine by the way.
Holy thread resurrection batman.
I'm about to pull the trigger on some Hawke Frontier HD X 8x42's
Just scored these from Harrison Cameras in Sheffield for £170, used but boxed and excellent condition apparently. Pick them up Saturday
Nice!
These are the Steiners I bought. Can’t remember the exact price but about £230 brand new. Very compact and rugged.
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I’m about to pull the trigger on some Hawke Frontier HD X 8×42’s
Nothing wrong with that, good choice. ENjoy
