You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
My Wife’s birthday is just around the corner and she’s dropped hints, that even I can’t miss, that a pair of binoculars are the thing she wants.
A bit of wildlife watching, something reasonably compact, but powerful enough to see something far away as if it’s reasonably close. (Can you tell I nothing about binoculars?)
Budget is up to £200.
Talk to me!
My wife bought me Celestron https://www.wexphotovideo.com/celestron-trailseeker-10x42-binoculars-1540888/
The clarity is stunning, lovely piece of kit
Couple of threads on this with some relevant information and suggestions - this post might enlighten
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/binoculars-for-birdwatching/#post-10585561
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/binoculars-for-birdwatching/
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/binoculars-recommendations-for-purchase-thereof/
It's no good getting a huge pair with great magnification if thetr're so heavy she never takes them out. Conversely, a smal lightweight set may prove so awkward she can;t see anything
Avoid "zoom" binoculars at all costs.
We have Celestron Granite HD and Vanguard Endeavour, both in 8*42 and both great. 8*32 might be a good sweet spot (look around to compare prices, may be cheaoper elsewhere but then may not) as the narrower aperture means they are lighter
e.g
https://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/Vanguard-8x32-Endeavor-ED-Binoculars
https://www.365astronomy.com/celestron-granite-ed-7x33-roof-prism-binoculars.html
My advice is wait for the shops to open. You don't have her eyes so what's good for your vision may not be good for her.
The RSPB do open days where you can test binos at the local reserve and they're well worth going to if there is one local to you, as you get to use them for real and if it's not a good day it's an even better test as some binos excel in low light whilst others are useless..
Or go to the LBS when it opens.
Opticron.
I use a £600 pair for deer stalking and they are brilliantly made. Their cheaper ones are also great value.
Vortex Diamondback are one of the best at that price.
These for lightweight https://www.uttings.co.uk/p131945-vortex-diamondback-hd-8x32-binoculars-db-212/
These for a bit more heft https://www.uttings.co.uk/p131944-vortex-diamondback-hd-8x42-binoculars-db-214/
my friend has a pair of laser range finding leica binoculars. he told me to compare them with his 'rubbish' set which were only 450 quid. (and they were very impressive)
gob smacking. i would not have believed the clarity. and they should have been, for 2.5k
I was gonna suggest vortex diamondback too.
They also do great warranty/customer service. I lost an end cap the other day, they sent me a new pair in the post FOC from the USofA.
Mrs Slow has a pair of Nikon Prostaff 7S as recommended by derek_starship. Hers are 8x30
Thanks. That’s given me some ideas to have a look at.
Seriously, the recommendations are completely pointless. It's a bit like recommending a curry or a coffee without knowing the person.
Only your wife has her eyes and what she sees thru the optics will only be apparent to her
My recommendation FWIW is to look the range Viking Uk do. The sweet spot will be 8x32. Decide on your budget and then shop for the cheapest price for the range you decide on. I've just bought a pair of Viking peregrine 8x32s and they are absolutely brilliant.
The Viking 8x32s are what I want after one of the kids dropped my Opticrons. She can have them for her birthday.😀
The bins I used most was some Opticron 8x25 I had, they just go in a pocket. Hate having bigger ones around my neck, so as Badgerbater says 8x32 could be the sweet spot.
Think Viking make the RSPB range as well, so you can have a try at a reserve. When they finally open again.
Seriously, the recommendations are completely pointless. It’s a bit like recommending a curry or a coffee without knowing the person.
Only your wife has her eyes and what she sees thru the optics will only be apparent to her
At the £200 price point in the middle of a global pandemic for a present I'd suggest asking for recommendations is perfectly fine.
I have some vortex diamondback, they are fine for the job. Come with a fancy case.
I'm sure the other recommendations are good as well
I have these Nikon ProStaff 7S 10x42 and they’re the perfect balance of weight, magnification and price for me.
https://www.nikon.co.uk/en_GB/product/sport-optics/binoculars/prostaff/prostaff-7s-10x42
You can get them for less than your budget too.
Seriously, the recommendations are completely pointless. It’s a bit like recommending a curry or a coffee without knowing the person.
Only your wife has her eyes and what she sees thru the optics will only be apparent to her
Not true I'm afraid. Good optics are good for everyone. If the optics are better you will see better regardless of what your eyes are like.
The main difference is light gathering quality. How dark they will let you see at.
What changes is the ergonomics. How they feel in use.
I asked this question a couple of years ago and the Hawke endurance monoscopes were recommended, subsequently we have bought the 10x42 and 8x42 and they are brilliant. Small enough to fit in a coat pocket, light, bright and around £100.
@brads - in general yes but we all see different things. Add to that if you're a glasses wearer, have other issues with your eyes etc. etc.
So you can recommend anything you like but until the person looks through them it's all academic.
I agree, but that's ergonomics, not optics.
I went with Opticron over a pair of Swaro's 3x the price. Purely because they felt so much better to use.