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Getting into enjoying the nature and wildlife in our local area, and fancy a nice pair of binoculars. Only had cheapo ones until now, and recently tried a friend's Leica binos, which were simply amazing! So sharp and clear! Now they're something like £1200 new, so we're not getting that model, but don't mind spending about £300 or so on a 'general purpose' type pair.
What experiences have you had? Any bargains about? Anything to avoid?
Opiions, as always, gratefully recieved. 😀
£1200 - they saw you coming 🙂
I'll get me coat ...........
😥
Steiner.
£1200 - they saw you coming
This wins todays award for the joke I wish I'd thought of first. 🙂
I bought a pair of celestron nature DX, I was so impressed with them for the money I bought a pair for my Dad aswell. If your budget is approx £300 then i'd go for these:
http://www.tringastro.co.uk/celestron-granite-8-x-42-binoculars-552-p.asp
Go to your local RSPB Optics day and test loads of different binos without having to pay. You'll quickly work out what you think is the correct combination of clarity, quality, weight and portability. Go when the weather is crappy and you'll see the difference between good and bad models in the low light.
If you don't find something for you then try a few local shops.
Edit: recommendations are fine but only you have [b]your [/b]eyes and it can vary hugely between people. e.g. my wife isn't that fussed about ours but I think they're fab.
I won't recommend specific brands but I'll backup the above that 8x42 is the right size for me. I went down to my local RSPB reserve that has a shop and tried loads out. Nice thing is you're in a reserve so can actually test them for real! I tried 10x - hands not steady enough, tried the 8x32 - not bright enough in shadows and less field of view. I ended up with rspb's own 8x42 that came in at £200 quid and they've been a revelation for me.
And as for a £50 quid pair being good enough, maybe - but I had a pair like that for years, tried the 100£ model at rspb Pagham and was impressed, then tried the £200 model and it totally blew me away and really has made nature watching so much better
Edit: recommendations are fine but only you have your eyes and it can vary hugely between people. e.g. my wife isn't that fussed about ours but I think they're fab.
This.
I love my little Opticron 10x28's which are small enough to go in my jersey or trouser pockets. Around £200. Still got my old Optolyth Alpin 10x50's that I paid good money for in 1980 & are top notch optical quality.
"good enough"
Currently have a Praktica pair that were about £30, and they really aren't great, so willing to spend a fair bit more. Seems around £300 is the going rate for a decent mid-range pair. Tried some Nikon Monarchs last weekend, and they were very nice. Those Celestron ones look very good.
we went for Nikon Monarch 7 10x42 (avail locally and in a sale ...) and they were light enough
Also - quite fancied Osprey Viper range (see ebay)
http://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/
celestron and vanguard seem to review well
I haven't tried those particular Celestrons as they were out of my price range. The nature DX ones i bought have excellent optics in them so I'd imagine the granite should be better. Also when I was looking around Tring astro were the cheapest place i found.
I've a pocket Leica model, 10x mag, paid about £300 for them but this was about 15yrs ago. Simply sensational, the light and clarity is a class above any others I've ever used. Very similar to [url= http://www.wilkinson.co.uk/leica-trinovid-10x25-bca-black.html?gclid=CLi9qpfUmM4CFcwy0wodvKwN-w ]these[/url]
I want to second the Nikon Monarchs, mine are 8x40 or 42 something like that.
Once you get past the £450 £550 mark and up wards you are paying for names and there is not a lot of difference in image quality and light gathering.
Failing that Bushnel nature views get very reviews
I bought some Canon image stabilised bins - 10 x 40 for a bit over 300 quid. I really like the image stabilising aspect and appreciate a bit more magnification. I've also got some Nikon Travelite which are small and light for when you don't want to carry bigger binoculars around. They were under 100 quid and are waterproof.
I've got a pair of Avian Trekker 8x32 binoculars that I bought from Ace Optics in Bath, which are excellent but are no longer available, which is a shame as they were only £89!
They have a whole bunch of other binoculars which are very good price-wise, though, and I can say have to be worth a look if mine are anything to go by; I use mine most weekends if I'm out walking, and I'm continually amazed at how bright and clear the viewing image is.
https://www.aceoptics.co.uk/optics/binoculars?manufacturer=287
This is a useful guide to getting the best out of a pair of binoculars in less than ideal lighting conditions:
http://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/blog/exit-pupil-06/
I have a pair of Nikon Monarchs, but then I also have a pair of Leica's. You can certainly tell the difference, but the Nikon's hold up well. Used them for years at work, robust and good image quality.
Have a look on the Clifton Cameras website, they have a great choice and are great guys to speak to for advice.
Countryside Ranger here, bins are part of my 'daily carry' at this time of year. I've got a pair of Vanguard Endurance ED 8x42 which the RRP IS ~300£, but can be picked up often for 100 less, vanguard sometimes doing cash back offers. These are the pair that I keep in the truck so consequently are my most used and also abused, stunning image quality for the money and rugged, and backed up by good aftercare, I'm my case replaced FOC when I launched them across the room onto a concrete floor smashing the optics. Amazing.
I also would advocate finding your local rspb site that does demo days and heading down, the rspb bins are mostly rebadged opticrons, which are also good optics at the price point. Pay more for the ED lens coatings, makes a big difference.
If you can stretch your budget as previously mentioned, Steiner. My safari's don't get let out of the case enough...
Great info. I liked the quality of the Nikons, and will try to have a go with some other models (plenty of wildlife areas nearby, always see people with binoculars). I believe a pair of 8x42s will be a good all-rounder. Waterproofness and optical quality are important, as is build quality, so happy to pay a bit for a decent pair that will last.
No RSPB events in my area 'for the foreseeable future'. 🙁
I have some zen ray bins, made in China but in a quality way, not cheap tat. Really well regarded and you could get some HD bins for that money I think