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I'm after a pair of small, waterproof and reasonably robust binoculars to take biking with me. Maybe 8x42 but I'm open to other ideas. I've been given a cheap second hand pair which are so unclear that they're useless.
Looking at the net binoculars seem to go from anything from £50 to £2k. Any positive experiences peeps?
Zeiss or Bausch & Lomb, the difference between those and other makes is night and day!
Check out Barr and Stroud's bins, coated, waterproof and well priced. I bought a pair for travelling in Africa this year and they were superb.
Have just been through the bino 8x42 (good size, great alround use) research phase, Really depends on how much you have/want to spend; some of the expensive 1k+ ones are amazing, they can feel like you have 'dropped in to the picture', around 600 hard to tell the difference but think you can. At 250 the Vanguards are very good, down at 150- 100 I rate the Barr and Strouds Sierras and series 4 can be had around a 100 or below. They are pretty good, have a set and have bought two others for colleagues, all have been impressive. Worth a test/try see if they suit you. If I was buying for a mate and wanted to give some decent (and reasonably impressive ones) I would get the Sierras 8x42.
Check out some of the reviews of different ones as well.
Having used many different pairs for work I can't rate these highly enough:
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[url= http://www.nikon.com/products/sportoptics/lineup/binoculars/marine/wp_7x50/index.htm ]Nikon 7x50 WP[/url]
But only the non-compass variant. Not too heavy, indestructable, waterproof. You can get them for about £300, and they are worth every penny.
If they are a bit too big then these Nikon 8 x 42's are just as good, but low light performance drops off a bit:
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[url= http://www.nikon.com/products/sportoptics/lineup/binoculars/outdoor/sp_ex/index.htm ]Nikon 8x42[/url]
Swarovski binos are fantastic - but you'll pay a lot for them.
The image quality on the wife's [url= http://uk.swarovskioptik.com/nature/el-c21010101/el-8p5x42-p5006134 ]8.5x42 ELs[/url] is great but the main thing you notice over lesser optics is that they are very comfy to use - no eye strain and a great field of view.
They do smaller sizes as well if you're looking for something to go in a pocket.
So why 8x42 rather than say 8x32?
8x42 means 8x magnification and 42mm opening at the other end
Bigger lenses let more light in thus easier to see in low light levels or on a cloudy day
So an 8x32 model won't be as bright as the same 8x 42 model if from the same range
The down side is more glass and more weight
Agree with seadog on the 7x50 nikons, have had a pair for years and are great, bit bigger and touch more expensive but worth it if you can carry the size an pay the extra.
8x32 or 8x42 Avian Trekker, the smaller version is £89, and I've had my pair for three years, and can't fault them.
They tick all the boxes you require.
Can't remember the details but from an in depth articles in shooting mag I read that dividing the lens by the mag should give a number of 5 or damn near. Less and the mag is too big for good light catching, say a 10x40 and too much more and you have more light than the eye needs, say in an 6x42.
Does seem to make sense from my experiences.
Minox get very good reviews for value. Mid range Khales or zeiss conquest. Upper end Swarovski or Leica.
I would go 8x30/32 myself for carrying. I have leica HD 8x42 and my father has the same in 10x30. He can see everything I can even at low light but a great compact set up. I end leaving mine at home due to size.
Edit, Matt I believe what you are referring to is more relevant for a rifle scope with a single objective.
winston_dog - MemberSteiner FTW
End of thread.
End of pocket money!
Edit, Matt I believe what you are referring to is more relevant for a rifle scope with a single objective.
Nope, applies to binocs too. The optimum size would be 7x50, they have the largest exit pupil, meaning best low-light performance.
However, a 50mm objective lens is a lot of glass, and as a result, heavy binocs. Also, the higher the mag, the narrower the field of view, so slight movements of your hands makes for greater movement of the viewed object.
It's all compromise, get the best you can afford, in a size that you can comfortably carry all day, with the brightest image.
recently bought some Barr and Stroud 10 x 25 Sahara compacts, excellent light, small and powerful enough for general use when out and about. they are Rubber coated, waterproof and are gas filled to avoid fogging. Think I searched about and got them for £56 IIRC.
winston_dog - Member
Steiner FTWEnd of thread.
End of pocket money!
Buy cheap buy twice!
I have a 7x50 pair of Steiners that are simply superb and 16 years old. Still have 10 years of their guarantee left.
Also go for the biggest objective glass you can, way more important than magnification. Stick to a 7 or 8 mag.
Check out Bushnell elite, 10x36. Good compromise of price, performance and size.
I have some Nikon HG's which are just amazing but the wife has some RSPB own brand which are very close optically although the mechanics and design is no were near as good but they cost half as much as my Nikons They have improved the design now so would be worth a look.