Binoculars, can anyone recommend a pair

Roofer

Roofer

Suspended / Banned
Messages
54
Name
Craig
Edit My Images
Yes
As the title says. Im looking to buy my parents a pair of binoculars for Christmas for around £100. Are there any bird watchers here that could recommend a decent pair.

Thanks in advance.
 
Hi Roofer

Bins (as birders call them) have 2 main elements, the magnification i.e. 8x, 10x, 12x and the size of the front element

The higher the magnification the closer things appear; the larger the front element the brighter the subject appears or that they are better in low light

Most birders don't use anything above 10x as they suffer from what we'd call 'camera shake', powerful lenses can't be handheld and get a sharp pic. bins are the same. Most use 8x, and all I know, avoid zooms for poor image quality

So, I suggest a compact version (lighter and easier to carry, therefore not left in the car so much) with an 8x mag and as big a front element as you can find in your budget

Most camera makers make such, so the glass is pretty good these days at £100 (I use a Nikon compact pair (obviously :lol:) that were just £105 about 3 years ago - but any such will be fine)

HTH
 
I bought a pair of Nikon Monarch, they are really really bright in low light and come in the top 5 of most group tests, well good :clap::thumbs:
 
Agree with Dave. Do not buy zoom bins they are crap. I have a set of 10x42 (£245 about 6 years ago), which is the size I'd reccomend for every day use. I'd also shy away from the smaller sports type bins. They are OK for having in the car as an emergency or spare pair but too small for any serious bird watching.

I have been a member of the RSPB for many years and my bins have their logo on them. I believe they were made by Viking. Have a look at the RSPB, Viking or Opticron web sites and you should get something there to suit. The all have decent quility optics at reasonable prices.

Out of interest also look at Lecia, Swarovsky and Bushnell. The prices there will terrify you but they are great quality bins and scopes.

Hope this is of assistance:thumbs:
 
Thanks alot guys, that gives me lots to work on. what ever a find i'll check with you first
Whatever happen to buying your parents socks and hanky's
 
Roofer:

These look pretty good for the price. As I said I'm sure mine are made by Viking on behalf of the RSPB so they are acceptable bins. Nitrogen filled too, which prevents internal condensation in frosty conditions etc.:thumbs:
 
Looks like a nice pair of Pentax 10x50's for £79.95 there.
 
Bins are like new shoes, try the ones that feel best for you. If you are buying for someone else give them the money and let them chose the ones that they feel best suit them or take them to places where they sell bins and let them try different ones and when they find a pair that they like, then look around for the best price on them. If they are for watching wildlife etc I would recommend 7 x 42 or 8 x 42 as a general size for carrying round with you.
 
just bought a pair of Bushnell 12x50's for watching birds, they are really good, easy to hold, easy quick focus and quite powerful, and only £40 to boot.
Some of the smaller bins can be awkward to hold if you have decent sized hands..
HTH
 
if one or both of your parents wear glasses go for a pair with twist up eye cups a lot of the newer bins have them saves having to take your glasses on and off
as others have said try and go with 8 or 10x
 
8 x42 is a sensible choice to gather enough light and not suffer from shake. I use mine when angling, spotting fish,birds and other wildlife. I got the Bushnell H20 8x42 for £99 from Warehouse Express. Not sure how much they are now though I have had them 2 years.

The appeal was good build quality and waterproofing. They have had a dunk in the river as well and no misting up! Plenty of good choice out there though.

John.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top