Binoculars... Dolphins and birds.

G

GeordieStew

Suspended / Banned
Messages
859
Edit My Images
No
Afternoon folks

I'm after some binoculars... or maybe some kind of scope... for offshore dolphins (mostly just scanning the open sea) and birds in trees.

I have absolutely no idea what brand to go for. What kind of Y x Z I need.

I guess dolphin spotting and bird spotting is quite a different set of criteria so... two pairs?

Budget £200-300 probably.

Cheers
 
I went for a pair of Bynolyt 7x50 Searangers, as used by the RNLI. After several years they still seem very good. Plus points: Waterproof, bright and very sharp. Not so good: large and heavy.

Something to remember: like camera lenses, the longer the focal length the harder to hold steady and the less bright they'll be.
 
Last edited:
I have a pair of Opticron traveller 10*32 about £300 and weigh 500grms .which I bought from a shop in Poole called Birds of Poole Harbour.
I must have spent best part of 2 hrs in the shop getting lots of advice before deciding
If you have gone one handy try and find an RSPB shop and try plenty and get lots of free advice, they are a bit like cameras what suits one person may not suit another.
 
GeordieStew said:
Afternoon folks

I'm after some binoculars... or maybe some kind of scope... for offshore dolphins (mostly just scanning the open sea) and birds in trees.

I have absolutely no idea what brand to go for. What kind of Y x Z I need.

I guess dolphin spotting and bird spotting is quite a different set of criteria so... two pairs?

Budget £200-300 probably.

Cheers
Click to expand...

For your price range you will be able get some very decent binoculars.

Apologies if you already know this but the two numbers on binoculars (eg 8x42) refer to, respectively, the magnification and the diameter(in mm) of the objective lens(the big one at the front of the binoculars)

The greater the magnification the better you will be able to see distant objects, but a bigger magnification is more difficult to hold still(unless you go for image stabilised binoculars, but they are very expensive), so the advantage of seeing things closer is somewhat negated.

The bigger the objective lens, the more light the binocular collects so the image you see will be brighter. This advantage is not that important in bright conditions but will help in duller conditions. However, a bigger objective lens makes the binoculars heavier and therefore more difficult to hold steady.

Everyone is different but binoculars in the rage of 8x42, 10x42 and 10x50 are a good balance but you have to try some to see what suits.

You are correct dolphin spotting and bird spotting are(or can be) quite different and any one pair of binoculars is a compromise.

A spotting scope gives you much more range, but is heavier and almost always needs a tripod and while useful for long range viewing it is of virtually no use for general wildlife.

I have a pair of 10x50 binoculars and also an 80mm spotting scope. While I take the scope out with me now and again, the binoculars are almost always with me.

If you are anywhere near an InFocus shop ( https://www.at-infocus.co.uk/ ) I recommend you have a look. Alternatively, some bird reserves have a permanent display of binoculars where you can try some - which is the only way to buy binoculars.

Dave
 
GeordieStew said:
Thanks all for responses.

No InFocus nearby but I think I may try LCE as they're fairly close before buying.
Click to expand...
You definitely need to try before you buy. Everybody's face and eye placements are different so you need to be sure any binoculars work for you and are comfortable to use. Reviews can only tell you so much. I tried some very expensive Leica binoculars and I just couldn't set them up to work for me. That's not to say the Leicas aren't really good, just I couldn't get on with them.

Good luck with whatever you end up with. There's a great choice out there
 
Whatever you do, don't get one pair for one thing and another for another! You will never have the right one with you! :)

I've used 10 x 40's for most of my life. Even at the age of 67 I still have steady hands, but if yours shake a little maybe an 8x pair might be preferable. Also consider the weight. Having 800 gm around your neck all day is different to having 500 gms.
 
GeordieStew said:
What kind of Y x Z I need.
Click to expand...


I've been advised that in your equation, Z/Y should be 10 (or more) for them to be useably bright in most light.

I can still hold 8x40s steady enough but 10x50s now need more support. I have a pair of 8-20x zoomable bins (Nikons) which definitely need support when off the "wide" end!
 
Nod said:
I've been advised that in your equation, Z/Y should be 10 (or more) for them to be useably bright in most light.

I can still hold 8x40s steady enough but 10x50s now need more support. I have a pair of 8-20x zoomable bins (Nikons) which definitely need support when off the "wide" end!
Click to expand...

Nod, I think that's confusing! Z/Y for 10x40's is 4. Did you mean to type 4?

A common prescription for compact bins is 8x32 (or 8x30 at a push) and most people would find them useable. A figure of Z/Y = 5 would be better brightness-wise but 10x50's tend to be rather heavy.

Unless you're planning to spend a fortune I would steer well clear of zoom binos, though.
 
Oops! Yup. As high a number as you can afford (and carry comfortably). Dimmer (like the 8x32s mentioned) are OK in bright light but not so good early/late in the day.

I would tend to agree with the zoom comment, although at the smaller magnification my Nikons do work pretty well. CA creeps in by 12x and beyond that, it gallops (but still allows the reading of distant ship names and similar.)
 
GeordieStew said:
I need to go try some, but aiming for 8x42 as a middle ground.

Dolphins is mainly to spot so I can pick up my camera.
Click to expand...


That's quite a good choice. They have good light gathering power (42/8 = 5.25 ). Don't be afraid to try other magnifications too - 8 x 40, 10 x 40, 10 x 42.
 
If you are going to LCE look at the Hawks I got a pair for my wife, 8x42, and they are good.
 
I have Hawke 8x42 and am very happy with them. Their after sales service is very good too, when I lost the rear lens caps, I emailed them they sent replacements for free.
 
Before you buy them just ask if the lens caps are permanently attached, if not the odds are you will loose them.
 
troutfisher said:
Before you buy them just ask if the lens caps are permanently attached, if not the odds are you will loose them.
Click to expand...
I still lost mine and they were permanently attached! User error changing straps!
 
troutfisher said:
I have a pair of Opticron traveller 10*32 about £300 and weigh 500grms .which I bought from a shop in Poole called Birds of Poole Harbour.
I must have spent best part of 2 hrs in the shop getting lots of advice before deciding
If you have gone one handy try and find an RSPB shop and try plenty and get lots of free advice, they are a bit like cameras what suits one person may not suit another.
Click to expand...

These look great. There's some brand new ones at £220 on ebay.

I have a pair of cheap olympus 8x40. I've had them 5 years and use them a fair bit but I don't think they are as sharp as when they were new. Also it could just be my imagination.
 
Lemaildetom said:
These look great. There's some brand new ones at £220 on ebay.

I have a pair of cheap olympus 8x40. I've had them 5 years and use them a fair bit but I don't think they are as sharp as when they were new. Also it could just be my imagination.
Click to expand...
Could just be your eyes.... :LOL:
 
I still have the Boots Admiral ones I got when I was 10 or so. I don't use them much as I find a small camera with a long lens useful for distance looking and if I want a picture of what I'm looking at I can press the button.
 
Have to admit that I usually use a 100-400 with a freeze frame button too! Unless it's more of a social walk than a photo op.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top