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Binocular advice

I've got 2 sets of "Nikon Action" and would recommend them.
I think they're the mid range model.
 
Just had a look at what's available by googling 8 x 42 ED binoculars and these seemed reasonable with a decent return policy. It's been a while since I spent any time with the Hawke ED models which I rate highly but looking at the prices of late I don't think they represent a great deal anymore. I just got back today from a holiday at Lake Garda and my own pair were wasted there as everything I wanted to view (bird wise) was pretty tame to the point the small birds were eating from my hand. Most of what's been mentioned above is good advice but not knowing your primary use it's hard to advise. If you can get pretty close to your subject then a decent 8 x 42 will be great. If you need reach then a 10 x might be better.

Good advice about going and trying a few. I never really thought about it much that comfort would matter as image quality was everything to me so I got the best you can get only to realise the pair I had before would come immediately to the correct eye position every time. I went back to what I had. Let us know what you end up with.
 
You could deliberate for days when choosing binoculars ( I know :) ), save yourself and get a pair of Hawke Endurance 10x25, these are cracking and can be had for around £150, a little over your budget I know but well worth it, you won't be disappointed
 
I spent many hours looking through binoculars in shops and developed a good sense of what comprised a good pair - both mechanically and optically. It really depends what use you have for them, particularly whether you intend to use them in low light, whether colour reproduction is critical (that's where your expensive binos excel and what you pay for) and optical clarity. My most distortion-free and acutely sharp binos are Leica 10x20, but their usefulness starts to fall rapidly as the light fades. 10x50 are my goto magnification Vs. light gathering, and 8-9x50 where low light use is more likely. You don't want heavy binos as they're a pain to carry, and >10x magnification they are difficult to hold steady. I've had Canon stabilised 10x50 binos in the past and they're amazing technology but unwieldy and frankly, if you can rest/support a normal pair you can get similar performance. The most useful binos are those you have with you and if they're awkward to hold or carry they're likely to stay at home - hence the Leica 10x20 which slip into a pocket or a belt bag. I've been through so many makes but the only ones I have now are the Leicas, a pair of Minolta 10x50 and Pentax 10x40. Oh, and a pair of Miyauchi 20-30x77 (2 sets of eyepieces). I could ramble on for hours about how to test binos and what to look for but it would get boring fast. Always test them first, disbelieve any advertising claims, know what to look for (or have someone that does know look for you), and make sure you have the option to return them because for inexperienced users it takes time before defects become apparent.
 
Have a look on Bay of E, I bought these little jewels for the princely sum of $35 , if memory serves. Perfect size for the field & great glass.👍
 

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ChrisL said:
Thanks. I'm not too sure about ebay, I've just heard quite a few tales of people not always getting genuine stuff and I wouldn't know how to spot if anything was off. I'll take a look though.
Click to expand...

True Zeiss Jenoptems that were made in the DDR have a 7 digit serial number & are marked DDR, anything that's a 6 digit serial number were made under license or outright faked and are of inferior quality.

I've got a set of 8x32 & 10x50 DDR made Jenoptems and they are brilliant for the price I paid, the 10x50s are a little bulky though compared to modern stuff.
 
milek said:
Just had a look at what's available by googling 8 x 42 ED binoculars and these seemed reasonable with a decent return policy. It's been a while since I spent any time with the Hawke ED models which I rate highly but looking at the prices of late I don't think they represent a great deal anymore. I just got back today from a holiday at Lake Garda and my own pair were wasted there as everything I wanted to view (bird wise) was pretty tame to the point the small birds were eating from my hand. Most of what's been mentioned above is good advice but not knowing your primary use it's hard to advise. If you can get pretty close to your subject then a decent 8 x 42 will be great. If you need reach then a 10 x might be better.

Good advice about going and trying a few. I never really thought about it much that comfort would matter as image quality was everything to me so I got the best you can get only to realise the pair I had before would come immediately to the correct eye position every time. I went back to what I had. Let us know what you end up with.
Click to expand...
Thanks for this. I remember your posts and recommendations for the Hawke ED's, but they seem to have gone up a bit, or at least out of my budget (for now).
I'm going to head to a local shop asap and have a look and get an idea. The Helios look like a good option, I'll just try to find someone local that stocks them, if not, I'll get in touch with that shop.
They're just going to be for having when going for a walk, being out and about etc.
I'll keep you posted on what happens.
 
waisted skirt said:
You could deliberate for days when choosing binoculars ( I know :) ), save yourself and get a pair of Hawke Endurance 10x25, these are cracking and can be had for around £150, a little over your budget I know but well worth it, you won't be disappointed
Click to expand...
It's going to be a few days till I can get to the shop, so I'll be going round in circles until then 😆
I'll definitely have a look through them. I'm getting a bit of a list now to check out!
 
ChrisLX200 said:
I spent many hours looking through binoculars in shops and developed a good sense of what comprised a good pair - both mechanically and optically. It really depends what use you have for them, particularly whether you intend to use them in low light, whether colour reproduction is critical (that's where your expensive binos excel and what you pay for) and optical clarity. My most distortion-free and acutely sharp binos are Leica 10x20, but their usefulness starts to fall rapidly as the light fades. 10x50 are my goto magnification Vs. light gathering, and 8-9x50 where low light use is more likely. You don't want heavy binos as they're a pain to carry, and >10x magnification they are difficult to hold steady. I've had Canon stabilised 10x50 binos in the past and they're amazing technology but unwieldy and frankly, if you can rest/support a normal pair you can get similar performance. The most useful binos are those you have with you and if they're awkward to hold or carry they're likely to stay at home - hence the Leica 10x20 which slip into a pocket or a belt bag. I've been through so many makes but the only ones I have now are the Leicas, a pair of Minolta 10x50 and Pentax 10x40. Oh, and a pair of Miyauchi 20-30x77 (2 sets of eyepieces). I could ramble on for hours about how to test binos and what to look for but it would get boring fast. Always test them first, disbelieve any advertising claims, know what to look for (or have someone that does know look for you), and make sure you have the option to return them because for inexperienced users it takes time before defects become apparent.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your reply. I think all those would be waaayy above budget, but thanks for the tips. They're really just going to be in the car/pocket/bag when out and about so nothing too fancy (obviously for the budget...). I just have to get to the shop and see what's best for my eyes within the price.
 
I looked a while ago for some birdwatching bins for my Mrs, ended up going with Hawke Nature Trek 8x42. Got myself a 10x42 monocular of the same flavour too. Mine aren't ED, but bright enough for my needs, and perform well enough for me.
 
I use an Opticron Explorer WA ED-R 8x42 Monocular as I don’t have binocular vision. I was out last night stalking and was still using it after 10 pm to view deer. It was £140.

Monoculars are not for everyone, and does depend on main usage, but my real point is the quality of the ED glass in Opticron seems pretty good, clarity is excellent as is the light transmission.

I used Vortex, and tried out a set of Steiners, but in reality, l can see little difference in the image of Opticron glass to the Vortex or indeed the Steiner binoculars.

The other advantage of the monocular is I guess, you get better quality glass at the price point as you are only paying for one set of lenses🙂.
 
weepete said:
I looked a while ago for some birdwatching bins for my Mrs, ended up going with Hawke Nature Trek 8x42. Got myself a 10x42 monocular of the same flavour too. Mine aren't ED, but bright enough for my needs, and perform well enough for me.
Click to expand...
+ 1 for these.
 
Have a look through Bushnell H20 8x42.
I have a pair and they are ok - not ed, but optically ok.
The H20s main strength is that they are 20 years old, have had a bit of stick, but keep on working.
One thing I have noticed though, is that much clearer images beat much higher mags - when in general use.
 
I bought a pair of Leupold bx4 10 x 32 second hand, they seem impressive to me though I have to confess that I've not looked through lots of binos.
 
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