Binoculars - what to look at?

You haven't really explained what kind of stalking you expect to be mostly doing, so it's difficult to suggest what features you might need.
Most of stalking is going to be in woods, so do not think I will shoot over 200m. Dreaming for a hunt in mountains, but unlikely to happen in the next 3 years, I guess I could hire something for a week if necessary
 
I had Vortex Viper 8x42 HD for years. They are excellent binoculars, the warranty is amazing (as I have just discovered after I damaged them and they were fixed and returned in a couple of days). I bought some secondhand Swarowski 8x42 EL Range. They are better optically and the laser range finder is useful. They are heavier, and cost a lot more money. You won't go wrong with either. Leica are also very good.

What scope do you have on your rifle?
Gun and scope depends on a guide - sometimes it is Swarovski, sometimes Schmidt Bender, once Hawke.
 
You don't fancy getting your own that you can get really familiar with?
Yes, I made a deal with my family that I will buy one in about 2 years from now. Thinking £4k for a gun, £4k for a scope, and want to start with thermal spotter and binoculars now
 
I set out with a set of Barr and Stroud they were mint and tbh did everything I needed in 10 x42. I’ve since upgrade to a set of 10x42 Swaro ta rangefinders and there just awesome in every way including the price.Buy once cry once if you can afford get the best you can because they make a difference when the lights going down or coming up.
 
Yes, I made a deal with my family that I will buy one in about 2 years from now. Thinking £4k for a gun, £4k for a scope, and want to start with thermal spotter and binoculars now
You can do it for about a grand Allin and save yourself an almighty dollar per money
 
Yes, I made a deal with my family that I will buy one in about 2 years from now. Thinking £4k for a gun, £4k for a scope, and want to start with thermal spotter and binoculars now
That's a nice deal to have made with the family!

You can get away with spending a lot less than that, and personally I'd recommend doing so, at least when it comes to your first rifle and scope.

You'll find a lot of people who think deer stalking is for them so go and buy a nice shiny rifle and scope, and then for whatever reason decide to move on to another hobby. There are plenty of bargains to be had, so you can get the whole setup you need for under 25% of that budget - and that's 25% of the budget for either the gun OR the scope, not both - particularly if you go down the "used" route.

If you're in Swindon pop into Wiltshire Rod & Gun or take a short drive up to either Francis Lovel in Witney or Dauntsey Guns in Chippenham. Have a look at what's on their shelves, both new and secondhand - whether binos, scopes or rifles. Also perhaps think of booking some time with Paul at Corinium Rifle Range near Cirencester, just along the A419 from Swindon. He will offer good advice, and has relationships with Sauer, Blaser and Swarovski.
 
As mentioned before unless to try a few you never know. I bought a pair of Zeiss 10x40 SFL last year.
So light and bright.
 
I find weight is a consideration with my equipment. Range finder binos Heavy' Range finder Thermal bulky' Range finder Rifle scope Heavy' When it is ALL' put together do you really need it?

BC.
 
saw a cracker of a ruger m77 in the classifieds for 250 notes, you’ll get a secondhand 8 x 56 Schmidt bender for 300 notes sound moderator another 250 notes. Are you go all in under a grand?
 
I find weight is a consideration with my equipment. Range finder binos Heavy' Range finder Thermal bulky' Range finder Rifle scope Heavy' When it is ALL' put together do you really need it?

BC.

I would agree with this. The RF Swaros I just bought are definitely a lot heavier than my Vortex Vipers
 
Was set on buying myself some Vortex Diamondback 8x42, right up until I tried some Svbony SV202 HD 8x42. They were the same, only cheaper again. Hits all the same spec details, and optically the same.

Just because they're Chinese, doesn't make them bad. They're a big name in astronomy lenses and they also do a lot of spotting scopes.

I couldn't be happier with mine
Same factory, just no re-brand middleman.
Probably same binoculars
 
I was out with a friend who had a set of Leica bins, I think they may have been Geovids RF. I had a look through them to see what the rangefinder feature was like and I could not believe how poor they were for brightness and clarity compared to my Swarovski ELs.
I let my friend try my Swarovskis and he bought a set next week.
I must say I was really surprised that the Leicas were so inferior to the Swarovskis.
 
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