Binoculars?? Good value for money

[Rutland lad]

I was lucky a couple of years back. We went to the British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland Water to see talk given on something (can't remember now) and managed to try all the main bino's from all the makers that were there, and there were lots of them.
The great thing was being able to try them back to back to see the differences. My wife always complains that my Steiners are too heavy for her, so after trying all the pocket ones we bought Leica because the folding mechanism and the eye cups were better than anyone else's. It was worth the entry fee to try all of them. Could be worth a trip to a Game Fair to try before you buy.

 

[Alantoo]

My advice is to save your money - you don't need a pair, one binocular will do...

Like trousers and compasses you mean?

Alan

 

[Alantoo]

I was lucky a couple of years back. We went to the British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland Water to see talk given on something (can't remember now) and managed to try all the main bino's from all the makers that were there, and there were lots of them.
The great thing was being able to try them back to back to see the differences. My wife always complains that my Steiners are too heavy for her, so after trying all the pocket ones we bought Leica because the folding mechanism and the eye cups were better than anyone else's. It was worth the entry fee to try all of them. Could be worth a trip to a Game Fair to try before you buy.

Try before you buy is always good advice. I agree one hundred percent.

Handling comfort, eye cups, weight, balance, focussing convenience, feel, all combine to augment or detract from the optical performance.

Try doing it with an open mind and ignore the caché of the brand.

I would almost say do a blind test, but maybe 'twould not be appropriate in this context!

I have suggested a bring and compare session as a side event at a BDS meeting. I must remember to email Eric to do the same at a NCDMG meeting...

Alan

 

[JockStalk]

Vortex, Minox, Opticron and probably in that order of preference!

 

[Geomam]

Hello
I use steiner ranger extreme 8\42 find them very good I have used minox before very good value

 

[JMH123]

I had to crawl under a gate whilst stalking an early morning buck. Took my Swaros off to squeeze under, left them by the gate post. Forgot in the drama of the stalk. When I remembered two days later the contractors had been in and the Swaros had walked.....
After advice on this forum I bought a replacement pair of Minox. Just as good as the Swaros (as far as my eyes can tell, anyway) and lighter. Oh, and you can buy a nice classic tractor (or similar!) with the money you save......

 

[sy247]

I know its a bit more that you wanted to spend but I've got a pair of Vortex Viper HDs which I am very impressed with. They are incredibly bright. Everyone who has used them has commented on how good they are. They've got a lifetime warranty which covers accidental damage as well. I got a pair from Amazon for £400. For the money you can't go wrong.

 

[rwade545]

I have previously used middle of the price range binoculars, recently looking for a cheaper pair that were light for the misses and tried some hawke nature trek 8x42- very good value for £100 odd. Also have good reviews and are very light.

 

[ben burgess]

I bought some 10x42 Minox and I have to say I am very impressed with them. Robust, sensibly priced, great clarity and to my untrained eye they do me very well indeed.

 

[devon deer stalker]

You won't go wrong with Minox, they are right up there with Swaro's
Cheers
Richard