what binoculars

[big cat]

hi all,just a question about binoculars.i have between £300 to £400 to spend on binoculars as the old one are well by there best,so my dilema is do i try and get a second hand pair or buy a not so good pair new and also what is the best mag. EG 8 X42 or sum other size.thank for any input

 

[toad]

try hawk under 300 fantastic very good in low light

 

[shotguntom]

minox

 

[moses]

Save a bit more and buy s/h swarovski, zeiss or leica.

You will end up buying them one day, might aswell do it straight off.

Atb
Moses

 

[POI]

2nd minox, very good

 

[tom308w]

hi swarworski 8.5 x42 el are great but ive got a set minox 8 x 44 i got off the online shop and there very good and only about 55o euros new
atb tom

 

[liongeorge]

Definately try and have a look at Steiner, they are the best in your price range IMO. See if you can try them next to Minox.

 

[Uncle Norm]

You could consider a pair of 'old fashioned' Swaro' porro-prisms. I have a pair in 7x42 green rubber armoured that I have had for years. They are as tough as old boots, excellent optics, lightweight and relatively compact. They still sell new for aroung £700 but you will not see many of them, so a second hand pair should be obtainable within budget. As the porro prism is out of fashion you should get a good deal. A 'wanted' post in the classified optics on this site may produce an offer ?

 

[BIG white hunter]

£300 to £400 is a goin to be a fairly tough job for what i would suggest,but defo buy second hand good quality,keep looking on ebay the odd bargain does occasionally happen,like 8x42 geovid leicas,or 10x42,and now and again 10x40 zeiss bgat come up in this price range,,basically,buy cheap buy twice...............

 

[sir-slots-alot]

+ 1 for minox - superb for price

 

[mj robson]

Another vote for the Minox.

 

[pilgrimmick]

Sorry to put a downer on the Minox appreciation society here, but I was in your situation a few years back. I wes using som ex army binos that were ok but not great. I aspired to some Swarovski EL's, but could not afford them.
I bought a pair of new cheaper binos from the game fair and used them for a while. then I managed to get my hands on some very good secondhand EL's. They are fantastic, I wish I had not bothered with the cheaper pair, I should have just waited and saved for the EL's.
Save and get the good ones, if not you will at some time in the future and regret the time you have settled for second best.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Graeme I would also advise you save a bit more and go for Leica, Swaroviski or Zeiss.

I think 8 or 10 by 42 is fine and are not to heavy etc.

Atb, Billy.

PS. Not that I'm knocking Minox there a good glass, just the fact that a little more brass will buy you better.

 

[MountainStalker2]

I have 8 x 30 Swaro SLCs and Leica Trinovid 10 x42s. When off for a long walk the 8 x 30s nearly always get to come, great glass and light around the neck. A good condition pair of either, second hand should be about 400 quid. i paid $US500 for the leicas from camera land in Ny. Good guys who often have quality second hand or close outs deals on binos, RFs and scopes etc..

 

[1kevb]

minox are good but i bought a second hand pair of ziess 8x56 bgat for £350 and had them serviced £80 you wont find better for the money

 

[RichardP]

I was in the same position and i bought the "Steiner Hunting" and they are great for the time i get to go stalking, cant justify £1000 + but would love to tho, you can get the Steiners for about £260 most places but Derek Lee had them on offer, great service and great Bino's
Rich

 

[kingstonandy]

Buy once, buy right. As others have said if you buy Minox or Steiner now you will only end up upgrading again later.

 

[DazT]

I use swarovski el's and they really are fantastic bino's BUT i use a pair of Zeiss Jena 8x30 bino's as my backup/rough weather binos.
Got em cheap from ebay with a leather case! They are old but very good!

Have a look
221004558350 same as these!
Daz

 

[caorach]

Buy once, buy right. As others have said if you buy Minox or Steiner now you will only end up upgrading again later.

I have a pair of Minox HGs, have had they for some years, have tried others and have no intention of "upgrading" them as I have yet to see anything that offers me a practical upgrade. I shoot sika in commercial forestry usually at last light.

 

[kingstonandy]

I have a pair of Minox HGs, have had they for some years, have tried others and have no intention of "upgrading" them as I have yet to see anything that offers me a practical upgrade. I shoot sika in commercial forestry usually at last light.

Fair enough. As long as you're happy.

I've made the same mistake over and over again (rifles, bins, scopes etc), buying cheap the first time then upgrading to mid-range then realising my folly and spending out again for the item I should have bought in the first place.