Bins For Birding

[FredPuli43]

What should I be looking for in the specification for binoculars for birdwatching in Britain? And does anyone have a preferred brand or brands? Would you go more expensive if it was worth it ?

[sunny-dave]

Depends on whether you want some 'walking around' bins or some for a 'sit in a hide' session.

If the former I'd always go for 'light and bright' - about 8x or 10x magnification is about right. For a sedentary session you can go bigger/heavier - up to perhaps 15x and with nice big lenses.


Try before you buy - it's (very) easy to make an expensive mistake.

If you have a local specialist then go and talk to them - my favourites are

http://www.focusoptics.eu/focus/

< declares interest - I live round the corner from them and have been known to have a pint with the owner >

I recently bought a pair of Hawke Sapphire Compact ED 8x25 (approx £180-£200 from various suppliers) and at least one of my bird watching friends borrowed mine for a few minutes & had her own pair by the next weekend.

They are small, light and (very) bright - 8x magnification is a good "walk and look" compromise - and they now come with me on every walk (I even realised they were on my belt last time I was shopping in Aldi, they are so light & inconspicuous).

I also have a pair of Canon 18x50 stabilised bins - stupidly heavy and big, but ideal for sitting quietly in a hide & getting a good look at stuff.

So think about what you want to use your bins for, set yourself a budget & then go and have a play with some different models - nothing beats actually getting your hands/eyes on the hardware. Don't turn your nose up at 'used' either - many people trade in perfectly good 'starter' bins as they develop their interest.

dave

[Ouzel]

Mine are Optolyth Alpin 10 x 40 - not too big or heavy.

The best way would be to find a supplier with a wide range of bins and try them in the shop - then you'll find a pair which just 'feel' right for your needs.

[shoota]

I have a pair of these and can recommend them. This is a great price too...
http://www.cameraking.co.uk/Nikon+8x40+Action+EX+Binoculars.html

[FredPuli43]

I already have high magnification with electronic stabiliser; I have them for racecourses like Aintree; so it's the carrying around type that is needed.

Thanks for all that info.

[carrust]

I bought a pair of these 8yrs ago & have found them to be excellent. I went to a local camera shop & compared them with bins coasting 3 x as much & I couldn't tell the difference.
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-nikon-monarch-x-8-5x45-dcf-binoculars/p1520035?cm_mmc=googlebase-extension-_-binoculars-_-binoculars-_-nikon-monarch-x-8-5x45-dcf-binoculars_1520035&utm_source=googlebase-extension&mkwid=k8u4kh7c&pcrid=19328904129&gclid=clxr0_vqgrwcfzgwtaodrboa7a

[Baldric]

My Walkaround Bins are Greencat 8 x 42, very good resolution and nice and light, cost about £90 over ten years ago, haven't managed to better them so far.

[FredPuli43]

Thanks. I settled on the Nikon 10 x 42 Monarch model

[gness]

Good choice, Fred....enjoy...x

[FredPuli43]

Hope they are not like the ones I use on racecourses. Every time I look through those, my horse seems further away.

[shoota]

You put the small end to your eyes Fred, not the big end.....