noeldjones
Member
I'm looking for my first pair of decent binoculars. I need them for an ornithology class I just started at school, plus I should probably have some binos anyway as a biology student.
So I'm looking for some advice on which pair of entry-level binos I should choose? I'm pretty much set on 8x42s as the best all around size for daytime and late/early viewing and ability to hold the image steady for long periods. I'm also looking for long eye relief, as I wear glasses. Now I'm down to looking for the right pair. I am on a budget, looking to spend under $200 unless I can get a much, much better value by spending a little bit more.
So after searching through all the different binoculars I could find online, I believe I have it narrowed down to just a couple different pairs:
Vortex Diamondback:
Available on eBay for $149 (I'm not sure if they're the "old" model or the new 2016 version, the picture is of the old one)
Old model has 420 ft fov and 18 mm eye relief, 4.5 ft close focus
New model has 393 ft fov and 17 mm eye relief, 5 ft close focus
Whether its the new or old model, the $149 seems like a pretty good deal for these binos.
Wingspan Optics 8x42 ED Glass "SkyView":
$159 on Amazon
393 ft fov, 17 mm eye relief,
2 m close focus
ED glass
Wingspan Optics 8x42 ED Glass "CrystalView":
$196 on Amazon
425 ft fov 17 mm eye relief
2 m close focus
ED glass
So, I'm wondering if its worth it to get the ED glass from Wingspan, or should I stick with a name brand like Vortex, where the price of ED glass is out of reach? Also, is the difference between 393 ft and 420/425 ft field of view a great asset when birding? Is it worthwhile to search for the older Diamondbacks with a wider fov? As for close focus, the Diamondbacks are better by about 1.5 feet, not too big a deal, right?
Which of these binos would you buy? Or would you have another suggestion? Thanks for any advice!
So I'm looking for some advice on which pair of entry-level binos I should choose? I'm pretty much set on 8x42s as the best all around size for daytime and late/early viewing and ability to hold the image steady for long periods. I'm also looking for long eye relief, as I wear glasses. Now I'm down to looking for the right pair. I am on a budget, looking to spend under $200 unless I can get a much, much better value by spending a little bit more.
So after searching through all the different binoculars I could find online, I believe I have it narrowed down to just a couple different pairs:
Vortex Diamondback:
Available on eBay for $149 (I'm not sure if they're the "old" model or the new 2016 version, the picture is of the old one)
Old model has 420 ft fov and 18 mm eye relief, 4.5 ft close focus
New model has 393 ft fov and 17 mm eye relief, 5 ft close focus
Whether its the new or old model, the $149 seems like a pretty good deal for these binos.
Wingspan Optics 8x42 ED Glass "SkyView":
$159 on Amazon
393 ft fov, 17 mm eye relief,
2 m close focus
ED glass
Wingspan Optics 8x42 ED Glass "CrystalView":
$196 on Amazon
425 ft fov 17 mm eye relief
2 m close focus
ED glass
So, I'm wondering if its worth it to get the ED glass from Wingspan, or should I stick with a name brand like Vortex, where the price of ED glass is out of reach? Also, is the difference between 393 ft and 420/425 ft field of view a great asset when birding? Is it worthwhile to search for the older Diamondbacks with a wider fov? As for close focus, the Diamondbacks are better by about 1.5 feet, not too big a deal, right?
Which of these binos would you buy? Or would you have another suggestion? Thanks for any advice!