Hi all,
I found this forum last night, while searching for info on binoculars. I've spent a good number of hours reading and it's given me some help, but I need more...
I want a binocular for general use while out in the countryside; might be birding in woods, watching foxes at dusk, bat spotting around church steeples or spying on the herons on the other side of a lake. Anything goes really; hope you don't mind that it's not just birding but this looks the most informative place I've found to ask. Most of the places my wife and I get to don't have so many trees, it's more often moorland and hillsides. Given the types of use I envisage, I've come up with some features that I think are important.
My budget is up to around £400; I could probably go a bit higher for something significantly better. I would rather pay more for something I'm happy with, than save a bit and be unhappy. I'm not particularly bothered about brand names, and would consider well cared for used items. I'm a bit wary of buying on eBay though - been stung before there!
So, my supposed criteria:
Just a few that I've seen myself are Vortex Viper 10x50, Nikon 10x56 Monarch ATB, and I might have a chance at a used Leica 8x42 BA Trinovid at around £450.
I'm aware of optical properties in general (I have an ancient 8" SCT with binoviewer for astronomy) but really need advice from those who have actual experience with some decent binoculars to narrow the search. My criteria aren't fixed - if a certain 8x42 would give a better experience for my use than a 10x50, so much the better.
Cheers,
Rick.
I found this forum last night, while searching for info on binoculars. I've spent a good number of hours reading and it's given me some help, but I need more...
I want a binocular for general use while out in the countryside; might be birding in woods, watching foxes at dusk, bat spotting around church steeples or spying on the herons on the other side of a lake. Anything goes really; hope you don't mind that it's not just birding but this looks the most informative place I've found to ask. Most of the places my wife and I get to don't have so many trees, it's more often moorland and hillsides. Given the types of use I envisage, I've come up with some features that I think are important.
My budget is up to around £400; I could probably go a bit higher for something significantly better. I would rather pay more for something I'm happy with, than save a bit and be unhappy. I'm not particularly bothered about brand names, and would consider well cared for used items. I'm a bit wary of buying on eBay though - been stung before there!
So, my supposed criteria:
- 10x magnification, given longer distance use on hills and moors.
- Maybe 50mm objectives for light gathering at dawn/dusk.
- Preferably light weight and relatively compact, but I know this conflicts with above.
- Waterproof and fogproof.
- Good resolution - I still have quite sharp eyesight (20/10 to 20/15 last I checked).
- Minimal chromatic aberration.
- Reliable build quality and a decent warranty.
Just a few that I've seen myself are Vortex Viper 10x50, Nikon 10x56 Monarch ATB, and I might have a chance at a used Leica 8x42 BA Trinovid at around £450.
I'm aware of optical properties in general (I have an ancient 8" SCT with binoviewer for astronomy) but really need advice from those who have actual experience with some decent binoculars to narrow the search. My criteria aren't fixed - if a certain 8x42 would give a better experience for my use than a 10x50, so much the better.
Cheers,
Rick.