-
Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.
Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
Binoculars for a 5 year old - recommendations please (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Cinnamam
- Start date
pat mitchel
Well-known member
interesting new offering from Opticron UK
Pat
Pat
"I wasn't aware of these... and now I'm really curious. I mean, Vixen is capable of launching really nice optics at competitive prices (in many cases -not sure if always-selling similar/same models as other brands)... but this 9º FOV 8x at €300/$ are really intriguing. I wonder if they're related to some similar looking binoculars being sold by Kite or Opticron... although the ones by Vixen seem like an update, with waterproofing and wider FOV."I wasn't aware of these... and now I'm really curious. I mean, Vixen is capable of launching really nice optics at competitive prices (in many cases -not sure if always- selling similar/same models as other brands)... but this 9º FOV 8x at 300 €/$ are really intriguing. I wonder if they're related to some similar looking binoculars being sold by Kite or Opticron... although the ones by Vixen seem like an update, with waterproofing and wider FOV.
As for the OP, my 4 year old daughter is used to watching through the binoculars at home since a very early age, she has a pair of 6x30 Kowa YF that I can wholeheartedly recommend. However, what I've experienced is that, when dealing with the little ones, the desire for what you have is usually more powerful than the sheer ease of use, so I would advise you to try and present the Kowa in an attractive way... or even get a pair of 8x30 for yourself
They have a FOV of 9.4 degrees. I ordered a pair because I was intrigued also. I get them Friday, so I will let you know if they are any good. Neither Kite nor Opticron make any reverse porros with anything near the FOV of these.
These binoculars are also interesting from Vixen. A 4x18 that only weighs 5 oz. and have a 9.2 degree FOV. They have a 1 foot 10 inch close focus, so they are like a Papilio except with a much bigger 528 foot FOV.. Vixen is introducing a lot of new, different format binoculars. They would be nice for concerts or theater.
Vixen @Four 4X18 Binoculars
The @Four binoculars enable you to look at an object as close as 55cm in distance. With this binocular, not only you enjoy a beautiful landscape, but also you can observe flowers in the field which can be seen at your feet. In addition, it would be of help in appreciating works of art in the museum.
astroworldtelescopes.com
Last edited:
These Vixen 4x18 would be good for kids also. These binoculars are very interesting from Vixen. A 4x18 that only weighs 5 oz. and have a 9.2 degree FOV. They have a 1 foot 10 inch close focus, so they are like a Papilio except with a much bigger 528 foot FOV.. Vixen is introducing a lot of new, different format binoculars. They would be nice for concerts or theater.
redirect.viglink.com
Vixen @Four 4X18 Binoculars
The @Four binoculars enable you to look at an object as close as 55cm in distance. With this binocular, not only you enjoy a beautiful landscape, but also you can observe flowers in the field which can be seen at your feet. In addition, it would be of help in appreciating works of art in the museum.
redirect.viglink.com
Vixen @Four 4X18 Binoculars
yarrellii
Well-known member
@[email protected] The little Vixen are quite a thing. I wrote a small review of the @six 6x18, a sibling of the @four you showed. I was honestly quite surprised because for little over 70 USD I got a 5 oz (150 g) 9º FOV binocular with a 55 cm close focus (almost like a Papilio), and the image was really rather nice, without any obvious downsides (beyond the obvious limitations of the budget). It's here:
www.birdforum.net
Vixen @Six 6x18: quirky and surprising pocket binocular
I tend to like Vixen binoculars, they usually offer great value and pretty good optics. I guess it has to do with the decisions regarding the selection of products from different Asian producers, because it seems that they choose models also offered by other brands (like Opticron, Celestron...
www.birdforum.net
MiddleRiver
Well-known member
Our now 5 year old g'kid started using bins at 3-1/2. With supervision of course. He now knows all our yard birds by name and just this past week was learning to focus his bins.
He'll doing binocular reviews within another couple of years, and some of them will be more accurate than some of the content we're accustomed to here!
Good, we will finally start getting some accurate reviews!
That looks like a good alternative to the Papilio. Thanks!@[email protected] The little Vixen are quite a thing. I wrote a small review of the @six 6x18, a sibling of the @four you showed. I was honestly quite surprised because for little over 70 USD I got a 5 oz (150 g) 9º FOV binocular with a 55 cm close focus (almost like a Papilio), and the image was really rather nice, without any obvious downsides (beyond the obvious limitations of the budget). It's here:
Vixen @Six 6x18: quirky and surprising pocket binocular
I tend to like Vixen binoculars, they usually offer great value and pretty good optics. I guess it has to do with the decisions regarding the selection of products from different Asian producers, because it seems that they choose models also offered by other brands (like Opticron, Celestron...
I am sure he went back to finally measure the kid‘s IPD
By the way: my 7 year old grandson just got a Junior and loves it (them?).
John A Roberts
Well-known member
Some idea of the compactness of the Vixen 4x18:
It's the 6x18 version, from Yarrellii's review at: Vixen @Six 6x18: quirky and surprising pocket binocular
. . . and in a much better colour than the brown of the 4x18!
John
It's the 6x18 version, from Yarrellii's review at: Vixen @Six 6x18: quirky and surprising pocket binocular
. . . and in a much better colour than the brown of the 4x18!
John
Last edited:
dalat
...
I don't agree with this one. If the kid is interested and mum/dad accompany the use, it's a good age to start.
Many good recommendations so far. I would go with the Bantam (narrow IPD should make it work for all kids, and not expensive), or one of the reverse Porros like the Papillo. Preferably the 6.5x.
I would avoid Porros like the Opticron Discovery, Kowa YF etc. These are nice bins, but too bulky for small kids hands.
MiddleRiver
Well-known member
I agree that ideally roofs might be better but my data-set-of-one is that a 4-5 year old is having no issues with the YF's. Where I see a potential issue is now that he's starting to fool around with the focuser.
Last edited:
Gijs van Ginkel
Well-known member
Bresser has a number of small binoculars in its programme that are specifically designed for children.
Gijs van Ginkel
Gijs van Ginkel
The Bressers are nice for kids. Perfect. Only $20.00 also.
Buy Kids' binoculars from Bresser
Kids' binoculars | Bresser | 🔭 Variety, elegance & quality 🔬 ✓ Fast delivery ✓ Free returns ► Buy now
Attachments
dalat
...
I think I need to correct my statement here by quoting myself from a few years back. Time passes fast, difficult to remember today how the little one behaved at what age exactly...
yarrellii
Well-known member
Hey @[email protected] I see that you finally got your unit of the Vixen SW 8x25... but proceeded to put it up for sale almost immediately. If I was in the US, I think I would buy your unit, but if I add the shipping cost and import taxes, it's just too much, so I would be grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes and explain your findings: is any area in particular lacking in quality? FOV was just large but not usable? Ergonomics were not OK, as in difficult to get a nice view? Was build quality OK? Any comment on the usual image features: contrast, CA, sharpness? Thanks a lot for any input. Since you seem to be the only one around here who has tried them, your experience can be very valuable. Thanks!These Vixens SW 8x25 WP would work well for children because the IPD is adjustable down to 45mm. I think a kid would like the huge FOV of 9.3 degree also. They are a little pricey for a kid at almost $300.00 though, but you could use them also!
Vixen Binoculars SW 8x25 WP
Vixen SW-Series - Super-Wide Angle binocularsEnjoy a unique viewing experience from the super wide angle of view! - Vixen's SW series combines a super-wide angle with long eye r...www.astroshop.eu
Children have larger dilated eye pupils than adults. While a young adult use to have 7mm I read that a child can have 8mm. Therefore a binocular for children should make it possible to make use of the eye pupil. Binoculars for children should be at least 7mm. 5x35 or 5x40 would be a good model I think.
