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Best Binos for a starter birder around 250 sterling (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Big Finch
- Start date
A lot of birders won't like this recommendation because they are IF focusing, but I use mine all the time for birding and beyond about 30 feet you don't have to focus them at all. They have the best optics of any binoculars I have seen at the price point of $250 even surpassing most $1000 roof prism's and they also have excellent build quality. The APM-MS-8x32 IF-ED porro-prism from APM in Germany. I wouldn't recommend the APM-MS-6.5x32IF ED because the eye cups are too big at 48mm in diameter, whereas, the APM-MS-8x32 IF-ED eyecups are more comfortable at 40mm and by getting the IF version you avoid the overly tight focuser of the CF version.
www.apm-telescopes.net
APM-MS-8x32 IF-ED binocular
The APM-MS-8x32 IF-ED binoculars is a classic design with BAK4 Poro prisms impress with their excellent price/performance ratio.32mm clear aperture8x magnification8.2° field of viewIndividuell eyepiece@ focusing (IF)FMC multi-coating on all glass-air surfacesWith Hoya ED (FCD1)...
www.apm-telescopes.net
Last edited:
Mike Crawley
Emeritus President at Burnage Rugby Club
Please consider going to a physical shop and trying before buying.
If you have an RSPB reserve near where you live it’s worth looking into their range. The staff/volunteers who advise on binoculars are not on any kind of commission or incentive to sell.
For example the Harrier 8x42 is £240 the Harrier 10x42 is £250, they also have a good returns policy.
A good local optics shop is difficult to find for many people butwirth searching for, if you mention your location other contributors might have suggestions (I have a superb local optics shop in Cheshire, and know of another in North Wales)
My only other suggestion is to set your budget before you go and try to stick to
If you have an RSPB reserve near where you live it’s worth looking into their range. The staff/volunteers who advise on binoculars are not on any kind of commission or incentive to sell.
For example the Harrier 8x42 is £240 the Harrier 10x42 is £250, they also have a good returns policy.
A good local optics shop is difficult to find for many people butwirth searching for, if you mention your location other contributors might have suggestions (I have a superb local optics shop in Cheshire, and know of another in North Wales)
My only other suggestion is to set your budget before you go and try to stick to
has530
Well-known member
That’s true because IF binoculars are really awful for birding.
Most people observe birds closer than 30 feet away.
Look at the Opticron Explorer ED, it should be in your budget and would be a great pair to start with for birding. Assuming you don’t catch the bino bug many people here have they may be all you ever need!
There are so many excellent bino's up to your price point but only you can decide which is best for you from a handling, eye relief and optical quality perspective. So the advice to 'try if at all possible', is the best recommendation you will ever receive.
Bristol has several camera/optics shops where you can physically try and if you venture north a bit up the M5, the wetlands trust at Slimbridge will provide a superb testing ground. They have a bino shop.
I have no connection with SWOptics apart from being an extremely satisfied customer and their new manager, Russell, is not only an optics enthusiast but a keen nature observer. If you have a look at their website you will see many binos, new and ex-demo, that would meet your price point and he will offer unbiased and expert advice.
Were I looking around the £250 mark then the Zeiss Terra 8x25's would be close to the top of the list as well as the very well priced ex-demo Opticron Verano BGA VHD 10x42's at £205.
They are 10x which may or may not suit your birding requirements but they are an exceptional bino at a heafty discount. (And 5% off if you subscribe to their newsletter).
Best of luck!
Bristol has several camera/optics shops where you can physically try and if you venture north a bit up the M5, the wetlands trust at Slimbridge will provide a superb testing ground. They have a bino shop.
I have no connection with SWOptics apart from being an extremely satisfied customer and their new manager, Russell, is not only an optics enthusiast but a keen nature observer. If you have a look at their website you will see many binos, new and ex-demo, that would meet your price point and he will offer unbiased and expert advice.
Were I looking around the £250 mark then the Zeiss Terra 8x25's would be close to the top of the list as well as the very well priced ex-demo Opticron Verano BGA VHD 10x42's at £205.
They are 10x which may or may not suit your birding requirements but they are an exceptional bino at a heafty discount. (And 5% off if you subscribe to their newsletter).
Best of luck!
I've not used that many sub £500 binoculars, but these impressed (currently on offer @ around £260. Try before you buy if you can though. Hawke Frontier HD X 8X42 binoculars review
Gijs van Ginkel
Well-known member
My suggestion would be one of the GPO models for example the 8x32 (test data on the WEB-site of House of Outdoor): very good quality at a reasonable price.
Gijs van Ginkel
Gijs van Ginkel
When I started looking for my first quality binoculars I kept hearing that I should go for 8x42, because it was bright and capable ("the right thing to do"), but with time (and binoculars) I learnt that for a beginner an 8x32 is usually more user friendly: it's lighter and smaller, offering a similar performance in terms of brightness in many but the harshest conditions. I've done side by side tests and only really well after sunset does 8x42 show its brightness compared to a 8x32... but how many times does a beginner go birding after sunset? In fact, I see no point in 8x42, to be honest. I use 8x32 most of the time (as non-IS) and when I need a bright binocular, I go for something with more power, like 7x50, 8x56, 10x50, etc. I see no point in carrying the weight and bulk of a 8x42 for those two times a year when it might come handy (but that's just my case and my circumstances, obviously).
One thing I would have loved to hear is a suggestion to investigate the 8x32 format. So here it is: check the 8x32 models and compare them to 8x42 and see for yourself.
Things like the Endurance ED, Vortex Diamondback HD are well under your budget and can make you a happy birder. Then, if you can shop around and enjoy an offer that makes you jump to the next step that would be great, of course (or maybe buy something second hand from a trust worthy seller).
One thing I would have loved to hear is a suggestion to investigate the 8x32 format. So here it is: check the 8x32 models and compare them to 8x42 and see for yourself.
Things like the Endurance ED, Vortex Diamondback HD are well under your budget and can make you a happy birder. Then, if you can shop around and enjoy an offer that makes you jump to the next step that would be great, of course (or maybe buy something second hand from a trust worthy seller).
@Big Finch I've no affiliation whatsoever with the seller, but I couldn't help noticing an ex-display Opticron Verano 8x32 on the UK ebay going for 233 Pounds. It's here. That's quite a lot of glass for a very reasonable amount of money. Just an idea 
I have recently purchased two brand new pairs of binoculars:
The first pair is from a non uk brand, purchased direct from their UK website. I have tried to contact them several times regarding a small problem and have heard nada, absolutely zilch.
The second pair, purchased more recently are from a well known UK brand, but purchased through a dealer. I tried to contact them about something (not a problem with the bins), they replied immediately and were very helpful. I popped into there office, purchased the parts I needed for a very reasonable price and had a few minutes chat and advice from a very helpful member of staff.
One of these was Opticron, one wasn't.
I know where I would start looking
The first pair is from a non uk brand, purchased direct from their UK website. I have tried to contact them several times regarding a small problem and have heard nada, absolutely zilch.
The second pair, purchased more recently are from a well known UK brand, but purchased through a dealer. I tried to contact them about something (not a problem with the bins), they replied immediately and were very helpful. I popped into there office, purchased the parts I needed for a very reasonable price and had a few minutes chat and advice from a very helpful member of staff.
One of these was Opticron, one wasn't.
I know where I would start looking
