Budget compact binoculars (1 Viewer)

[antobag]

Hi all,

I've been looking at some budget compact binoculars for birdwatching and general walking. My main requirements are that they're compact and waterproof. I've done a fair amount of research and I've narrowed it down to the following three:

• Olympus 8x25 WP II - 15mm eye-relief; Fully multi-coated; 108m FOV
• Nikon Sportstar EX 8x25 DCF - 10mm eye-relief; Multi-coated; 143m FOV
• Steiner Safari UltraSharp 8x22 - 13mm eye-relief (?); Fully multi-coated; 125m FOV

I can get any of these for around £75 to £80 ($93 to $99) and was just wondering if anyone has any advice on which one stands out - I can spend all day looking at specifications but it would be great to have some proper first-hand advice!

Any help would be much appreciated.

Antony

 

[PhilR.]

I have used several compact Steiners, and owned one. Every single one of them had a tremendous amount of slop in the focus wheel. This, combined with mediocre optics have prevented me from ever recommending them to anyone.

I have tried one Olympus compact. Unfortunately I cannot remember the model, but it did seem to perform decently for it's price. OTOH, I have used three or four Pentax compacts and have liked them. Perhaps you could investigate the Pentax brand as well. The waterproof Pentax models will probably be more expensive than the Olympus, but I would give them an audition nonetheless. Don't get the Pentax Jupiter however, as it is a very low cost and low-end bino.........

 

[humakt]

In all honesty, there's only one real answer to this question:

Go and try them and see which you prefer!

There must be a camera/photographic/binocular shop in Cambrdge or nearby area. You don't have to buy from them but you could go in there to have a look and try, and then shop around for a better price for the ones you liked.
Seriously, you shouldn't spend the money until you know you've got the ones that are right for you. Go and try them first.

 

[The-Wanderer]

I have recently bought one of these. Opticron Traveller 8x32 mg for £155.00, so over budget, but I am pleased with it thus far.
http://www.sherwoods-photo.com/ex_demo/ex_demo_optics.htm

It passes more light through than 25mm compacts

Also available used here http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Used/Opticron-Traveller-8x32-Binoculars_171590.html

 

[CalvinFold]

Don't claim to be a binocular expert, and I don't use these much anymore, but did for a while:

Vanguard 10x25 Orros

Here's some info from our own forums: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=303342

They served me well for spotting subjects at extreme range for photography (sometimes easier to scan with binoculars than the EVF on the camera when we're talking about 80+ meters out).

Now granted I have a pair of Nikon Prostaff binoculars now which are night and day...and quite a bit bigger to lug around too. :eek!:

 

[Stephen Prower]

Antony

I own an Opticron 8x26 HR.WP that I bought some time ago. The Opticron 8x26 HR.WP is bulky for the compact format, has a narrow field of view, and is priced at £95 according to a couple of adverts that I have just looked at. It is nevertheless worth looking at if you're in a shop where it's stocked because the build quality--certainly the build quality of mine--is up with the better known, and very well spoken-of, Opticron 8x42 HR.WP, ie very good indeed. I bought because the build quality made two of the other binoculars that I looked at at the same time in the price range feel like and handle like tat.

Stephen

 

[typo]

I know the old Campkins shop is long gone but I think the newer one on Kings Parade is still there. It had quite a reasonoble selection of modestly priced binoculars last time I looked, but was a couple of years ago.

I can't I've paid the cheaper compacts much attention. Quite often the eye relief is too short for my glasses, and the very cheap ones have been an optical mess. I have tried the Vanguard Orros mentioned. If you can ignore the very plastically finish, the off centre hinge position and the short ER the view was actually pleasingly good on a bright summer's day. Another that had a rather subversive appeal was the Viking Vibe 8x2. I just wanted to the local birding club's reaction if I took the fluorescent pink version on an outing.:-O The ER was OK for me.
http://www.claritas-online.co.uk/product/viking-8x21-vibe-binoculars/?attribute_pa_colour=green

I have a distant memory of trying the Sportstar. Before I dismissed it for ER, I thought the view was OK.

It I was to currently buy a foldable compact I'd probably go for the Hawke Sapphire ED 8x25 but that's a £100 over budget.

David

 

[nacmancer]

The Nikon Prostaff 3s 10x42 is a joy for me to use, try looking at them.

 

[ceasar]

The Nikon Prostaff 3s 10x42 is a joy for me to use, try looking at them.

The smaller Nikon Prostaff 7s 8x30 might be just what he is looking for. $185.00 US funds.

http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/en/nikon-products/binoculars/prostaff-7s-8x30.html

You should be able to get one from a Nikon Dealer in England.

Bob

 

[antobag]

Thank you all for your really informative replies, it's very much appreciated.

I think I'll take your good advice and go into a shop to try some out before committing to a purchase.

I did, however, find an Olympus 8x25 WP I (not II!) for only £35, so I picked it up and might give it to my father if/when I end up going for a different one. I haven't received it yet, should arrive in the next few days. Do any of you have any personal experience of these binoculars, or know how they compare to the newer WP II aside from a few items on the spec sheet eg. eye relief (18mm), weight (340g), and FOV (95.95m)?

Thanks once again for the well-informed help.

 

[Bencw]

Hi,
Just my personal impression, but I would avoid the little Steiner, I have seen a number of those for sale as spare or repair due to focus mechanism problems, I read it has very poor close focus as well. I have the Nikon Sporstar, my brother also has one and loves it, and would say it's very good for the money.

 

[nacmancer]

There's a chinese compact binocular OEM design that's quite good.

It's the

Alpen wings 10x25 ED and
Bushnell Legend 10x25 ED
Occulus 7.0 10x25 ED

I've tried the Occulus in store at Bass pro and the image is very good, sharp to the edges with little distortion.

They all cost around $150

 

[Tero]

The 8x30 that Ceasar suggested will give you more joy and years than a 8x25.

 

[alan_rymer]

Nikon Prostaff 7s 8x30 £159.00
http://www.uttings.co.uk/p123918-nikon-prostaff-7s-8x30-binoculars-88392/