Looking to buy my first 'decent' pair of binoculars (2 Viewers)

[not dave]

Hi all,
Looking to buy my first pair of decent binoculars. I think I have settled on an approx 8x40 as being the ideal size. As money is tight, i am looking on the local freead pages and have found two within my budget that look good.
The first is an RSPB 8x52 BG.PC for £120
The second is a Swift Audubon 8.5x44, wide field 8.5m, 148m at 1000m. The seller describes these as ED, but there is no text to suggest they have coated optics. The seller has also owned these from new. These are much cheaper at £65.

Which would be the better pair?
Which are the better value?

If i new the Swift had relatively modern coatings i think i would be going for those given they are nearly half the price.

Photos

 

[normjackson]

Some detail on the Swift model here (page 14 of the pdf downloads?) :

Historical Review of Swift 804 Audubon Binoculars

NOTE: An article by Edward M. Huff and Renze de Vries entitled: "The Inimitable Swift Model 804 Audubon Binoculars: Design and Marking Variations" is attached to Post #15 in three .pdf sections. Historical Note #1: SP Series, — Post 59 Factoid #1: Tethered Objective Covers — Post 61 Factoid...

www.birdforum.net

A bit bulky, would need to be more careful to keep it away from water, short eye relief by modern standards but still regarded as having terrific wide field views. Good price if in good condition.

The RSPB model has been around for quite a while (15 years?) and seems is still on the books (a good sign, I think) :

RSPB BG.PC Binoculars - RSPB Shop

Waterproof roof prism binoculars with super high reflective prism coatings and multi-coated water repellent optics for brilliant sharp images

shopping.rspb.org.uk

Choosing 8x42 RSPB/Viking bins

I went to RSPB Conwy today and tried out 7 pairs of binoculars in both of their guises, RSPB and Viking. The ones I tested were; RSPB 8.5x42 WPG RSPB 8x42 BG PC RSPB 8x42 HD Viking 8x42w Navilux Viking 8x42 Vistron Viking 8x42 MD Viking 8x42 ED The sales assistant was great and gradually, one...

www.birdforum.net

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Hi and welcome to birdforum.

I think the RSPB model may be reasonable, as it appears that this was part of their mid-range line when released some 15 years ago. The Swift binoculars are much older, perhaps 70's or 80's and certainly won't have ED glass. Optically they are probably fairly evenly matched, but the RSPB model will be waterproof and have closer focusing.

At the budget end of the market (please don't take offence to this remark!) I'd recommend either Opticron or Hawke as decent brands who make good optics for the price and are backed up by excellent customer service.

If you are open to other specifications and used options, here are a few to consider all under £150:

Opticron Imagic 8x32 (new)
Opticron Oregon 8x32 (new and used)
Opticron HR WP 10x42 (used)
Hawke endurance ED 8x32 (new)
Bushnell Legend 8x42 (used)

If you could stretch the budget a bit more here are a couple for under £200 that are probably better value:

Opticron DBA 8x42 - 11993 | Buy Online at CleySpy

The quality Opticron DBA 8x42 - 11993 is available from CleySpy with a wide range of accessories (other filter)- buy online at fantastic prices

www.cleyspy.co.uk

Second hand cameras, camera part exchange, digital cameras UK, used cameras, photographic shops, England

The London Camera Exchange supplies second hand cameras, new cameras, digital cameras and other camera equipment and provides a camera part exchange in photographic shops all over England, UK.

www.lcegroup.co.uk

If you can give a bit more info on where you will be using them (habitats, time of day) and whether you wear glasses, other may be able to chip in with other options.

Hope this helps!

 

[not dave]

Thanks both,
Glad you mentioned waterproofing, I may want to use them in all weathers so the RPSB would be preferred.

 

[jring]

Hi,

from an optics nerd point of view, the Audubon is much more interesting. Why, you might ask - well having an 8.5 deg true field in an 8.5x44 pair is unusual at best - the Nikon E2 8x30 has 8.8 deg, but 8x30 is easier to make very wide.
And unlike some old super wide angle japanese pairs, the Audubon (which is also made in Japan) also has a fairly nice sweet spot.

But of course it has its drawbacks too - the version shown in the image (Mk2 Type 3b aka Gold Ribbon) is fully coated despite not saying so but no multicoatings.
Also the eye relief is very short - don't try to use that one with glasses. And of course, it's not waterproof.

People have been birding with non-waterproof bins for many years and they have fogged up internally when it got very wet (as did my porro pairs once in a while). As long as you can get them into a warm and dry environment later, this will not result into instantaneous fungus affliction - contrary to popular belief.

Of course for an extended expedition to very wet climates (tropical rainforest or scottish highlands) or any kayak trip, a really waterproof pair is recommended...

Joachim