Hello all, just registered and the first post. Can your knowledge come to my rescue, please? I now live in Cyprus and have been approached by a company to do professional bird surveys so it is time to upgrade my bins. I have done a tonne of research but am still undecided about what to get. My wife has agreed to let me spend 500 pounds but is prepared to go to around 900 if the pair get is so much worth it. At the moment I am swinging between a new pair of either Vortex Vipers or Monarch 7's or second-hand Zeiss/Leica's. Bear in mind although I will be doing dawn/dusk surveys, Cyprus has no shortage of sunshine and is rarely cloudy I was wondering if anybody can recommend the right pair for me? Finally. I do tend to wear glasses when surveying. Thanks in advance for any response.
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Untangle my mind please! (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter L.Taylor
- Start date
Hi L.Taylor and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators. I've moved your post to the Binoculars forum, as they're better placed to be able to help you in there.
I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.
I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.
Hello L.Taylor and welcome.
You will get a million recommendations......
My opinion, and many will challenge it, is to buy a Celestron Regal 8x42 ED FF and an Image Stabilised bin (Canon 12x36III).
The Regal performs very well and not expensive (£340). Flat field and wide FoV, with magnesium body....etc.
If you want to then see high levels of detail without having to mount on a tripod, the IS bin can't be beaten. The only way to better this is a spotting scope or high magnification bin on a tripod.
Together this combination might push your budget limit, but you will achieve a very effective setup......much better than a single bin.
Check out Roger Vine binoculars site for very good reviews of different binoculars.
You will get a million recommendations......
My opinion, and many will challenge it, is to buy a Celestron Regal 8x42 ED FF and an Image Stabilised bin (Canon 12x36III).
The Regal performs very well and not expensive (£340). Flat field and wide FoV, with magnesium body....etc.
If you want to then see high levels of detail without having to mount on a tripod, the IS bin can't be beaten. The only way to better this is a spotting scope or high magnification bin on a tripod.
Together this combination might push your budget limit, but you will achieve a very effective setup......much better than a single bin.
Check out Roger Vine binoculars site for very good reviews of different binoculars.
Cheers for that, I never thought about splitting the money for two different bins. At the moment I am using Vogelbescherming Stern 8X42's which are perfectly decent, I was thinking maybe I should get some 10's just to get a variety. Nearly all my surveys are on arable farmland or scrub/garrigue. was worried about 10s would be too heavy
CharleyBird
Well-known member
I'd get good condition & quality used.
For example, I've bought a few binoculars from this company which have these two in stock:
www.at-infocus.co.uk
www.at-infocus.co.uk
For example, I've bought a few binoculars from this company which have these two in stock:
ZEISS FL 8X32 (WFV) :: In Focus
JUST BACK FROM ZEISS AFTER A SERVICE AND NEW EYE
www.at-infocus.co.uk
ZEISS 10X42 FL (WFV) :: In Focus
IN GOOD CONDITION, JUST SERVICED WITH NEW EYE LENSES, SUPPLIED WITH CASE, STRAP AND RAINGUARD.
www.at-infocus.co.uk
Good point! Thinking about it that way it would probably cost me several new Swarovskis so it looks like second-hand Zeiss are winning the argument
I’m always glad to help.
Conndomat
United States of Europe
Hi,
the suggestion with a used FL is not bad, otherwise a 10x42 Conquest might also be an option.
If you wear glasses, I would be wary of the Canon 12x36 that has an EP of 14.5mm. and may be too small for many glasses wearers.
Unfortunately, there are only a few stabilizer lenses that are well suited for spectacle wearers, which is also a reason why they are not more widespread.
Andreas
the suggestion with a used FL is not bad, otherwise a 10x42 Conquest might also be an option.
If you wear glasses, I would be wary of the Canon 12x36 that has an EP of 14.5mm. and may be too small for many glasses wearers.
Unfortunately, there are only a few stabilizer lenses that are well suited for spectacle wearers, which is also a reason why they are not more widespread.
Andreas
I use these without glasses ..... And have myopia of 7.
The key point is that nothing (including £3000 Swaro NLs with headrest) will deliver the detail these will.
If I was doing a commercial project, as per the OP, I would use the best tools for the job.
Conndomat
United States of Europe
But the questioner mentioned that he would like to observe with glasses!
If then there is still farsightedness, the 14.5mm could become a keyhole, in this case not the best solution.
Andreas
Yes, you are correct.
If the OP needs to use glasses, then the options are reduced......e.g. my SR.GA porros can't be used with glasses.... unfortunately. I use these with contact lenses instead.
If the OP can 'stretch' to -7.0 dioptre without glasses, then resolution of these will exceed handheld Swaro NLs.
Conndomat
United States of Europe
Another point speaks against the Canon.
A 3mm EP. is conceivably unsuitable in darker visibility conditions.
Andreas
Perhaps ...... Yes.
However, Canon 12x36 are porros, so inherently brighter than roofs, so 42mm objectives are not necessarily the advantage perceived.
Also, my proposal was to use two bins ..... One a wide FoV 8x42 with dialectic phase coated prisms and the IS porro bins for high resolution...... Best of both worlds.
Still better than a single high cost bin, trying to do both jobs?
Conndomat
United States of Europe
Do you really believe that 1-2% more transmission over 1mm. equalize bigger EP, no way! Also, I don't think the Canon has more transmission than an FL or Conquest.
Not every porro is automatically brighter than a roof.
But the questioner asked for one binoculars and exactly for a 10x, an 8x is already available.
It is of no use if you present your preferences but do not respond to the wishes of the questioner.
Andreas
The OP has been tasked with a professional contract to do bird surveys....as far as I understand it...?
If I was in his shoes, I would use the best tools for the job.......and if I was asked to ID birds, I would use the bins that delivered the highest resolution.
So, in MY opinion, that would not be a handheld, non-IS bin.
But, maybe your opinion differs....... I can accept that 👍.
