Recommend me some binoculars please.

[freiston]

My personal opinion is that 8x magnification is fine for most applications - especially for things that move significantly. As has been mentioned previously, the bigger the objective lens, the 'brighter' the image and the bigger the field of view. 8x42 are very popular but 8x32 will be a bit smaller and lighter (which might be a consideration). Viking and Opticron are respected brands which have several ranges to suit most budgets.

I have a pair of Viking Navilux 8x32 (actually mine are "Navigator" but that range got replaced with Navilux - cosmetic changes). I went for the 32s because of size. If size is only an issue for some of the time (if it is an issue at all), you might want to think about 8x42 as a main pair but get a cheapish pair of 8x25 for the odd occasion that you want something to slip into the pocket.

Addendum: the size of the objective lens makes a big difference to the image, especially in low light conditions. A bright image at 8x magnification can be more revealing (and easier on the eyes) than a darker image at 10x - when comparing such binoculars side by side, the 8x will feel like a higher magnification. The figure used to measure this phenomenon is called the 'exit pupil' - which is explained here.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

+1 for Hawke. I have their Frontier ED in 8x43 flavour. The glass is exceptional for the money you pay. I also had rifle scopes by Hawke. Excellent glass too.

Here in the U.K. Where light levels aren't brilliant, you want as much light coming into your bins. 8x is ideal for birding (I do BBS surveying for the BTO) 10x is heavy and you need a steady hand. I can't say what is best for planes. I've never even seen one. Iron birds, the stuff of great legends. Don't believe in them myself.

Someone did tell me a magic formula once but I forget. Something like 'the easier or more exact you can divide the little number into the big one, the better'. Codswallop or not, I have no idea.

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

Swarovski. Brilliant image quality, I use a pair of Swarovski compact 8x25 that give a clearer image than most 10x50.
Tip - if you want to try out a pair of binoculars, pick a dull day. And look at the silhouette of a distant object against the sky. Lower quality optics will show up as colour fringing and general fuzziness.

 

[freiston]

A good tip about trying out on a dull day but Swarovski ain't cheap - small pocket bins start at about £500 and their 8.5x42 are about £2k. As much as I appreciate good bins, I would need a windfall to contemplate buying a pair of them. Good binocular shops will let you test and compare sets. The RSPB have events where you can try different sets.

A 'p.s.' to my post above - low light usage doesn't just mean dawn, dusk or a dull day - if you are looking at a bird in the shadows or a hedge on a bright day, that could still be a low-light situation.

 

[PeteXXX]

One of the many reasons I love his forum is for the knowledgeable answers received on just about any subject asked.
Thanks folks

 

[raleighnut]

I've had a pair of these since 1981, superb quality image.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8x30-Komz-Russian-binoculars-excellent-condition-/252871144337

 

[Cubist]

There are a lot of variables in binos. First off they've got to be adjustable to you and easy to use. Do you wear glasses? I do and had to find a pair with the right eye relief so I could use them properly. Next is the quality of glass. I use a lot of expensive scopes and binos, and the difference in quality from cheap to middling to alpha quality is remarkable. There is a very good reason why stuff like Zeiss and Swarovski cost what they do, and it's down to the quality of glass and manufacturing. There's some quality Asian glass out there, but there's some real crap too.

I do a lot of hunting, and it's vital to have some decent binos that work well in low light and this is where the "Alpha" glass comes into its own. Received wisdom will tell you that the best birdwatching, nature watching and hunting binos are between 7*32, 8*40/42 and 10*42. Any bigger and you're struggling to hold them.

I decided to treat myself to the last pair I'll ever buy and looked through a lot. Mates of mine have Zeiss and Swarovski, so I had them to compare. Reviews will point you to Minox, Vortex and Bushnell as alternatives but I just couldn't get on with them compared with the German stuff. Finally someone pointed me at a pair of Meopta. I tried the 10*42 HD and was blown away. The best part of a grand cheaper than the equivalent Swarovski r Zeiss, stunning optics, crystal clear and an incredible 3D feel to the image. They're a bit chunky, being a traditional rather than bridge design, but I use a chest strap so it isn't an issue. For evening stalking they showed a roe against a shadowy hedge a full forty minutes after sunset. Lifetime guarantee and a Loden tweed case and an awesome strap design. I can't fault them, and at least two people I know say they prefer them to their Swaros.

 

[Arjimlad]

I recently got a pair of these for pigeon shooting duties and general bird and nature watching..
I'm very happy with the image quality and light transmission. Agree with the positive reviews 100%.

Lixada 10X42 Hunting Camping Roof Binocular Telescope Spotting Scope https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00YWLJCT8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_6wC4lPYyorM9m

 

[freiston]

Loads of reviews http://www.birdwatching.co.uk/bird-watching-binoculars/

These next two links are for forums that I am a member of and I consider the level of knowledge and experience to be generally good on them

Bulletin boards galore for different brands of binoculars: http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=112

Several topics about binoculars (and other stuff): http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/general-equipment/

 

[Dave 123]

Ages ago when I was going out birdwatching on a regular basis I bought some Swarovski 8.5x42 bins. They were great. I stopped going out, so I sold them 10 years later for what I'd bought them for.

Last year I bought a pair of these
http://www.opticron.co.uk/Pages/im_bga_vhd.htm

Almost as good for a fraction of the price of the Swarovski bins.

 

[andrew_s]

The traditional porro prism design, with objective lenses significantly offset from the eyepieces, has significant optical advantages over the more modern roof prism design. Unless you pay a lot (> £800, ish), you'll get a better view with an equivalently priced porro. The drawback is that porro binoculars aren't usually waterproofed.

I'll recommend the Opticron 8x42 HR WP (£225), which are waterproof.
http://www.wexphotographic.com/opticron-hr-wp-8x42-porro-prism-binoculars-1012135/

 

[Gravity Aided]

I used to sell binoculars, and always found Swarovski, Leitz, and Zeiss to be of noticeably finer quality, especially in the contrast range afforded by such optics. That being said, I also found Nikon and Minolta to make good binoculars as well, but there was a bit of a difference.
Here's a nice site;
http://www.binoculars101.com/bin_design.html

 

[Gravity Aided]

I have a hankering for a rather nice Swarovski scope for the rifle - but the price is prohibitive, as it's really designed for regular professional use.

I'd have to be a champion match shooter(or a high priced hit man) to have a need for one of those.

 

[Gravity Aided]

A couple of guys at my club are championship shooters and have some nice scopes. [Green Eyed Monster]

Swarovski Z6s running about $2700 over here

 

[Gravity Aided]

P.S. When I go to the rifle range, I can't hit a bull in the arse with a bass fiddle. Better with the camera.