Question for those in the know.....

[El Annie]

Can anyone tell me what this binocular specification means in easy to understand language please - 16x32 zoom

tar
El Annie

[ralph]

It means you will need a concrete tripod to keep them steady even with no wind! A little on the 'large' size, n'est pas?

The first figure (16) denotes the magnifying power. The second number (32) denotes the diameter of the objective lens (the big one at the other end!) in mm through which light enters the binocular.

As for zoom, well, that does exactly what it says on the tin.

[El Annie]

Dunno about the size of em Ralph, just browsing ebay and thought I'd find out what the spec meant. I have little baby ones from the RSPB, 10 x something or other, just right for me :)

El Annie

[Reader]

One things for sure. They ain't birdwatching bins.

[Colin]

Annie,
Wot Ralph says about the numbers is spot on but with a zoom binnie, there should be another number, for example,
8-16x32. This means the magnification goes from 8 times to 16 times with the object lens being 32mm. I suspect that in this case the 16x is the top end of the magnification but anything over, say 10x, and it is very difficult to hold them steady without some external support. As John says, no good for birdwatching. Don't touch them with a barge pole!

Colin

[IanF]

Hi ElAnnie,

I go along with what's been said already about the zoom binoculars - most people wouldn't touch them as the optics are often inferior to a fixed focal length pair.

There is so much choice out there, but the important thing to me is to 'try before you buy' - ideally have a look at them in a shop or what someone else has and find out the type that suits you best - then have a look on eBay ;)

Generally 8x30's are reckoned to be an ideal birders choice, though to my mind 8x32 or 8x42 are even better as they let more light in, especially useful for birdng in dull weather or for the woodland birds.

10x50's or 42's are pretty good too, though often with a duller image through less light entering due to the higher 10x magnification which also needs a steadier hand to hold them. Generally 10x binos are heavier which becomes a pain when trying to hold them up for long periods or even feel heavy dangling from your neck.

Generally people advise to get a waterproof pair too, preferably nitrogen filled - which always means the more expensive pairs.

Hope this helps :cool:

[monkeyman]

Annie

Try Jessops. they do quite a good range. I've got two pairs of 12x24s which I bought from them and we find them excellent. There compact and a decent weight and not too pricey. And Ian is right, always try before you buy!

B (:

Al

[Reader]

Monkeyman

I'm not one for knocking but Jesssops is a high street shop and therefore there is no way that you can do proper field trials on any product you are looking at. Optics for birdwatching are a bit different from ordinary bins and telescopes and you need to see what they do in the field. For that reason alone I wouldn't recommend any high street store unless they have branches in the field, such as reserves etc, and I can't think of any high street stores that go to those lengths to sell their products.

Sorry, just my opinion.

[Funky]

It is possible that that particular model is a 16-32 zoom. The 'x' could be a misprint. I have seen many ridiculous power ratings for binoculars. Either way there is definately a figure missing.
Try looking for the same model from another web site and 'check the spec'! :t:

[El Annie]

Hi Funky, good to c u back!!!

:t: :t: :t:

Annie

[paj]

Hi El

Zooms bins! Don't even go there.
A total waste of money in my humble opinion.

A lot of good advice has already been given from the rest of the gang but I'd say you're better off getting the best you can afford and that doesn't have to mean Leica, Swaro etc.
The best advice as others have said, is to try as many makes, magnifications etc that you can. Everyones eyes are different, what suits one may not suit another and that's true of even the most expensive makes.

paj
:t: