New 10x budget bins

[Jamzky]

Hey folks
Here in Ireland returning to birdwatching after a while. I have 150 euros (221 dollars / 112 pounds) and I need a new pair of binoculars. I know I can't get much for that. I'm inclined towards the 10x cause never had before and would like to try. Could you recommend the best possibilities for this price or less? Or is it not possible to get anything decent for this amount? I have been surfing about trying to find specific reviews but it seems like a mess of info out there!
Thanks a lot for the help.

[delia todd]

Hi Jamzky I see this is your first post, so may I welcome you on behalf of the Staff and Moderators at Bird Forum

I'm sure you'll soon get plenty of help

Happy New Year to you

D

[Tero]

10x50 porros, will be a bit heavy
Nikon, Opticron, Pentax, pretty much all the same

close focus will be some 7m or more.

Bushnell Legend 10x42 is about 160-190 pounds in UK. Should be available somewhere
here is the US ad
http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-10x42-legend.html

[etudiant]

There is still a fair supply of 10x50 Zeiss Jena porros sold on Ebay in that price range. Optically, these old Decarems are quite competitive with the current new offerings. Bulk, limited close focus and lack of waterproofness are all shared negatives of these big porros.
Of course, Ebay is a caveat emptor situation, unlike a new purchase, but it's been mostly good in my experience.

[Jamzky]

thanks.. i reckon maybe i should save a bit more. no good prisms for under 200 dollars? I was going to go into a store. its easier for me than buying online. i just want to have an idea what to look for.

[si654]

i would look at opticron stuff in that price range great value im sure they do a 8x,10x roof for about 100 pound ..
you might get better poro prism bins in that price range though..

[Sancho]

Welcome back to birding, Jamzky. Nikon Action 10x42 are good for the price. I think they´ll set you back about 120 euro, or maybe a bit less now the sales are on. You´ll get them in most camera shops in Ireland. (I think I saw the Nikon Action 8x for 99 euro somewhere). You might consider a pair of good reverse-porro compact bins, Opticron Taigas are reputed to be excellent, and I think they´re fairly inexpensive. There´s also another highly-regarded Nikon reverse-porro compact, called Travelite. I would beware of buying from the shops in Ireland that sell the top-end binos, they tend to be a lot more expensive than online retailers from the UK. Best of Luck and Happy New Year!

[Tero]

Sancho, they are heavier, the Actions are 10x50.
There are some 10x40 porros in other brands, may be worth a look. I never found one yet I like. But I do not like porros. I have none except reverse porros.

[Sancho]

Sancho, they are heavier, the Actions are 10x50.

Whoops! Sorry Jamzky...thanks for the correction, Tero!

[Jamzky]

Thanks a lot. Hitting the shops tomorrow.

J