what brand to go for

[the_handy_andy]

Hi I am looking to get as good a pair of binos as I can afford starting at £50 ($80) and maybe going as high as £150 ($240). Ideally I want BAK4 roof prisms.

I've done some googling and I was wondering what people think of the following brands (some I've heard of, others are new to me).

Konus (Titanium series)

Bushnell (Natureview series)

Celestron (Outland / Outland LX)

Opticron (Oregon LE WP / Discoery WP PC)

Swift (Reliant series)

Vortex (Crossfire)

Bresser (Corvette)

Viking (Vistron / Navigator)

Olivon

Visionary (Wetland series)

plus any other brands that you know about and would recommend


Thanks in advance
Andrew

[Mono]

The best thing to do is to go into a nearby retailer (sorry I can't help you there), and try a range of binoculars in your price bracket. Whilst folk on here can give you pointers, there is always the subjective, "how they feel in the hand"to consider.

Once you have narrowed down your choice you could always seek further advice or ,heaven forfend, buy them cheaper off the Internet.

[the_handy_andy]

The best thing to do is to go into a nearby retailer (sorry I can't help you there), and try a range of binoculars in your price bracket. Whilst folk on here can give you pointers, there is always the subjective, "how they feel in the hand"to consider.

Once you have narrowed down your choice you could always seek further advice or ,heaven forfend, buy them cheaper off the Internet.

Unfortunately I am stuck with Jessops|=(| and at the mo they have diddley squat in stock

The only 'local' specialist is mail order only

All I want to know is which of the brands (and I call them brands as they may not munufacture there own binos) I listed are considered to be good and more to the point which ones (if any) are to be avoided. I.E. which are the reliable brands

Andrew

[P H]

If your definite you want roof prism at that price I'd look at the Opticron Discovery and the Swifts, Hawke Blackwatch or Bushnell H20. If you go for porro prism type The Bushnell Natureview, Opticron Imagic, Nikon Action or Hawke Blackwatch. I'd also stick with a brand I'd heard of. There's some Nikon Sporter 1 8x36 on ebay for £60 from Warehouse Express that's a good price my local sell em for £140.

But as been said always worth trying before you buy.

Seems as though the Nikon Sporter have gone and Warehouse Express aren't showing any on there web page.

[falcondude]

you may want to check out Hawke Froniter (non-ED). The spec looks very decent

[Kevin Purcell]

you may want to check out Hawke Froniter (non-ED). The spec looks very decent

But the one review we have hear (buried amongst the ED threads) was not good.

Search to find it.

Isn't the Hawke Blackwatch a porro, PH?

[P H]

But the one review we have hear (buried amongst the ED threads) was not good.

Search to find it.

Isn't the Hawke Blackwatch a porro, PH?


Have it in porro & roof prism, though its the porro that gets a good review around £90

http://www.hawkeoptics.com/binoculars/blackwatch/index.php

[Kevin Purcell]

Have it in porro & roof prism, though its the porro that gets a good review around £90

http://www.hawkeoptics.com/binoculars/blackwatch/index.php

Ah, that good review is why the porro stuck in my mind.

As is often the case the porro is the better choice in this price range.

[Sancho]

I´m not sure what other requirements you have (mag, field, size of bins, etc.), but I recently got a pair of Opticron Taiga 8x25 binos for my son, and although the pair I got had to be sent back (close-focus problem), they are top-class optics. They´re compact binoculars, reverse-porro type, but they perform really, really well right up till dusk. As well, IMHO (and I´m going out on a limb here) as Leica Ultravid 8x20 that cost seven times as much. Search around, you´ll get them for 60-odd quid. They would certainly serve you well for a few years, if you want to save up for something else.

[the_handy_andy]

just to be clear....all I want is feedback on the reputation/quality of the brands I've listed or recomendations....the requirements are flexible

But the bare minimun would be
magnification = 8 or more
FOV = as much as possible
objective 40+
weight = can be virtually anything as long as it has a tripod bush

The one thing I do want if possible is good close focus!!
Roof prism would be preferable due a more compact size.

I am just looking for help in going in the right direction because if a brand produces good high end stuff then they should produce good low end stuff to keep people interested and the ensure repeat business when people upgrade (which I may do in the long term).

I am not looking for the ultimate I am looking the the best pair I can get for the budget I have set.....if I was going to be using them everyday then I suspect budget would be no object

at the mo Sherwoods are offering Bushell 8x42 natureview at £120 (RRP £223) but close focus isn't great at 4.5 m.............but is this a good deal...I haven't a scooby doo.

Andrew

[P H]

Bushnell Excursion is a better binocular, Phase coated, close focus 2 metres similar price, think you'd be better going for an 8x rather than 10x as they will be brighter especially being the budget end. Few people on here give the Discovery the thumbs up, again in the 8x42. Opticron have very good after sales help.

The Opticron Discovery WP PC Binoculars get my vote.

[spyglass]

Another consideration....do u need 2 wear glasses while viewing? If so, look carefully at eye relief....at least 16mm is desirable, which is better found in the roofs, as most now have popups rather than fold-down eyecups. Also be aware that some mfr's specs tend to be a little optimistic in this regard, so it's best to try as many of the ones that interest you as possible. This from experience.....

[Tero]

Vortex: try Fury and Diamondback. Lesser Vortex models not worth your trouble.