Good online retailers (recommendations)

[the_handy_andy]

Please add to this list

http://www.sherwoods-photo.com/

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/home/default.aspx

[Kevin Purcell]

In the USA I've had good luck with

EagleOptics.com

CameraLandNY.com

BuyDig.com (which are another name for another company ...) for the odd EOL product.

NetShops.com (which own binoculars.com but often have netshops discount coupons that you can use through the netshops.com site)

Adorama.com (often very good prices and quite quick but a bit opaque)

[FrankD]

Also throw in www.cabelas.com .

Best return policy in the business and good selection.

[falcondude]

I have used

www.optics4birding.com

www.zen-ray.com

great customer service and prompt shipping

also bought a pair of inexpensive binoculars from overstock.com.

[Yippeekiay]

Though not exclusive to birding, Scott @ http://www.libertyoptics.com/ will do right by you everytime.

[rivergazer]

I have little experience with this, as I've only dealt with Optics4Birding, from whom I got my first pair of quality optics. Steve was very helpful, steered me away from some directions, into others, and gave me as much info as a beginner could use for a first purchase. I have no regrets about trusting his guidance; highly recommended. I did get some Nikon SE's from Angelo Todaro in Mission Viejo CA, but I'm not sure if you'd call him an online retailer or not. He deals in top quality bins, that I know. Also a first rate gentleman.

[NDhunter]

I have dealt with Eagle Optics, and the staff is very helpful, and they will try to find what you need. Midwest work ethic, and people who want to please. Jason is one I've
worked with, well recommended.

[Donald Lannister]

Hey everyone. This is my first post to birdforum. It's exciting to find a group of birders that's so enthusiastic about binoculars. I'll admit to being somewhat of a gear-head and at times finding as much pleasure in the optics as the birds themselves. Glad to see that maybe I'm not alone :)
I'll weigh with another vote for Eagle Optics. I live in Wisconsin and have visited the store several times. I've purchased my Zeiss binoculars and new Leica scope there. The customer service and expertise is bar none in my experience.
I've worked with both Ben and Mike on several occasions. Good people and enthusiastic birders as well.
I'm looking forward to exploring the forum some more and taking advantage of what appears to be a considerable amount of expertise and experience here.
Don

[Steve C]

I'll admit to being somewhat of a gear-head and at times finding as much pleasure in the optics as the birds themselves. Glad to see that maybe I'm not alone :)
Don

Well, welcome. You are surely not alone here. Kind of like "abandon all hope ye who enter here". ;)

I also like to deal with Eagle Optics. CameralandNY and EO are my go to places for online ordering.

[dlleno]

just out of curiosity, it appears that bhphotovideo.com is notably absent from the list here, yet they are highly esteemed in the photography world; I bought all of my 40D stuff from them. perhaps there are better sources for birding optics?

[Kevin Purcell]

Regarding b&h I think they're reliable (17th Street Photo is another NYC store that seems pretty good too) but they're terms of service and return rules worried me. I think they do a lot of camera business and they cut rather little slack.

Note this is all just an impression and not a result of actual service from them. I have order some small items from them. They arrived promptly, at a good price and were as described. But I've not ordered any bins from them.

[dustyview]

I've done business w/ B&H for over 20 yrs, and except for one unpleasant experience (which was quickly rectified) they've been great.

just out of curiosity, it appears that bhphotovideo.com is notably absent from the list here, yet they are highly esteemed in the photography world; I bought all of my 40D stuff from them. perhaps there are better sources for birding optics?

[denco@comcast.n]

Please add to this list

http://www.sherwoods-photo.com/

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/home/default.aspx





Eagle Optics and Zen Ray are two of the best online retailers I have dealt with. If I had to pick a number one it would have to be Zen Ray. They answer your e-mails in a matter of minutes most of the time. Quite amazing and very friendly and helpful to deal with.

Dennis

[J. Moore]

Regarding b&h I think they're reliable (17th Street Photo is another NYC store that seems pretty good too) but they're terms of service and return rules worried me. I think they do a lot of camera business and they cut rather little slack.

The return policy is not as good as Eagle Optics (you have 15 days rather than 30, for example), but is the better than, or as good as, any I'm aware of among the major camera retailers. I have returned items to them before with no problem. Here is their actual policy: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/HelpCenter/ReturnExchange.jsp (B&H sells a much broader array of products than Eagle Optics, so I'm not surprised they have a somewhat stricter policy.)

Best,
Jim

[mannukiddo]

I would buy from BHPhotovideo.com without any hesitations. In fact most of my photography gear was purchased from there. I had to return a lens once due to some issues with the image quality on the LHS of the frame and it was a very well managed exchange process. Recently I purchased a PF80 ED which came along with the SMC zoom and a $150 gift card for only $789. Even though they delayed the shipping (which was mentioned to me at the time of ordering) of the order, they still honored it (I was a bit skeptical as I believe that if the price is too good to be true it usually is). The same combo now costs about $1350 odd, so they are trustworthy and ethical too. Some super deals like the one I got frequently come up at B&H. Highly recommended.

[andrej 4153]

So for germany i would say optixxx.de is a very nice site to buy. they have docter, kowa, nikon, pentax and other brands.
They are also specialised to repair binos and to make changes.
For switzerland it is difficult. good prices are only in the internet to find (with luck).
For international sells is to think at very high taxes and costs.

[teamgs]

I have not purchased online, but at their brick and mortar store in Mendocino, CA. Out of This World is excellent store, with a knowledgeable and friendly staff. There prices are also very competitive. They have a 30 day return policy.


Their website:
http://www.discountbinoculars.com/About-DB.html

Regards,

Gary

[shaocaholica]

17 posts and no mention of SWFA?

[NDhunter]

Swfa

[kristoffer]

Sherwood and cleyspy both was really nice to buy from, fast response and smooth trades. (I live in Sweden and they are UK companys so we only dealt over the net).

[jdlittle58]

Anyone ever use www.bearbasin.com?