Upgrading binoculars - need advice!

[jgrattigan]

What a lovely weekend! Been to the East Coast, Bridlington & Filey Brigg! I've had a frustrating time trying to identify a small Song Thrush?? I got my book out and decided after much deliberation that it was a Meadow Pipit! So, as you may have gathered, I'm a bit of a novice. I need some advice on bins! I have Opticron 8x42 Imagic BCA. I find that I'm not close enough to properly identify the 'warblers' etc high up in the trees etc. I've been saving my cash since Christmas and done a little bit of research. I've left myself with 2 choices - Opticron 10x42 DBA or the Swarovski 10x42 SLC's. They both get excellent write-ups but when I've scrimped & saved for so long, I want to make the right choice. Any comments would be grstefully received! B (:

[CJW]

Give the Zeiss Victory 2 a go - they're much under-rated.

[Ruby]

I think the best advice is to go and have a look through them - preferably under field conditions (ie rather than just trying to read the signs in the shop across the High Street!!

Optical reviews are only of limited use - much discussion recently on this forum about their usefullness - and you also need to get the feel of the BINs in your hand.

Quite a few reserves etc run optics days, where you can field-test one BIN against another....Not sure about in your area though.

Interested in how you get on, since I am in a similar position to yourself - ie looking to upgrade (I have Opticron Compakts) only difference is, I have yet to do the 'saving up' bit!!! ;)

Wish you luck anyway....

[pduxon]

The 10x DBA's (one of two I own) are good but you've got to try a few pairs and see which best suits your eyes and is most comfy in the hands. Any reason you've dismissed the Leica Trinovids?

[Grousemore]

You mention warblers ...'high up in trees';using 10x may not be the answer when they're moving around a lot,due to a lesser depth of field and a narrower field of view.
Good luck with what ever you get and as Ruby said,try as many as possible in field conditions.

[Tero]

Since you use 8x42s you will have a good idea how much Opticron 10x42 DBA or the Swarovski 10x42s weigh. But you will see a smaller angle. That may take some getting used to.

Another option is to have a second pair, some cheaper 10x25 roof prism model, in your pocket for when you need more detail.

[jgrattigan]

The 10x DBA's (one of two I own) are good but you've got to try a few pairs and see which best suits your eyes and is most comfy in the hands. Any reason you've dismissed the Leica Trinovids?

I haven't come across the Trinovids! The Duovids aren't of interest and the Ultravids, although a nice bit of kit, are a bit over my financial limit - I'm stretching it to the Swarovski's! Ta!

[jgrattigan]

You mention warblers ...'high up in trees';using 10x may not be the answer when they're moving around a lot,due to a lesser depth of field and a narrower field of view.
Good luck with what ever you get and as Ruby said,try as many as possible in field conditions.

Doh, I hadn't thought of the narrower field of view - the 8's are great for following from branch to branch but I need to part-ex my 8's to be able to afford the 10's :C !!

[Tero]

The 10x40 should be plenty of field even for 10x. I manage with 10x36.

With 10x25 you are already doing a lot of work to find the bird.

good luck. Experiment! No fun being stuck in one gear.

[mark.dathorne]

Awww mate, I just got the Opticrons Imagic 8x42 (Porros) as my 1st 'proper' bins. I will see how they go and also start saving as this could be a bit addictive this getting "up close and personal" with the birds, so to speak!

Let us know what you go for ... and the review after some use!

[scampo]

What a lovely weekend! Been to the East Coast, Bridlington & Filey Brigg! I've had a frustrating time trying to identify a small Song Thrush?? I got my book out and decided after much deliberation that it was a Meadow Pipit! So, as you may have gathered, I'm a bit of a novice. I need some advice on bins! I have Opticron 8x42 Imagic BCA. I find that I'm not close enough to properly identify the 'warblers' etc high up in the trees etc. I've been saving my cash since Christmas and done a little bit of research. I've left myself with 2 choices - Opticron 10x42 DBA or the Swarovski 10x42 SLC's. They both get excellent write-ups but when I've scrimped & saved for so long, I want to make the right choice. Any comments would be grstefully received! B (:SLCs don't focus very closely as far as I remember and you won't always be looking high up in trees. The new Zeiss FLs are around the corner and might be worth the wait. Also, the Nikon 10x32HG are on special offer still, I think, at www.warehouseexpress.com (http://www.warehouseexpress.com) and are quite superb.

[Leif]

As Ruby suggests, find out where field days are being held, then go along to a few and try a few binoculars.

I don't like 10x binoculars due to the eye strain I get from the limited depth of field and the impossibility of locating birds due to the narrow field of view. Others disagree. Try 'em and decide for yourself. The Nikon SE 8x32 and 10x42 have superb optics but they are not to everyones taste.

You could instead spend money on a 60mm scope and light tripod!

[scampo]

"You could instead spend money on a 60mm scope and light tripod!"...
Yes - the Nikon Sporter 8 or 10x36 @ £99-00 + Kowa 661 ED / Nikon FSIII scopes on special offer from Warehouse Express would give a superb birding kit. The scope is - in the final analysis - as important as the bins, unless all of the viewing is in woodland.

[joser]

As Ruby suggests, find out where field days are being held, then go along to a few and try a few binoculars.

I don't like 10x binoculars due to the eye strain I get from the limited depth of field and the impossibility of locating birds due to the narrow field of view. Others disagree. Try 'em and decide for yourself. The Nikon SE 8x32 and 10x42 have superb optics but they are not to everyones taste.

You could instead spend money on a 60mm scope and light tripod!
Yeah, I agree!! I, just today, received my new Nikon SE 8x32's. They are fantastic!! So much better than my old'uns which comparatively are very poor!! Tried out all the bins in this price range and the SE's, in my opinion I note, out-performed all the others. Very excited about taking them out this weekend. I am slightly concerned about the fact they are not waterproof but as long as i'm careful. My budget does not stretch to the top of the range leica's, nikon's and swar's of this world, I'm afraid. Maybe one day. But for the mo i'm very happy with my SE's!!

[scampo]

They are showerproof, I'm sure. Unless you take them swimming with you, I wouldn't give a second thought to them not being waterproof. Optically they are as good as or better than those other makes you mention. Have a great weekend birding!

[Dave B Smith]

If you already have 8 X42's, I think I would follow scampo's suggestion and make my second optics a small scope. Going to a 10X is not going to make those little bitty guys that much bigger. The details you'll see through the scope will amaze you. If not a scope, then follow everyone else's advice: try out a pair before buying.
Good luck,

[bobwoodcock]

What a lovely weekend! Been to the East Coast, Bridlington & Filey Brigg! I've had a frustrating time trying to identify a small Song Thrush?? I got my book out and decided after much deliberation that it was a Meadow Pipit! So, as you may have gathered, I'm a bit of a novice. I need some advice on bins! I have Opticron 8x42 Imagic BCA. I find that I'm not close enough to properly identify the 'warblers' etc high up in the trees etc. I've been saving my cash since Christmas and done a little bit of research. I've left myself with 2 choices - Opticron 10x42 DBA or the Swarovski 10x42 SLC's. They both get excellent write-ups but when I've scrimped & saved for so long, I want to make the right choice. Any comments would be grstefully received! B (:
Why not try a few pairs out at Fairburn Ings shop or at In Focus which are both on your doorstep, the staff at both venues are very helpful ,perhaps even try a scope or two.

[puffinboy]

Cost is a big issue - so far I've done very well - borrowed my Dad's when I was a nipper - then got a pair of 8x42 from Marks and Spencer for £15 - then found a old pair of 10x50 Zeiss in a flea market for £25 - absolutely fantastic - even take excellent pictures through them with a Canon A40 Dig Camera

I would highly recommend having a look through flea markets, boot sales etc first - also loads of time to check them out etc etc

All depends how much you got of course - but anything more than £50 for me would be silly!