cheap bins from uk DIY store

[salty]

was in my local tool store today and noticed they also sell cheap bins, scope and even night vision. prices were low, and i dont know of the quality as i never tried them out, but they had waterproof bins too for about £46 for 7x50s, and £25 for the 10x25s, pretty cheap, and seem ideal for the first time buyer.

click on this site: www.machinemart.co.uk and type in binocular, spotting scope or night vision to check them out.

[Robert Ellis]

There is a danger in the first time buyer going after cheapo bins, they might find them so dim, difficult, or shoddy that they never use them.

[pigsonthewing]

There is a danger in the first time buyer going after cheapo bins, they might find them so dim, difficult, or shoddy that they never use them.
Unlike these (http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=32163) - both the birders (one a ringer) I've shown them to have been impressed, and bought some.

[John Fleet]

I've mentioned this before, but IMHO first timer's couldn't do better than get a pair from 7dayshop.com under their Etrex brand. I've bought several, even given one away as they are so cheap. I keep one of their 8 x 40 porros in the boot to loan to anyone I happen to be with, and frankly for about £16 which is what they cost they are astonishingly good and stand comparison with others at many times the price. I interchange with my regular Opticrons (which cost £200) and to be honest I can't tell the difference.

None of this is to say that others with better/more critical eyesight than me couldn't see defects, and I would agree that some of the rubbish sold in the big retail chains, especially the ridiculous zooms could put people off, but less than £20 invested in one of the above, could well start someone on the birding trail for life......

John Fleet

[salty]

I've mentioned this before, but IMHO first timer's couldn't do better than get a pair from 7dayshop.com under their Etrex brand. I've bought several, even given one away as they are so cheap. I keep one of their 8 x 40 porros in the boot to loan to anyone I happen to be with, and frankly for about £16 which is what they cost they are astonishingly good and stand comparison with others at many times the price. I interchange with my regular Opticrons (which cost £200) and to be honest I can't tell the difference.

None of this is to say that others with better/more critical eyesight than me couldn't see defects, and I would agree that some of the rubbish sold in the big retail chains, especially the ridiculous zooms could put people off, but less than £20 invested in one of the above, could well start someone on the birding trail for life......

John Fleet

good point made John. where as in not going to trade in my £1,000 bins for these cheaper ones, they would make a good companion to your boot/glove box - for those 'here's a spare pair for you to borrow' moments when showing people birds etc.

[Steve Jones]

It's got to be 'cheaper the better' if kids are to be encouraged to get interested in birding. I started birding at 10 years old and persuaded my dad to buy some cheapie 'prinz' 8 x 40's from Dixons which did me well for several years.
Mind you, the Prinz label bins sold then wern't half bad. Not like the total c**p they sold under the miranda label later on.

[richt]

Unlike these (http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=32163) - both the birders (one a ringer) I've shown them to have been impressed, and bought some.

Hi

Yep agree !

Curiosity got the better of me today and having seem some previous rather shabby compacts at Lidl thought i would take a glance
looked through 2 pair (still dozen or so left at Hull Lidl) Both properly collimated (to my eyes anyway) 6.5 fov (114m) BAK 4 prisms fully coated good eye relief just a little heavy and probably getting on for 20 foot close focus limit
Marked on box as 5 year guarantee and can honestly say these are really very good and much better than they have any right to be especially as a spare pair and at £14.99 tremendous value

Rich

[richt]

Hi

Yep agree !

Curiosity got the better of me today and having seem some previous rather shabby compacts at Lidl thought i would take a glance
looked through 2 pair (still dozen or so left at Hull Lidl) Both properly collimated (to my eyes anyway) 6.5 fov (114m) BAK 4 prisms fully coated good eye relief just a little heavy and probably getting on for 20 foot close focus limit
Marked on box as 5 year guarantee and can honestly say these are really very good and much better than they have any right to be especially as a spare pair and at £14.99 tremendous value

Rich


Apology to all the observations above were actually in answer to the Lidl Meade 10 x 50 "bargain " thread posted by "pigsonthewing" eye test pending !!

Rich