Newcomer needs guidance on bins

[kwilkes]

Hi there everyone. I'm new on Birdforum, and suspect my question has been asked a thousand times before!
Following a lifelong interest in birds I've decided I'd like to get into birdwatching a little more. I need a pair of binoculars, and believe 8x42 is the most suitable size. I'm lucky enough to live in Cornwall, with a good view from my window at home, and occasionally use a Canadian canoe to explore local waterways. Therefore need a waterproof set, but would like to keep expenditure to about £200.
I looked at a pair of Opticron Verano and HR WP Porro, and these were amazing compared to what I've used before, so that may give you an indication of my expectations.
I suspect I'll get lots of diverse opinions, but just need some simple guidance on suitability/availability of models, which I can then try/source.
cheers
Kevin

[Andy Bright]

Hi Kevin, welcome to birdforum... sorry but I moved your thread to a more relevant forum where it can get the attention it deserves. Feel free to make a separate 'hello' post.

Unless you do a fair bit of low-light birding... then don't rule out 8x32's, the reduction in size will be a major benefit in terms of convenience (they'll probably end up being carried & used more often).

cheers,
Andy

[kwilkes]

Hi Kevin, welcome to birdforum... sorry but I moved your thread to a more relevant forum where it can get the attention it deserves. Feel free to make a separate 'hello' post.

Unless you do a fair bit of low-light birding... then don't rule out 8x32's, the reduction in size will be a major benefit in terms of convenience (they'll probably end up being carried & used more often).

cheers,
Andy

Thanks Andy,
I wear glasses so guess I need good eye relief, but was particularly impressed by the lack of tunnel effect when looking thhrough the 8x42. Is this likely to have been a function of the wide field of view, or would good 8x32 still have this effect?

Kevin

[Jonathan B.]

Thanks Andy,
I wear glasses so guess I need good eye relief, but was particularly impressed by the lack of tunnel effect when looking thhrough the 8x42. Is this likely to have been a function of the wide field of view, or would good 8x32 still have this effect?

Kevin

I believe that 8x32 roof-prism binoculars with fields of view of about 400 feet at 1,000 yards (or about 130 meters at 1,000 meters) outnumber 8x42 binoculars with comparable fields of view. And many 8x32s have enough eye relief to provide you the entire field of view while wearing glasses. Andy is correct: an 8x32 is a great all-around binocular, and is smaller and lighter. I would recommend looking at the technical features of several brands by going to the website of Eagle Optics (eagleoptics.com). Their site is more user-friendly than most, and it will help narrow your search quickly.

[tom24]

Check vikings bins also for a bargain. Tom.

[kwilkes]

thanks gents.

Is the "tunnel" effect a function of field of view, or eye releief (when wearing glasses esp.).

I am leaning towards 8x32 rather than 8x42, but don't want to compromise upon the quality of view. I don't think I'm likely to do much low light work, so is there any real benefit to 42mm objective lens?

cheers

Kevin

[FrankD]

Is the "tunnel" effect a function of field of view, or eye releief (when wearing glasses esp.).

I believe it to be more of a function of the bin's eye relief rather than field of view. A shorter eye relief will not allow you to see the full field of view.

I am leaning towards 8x32 rather than 8x42, but don't want to compromise upon the quality of view. I don't think I'm likely to do much low light work, so is there any real benefit to 42mm objective lens?

I remember reading an article in BetterViewDesired.com that illustrated the 3 areas that larger objective bins typically have an advantage in..low light being the most often cited. However, my memory is slipping at the moment as I cannot remember the other two. Generally you get a slightly better resolution with a 42 mm bin over a 32 mm assuming equal quality.

[kwilkes]

Thanks Frank,

eye relief was quite good (by spec) on the binoculars I liked, so this ties in quite well. Think I'll probably wait until xmas and see if I get any more money that I can add to budget. Not really an issue of what I could afford, since I've got plastic friends, more what I can justify with a young family. May need to regard the pair I buy this time as a first step, with a view to upgrading after a few years, since I'm sure that they'll get plenty of use.

I quite like the idea of digiscoping, and I have a digital camera, but of course this would mean more outlay, possibly at the expense of bins. Anyone got a good/cheap recommendation, or is this just wasting money I should be using on higher grade binoculars.

cheers

Kevin

[alan_rymer]

Thanks Frank,

I quite like the idea of digiscoping, and I have a digital camera, but of course this would mean more outlay, possibly at the expense of bins. Anyone got a good/cheap recommendation, or is this just wasting money I should be using on higher grade binoculars.

cheers

KevinKevin

For the price, £17.99 + shipping, these are amazing value. May not be quite as good as the ones you have looked at?.
http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_8&products_id=90464
7dayshop used to sell them as Eyetx but sold out when I wanted to order a second pair. Since then I have ordered 2 pair of these which seem identical to my original Eyetx set exept for the name!.
I can confirm they are waterproof!.

Do a search on " Eyetx " on this site for other opinions.

Bad things about them: As said in other posts:
1 Front lens caps: take them off and throw them away.
2 Eyecups twist down too easily. Not a prob for spectacle wearers, for on spec wearers, wrap an elastic band under thw eyecup!.
3 The plastic clips on the strap are rubbish, they break. Use other clips or stitch the strap.

HTH

Alan

[Keith Dickinson]

Eye relief for spectacle wearers using binoculars is all about how far from the exit pupil of the bins the users eye is situated. For most bins the exit pupil is at the surface of the eyepiece lens, therefore the smaller the distance between eye and eyepiece lens the better. If the eyepieces are movable then push them in, if there is a rubber cup fold it down. Then try the bins wearing your spectacles. If you have a 'tunnel-vision' effect then there is too much distance between eye and lens. If you can adjust the spectacles to bring the spectacle lens closer to the eye then this will help. If this not possible then don't get the bins, or get a smaller pair of spectacles.
The larger objective lens will let more light through, give a slightly bigger field of view and give a slightly larger area of overlap which is helpful for judgiong distances.
Hope this helps. :cool:

[kwilkes]

Yes thanks gents,

all advice gratefully received.

cheers

Kevin

[Tero]

I use glasses part of the time, and I get away with 10x36, so I am guessing 8x32 is similar. But compare a few models. Field of view varies from model to model. I have some pairs that are no good with glasses as well, so then I need to carry an eyeglass case to read my field guide. I think a lot of roof prism models are built to work well with glasses, many old porro models don't.

[Keith Dickinson]

I think a lot of roof prism models are built to work well with glasses, many old porro models don't.

That's what I found, have a pair of 8x40 porro prisms that are horrible to use wearing my spectacles but were wonderful before I needed the specs. Now use 10x42 roof prisms without problem. (My spectacles have small lenses which fit close to my eye so no major problem with eye relief)