UK: New Lidl bargain bins (from 28 November)

[pigsonthewing]

UK members may remember the recent excitement over Lidl's bargain Meade binoculars. Well, from Monday 28 November, they have "Bresser" 10x50s for only 9.99.

See Lidl's special offer page (http://www.lidl.co.uk/gb/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20051128.p.Binoculars_). Note also the Bresser range (http://www.obm.co.uk/catalog/11.html), though none of them match the Lidl offer's spec exactly.

[richt]

[QUOTE=pigsonthewing]UK members may remember the recent excitement over Lidl's bargain Meade binoculars. Well, from Monday 28 November, they have "Bresser" 10x50s for only 9.99.

If these Bresser's are anything like the Meade's (they look similar) my father in law bought from Lidl recently for £15 (now mine by default as he prefers his compacts) then at £10 its a steal !!
I have used the pair i inherited as car boot bins for quick views but to be perfectly honest they are very close to my Nikon SE 10 x 42 and Zeiss 10 x 50 in normal daylight As the light fades they are not quite as able to "stay bright" but even then its not by a huge margin
A knowledgable chap on the Cloudy Nights forum who posts on here too (think its Jean Charles )bought 2 pair of the Meade's basically to take apart but was so astonished by the robust build and optical performance he has kept them
One pair in particular i believe he compared to his Zeiss FL and they were not disgraced at all !!
The Meade are 114 m fov 6.5 degrees so reasonably wide for a 10 x although Jean Charles indicated that the bins are internally "stopped" down to a 10 x 40


Interestingly the Bressers at Lidl suggest "twist up" eyecups which would be an extra option over the Meade' normal rubber type imho they are worth a look just to check out and people may be in for a real surprise if the performance is up to the Meade's
I certainly will be in the queue to have a look thru a pair (wifes spare pair will be the excuse)

Regards
Rich T

[Reay_Bonxie]

they sound like a bargain, I have a pair of bresser 10X40 and they are great! but they cost me £40 about 10 year ago.

[dipped]

Hi All

Look like ideal Xmas present/glovebox pair. Details found here http://www.lidl.co.uk/gb/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20051128.p.Binoculars_

Cheers Nev

[dipped]

If anyone's interested, I had a quick look at these this morning and had to rule them out for birdwatching due to the very poor close focus. Apart from that they are amazing for the price.

[richt]

If anyone's interested, I had a quick look at these this morning and had to rule them out for birdwatching due to the very poor close focus. Apart from that they are amazing for the price.

Hi

I agree with dipped the close focus is not so good on these (about 7m+ )
The last " Lidl" offer bins were Meade badged and focused to less than 5m
However this apart they are excellent for £9.99 and though the "twist-up" eyecups are a little cheapish they do actually work
After checking a few out i purchased 2 pair as small Christmas gifts and they cant really be beaten at this price point just have a look thru them and test first as sample variation is high

Regards
Rich T

[Richard Scott]

Not one to miss a bargain, I popped down to the local Lidl today. They had 10x50 Meade and Bresser. They were almost identical apart from the Meade had fold-down rubber eyecups and individual lens caps, whereas the Bresser had twist-up eyecups and a hinged rainguard. In both cases the close focus was the same.

Rich.

[richt]

Not one to miss a bargain, I popped down to the local Lidl today. They had 10x50 Meade and Bresser. They were almost identical apart from the Meade had fold-down rubber eyecups and individual lens caps, whereas the Bresser had twist-up eyecups and a hinged rainguard. In both cases the close focus was the same.

Rich.

Hi Rich

Excellent if you managed to get the same close focus on Meade and Bresser models at Lidl
I certainly tried a few today but everytime the Bresser's were at least 2-4m longer
Imho sample variation is a factor at this exceptional value point
Despite my Bresser " xmas prezzies" nearly 8m close focus they are great for the price and as a gift
Ultimately i feel the Meade i now own as passed on by inlaw is actually slightly better on near focus but considering they are all under £15 dont think anyone will be complaining

Regards
Rich T

[Bill@dwp]

I was at my local LIDL last night but they only had the Meade's. Bought a pair just to for the garden. First impressions are very good especially at that price.

[Arbu]

Anyone know if they're still selling them? No mention on the website now.

[Blincodave]

Don't think so. They had sold out in Bedford by Weds PM . Remarkable value for me. There are plenty on E Bay now bought up by those after a quick buck!

Dave

[Tero]

Be sure to check out the exact pair you plan to buy. I have on pair of Meades. They are OK, but have had the least use of my assorted....6 or so pairs.

[Sancho]

You chaps in the UK are on to a steal. Here in the Irish Republic the Bressers/Meades (they're the same bins, Bressers are made by Meade GmbH) cost 19.99 euro, which is about 14 of your quaint UK sterling. I got a pair to cannibalise the bag and rubber eyepiece caps for my Swaros. The bins themselves I was quite impressed by, great for the car boot but I'll give mine as a Xmas pressie to a nephew or whatever. I wonder how they make bins like this for 20 euro.............