Recommend some bins for me please.

[Mark43]

Ok i picked up my Nikon scope today but forgot all about looking through some bins.

I have some zoom barska bins (groan) but would like a new pair of bins up to about x40,reasonably light to carry.

Would look to be paying up to £250ish.

Suggestions anyone please.

MTIA

Mark

[paulwfromtheden]

Ok i picked up my Nikon scope today but forgot all about looking through some bins.

I have some zoom barska bins (groan) but would like a new pair of bins up to about x40,reasonably light to carry.

Would look to be paying up to £250ish.

Suggestions anyone please.

MTIA

Mark


Personally, I would not bother with anything above 8x. Above that I find the shake, short depth of focus and the lack of light render the bins pretty useless.
Best advice is to go to a shop amd look at bins until you find a pair you are happy with.

[ceasar]

Try Nikon Monarchs. They come in 8x, 10x and 12 x 42. They have phase coating, are waterproof, are lightweight, have good eye relief and are right in your price range. Many large dealers report that they are their best sellers, so Nikon must be doing something right!

[FrankD]

Is that a 40x or a 40 mm objective. If it is the latter then I agree with ceasar, the Monarchs would be an excellent choice in that price range.

[Mark43]

Is that a 40x or a 40 mm objective. If it is the latter then I agree with ceasar, the Monarchs would be an excellent choice in that price range.


Sorry i meant up to 40mm objective not 40x.

[Lewie]

I agree that the Nikon Monarchs are very good bins for the price. My only concern for my Monarch is that the focus wheel moves very easily, maybe too easily. I really did not notice it until I got my Nikon Premier and Pentax DCF SP. Now I do not remember how the Monarch focus wheel moved when it was new.

I would not necessarily rule out a 10X however. I have both 8 and 10 power bins, and it is unbelievable the detail I get with my 10X50. The smaller FOV bothers me just slightly, and I do not notice much difference in depth of field among my 8X42, 8X32, and 10X50. Although I do not find shaking a problem when viewing close objects, it can be a real problem when viewing distant birds.

Also be aware that with some manufactures the 10X bins have less eye relief than the 8X.

[Chris Oates]

Swift HHS 828's
8.5 x 44
Plenty of eye relief and suit people with 'close together' eyes, fully waterproof, phase coated, idiot proof dioptre adjustment.
£229 from Warehouseexpress.

[Beverlybaynes]

For a really economical yet impressive bino, consider the Swift 8x42 Ultralites. I've had mine for years and do love them. They are lightweight and have held up very well, living in the trunk (in their case, inside a backpack) when not being used.

The only caveat is that the right eyepiece focus apparatus doesn't hold all that well, and so the right eyepiece needs fairly frequent slight adjustments. I guess I've gotten used to it, and hardly notice it; it's just part of the routine. I'm a casual birder, as well, which probably contributes to my tolerance.

Mine were purchased from Eagle Optics at under US$200 (they were on sale at the time), making them highly affordable.

I once ran into the fellow who is behind Better View Desired at a birding festival, and he told me I had the best possible value in the price range. Nice recommendation!

[pduxon]

well I'll go for the Nikon HG 10x32 from www.warehouseexpress.com

They are £339 but are virtually identical to the HGL (the HG's are 20 grams heavier) which cost £629.

Check out the review on www.alula.fi/GB click on optics then 1/2004

You would be buying a TOP binocular to match your ED82 not some mid range thingy.......

There are a whole slew of good 8/10x42's about at 200-300 check out Opticron Verano's ,Imagic BGA, Delta SLs, Viking GR, RSPB FG along with other recommendations above.

[Mark43]

Thank you for your suggestions ladies and gents.

I will look at them all.

[hornet]

Thank you for your suggestions ladies and gents.

I will look at them all.

A quick vote for the RSPB FG 8x32 - about £299 I think. Optically (to my eyes at least) on a par with my Leica Trinovids, and half the price.

If I'd have found them a few years ago when I was looking for my first decent bins, I think I'd have saved the money and gone for the RSPBs - cracking little bins.

happy shopping.

[bill lord]

Thank you for your suggestions ladies and gents.

I will look at them all.

I can't recommend the Nikon HG's from warehouse express too highly, like the ED 82 scope the image from the HG's is superb. The new HGL's are identical optically but have lighter bodies, but only 20gm lighter on the 10x32's.

[postcardcv]

The new Opticron porros (HR WP) are worth a look - they are fully waterproof porros and at £239 for the 8x42s are very hard to beat for the money.

As Pete has already mentioned the 10x32 HGs for £339 from warehouse area great buy - probably the best binocular deal available (the best deal in years) - top end optics for less than half the price.

[Tero]

The Monarchs are worth a look, for x42 choices. Preferably the store carries 8x and 10x to compare side by side. They will be better than your Barskas, although I do in fact have a pair of simple Barska porros that are quite useable and reasonably sharp.

I myself would have gotten 10x Monarchs in place of the Sporters, to start with. But at the time there was not much support for my silly hobby. If the bins are shared by family members, include their opinions. My daughter most often uses my Sporters with her glasses on. Not as heavy as my porros.

[denco@comcast.n]

Ok i picked up my Nikon scope today but forgot all about looking through some bins.

I have some zoom barska bins (groan) but would like a new pair of bins up to about x40,reasonably light to carry.

Would look to be paying up to £250ish.

Suggestions anyone please.

MTIA

Mark

Get the Nikon Monarch's in 8x42mm. I have had alot of binoculars and these are the best I have ever seen for the dollar or pound!

Dennis

[Mark43]

Just found some Nikon Monarchs for this price

http://www.microglobe.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1770


Thats £150 cheaper than WE :cool:


Also noticed that Sherwoods are doing them for £249.