Help Needed: My first ever Binnoculars

[Yiggy]

Hi Everyone.

Myself and my wife decided to join the WWT and we have been to our local centre (Arundel) quite a few times. I now want to get a set of binnoculars to help me get started with some spotting. I have no idea what is hot and whats not so after some searching I stumbled accross this place. I hope you can help!

I guess I just need a general pair for starting out. I am happy to pay up to £120 which, whilst I can see isnt a lot in a big market I hope that it can get me something that will get me started. If I stick with it then I can always upgrade.

So what are my choices? I had a look at some Bushnells (Natureview) for around that price. They had the H20 ones and the normal ones. I have also seen reccomendations for the Nokia Sportsters (8 x 36) which seem to be around £100. Its hard to say 'exactly' what I will be using them for yet. I do wear glasses so thats a factor and I have quite big hands.

I think waterproof would be better which the Sportsters are I believe.

I will have a read through some threads on here but if you have any thoughts on anything I am missing please do let me know.

Thanks everyone.

[Tero]

NIKON, not Nokia. Nokia is a Finnish cell phone.

Nikon Sporter 8x36 is fine for a beginner. Not phase coated, but the best at that level.

[Yiggy]

Yes of course. That was just a typo. Thanks for replying.

So the Nikons would be my best bet for under £100.

I saw a pair of Opticrion Oregon LE WP for £100 or so and wasnt sure if those might be better. I will go for the Nikon's if thats the general concensus.

[Henry B]

Cell-phone and bins in one ,now there,s a thought.lol

[Sancho]

Cell-phone and bins in one ,now there,s a thought.lol
Add on an IPOD, an X-Box and a toaster and we could be on to a winner.

[Perry Grin]

I've used the BUshnell Natureviews (roof prism version) and they're great - I've looked through a few Bushnell bins and these were better or equal to them all, I thought they were better than the H20's.

From what I understand the Sportsters are not waterproof, but they do come well recommended on this forum.

Best bet is to find an optics dealer near to you and get them to lay out all the bins in your price range, try them all and buy your favourite. As well as make and model, you'll also want to try out different magnification and different lens size so it really is worth trying them all out.

Good luck

[MacGee]

You have to choose between roof prism models, like the ones you mention, which are neater but much poorer optically, or porro prisms, which less neat, but much better optically. One porro option would be the Opticron Imagic TGA WP (http://opticron.boson.posiweb.net/pages/page10.html), which is waterproof and has the wide, twist-click eyepieces you need for glasses. Hilton Photographic (http://www.hiltonphotographic.co.uk/products/opticron_full_size_binoculars_1.html) has the 8x32 for £120, but I would go for the 7x42, £135 from Warehouse Express (http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?binsandscopes/Binoculars/Opticron.html#i). The 7x42 has a wider field of view, better contrast and edge sharpness, is brighter and easier to use with glasses. On the other hand it's bigger, heavier and has worse close focus.

Trying them out in the shop is fine, but of limited usefulness. The things that are destined to drive you mad in the long term, you won't notice in the shop. The same goes for the things that you would love in the long term. Even people with a lot more experience than you and me can be deceived by initial impressions.

Michael.

[Perry Grin]

.

Trying them out in the shop is fine, but of limited usefulness. The things that are destined to drive you mad in the long term, you won't notice in the shop. The same goes for the things that you would love in the long term. Even people with a lot more experience than you and me can be deceived by initial impressions.

Michael.

Very true - as I have found out myself recently! However, I still wouldn't buy without trying them out. For comfort, weight, eye relief, poro vs roof bins are best tried out first (IMHO).

[Yiggy]

You have to choose between roof prism models, like the ones you mention, which are neater but much poorer optically, or porro prisms, which less neat, but much better optically. One porro option would be the Opticron Imagic TGA WP (http://opticron.boson.posiweb.net/pages/page10.html), which is waterproof and has the wide, twist-click eyepieces you need for glasses. Hilton Photographic (http://www.hiltonphotographic.co.uk/products/opticron_full_size_binoculars_1.html) has the 8x32 for £120, but I would go for the 7x42, £135 from Warehouse Express (http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?binsandscopes/Binoculars/Opticron.html#i). The 7x42 has a wider field of view, better contrast and edge sharpness, is brighter and easier to use with glasses. On the other hand it's bigger, heavier and has worse close focus.

Michael.

Thanks for that Michael. After reading quite a bit I am going to try the Opticrons. I have noticed that the HR WP 8x42 Porroprisms seem to get exceptional reviews for the price. I can see them for £190 and I was wondering if it might be worth shelling out a little extra cash for them. They are basically £60 more but seem a lot tougher with lots of positive feedback. What do you think?

[MacGee]

Thanks for that Michael. After reading quite a bit I am going to try the Opticrons. I have noticed that the HR WP 8x42 Porroprisms seem to get exceptional reviews for the price. I can see them for £190 and I was wondering if it might be worth shelling out a little extra cash for them. They are basically £60 more but seem a lot tougher with lots of positive feedback. What do you think?Yes, good choice. Optically, they're Opticron's best model bar none and they easily surpass the Imagics on everything except field of view. I don't think you could find anything better for using with glasses. If you can put up with the FOV, I think these are the best value for money there is. I would have a pair myself but for the fact I like a wide FOV and prefer 7x or even 6x magnification.

Michael.

[Yiggy]

Thanks for all the advice.

I today purchased a pair of the Opticron HR WP 8x42 Binos from my local dealer.

I tried out a couple of other pairs and I found the feel of the HR's to be smoother as well as finding the image to be clearer. I had some early Birthday money come through from the folks so didnt mind paying a little more.

Excellent advice all round guys. Cheers.

Now I have to get out and use them.

[Tero]

8x42 is good.

I have stopped using my only full size porros, but the optics were fine.

[MacGee]

Now I have to get out and use them.Let us know how they work out in practice.

Michael.