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Where to buy binoculars (1 Viewer)

leovb

Well-known member
Buying binoculars is a tough exercise as most of you know. Apart form what are the best (does anyone have advise,Swarowski or Zeis or???) I've heard that prices can vary a lot. I live in the Netherlands (probably no surprise regarding my question) but will spend some months abroad (Australasia)next year (which is why I want a new pair of bins). I've heard that Singapore is a good place to buy optics, camera's e.g. But does anyone have experiencce with that? And does anyone have experience with buying bins at Tax-free shops at airports?
In short where or in which country can I have the best value for my money, looking for a pair of binoculars?
 
Hi leovb

I'm afraid I don't know the answer to your question. Nor do I know your financial situation. But I'd like to express a word of caution, if I may.

Here in Ottawa there is, to my knowledge, only one store specialized in optical equipment. Their prices aren't great but I think they'll match other stores. But the great thing is that they'll allow you to try out the equipment for two weeks. Provided it's still in "as-new" condition, you can return it for full refund if it turns out you didn't like it.

A year or so ago I bought a pair of Bushnell Legends from them. Everything I'd heard was great about these bins. And yet using them I developed fairly severe thumb strain - I think it's tendinitis in the base of my thumbs. I'd always had porro prisms before and it appears that I cannot use roof prism binoculars without discomfort. Fortunately I was able to return the bins.

My point, of course, is that it might be better to pay a little more from a reputable place that will allow returns, rather than risk disappointment. Sometimes it's hard to know in advance what can go wrong - I certainly never expected my problem.
 
I got the old Leica 20 - 60 zoom lens in Hong Kong for such a good price (about 60% of the UK price) that I got all my money back a few years later when I part-exchanged it for the new 20-60 zoom lens locally. Hong Kong might be worth checking out for binoculars too - if you are likely to be in that area I could try to find out the name of the shop.

However, as Paul says, it could be a problem if you ever need to return it.
 
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