I know you've all had more than enough of these threads so I am sorry to add another to the pile but I would like opinions on a shortlist (that's not very short!) of bins I have picked out as candidates for a 40th birthday present for the missus.
Primary Usage
The bins would mainly be used for birdwatching in the UK - in park, forest & wetlands environments I'd say. Little/no seawatching and tracking birds in flight is of secondary importance. Most birding done in the middle of the day; none done in the early morning light; some winter birding done towards sunset in the fading light.
Baseline
The missus is currently using a cast-off pair of cheap Barr & Stroud 8x42s (Skylines? They were part of the "birdwatching for dummies" kit).
Weight approx 660g
No idea on FOV
She's also borrowed my Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x42s and acknowledges they are brighter than hers. The narrower FOV compared to her 8x42s doesn't seem to bother her
She needs an IPD of under 60mm
She's "not sure" about the open bridge design - not ruling it out by any means, just not sure she likes it and may find it "weird"
She wants a rain cover & objective lens covers that stay on (tethered) or at least don't have to be removed
Price point
I'm looking at spending around £250, maybe up to £300
(Not very)Shortlist
In no particular order (approx. UK price shown):
Vanguard Spirit ED 10x42 (£240)
Vanguard Endeavor ED 8x42 (£220)
Vanguard Endeavor ED 10x42 (£285)
Bresser Everest 10x42 (£270)
Helios Nirvana 10x42 ED (£235)
Barr & Stroud Series 4 ED 10x42 (£155)
Barr & Stroud Series 5 FMC 10x42 ED (£190)
Carson 3D Series 10x42 (£225)
Viking 10x42 ED S (£250)
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 (£255)
NB Most of the models I have picked out are 10x42s as they are my preference for birding, and I think the missus would prefer the extra zoom to FOV.
This is not a surprise present so she will be vetting my suggestions. Anything you can add to the debate though is appreciated :t: I'm especially interested in the value for money side of things (the tight northerner shining through there!) so if anything stands out as a bargain I'd be interested in hearing about it.
Primary Usage
The bins would mainly be used for birdwatching in the UK - in park, forest & wetlands environments I'd say. Little/no seawatching and tracking birds in flight is of secondary importance. Most birding done in the middle of the day; none done in the early morning light; some winter birding done towards sunset in the fading light.
Baseline
The missus is currently using a cast-off pair of cheap Barr & Stroud 8x42s (Skylines? They were part of the "birdwatching for dummies" kit).
Weight approx 660g
No idea on FOV
She's also borrowed my Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x42s and acknowledges they are brighter than hers. The narrower FOV compared to her 8x42s doesn't seem to bother her
She needs an IPD of under 60mm
She's "not sure" about the open bridge design - not ruling it out by any means, just not sure she likes it and may find it "weird"
She wants a rain cover & objective lens covers that stay on (tethered) or at least don't have to be removed
Price point
I'm looking at spending around £250, maybe up to £300
(Not very)Shortlist
In no particular order (approx. UK price shown):
Vanguard Spirit ED 10x42 (£240)
Vanguard Endeavor ED 8x42 (£220)
Vanguard Endeavor ED 10x42 (£285)
Bresser Everest 10x42 (£270)
Helios Nirvana 10x42 ED (£235)
Barr & Stroud Series 4 ED 10x42 (£155)
Barr & Stroud Series 5 FMC 10x42 ED (£190)
Carson 3D Series 10x42 (£225)
Viking 10x42 ED S (£250)
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 (£255)
NB Most of the models I have picked out are 10x42s as they are my preference for birding, and I think the missus would prefer the extra zoom to FOV.
This is not a surprise present so she will be vetting my suggestions. Anything you can add to the debate though is appreciated :t: I'm especially interested in the value for money side of things (the tight northerner shining through there!) so if anything stands out as a bargain I'd be interested in hearing about it.