£100-ish to spend on general purpose bins.. (1 Viewer)

Hi all,

I'm more interested in photographic lenses that binoculars, but it might be useful to have some binoculars handy to help develop my birdwatching skills and spot birds I subsequently wish to photograph.

I was thinking I ought to be able to get something reasonably ok entry-level ish for £100.

Is that a reasonable budget & which models would you recommend I try? I'd happily spend a little more if that gave me a much better pair, but only up to £130-150 max.

I don't want anything too specialised - might be gawping out of my window at home to birds in neighbour's gardens, more likely used nature reserves.

Couldn't care less about weight - used to lugging around lots of camera equipment. I want to use them handheld rather than on a tripod though.

Many thanks in anticipation,

Phil

Hi Phil,

have a look at this previous thread:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=161207


Post number 7 is from me and lists a few pairs that are good for around £100.

Good luck with finding something that suits.
Martin

I use these Bushnell Excursion 8x42s and find them very good - waterproof so I don't worry about taking them out in heavy rain and nice and clear, although I've not tried others to compare them. They've dropped in price since I bought mine, are £120 at the moment:

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-bushnell-excursion-8x42-binoculars/p1019072

Many thanks - much appreciated!

Phil

If you are prepared to consider the pre-loved route you would do better than new. I have just bought (for my daughter) a pair of Opticron Imagic 8x42 in excellent condition from Focus Optics http://www.focusoptics.eu for £90 (incl p&p). You might care to have a chat with them. I would recommend Focus Optics as a satisfied customer.

Another good route would be Infocus Optics who have branches in the WWT reserves (and perhaps elsewhere). I found them very helpful when I bought my own bins and again would recommend them.

Edited to say For £90 the OPticrons are astonishingly good value.

dogbreath said:

If you are prepared to consider the pre-loved route you would do better than new. I have just bought (for my daughter) a pair of Opticron Imagic 8x42 in excellent condition from Focus Optics http://www.focusoptics.eu for £90 (incl p&p). You might care to have a chat with them. I would recommend Focus Optics as a satisfied customer.

Another good route would be Infocus Optics who have branches in the WWT reserves (and perhaps elsewhere). I found them very helpful when I bought my own bins and again would recommend them.

Edited to say For £90 the OPticrons are astonishingly good value.

Click to expand...

Thanks - I'd definitely consider secondhand if they were in good condition.

Phil