Binoculars for the garden (1 Viewer)

I would appreciate any advice on the best binoculars to purchase to watch garden birds that are generally situated between 50-75 feet away from the house.

At the moment I am using a pair of Olympus 8x21 DPCI's, which are OK (very lightweight and small) but I would like something a little stronger. Price range - not sure - around £100-£150 ?

Thanks
Regards
Helen

I would say that a porro prism bin would offer the best value. An 8x40 would give you a decent exit pupil making for comfortable viewing and 8x is not too powerful to hold steady. There are lots of excellent bins at £100 - £150. The Nikon 8x40 Egret is excelent value but there is a lot of distortion towards the edge of the field and they are not very good with eyeglasses. Opticron and Bushnell also produce well reviewed bins in your price range. My mother has a Viking 8x40 which I think is remarkable for the price. It's ugly though. I would recommend looking for one with a wide field of view of at least 130m at 1000m.

You could visting your local specialist optics dealer and trying a few. But do make sure they have a decent range before you visit. Also make sure you try them outside and not in the shop, or at least looking out of an open window. In Focus at Barnes is not too far away, has excellent viewing facilities but I am not sure of their range. Focus Optics near Coventry are not too far. I don't like them but others say good things about them.

I am sure others will mention some bins that they have found to be good. Good luck.

Don't go to a shop "in town". I'd go along to a shop or reserve that has viewing facilities and try a few pairs out. Your local wildlife trust reserve will organise days where you can go and try bins even if it doesn't have a shop in the visitor centre. Bins are a personal thing you need to try.

You may not need stronger magnification a pair of 8*42 will magnify the bird the same as those you are using but will give a brighter image (in theory!)

Thanks to you all for the advice. I think I may have summed it up by wanted a stronger magnification.

Regards
Helen

Hi Helen. I'm back online now (is that booing I hear?). Hope you don't mind if I post the PM I sent you :

"To get best results you probably don't want to view through a window (however clean!); through an open window, French Windows or outdoors would be best.
You'll get the best views if you can hold your binoculars steady. It might help to be seated and have something to rest your elbows on, like a window sill or high table.
Viewing is easiest when the light is behind you or to the side and in bright conditions. In early or late evening light, when facing into the light or when birds are silhouetted against the sky things become more tricky.
It would be interesting to know how far and in what ways your viewing circumstances deviate from what would be considered the easiest. Maybe there are things you can already do to improve your viewing. Whatever's left may help determine what sort of binoculars would be most appropriate.
I assume you have already identified at least one limitation with your current binoculars; in fact you seem to be implying that there is insufficient magnification of the birds. Is that right?"


You say you want greater magnification than 8x for your 50-75 feet away birds. That seems reasonable. One of the problems with high power binoculars, is that in order to maintain a bright, colourful image (particularly if your viewed subjects are not well lit) you often need bigger objective, or front lenses. These require the whole binocular to be scaled up which adds to the weight. I really do hope you can find a way of resting your elbows on a solid surface (assuming you don't intend using a tripod). Then you can usefully employ higher powered and heavier binoculars for longer without the problems of shake and fatigue. Also, if you have your elbows resting vertically on a surface, with some binoculars (particularly large porro designs) you may have trouble reaching the focus ring with your finger. Then again, if the birds remain in this reasonably narrow band of distance, you may only need to focus once initially and that's it.

Hope you'll let us know your decision.

Norm