[Paxonator]

Alright I'm usually more prepared and have read up on what I'm buying but there's some urgency so I'm looking for help. I want to get my dad a decent set of binoculars before we leave for Banff next month. So my budget is around $300 taxes in. So looking for some bang for buck. Also note I live in Canada so buying from places like B&H where they calculate duty etc on the website is handy. I have really no idea where to start or what to get but here's some details.

- He wears glasses
- Enjoys birds and other wildlife
- Would like them not to be too big.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Travis

[Mark9473]

On B&H's website, I would be tempted by the Vanguard Esprit 8x36 ED
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ular_Dark.html

There's also an intriguing Meopta 6.5x32 model:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Binocular.html

I have no experience with these though.

[BrightIdea]

Originally Posted by Mark9473

On B&H's website, I would be tempted by the Vanguard Esprit 8x36 ED
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ular_Dark.html

There's also an intriguing Meopta 6.5x32 model:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Binocular.html

I have no experience with these though.

wow, that meopta does look interesting. Compact, low mag, 8.4deg fov...

[ceasar]

Hi Paxonator,

Welcome to Bird Forum!

Your limit is around $300.00, your father wears glasses and you are is going to Banff and the mountains where it should be bright, with long distance views. That is a well thought out summary of your needs.

From my own personal experience I would recommend this binocular which I own: The Swift 8.5 x 44 Model 828.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binocular...rism-binocular

I know this is $50.00 over your limit but you might want to consider it. I have written a report on it in the Customer Review section so I won't need to do so here. I still have mine and I stand by my report. Specifically the eye relief is long and comfortable, with or without glasses.

Enjoy your vacation!

Bob

PS: Eagle Optics has a Canadian Store I believe and they have a 30 day return policy which you can read about.

[typo]

Hi Travis,

To appreciate the scenery then a lower power will generally give a wider view, be steadier, and have greater depth of field. Scanning through the BH listing within budget, that 6.5x Meopro, the Bushnell Elite 7x26, and the Vortex Viper 6x32 (Eagle Optics) are very strong options. I own the Bushnell and love it. It's the lightest but it's not waterproof and the eye relief would be a bit short for some glasses. I personally thought the Viper had the edge in view quality over the Meopro.

An 8x is generally more versatile for birding. The 8x32 that has been generating a lot of interest is the Sightron BSII which is well under budget. Hopefully the US guys can advise on where the best deals are.
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=211793

Going up a size I've not tried that Swift Bob referred to but that looks a good deal. The Nikon Monarch is a bit cheaper and lighter, still pretty good, but I suspect not quite in the same league. Confusingly there are several versions out there. The '5' is optically the same as the MkIII and is better than the '3'.

Have a great trip.

David

[Paxonator]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I wish I would have thought about this gift earlier to give me time to read up on it. Buying it in Canada would be a plus but just wish that eagle optics had a bigger selection.

Hmm just tried adding those Meopta and checking out to see what the final cost would. I was informed These cannot ship to a Canadian address due to a manufacturers restriction!

[normjackson]

Recent discussion on 8x models (incl Vortex Diamondback, Zen Ray Vista, Sightron SII) with long eye relief within your price point :
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=228901

If you're looking at the low mag stuff, Eagle Optics USA have the Eagle Optics Ranger 6x32 and Vortex Viper at good prices.

[ClarkWGriswold]

Hi Travis. Banff is a great location. I can see others recommending decent optics. I'd just like to add that we had a cracking meal in the Maple Leaf Grill if you're looking for somewhere to eat.

Rich

[Mark9473]

Originally Posted by Paxonator

Hmm just tried adding those Meopta and checking out to see what the final cost would. I was informed These cannot ship to a Canadian address due to a manufacturers restriction!

Here's a Canadian Meopta dealer:

Canadian Outdoor Distributing Inc.
9 Albert Street
Cobourg, CN K9A 2P7
Phone: 866-966-0406
www.canodi.ca

[Paxonator]

Well I kind of picked these two out of the bunch.

Sightron BSII
Which the one place from the US I tried adding it to the cart said it wouldn't ship to Canada.. So I'm currently calling canadian dealers for prices.

Vanguard 8x36 Spirit ED Binocular
which also won't ship to Cananda. Wow never thought that would be in issue!

[Mark9473]

It takes about 10 seconds to get a Canadian dealer list out of Google...

[Paxonator]

Yes I looked for Canadian dealers for both. for example the Sightron's have about 12 dealers. About 3 have websites which don't don't even show what they have in stock. Called a few and they don't have any in stock. They don't know a price and are going to get back to me. They have yet to get back to me.

[typo]

It doesn't look like the Sightron Canadian distributor takes the 8x32 BSII.
http://www.hirschprecision.com/optics/sightron.php

David

[Paxonator]

One dealer called back and said that they could get them but it sounds like his supplier would have to order them in. Which they just did an order so they won't be doing another for a while. Then he would have get them from them. He didn't think they would get here in time for Banff.

Let me know if this sounds like a bad idea. What if I found an established member on the forum that would receive the binoculars that I order. Then ship them to myself in Canada? Of course I would pay for shipping and everything. Would you think anyone would be up for that?

[FrankD]

I have done it for a few of the European members of the forum in the past.

;-)

[Paxonator]

pm'd :)