Need Help on bin selection! New to Birding (1 Viewer)

APSmith said:

MacGee mentioned the Yosemites. Based on the reviews here and and the price, I agree with him.

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Lisa,
A moderately priced 10x is a very poor choice. I use 8x and 7x 90% of time. I take the 10x only when i go out on the preerie or the coast, if i don't take the scope.
The Yosemite 8x30 is one of the best choices to start with.

Sheats said:

Right now I just like to watch the birds from my window or outside.....

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Therefore, let's consider that the Yosemite's near focus limits at ca. 16.5 ft may place a real limit on backyard birding. Perhaps Katmai (by Leuopold) should also be considered - with an impressive 4.9 ft minimum focusing. The 8x32 is a solid little unit, too!

Robert / Seattle said:

Therefore, let's consider that the Yosemite's near focus limits at ca. 16.5 ft may place a real limit on backyard birding.

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I forgot about that. You are right.

16.5' feet doesn't seem like a deal breaker to me.

Incidentally, close focus on Mesa 10x50 is 29.5 feet -now that is a problem.

APSmith said:

16.5' feet doesn't seem like a deal breaker to me.

Incidentally, close focus on Mesa 10x50 is 29.5 feet -now that is a problem.

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Close focus,with both eyes, is at 9'4" for me with the 8x30 Yosemite.

Tero said:

And here comes my target group for 9x32 roofs, which I want to be using anyway...somebody please manufacture some!

Alexis, there is yet one factor: the beginning birder tries to get away with 16x, to avoid buying scope. Rest on car hood or against tree to hold steady. I tried that route. My 16x were Bushnell powerview.

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:clap: A brilliant exposé of a typical problem that cost me loads of moolah when I got back into birding in my 30´s! You brought out a self-deprecating guffaw in me there. I first got a pair of Chinon zoom binos, then an Alpex 20x60. I gave them away, but I could have used them as doorstops instead, because they were damn-all use for birding. Lisa, welcome to the world´s greatest hobby/pastime/science (delete where appropriate), and listen to the wise words of Alexis and Tero. They speak the truth. I have two "main" binos now, both top-end and cost me a bomb, but the important thing is that one is 8x32 and the other is 10x42. I used to prefer the 10x configuration, but since getting 8x I find it has become my main "all-round" bino. At some stage, you will start spending long hours in the field searching out more and more. You will probably one day want to buy a scope, and that will cover all your needs for high-magnification. Experiment with 8x binos and find the one that´s best for your eyes, hands, neck etc. Best of Luck with your choice, and let us know what you decided on!

Tero said:

And here comes my target group for 9x32 roofs, which I want to be using anyway...somebody please manufacture some!

Alexis, there is yet one factor: the beginning birder tries to get away with 16x, to avoid buying scope. Rest on car hood or against tree to hold steady. I tried that route. My 16x were Bushnell powerview.

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Tero,
Leupold has just come out with a dual 9/12 x 32 Binocular. Flip a lever and go from 9x to 12x! I think it is their top of the line. Big Bucks! But now you can do it all with one binocular!
Bob
(o)<

PS It is not on their website yet. I read about them in the current issue of "American Rifleman" magazine at page 57. There are 3 new Golden Ring binoculars: The one mentioned above, a 10x/17x by 42 and a Golden Ring HD (size not given) with Calcium-Flouride Lenses.