Binocular Choice - Small IPD Required (1 Viewer)

Hello
I have just joined the forum and already I need to ask a question.

I am 65 years old and have decided to buy a pair of binoculars for general wildlife and birding. I already have a pair of Pentax 10x21 mini binoculars which I take when out hill walking but feel it's time to supplement these with a full sized pair.

Unfortunately I need a pair with a small Interpupillary Distance as my eyes seem to be quite close together. The Pentax's narrowest IPD is approx 57mm which is where I have it set. Looking at binocular specifications it seems to me that most minimum IPD's are 60mm.

Two binoculars I have singled out with smaller IPD's are the Hawke Endurance ED (53mm IPD) and the Opticron Explorer WA Oasis-C (55mm IPD). These both fit my requirement being 8x42 and approx £200.

Reviews for these binoculars seem to indicated they are good value. Are there any others in a similar price range which also have a small IPD?

Thank you.

Hi Dangie,

Welcome to the forum.

You may have already seen my report on the Explorer Oasis C.
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=309012

I thought this was rather good for the money and a pleasure to use. The Endurance ED or perhaps the Opticron Alpha (not available online) tend to be priced a little lower and for me, that is reflected in the performance. Not quite the same level of contrast or effective resolution as the Explorer and with a bit more edge distortion. The Endurance/Alpha features ED glass but I did not feel the CA control quite matched the Explorer. They are still very usable binoculars all the same and cheaper as I said. Personally I'd pay the difference and go for the Explorer, but it's always best to try these things for yourself.

David

Hello David.
Many thanks for your reply.

Yes I had read your report and thought it excellent. I think the Opticron is the one I'll go for.

Thanks again.