Binocular shops west of London (1 Viewer)

M

mbeard

Active member

• Mar 18, 2009

• #1

Hi,

Just wondered if anyone knows about any decent binocular shops between Staines and Swindon. I am driving that way Friday/Saturday and thought that I would take the opportunity to look at some alpha bins and muse over the 40ish vs 30ish objective lens decision. With luck I will come to a conclusive choice and even buy, but it is not something to rush into.

Thanks for any recommendations

Mike

 

M

mbeard

Active member

• Mar 26, 2009

• #2

To answer my own question I found a London Camera Exchange in Reading but was not able to get there to establish if it was worth going to.

 

Veracocha

Well-known member

• Mar 26, 2009

• #3

mbeard said:

To answer my own question I found a London Camera Exchange in Reading but was not able to get there to establish if it was worth going to.

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I went to LCE in Worcester and got a superb deal on a second pair of Hawke Frontier ED's (8 x 43) for £259.00. It might be worth attempting to get a similar deal in Reading. They might price-match their colleagues :t: Let me know if you need a copy of the invoice.

 

PYRTLE

Old Berkshire Boy

• Mar 26, 2009

• #4

The one than springs to mind is LCE sited opposite Reading train terminal although viewing / testing conditions aren't exactly ideal. I think there is an optics shop somewhere in Swindon. Best bet is to get a copy of a monthly birdwatching magazine and see if there are any optics field days near you during the coming months.....much more relaxed and the "alpha" bins should be available. As you're not in a rush then perhaps consider a day for the British Birdfair

 

M

mbeard

Active member

• Mar 27, 2009

• #5

Yes, I found a photography shop in Swindon but they did not have much of a range of bins and nothing of the calibre I am looking at.

re: optics field days I am debating Kay Optical at Pagham, In Focus at Rye Harbour or going to In Focus at the London Wetland Centre as I know they have something of a viewing platform. There is an optics event at Pulborough as well but they have told me that they do not have Zeiss and I have been able to discount Leica in a camera shop in Lewes.

Mike

 

Veracocha

Well-known member

• Mar 27, 2009

• #6

mbeard said:

Yes, I found a photography shop in Swindon but they did not have much of a range of bins and nothing of the calibre I am looking at.Mike

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Can you elaborate on calibre?

 

Paskman

Well-known member

• Mar 27, 2009

• #7

Mike

If you don't mind going to a gun shop FA Anderson's in East Grinsted sell both Swarovski and Leica gear. There is also Chris Potter Country Sports in Tunbridge Wells which sells Swarovski and Zeiss.

Paul

 

M

mbeard

Active member

• Mar 27, 2009

• #8

Veracocha said:

Can you elaborate on calibre?

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I can see how that might be unclear. I meant quality but for some daft reason did not say it.

 

M

mbeard

Active member

• Mar 27, 2009

• #9

Paskman said:

Mike

If you don't mind going to a gun shop FA Anderson's in East Grinsted sell both Swarovski and Leica gear. There is also Chris Potter Country Sports in Tunbridge Wells which sells Swarovski and Zeiss.

Paul

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Thanks Paul, good suggestion except that I am hoping to "tick" Swaro and Zeiss in one trip, even better if I can compare with the Minox HGs as they seem to be my base line at the minute.

Mike