[JohnJos]

Folks,

I thought a quick survey of what binoculars you may keep in your car (or other favorite mode of transportation) may be interesting. You know, when you're not going out specifically for birding but want to be prepared should you encounter something interesting and want to check it out.

Right now I have my Browning 8x32 bins in the car along with my field guide and a point-and-shoot digital camera. The Browning seem to be adequate for most emergency bird viewings and identifications.

I don't have my FLs in the car all the time, just when I'm going out specifically to bird. I just don't want to get my car broken into and lose those bins.

What do you carry with you?

Thanks,
John

[Tero]

I have a Bushnell 8x28 up front..had to spot some bobcats last time with them
Another pair of 8x32s in the trunk

Also had a 9x25 along, it is now here FOR SALE

[Guizotia]

Hawke Blackwatch 10x25

[dantheman]

My car basically is a bin (or trash can as I think you'd say ) . . .

Wouldn't keep any bins in the car as I'd be worried about the car being nicked or broken into. But if I did have a cheaper pair I'd consider it . . .

[Alexis Powell]

Originally Posted by JohnJos

I thought a quick survey of what binoculars you may keep in your car (or other favorite mode of transportation) may be interesting. You know, when you're not going out specifically for birding but want to be prepared should you encounter something interesting and want to check it out.

I don't keep anything in my car or bicycle permanently, but the ones I use in the same spirit as this post inquires about are my Browning 8x32 (nice ergonomics, good optics, durable, cheap, close focus good for butterflies), or my Leica 8x20 Ultravid (compact enough to carry with me much of the year in the bag that accompanies me most everywhere I go).

--AP

[Sancho]

Permanently in car: Nikon EII 10x35.
In pocket on bike: Leica Ultravid 8x20.
(Now that I think of it, leaving EII´s in the car is a bit stupid....)

[ThoLa]

Originally Posted by JohnJos

What bins do you keep in your car?

Well ..... waste bins (in case the car gets stolen)

T

[JohnJos]

Thanks to everyone who has responded thus far.

ThoLa: Kind of why I put out this poll. I want to have a decent pair of bins in the car but not a pair that I would be worried about losing should my car get broken into or stolen. So I want to gauge what others consider suitable for this purpose but are willing to risk losing should theft occur. Actually, I like the Brownings so much that I really don't want to chance losing them since to replace them with a bin of similar quality would be $250+ out of my pocket. So my $30 Bushnell Legends may replace them.

OT: I haven't seen much discussion regarding everyone's impressions of the 8x42 Legends bought from Sports Authority last month. I must say my pair are very nice but the focus is unusable in cold weather (40oF and below)...way too stiff.

[Jos Stratford]

Originally Posted by Sancho

Permanenty in car: Nikon EII 10x35.

(Now that I think of it, leaving EII´s in the car is a bit stupid....)

Specially after advertising it on here

[Alexis Powell]

Originally Posted by JohnJos

So I want to gauge what others consider suitable for this purpose but are willing to risk losing should theft occur.

In my opinion, the only binos suitable for any use, casual or serious, are those that have optics that are good enough that I will inevitably enjoy the binos enough that I wouldn't want to lose them, regardless of their cost. The only binos that I wouldn't be broken-hearted about losing are those that are still available on the market or that have a current near-equivalent (i.e. that easily replaceable). As for dealing with the issue of loss/theft of a valuable object, I recommend getting a personal articles insurance policy.

--AP

[Steve Jones]

My thoughts are to keep some old (virtually worthless) but still good optics handy in the car. Old porro's should fit the bill, in my case Opticron Dioptron 8x32's which perform really well but, at 18 years old and heavily used are probably worth about 20 quid.

I've also got my old Kowa TS601 Scope in the boot. Why sell it for next to nothing when it could come in handy (and has for Melodious Warbler and other occasions when the main scope was not taken/forgotten).

[Jos Stratford]

Originally Posted by Alexis Powell

As for dealing with the issue of loss/theft of a valuable object, I recommend getting a personal articles insurance policy.

Many (most?) insurance companies in Britain do not cover theft of articles left in parked vehicles.

Unfortunately, in Lithuania where I live, NO insurance companies will cover optical or photographic equipment for anything other than theft from your main place of residence, the only exception being listed items and then only if the theft is accompanied by violence or threat of.

[jjg213]

Hi John, I carry 8x42 roof Bushnell Legends in my vehicle, purchased used, cheaply, and are basically satisfactory for any time I am caught out without alpha bins.
Regards, John

[Kevin Conville]

I keep Browning 8x32s in the tankbag of my motorcycle, replacing the Nikon 8x25 ProStaffs that were there previously.

The Brownings seem to be popular for this!

[Steve C]

Every binocular I have ever owned, or ever will own sees some extended in the vehicle time. Usually more than one at a time too. Usually up front for quick looks is either one of the Yosemite's or the Nikon Monarch 8x42. A larger 8x or 10x (or both) in the gear bag I keep behind the seat of the pickup.

[Epsomsalt]

I don't keep any bins in the car - irrespective of the value of the bins I don't want the aggro or hassle of having to report the break in to the car and then take the car for repair.

I keep a pair of Pentax 10x 25 in my coat pocket.. just in case.

Chris

[bitterntwisted]

I have my Nikon ED50 scope permanently in the boot, and I carry my Hawke Frontier ED 8 x 43 with me to and from the car every time I use it, and leave them there when I'm in work, shops etc. My car is a black **** **, registration **** ***. I need to check my insurance.

Graham

[Sancho]

Originally Posted by Jos Stratford

Specially after advertising it on here

Yeah. They have just been removed from the car. I wouldn´t care is someone stole the car (they´d actually be doing me a favour), but I´d be heartbroken to lose the bins.

[James Bean]

'bitterntwisted': I've divined from your **** ** you have a Ford Ka, and the registration number's third digit is probably '0' or '5', but I'll stop that now 'cause my brain hurts...
My 'glove-box-bin' is a Nikon Travelite III 7x20, my most used/useful binocular for years, for the same reason people climb a mountain, 'because it's there'. My best compact bin is a Docter 8x22 but I wouldn't risk it being pilfered, it's so good and quite scarce...

[BobinKy]

I do not "keep" any binoculars in my car. But I usually take the Leupold Katmai 6x32 roof binoculars when I drive around in my car without any particular observing target in mind. They are my "go-anywhere" binoculars."

[BirderSean]

Browning 8x32

(attention thieves, I don't actually keep them in the car all the time)
they are my go-anywhere pair.

and they rock.

[falcondude]

I don't leave any pair in the car. It will be bad for the binoculars.

[SiG]

I don't have a car. Mass car ownership is evil.

[Grousemore]

Originally Posted by SiG

I don't have a car. Mass car ownership is evil.

How do you feel about isolated car ownership?

[SiG]

Somewhat similar, unless you're giving me a lift.