[Hobbes2]

I am looking to buy a decent pair of compact binoculars and my nearest optics shop is the In Focus store at London Colney (near St Albans, Herts, UK). However, I would really like to try the Nikon HGL 8x20 alongside the 10x25 model but In Focus don't stock the latter. I just wondered if anyone knew of anywhere else which is less than an hours drive away which stocks a good range of optics (particularly the 2 Nikon HGLs) for me to try out?

Many thanks
Hobbes

[typo]

Probably a bit further than you had in mind, but last time I looked, Campkins Cameras in Cambridge had the Leica and Zeiss compacts. They do Nikon, but you would have to check it they have the HGL 8x20. They have two shops in central Cambridge which carry a limited stock, but providing they are not too busy they will escort you from one to the other for comparisons. (Note, the online shop doesn't match what they have in store).

On a similar theme. Does anyone know where in Hertfordshire I could check out 10x porros? Nikon, Bushnell, Opticron, Pentax; anything really worth a look. I need a reference point. I've visited 5 outlets and not found a single pair.

Thanks.

David

[pdh]

Countryside Optics at Marston Moretaine in Beds isn't too far, but I have no idea whether they carry the bins you are seeking

[JoanT]

Originally Posted by pdh

Countryside Optics at Marston Moretaine in Beds isn't too far, but I have no idea whether they carry the bins you are seeking

Kay Optics go to College Lake Bucks on a regular basis but don't know if they carry the binocs you are interested in or when their next visit is.

Joan

[Hobbes2]

Originally Posted by JoanT

Kay Optics go to College Lake Bucks on a regular basis but don't know if they carry the binocs you are interested in or when their next visit is.

Joan

Thank you David, pdh and Joan for your helpful responses. Having checked out Kay Optics, they do indeed stock the binoculars I want to try and have an event at College Lake on 11 April. I'll have to decide whether I can wait that long, lol.

Thanks again,
Hobbes

[alan_rymer]

Originally Posted by Hobbes2

Thank you David, pdh and Joan for your helpful responses. Having checked out Kay Optics, they do indeed stock the binoculars I want to try and have an event at College Lake on 11 April. I'll have to decide whether I can wait that long, lol.

Thanks again,
Hobbes

If you decide to wait, give them a call and ask them to bring the bins you want to try out. They don't generally bring all their stock!