[Alexjh1]

Hi!

Before I start here, I must admit that I have a fairly limited knowledge of technical specificifications of binoculars, and so if I end up asking to explain every other thing people say, I apologise in advance.

Basically, I need to replace my binoculars (10x42 Bushnell Trophy)- when I unpacked them after I'd taken them on holiday the focusing mechanism had broken in some way which meant that trying to focus did nothing, and the ends of the lenses are loose. I have asked around a little, and it sounds like repair would cost practically the same as replacing them anyway, and apparently the design of these ones make it a bit more prone to damage than some.

What I'd basically like to do is find some replacements, this'll be a christmas present of sorts (although I may have to contribute a little) and the budget is probably around £80 at most. While I appreciate that isn't a lot to work with, unfortunatly I cant really afford more...

Anyway, I'd like to have something of similar spec to my current one (10x42), be as durable as is feasible for the price, and probably water resistant/sealed is a good idea?

Any advice or suggestions anyone could give would be massively appreciated! Any particular brands/models I should be looking out for or avoiding? Thanks for your time!

[FrankD]

If you have no problems continuing with a Bushnell then the Natureview model is something that impressed me lately. It was the 8x42 though. In the US their price is usually $99 so I must assume they would fall into your price range.

Another to consider would be the Swift Reliant. Again I have only tried the 8x42 model but it impressed me optically at the $100 price point.

Hope this helps.

[Sancho]

Not a bad thing your Bushnell Trophys died - I had a pair in 8x32 format for a while and I hated them so much I gave them away!
Have a look at Vortex binos in that range. If you check the thread about Cameraland (based in NY), there are some superb deals to be had at the moment on, for example, Vortex Fury.
Otherwise, try Nikon Action Ex 8x30 or 8x42 locally.
But if anyone offers you any more Bushnell Trophys, tell them you have pressing business and must be off!

[ceasar]

Is there a Vortex dealer near wear you are located? If so, see if you can test a 10 x 42 Diamondback. It is about as durable a binocular as you will find in your price range. It also has a wide field of view and very smooth focusing. USA price is around $210.00.

Bob

[Alexjh1]

There are one or two shops locally which do sell binoculars, but I don't get the impression they actually know a lot about them, just stock them because that's what they do. The nearest specialist dealers I'm aware of are about 40mins+ away by car, and as I don't drive depends on when I can get a lift over, so will have to wait to see when I can beg a lift.

The place I visited yesterday seemed to specialise in opticron - he suggested some "oregon LE WP 10x42" which seemed like a rather nice pair, but anyone had any experience of them?

Looking at some of the models suggested, unfortunatly it seems like binoculars are sold at above the £/$ exchange rate (like a lot of things) - the £ seems to be at best 90% of the $ price, which is fairly frustrating - unfortunatly puts a number of the ones suggested here beyond my price range :( - tho in the case of the Nikon Action Ex I did find a "nikon action VII series 10x50" - is that likely to be decent?

After a quick skim through amazon, are any of these any good?

Opticron Adventurer
Opticron Trailfinder

Thanks for all the help so far, sorry if I'm being a pain!

[typo]

Alex,

Generally roof prism pairs below £120 like the Opticrons you mention and the Bushnell H20 will not have phase coating. It means that they will not be as bright and have reduced contrast compared to more expensive pairs. They should be perfectly serviceable under bright conditions, but suffer in poorer light particularly. The porro prism type like the Nikon Action, do not need phase coating and will generally be quite a bit better than similarly priced roofs. However the Nikon Action is not waterproof, but otherwise pretty good. The waterproof Nikon Action EX is a little better still optically as well, and while it can be often found for less than £100, the prices seemed to have edged up this time of year.

David

[Andrew Whitehouse]

It might be worth visiting AR Hawkins in Northampton. They're a long established binocular specialist and they often have good budget options.
http://www.arhawkins.co.uk/

[FrankD]

Originally Posted by typo

Alex,

Generally roof prism pairs below £120 like the Opticrons you mention and the Bushnell H20 will not have phase coating. It means that they will not be as bright and have reduced contrast compared to more expensive pairs. They should be perfectly serviceable under bright conditions, but suffer in poorer light particularly. The porro prism type like the Nikon Action, do not need phase coating and will generally be quite a bit better than similarly priced roofs. However the Nikon Action is not waterproof, but otherwise pretty good. The waterproof Nikon Action EX is a little better still optically as well, and while it can be often found for less than 100, the prices seemed to have edged up this time of year.

David

My thoughts exactly when giving my previous two suggestions. I assumed you wanted a roof. The Swift Reliant and Bushnell Natureview 8x42s are the least expensive phase-coated roofs I could think of.

My only issue with the regular Nikon Action series (not the EX version) is their eye relief tends to be on the short side since they have such a wide field of view and use a specific type of eyepiece design.

How about the Leupold Yosemite 6 or 8x30? The Celestron Nature 8x30? The Leupolds are usually between $80-$100 US and the Nature is usually between $50-$70. Another I found "birdworthy" is the Zhumell Short Barrel 8x42. Very ergonomic and compact for a 42 mm roof prism design. It is not phasecoated but the optical performance is still pleasing to my eyes. Price is typically between $80-$90.

Here is a link to some Zhumell products at binoculars.com . They have a 10% promo code going now as well. I also see that they now have their own version of the Celetron Nature/Leupold Yosemites with a 7x30 "Emerge" model in your price range. Another one to consider.

http://www.binoculars.com/search/ind...ay%3Dgrid_view

Hope this helps.

[typo]

The original Leupold Yosemite 6x and 8x30 have re-emerged as the Opticron Savannah and the Kowa YF. I didn't feel the Clelestron Nature 8x30 was quite as robust as the Yosemite clones. I have tried a 7x30 that looked like the Zhummell Emerge, but that wasn't a match for the Opticron/Kowa IMO. It appears to be sold as an Olivon and Kawke amongst others.

Alex, if you would consider a 10x50 there is a porro that might be worth considering that was reviewed by Holger Merlitz. The Loava HG (CF).
http://www.holgermerlitz.de/loava10x50.html
It's available from a few places in the UK.
http://www.claritas-online.co.uk/pro...binoculars.htm
http://www.strathspey.co.uk/
or the Optical Hardware Elinor at a lot more money.

David

[Alexjh1]

Theres certainly seems to be a huge number of choices, I'll do some more thorough looking at all your suggestions in a moment, but the (probably fairly stupid) question I feel like I should know the answer to: how noticable a difference would there be between my currents 10x42s and lower figures in either magnification/field of view? Is 8x noticably more distant than 10x, and would smaller than 42 make any obvious difference?

Sorry for the stupid question!

[typo]

In general terms, as you move from 8x to 10x the birds will be 25% bigger and the width of the view about 25% narrower, so it makes it a little easier to ID a bird, but a little more difficult to find it. For woodland most would favour a lower power and open ground a higher power.

It's not quite as simple as that. The higher the power, the more hand shake interferes with the view. Some are OK with a 12x or even 15x and others prefer a 6x or 7x. 8x and 10x are the most popular choices. For the same objective diameter, the higher the power the dimmer the view. If you divide the objective diameter by the magnification you get a value known as the Exit Pupil (EP). It's another element that dictates how bright the view looks. Bigger numbers are brighter, so a 10x32 gives 3.2mm and an 8x56 gives 7mm. A complication of this is that the pupil of your eye need to dilate to the same diameter to get the benefit and that decreases with age.

The difference between an 8x32 and 8x42 in the height of summer might only give you an extra 10 minutes bird watching time at sunset in summer, but on a murky British winter afternoon it might be an hour or more.

Hope that helps.

David

[CliveP]

Perfectly good question.

I have a different suggestion and its based on my recent experience and your budget.

I bought a pair of Hawke 8x25 Frontier Compacts and I think they are very good and they cost £70 on ebay.

http://www.deben.com/hawke-binocular...r-compact.html

I have larger binoculars but they are much more expensive and to be honest those 8x25 are good enough for any use although obviously there are better binoculars for more money but I have compared these Hawke against one of the best in my Leica 10x32 HD and I was happy with the Hawke.

So if you would consider a compact then think about those. They are phase coated, waterproof etc. the lenses are good quality too. I posted more about them in another thread here somewhere.

They may be a good choice until such time as you learn more or save etc. You are likely to use them more because they can fit in a pocket and can always be brought along.

There is also a 10x version of which i have no experience but I think the 8x is a better bet with these smaller type binoculars for general use as well as birding. The 10x will get you closer but may be a lot more awkward to use and not as bright or clear. The 8x will also be better for indoor use if ever needed.

Originally Posted by Alexjh1

Theres certainly seems to be a huge number of choices, I'll do some more thorough looking at all your suggestions in a moment, but the (probably fairly stupid) question I feel like I should know the answer to: how noticable a difference would there be between my currents 10x42s and lower figures in either magnification/field of view? Is 8x noticably more distant than 10x, and would smaller than 42 make any obvious difference?

Sorry for the stupid question!