Celestron vs Opticron low cost binoculars (1 Viewer)

[LincG]

Hello everyone, I'm a beginner birder in the UK looking for a decent pair of binoculars that will suit my budget of £100 max. I am a photographer carrying gear in a small rucksack and so I am looking at the lighter options within the 8x42 range although I did read along the way that 8x32's may be ok. I would like them to have a reasonable close focus distance also as I walk a lot in woods and hedgerows and would imagine that the closer focus would be helpful - please tell me if I'm wrong there!

The models I've been looking at are:
Celestron Nature DX 8x42
Celestron Outland X 8x42 and possibly the
Opticron Adventurer II WP 8x42
or maybe the Savannah if I could find it at £100 or less.

The Opticron and Celestron brands seem to have the best reviews of the low cost binoculars but I will be buying online without handling them first and I would appreciate any advice, guidance on choice, build quality, size or if you own a pair what has your experience been?

One final question - First Light Optics seem to have a good reputation as an online seller, are there any others you would recommend?

Many questions I know but I have been driving myself to distraction trying to find the right pair! |=)|

Many thanks

Lin

 

[pete_gamby]

Although I doubt they will thank me for this advice, First Light Optics (FLO), like all online retailers has a very generous and flexible returns policy if you purchase something you don't get on with.

If you are buying online, you could choose to purchase all four products on your shortlist, test them to the same extent you would in a store i.e. not outside in the pouring rain, and return in as new condition those that you decide you don't want for a full refund. You would almost certainly need to pay return postage but FLO are very customer service oriented (knowing that they have to compete with Amazon) and often offer to collect things at their cost.

Hope that helps!

Cheers, Pete

 

[LincG]

Thanks for replying Pete - that's good to know about FLO. Can I ask you about your product - out of the Adventurer II WP 8x42 and the Savannah 8x30 which would you rate as better for birding? Or is there another Opticron model I should consider too? One other thought does Opticron ever sell off ex-demo models at lower prices?

 

[dipped]

These fit the budget too https://www.365astronomy.com/Barr-and-Stroud-Sierra-8x42-Binocular.html and have all the usual features of modern roofs with a 10 year warranty too. Can't comment on the optics as never looked through them or any on your list either.

 

[Paskman]

Why not give one of the optical retailers a call? Cley Spey or Feathers are a couple of examples, I've always found them really helpful and only too happy to give good advice. I suspect that a 8x30/32 might suit you better: unless you think you will be using them in low light a lot, they are smaller and usually have a wider field of view. If the 2 makes, I only have experience of using Opticron. I have found their gear very good value for the money and their aftercare second to none. Good luck with your search.

 

[pete_gamby]

Thanks for replying Pete - that's good to know about FLO. Can I ask you about your product - out of the Adventurer II WP 8x42 and the Savannah 8x30 which would you rate as better for birding? Or is there another Opticron model I should consider too? One other thought does Opticron ever sell off ex-demo models at lower prices?

Both the Adventurer II and the Savanna are good for birding. Others may wish to comment on the relative merits of either compared to the Celestron models.

Yes, we do have ex-demo units - Photoexpress (https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/thephotographyshop/Opticron/_i.html?_storecat=900540013), Sherwoods (https://www.sherwoods-photo.com/ex_demo/ex_demo_optics.htm) and The Birders Store (https://www.birders-store.co.uk/ex-demo-stock/page/0/) regularly have stock of our ex-demo items.

Cley Spy (https://www.cleyspy.co.uk/used-equipment/opticron.html) and In Focus (https://www.at-infocus.co.uk/product-category/used-equipment/used-binoculars/?product-page=1) both offer second hand equipment.

Cheers, Pete

 

[LincG]

These fit the budget too https://www.365astronomy.com/Barr-and-Stroud-Sierra-8x42-Binocular.html and have all the usual features of modern roofs with a 10 year warranty too. Can't comment on the optics as never looked through them or any on your list either.

Thanks @dipped I've had a look at the Barr and Stroud 8x42 Sierra's and they look very good value for money with good reviews on Amazon - that's put the cat among the pigeons!

 

[LincG]

Why not give one of the optical retailers a call? Cley Spey or Feathers are a couple of examples, I've always found them really helpful and only too happy to give good advice. I suspect that a 8x30/32 might suit you better: unless you think you will be using them in low light a lot, they are smaller and usually have a wider field of view. If the 2 makes, I only have experience of using Opticron. I have found their gear very good value for the money and their aftercare second to none. Good luck with your search.

Thanks Paksman - your comment re an 8x32 did make me rethink. I also had a look at Cley Spey and Feathers but only one of them sells just the Savannah. I'm now looking at:
Opticron Savannah R 8x33
Celestron Nature DX 8x42
Barr and Stroud Sierra 8x42

On the Best Binocular Reviews site the Celestron Nature scored higher on the body, body stats and optical components and overall at 72% compared to 68% for the Savannah. The Barr and Stroud Sierra 8x42 are marked down on image quality but score 70% overall. The main reason I am not jumping at the Celestrons is the body construction is soley polycarbonate - is this something I should consider or am I being too choosy?

Does anyone have any other thoughts on these models?

 

[18000bph]

I have the Celestron Nature DX 10x42. Great image for the budget. The eye cups are more fragile than my other binoculars and they are very high in CA as are most budget roof prism binoculars. I have also briefly tried the 8x32 and had a similarly good impression.

Kowa YF and Leupold Yosemite 8x30 are other decent low budget options.

 

[LincG]

I have the Celestron Nature DX 10x42. Great image for the budget. The eye cups are more fragile than my other binoculars and they are very high in CA as are most budget roof prism binoculars. I have also briefly tried the 8x32 and had a similarly good impression.

Kowa YF and Leupold Yosemite 8x30 are other decent low budget options.

Thanks for replying - yes my only concern with the Nature DX is the build quality but I do realise you get what you pay for |=)|. Apart from the eyecups do you find the Celestron body fairly hard wearing?