Hi, I am looking to purchase my first pair of bins, I was hoping for some reccomendations
1) I have had the unfortunate experience of having to use what I recall to be a rather poor 10x, and it was very difficult to hold it steady. For this reason I would prefer a pair that is easier to hand-hold and have been looking at 7-8x bins.
2) The use-case would be for travelling (eg: safari) and for general-use in the future.
3) I do wear glasses, so sufficient eye-relief would be necessary
4) As I do not usually travel alone (2 people), I am wondering if its better to spend more on a single bin, or purchase 2 different ones (I also usually carry photographic equipment...). If I get 2 bins, what magnifications / objective sizes would be optimal? (eg 8x32 + 8x42)
5) If you have only 1 bin, would it be a 32mm or 42mm one?
These are the models I have been looking at, what do you guys think? Should I add / remove any from the list?
8x42 Class Bins
8x30 / 8x32 Class Bins
"Pocket" Class Bins
Removed:
Probably Insufficient eye-relief
1) I have had the unfortunate experience of having to use what I recall to be a rather poor 10x, and it was very difficult to hold it steady. For this reason I would prefer a pair that is easier to hand-hold and have been looking at 7-8x bins.
2) The use-case would be for travelling (eg: safari) and for general-use in the future.
3) I do wear glasses, so sufficient eye-relief would be necessary
4) As I do not usually travel alone (2 people), I am wondering if its better to spend more on a single bin, or purchase 2 different ones (I also usually carry photographic equipment...). If I get 2 bins, what magnifications / objective sizes would be optimal? (eg 8x32 + 8x42)
5) If you have only 1 bin, would it be a 32mm or 42mm one?
These are the models I have been looking at, what do you guys think? Should I add / remove any from the list?
8x42 Class Bins
- Snypex D-ED 8x42 $478 (18.4mm, 393ft fov, diopter unknown)
- Trac Toric 8x42 ED $654 (19mm, 377ft fov, diopter +-2)
- Hawke frontier ED-X 8x42 $359 (18mm, 426ft fov, , diopter unknown)
- 2018 Viper HD 8x42 $489 (18mm, 409ft fov, diopter +-3)
- Maven C1 8x42 $325 (19.5mm, 341ft fov, diopter +-3)
8x30 / 8x32 Class Bins
- Sightron Blue Sky S2 ($190, 420ft, 17.5mm ER)
- Maven B3 in 6x30 ($500, 446 ft, 18.3mm ER) 5mm exit pupil
- Opticron Traveller BGA ED 8x32 ($409, 429ft, 19mm ER)
"Pocket" Class Bins
- Zeiss Victory 8X25 FL Pocket
- Papilio II in 6.5x21 (Good as a stereo microscope)
Removed:
- Hawke Sapphire 8x42 $439 ( The Hawke frontier ED-X is better, or at least as good. )
Probably Insufficient eye-relief
- Nikon M7 8x30 ($376, 435ft, 15.1mm ER)
- Kite Lynx 8x30 (15mm ER)
- Maven B3 8x30 ($525, 430 ft, 15.1mm ER)
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