Advice on a monocular please (1 Viewer)

[timw]

Hello all,

First time poster here... grateful for any advice.

My girlfriend loves bird watching - we're amateurs, but enjoy visiting reserves and always take the binoculars out on walks etc. While they're portable and of good quality, I often feel we'd benefit from something with a bit more "oomph" - a greater magnification, stability via a tripod etc.

As such, for her birthday I'd like to give her something a bit more sophisticated - portable enough that we can pop it in a bag when going on a walk, when we know we're visiting a reserve or going somewhere of interest.

I'm a bit stuck in Oxford and don't think I can get to a specialist shop - so would look to purchase online. Budget is probably not more than say £200 ish but could be swayed.

Is that way off getting anything of any quality?


Grateful for any advice/recommendations.

Tim

 

[timw]

I can't see what size her existing binoculars are, there's no detail on them, but I am guessing 8 x 42 but that's a wild guess from looking at their size compared to stuff onthe internet... so something with a bit more power than these, which we could take with us when we know there's some good birding to be had

 

[PYRTLE]

No, you won't get quality for £200 for a scope and tripod.....that budget will buy you frustration. Best advice from me? Increase it as much as you can. Second hand may be worth considering. Higher mag. binos for birding just don't work above x 12. Do not even. consider a "zoom" binocular

 

[timw]

No, you won't get quality for £200 for a scope and tripod.....that budget will buy you frustration. Best advice from me? Increase it as much as you can. Second hand may be worth considering. Higher mag. binos for birding just don't work above x 12. Do not even. consider a "zoom" binocular

I thought that would be the case. Any particular models to look for?. I was reading the advice on the RSPB site which suggests aiming at a 60mm objective with something like a 20x eyepiece as a more general use model. And having the option to also carry a 30x for additional power if required - so presumably a model that allows that interchange.

 

[Mono]

You can never get enough oomph! Do you have a pair of binoculars each? It will be more enjoyable if you can both look at the same time, maybe your £200 would be better spent there?

 

[The Kerreran]

You're right, a scope on a tripod will really make a difference.
I can second the second hand advice, it's the best way to upgrade your budget; with optics you really do get what you pay for [though at the high end, you're paring finer and finer slices]. You may be able to find a used mid-range for reasonable money [say Opticron] on one of the dealers' sites.

Another possibility, if you're around reserves a lot, is to cut out the middleman and ask birders if they have any old kit they'd like to be shot of? If they know it's going to a good home - and they'll likely remember what it was like starting out - you might get a generous offer.

 

[Mike Crawley]

My local optic shop (Cheshire) has a number of "pre-loved" telescopes on their website. Starting at £219 (they sell on commission and would probably take a lower offer). I suspect that the nearest optic shop to you would have simil things passing through their hands.
But as Mono says, maybe the first step would be to have a pair of binoculars each, to enjoy the shared experience. Perhaps a second hand telescope could then be a Christmas present to each other that you can fund together ? Just a thought.

good luck