Im 66 just retired and having just bought myself a new Bike, now need a pair of Binoculars, have a very old pair but too heavy, need 8-10 x 35-42 can someone recommend a reasonably light pair for under £100, cheaper the better but must be fairly decent, Live near RSPB Sandy so its a lovely ride around and keeps me occupied and fit too. The RSPB ones are above my budget
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Just Retired, need new Binoculars (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter dave6991
- Start date
Mark9473
Well-known member
The RSPB Puffin 8x32, 8x42, 10x42 are all below your price limit. Why not go and take a look through those?
dear Dave,
perhaps a Nikon action VII 8 x 40.
They are not waterproof but are good value for money and widefield with aspheric eyepieces.
I'm not strictly a birdwatcher so others will advise.
They were £59.99 at Jessop's and other places.
It may be that your eyes don't normally open up to 5 mm pupil size in dim light so maybe something with a slightly smaller exit pupil might be more suitable and lighter.
Also is 10 times too much to hold steadily for long periods.
perhaps a Nikon action VII 8 x 40.
They are not waterproof but are good value for money and widefield with aspheric eyepieces.
I'm not strictly a birdwatcher so others will advise.
They were £59.99 at Jessop's and other places.
It may be that your eyes don't normally open up to 5 mm pupil size in dim light so maybe something with a slightly smaller exit pupil might be more suitable and lighter.
Also is 10 times too much to hold steadily for long periods.
Dave,
Welcome to the forum. You probably realise that for under £100 there are usually a few compromises. The only 8 or 10x42 phase coated pair I can think of that can usually be found for less than £100 is the Barr and Stroud Sierra. Definitely better than most roof prism models you usually find at this price.
If you could consider a lower power there is a real bargain about in the form of the recently discontinued Viking 6.5x32 reduced to £99.95 from £250.
http://www.vikingopticalcentres.co.uk/viking-6-5x32-md-binocular
Bright, very sharp and offering a steadier view than a higher power it just might fit the bill.
David
Welcome to the forum. You probably realise that for under £100 there are usually a few compromises. The only 8 or 10x42 phase coated pair I can think of that can usually be found for less than £100 is the Barr and Stroud Sierra. Definitely better than most roof prism models you usually find at this price.
If you could consider a lower power there is a real bargain about in the form of the recently discontinued Viking 6.5x32 reduced to £99.95 from £250.
http://www.vikingopticalcentres.co.uk/viking-6-5x32-md-binocular
Bright, very sharp and offering a steadier view than a higher power it just might fit the bill.
David
Dave,
Sorry, I've not tried the Puffin. Just looking at the specification, it looks quite light with an average field of view. There is no mention of phase coating which is typical at this price, without it there will be about 30% less light transmitted than those that have it. That's why I mentioned the Barr & Stroud Sierra above.
One non-phase coated model that I have tried is the Bushnell H2O. It's heavier than the Puffin but has a wider field of view. It seems to be popular starter pair, but when I compared it to other Bushnells the lack of phase coating was obvious in low light. The Opticron Oregon is another possible.
If you are keen to spend as little as possible there is a 10x42 from 7dayshop at £33. I bought one following some positive reports here to keep in the car, though the price was even lower then. Much better than you might expect for the money, but not up to the standard of that Sierra I mentioned.
http://www.7dayshop.com/7dayshop-10...hdGFsb2dzZWFyY2gvcmVzdWx0Lz9xPWJpbm9jdWxhcnM=
If full size porros are too big for you then the best quality views you will get for under £100 will come from reverse porro semi-compacts. These don't need phase coating. The Olympus PCI 8x25 (non-waterproof) is a cracking little pair for around £60. The waterproof Nikon Travellite EX 8x25 is currently £75 at Uttings. Of course the smaller EPs will struggle in low light.
David
PS. Oops, someone on another thread has just pointed out that the 7dayshop model is currently out of stock. Sorry!
Sorry, I've not tried the Puffin. Just looking at the specification, it looks quite light with an average field of view. There is no mention of phase coating which is typical at this price, without it there will be about 30% less light transmitted than those that have it. That's why I mentioned the Barr & Stroud Sierra above.
One non-phase coated model that I have tried is the Bushnell H2O. It's heavier than the Puffin but has a wider field of view. It seems to be popular starter pair, but when I compared it to other Bushnells the lack of phase coating was obvious in low light. The Opticron Oregon is another possible.
If you are keen to spend as little as possible there is a 10x42 from 7dayshop at £33. I bought one following some positive reports here to keep in the car, though the price was even lower then. Much better than you might expect for the money, but not up to the standard of that Sierra I mentioned.
http://www.7dayshop.com/7dayshop-10...hdGFsb2dzZWFyY2gvcmVzdWx0Lz9xPWJpbm9jdWxhcnM=
If full size porros are too big for you then the best quality views you will get for under £100 will come from reverse porro semi-compacts. These don't need phase coating. The Olympus PCI 8x25 (non-waterproof) is a cracking little pair for around £60. The waterproof Nikon Travellite EX 8x25 is currently £75 at Uttings. Of course the smaller EPs will struggle in low light.
David
PS. Oops, someone on another thread has just pointed out that the 7dayshop model is currently out of stock. Sorry!
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brocknroller
porromaniac
The 7dayadventist appears to be a re-badged Tasco Essentials roof:
http://www.tasco.com/products/index.cfm?ClassID=14&FamilyID=173&ProductID=719
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Torview
Well-known member
Dave
I`v tried the 8x32 Puffin, not bad really.
As a Viking 6.5x32 owner I totally agree with Typo, a superb bin that offers a premium view.
I`d like to add the Opticron Savanna to the list, a lovely small Porro.
Also if you don`t mind used there`s two HR WP Opticron s on ebay right now, as sharp as it gets at any price.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271211693497?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281111996339?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
John.
P.S. I`v tried the 7dayshop.........don`t go there.
I`v tried the 8x32 Puffin, not bad really.
As a Viking 6.5x32 owner I totally agree with Typo, a superb bin that offers a premium view.
I`d like to add the Opticron Savanna to the list, a lovely small Porro.
Also if you don`t mind used there`s two HR WP Opticron s on ebay right now, as sharp as it gets at any price.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271211693497?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281111996339?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
John.
P.S. I`v tried the 7dayshop.........don`t go there.
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Thanks for all your assistance, but really it has been quite confusing for me I have waded through the marshes and mysteries of roof and porro which I now do know a little about( didn't before) and have come up with a list which I would like opinions on please
Barr & Stroud Sierra 8 X 32 £72 new 365 astronomy
Nikon Action EX 7 X 35 CF £89.99 new Uttings
Visionary Wetland 8 x 42 £59 new Mybinoculars
Vortex Raptor 8.5 X 32 £65 used
Nikon Action VII 10 X 40 £80 new Sherwoods
Opticron Oregon LE WP 8 X 32 £88 new
Opticron Savanna LE 10 X 23 £79 New
would love some expert opinions on my list please
Barr & Stroud Sierra 8 X 32 £72 new 365 astronomy
Nikon Action EX 7 X 35 CF £89.99 new Uttings
Visionary Wetland 8 x 42 £59 new Mybinoculars
Vortex Raptor 8.5 X 32 £65 used
Nikon Action VII 10 X 40 £80 new Sherwoods
Opticron Oregon LE WP 8 X 32 £88 new
Opticron Savanna LE 10 X 23 £79 New
would love some expert opinions on my list please
Hi Dave,
Being where you are in the home country of Sir Rainsalot, I'd recommend the Nikon Action EX 7x35. It is waterproof, has astoundingly good optics, especially considering the price and is backed by Nikon's global support network.
The Vortex Raptors are given good marks, but I've no experience with them and they are used, so exchanges or support seem dodgy. The Opticron brand is not well known here in the US, so you need further input.
Barr and Stroud is a proud old British naval optics name that has been resurrected to lend cachet to low cost imports, much as you can find bargain binoculars in Germany sold under the Luger name. I'd be cautious in either case.
Dave,
That Countryman is the older model, not the HD and has a narrow view. Otherwise a very nice Japanese made pair which sold at about £230 new if I remember rightly. I'm not going to suggest it's better than the Nikon EX, but it's going to be rather easier to handle and 150g lighter.
David
That Countryman is the older model, not the HD and has a narrow view. Otherwise a very nice Japanese made pair which sold at about £230 new if I remember rightly. I'm not going to suggest it's better than the Nikon EX, but it's going to be rather easier to handle and 150g lighter.
David
Dave,
The list is a very mixed bag and it's not easy to judge which is going to meet your needs best. On view alone I'd go for the Nikon EX 7x35, but it is a bit big and heavy. The Vortex and particularly the Savanna might struggle in the winter months. I've sent a pm with some comments.
David
The list is a very mixed bag and it's not easy to judge which is going to meet your needs best. On view alone I'd go for the Nikon EX 7x35, but it is a bit big and heavy. The Vortex and particularly the Savanna might struggle in the winter months. I've sent a pm with some comments.
David
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Torview
Well-known member
Dave Sherwoods have got a Opticron Trailfinder ii 8x42 fo r£80 and severalt T3` in 10x42 ex demo.
All are pc and nice bins IMO.
Also they have a couple of Oregon LE 8x32 for £60, nice but not pc.
The 8x42 T2 sounds good.
http://www.opticron.co.uk/Pages/trailfinder_ii.htm
All are pc and nice bins IMO.
Also they have a couple of Oregon LE 8x32 for £60, nice but not pc.
The 8x42 T2 sounds good.
http://www.opticron.co.uk/Pages/trailfinder_ii.htm
Torview
Well-known member
Well, the Trailfinder ii is listed as old line stock, ie the T3 has replaced it so it is brand new not ex demo.
It would normally cost £119 so it should be as good or better than your list.
I have tried the T3 and liked it very much.
I reckon it`d be a good buy at 2/3rds original cost.
Of course only you can decide.
John.
It would normally cost £119 so it should be as good or better than your list.
I have tried the T3 and liked it very much.
I reckon it`d be a good buy at 2/3rds original cost.
Of course only you can decide.
John.