Trying binoculars, what to look for to compare models. (1 Viewer)

[AuntySocial]

I could do with a bit of help here.


I’ve been birding for a fair few years now. Not seriously but do a lot of it. Started with some Zeiss Jena 8x30 and now use Imagic 8x42, I think the last model produced, and they’re perfectly sufficient for local walks and reserves. I had a pair of Opticron 8x24 (I think) which I used for backpacking but I have lost them and tbh they were ok in small doses.


I’m approaching my 60th and my dear wife suggested getting a good pair, no matter the cost. In my nearest place to peruse I looked through some NL 8x32, SFL 8x30 and Opticron Travellers 8x32. There are more I’d like to try but this was my first time looking through anything on the top shelf. I have a list that spans various makes/costs.


The thing is I have no idea what to note down after a limited time looking through different models in just the conditions of the moment. I might think I do but it’ll keep changing as new reactions appear. I’d like to keep my approach simple, straightforward and practical. I don’t mind what I end up choosing but there has to be some reasoning behind it.


Can anyone recommend a system I can use to follow when trying them out, please? A basic list and how I might score my personal reactions to the results?


I know I will be needing something light to walk with: 630 miles of the South West Coast Path in May/June and wild camping, so build quality and size might figure highly. Mainly it will be the optics I need to get my head around rather than just going Wow! Yes! Then regretting it. I’m sure you understand.


Thanks in advance.

 

[[email protected]]

Use Allbinos lists of tests as a guideline for testing and comparing binoculars. Start at the top of the rankings and go down the list so you will know what to look for in a good binocular. Also, read jackjack's brief reviews of various models because they are quite accurate, and his pictures are very helpful. That is what I do, and then I will try a binocular that looks interesting to me. Trying them yourself is best, but it is usually difficult to find a local retailer that carries a wide assortment of binoculars to compare them all at the same time.

Binoculars rankings - AllBinos.com

The best binocular tests on the net. The comprehensive database of binoculars with their parameters and users opinions. Interesting articles and comparisons.

www.allbinos.com

 

[Maljunulo]

I would say just look through as many different ones as you can. If you can visit some place with an assortment, that would be best. You don't say where you are, so it's hard to know what is available to you.

The "wow!" method is probably a very good way of evaluating binoculars. Buy the one which evokes that response from your first look.

Good luck.

 

[mwhogue]

@AuntySocial

Can anyone recommend a system I can use to follow when trying them out, please? A basic list and how I might score my personal reactions to the results?


I know I will be needing something light to walk with: 630 miles of the South West Coast Path in May/June and wild camping, so build quality and size might figure highly. Mainly it will be the optics I need to get my head around rather than just going Wow! Yes! Then regretting it. I’m sure you understand.

Maljunolo's advice, post 3, says it all. Compare as many side by side as you can. You already have sufficient experience with optics to rely on the "wow!" test w/r/t optical quality. No need for you to come up with a list in that regard IMO.

Given your 630 mile hike including wild camping you might productively come up with a list of candidates to try based more on size and weight. Odds are (but see below) even a 42mm will not be ideal for that trip. So you might better spend your time by limiting your testing to the smaller lighter 30 to 40mm bins.

That said, while most disagree, I'm a big fan of carrying on a harness which IME would allow you to carry 42 or even 50mm bins (if you find them "optically superior") assuming you can find a harness that works well with the particular bin, your gear load, and your anatomy. I think harnesses are not more popular because the most common design doesn't work well enough to be worthwhile.

Good luck with the Quest.

Mike

 

[AuntySocial]

Thanks for the replies.
One thing I'm trying to address the issues brought about by the weather or viewing limitations e.g. if it's cloudy can I see a susceptibility to glare, what to look at for CA both on bright and dull days, can blackouts be induced? It can be hard to travel to see the various models and the conditions will differ due to time available.
There are so many opinions to read and it is resulting in more questions than answers, I'm tying myself in knots!
8x32/30 favoured. Whilst hiking will be in accessible bag.

 

[Holger Merlitz]

Actually, Chapter 9 of my book (The Binocular Handbook) contains quite a bit material about the testing of binoculars, beginning with some quick tests inside the store and then going on with detailed field tests. As an act of shameless self-promotion, I have attached a couple of pages which may be of interest here - hope they will be useful!

Cheers,
Holger

 

[AuntySocial]

This is excellent Holger! Thanks so much.

 

[kabsetz]

Make it simple. If you liked either the 8x30 SFL or the NL 8x32 over the other, get it and don't look back. Either one would serve you brilliantly on your hike. If it were me, I'd probably take the Zeiss because it is lighter and cheaper.

 

[AuntySocial]

Still got others on my list which is why I’m asking what to check for and note down.
SFL’s were plagued with black spots all over the top of the view which I couldn’t get rid of.
I’m slightly concerned with carting around the NL’s hence also looking at Travellers, CHD etc. Main use will be on home turf though.

 

[takitam]

My advice (only when buying high quality bins) is awfully simple - prioritise comfort and pleasure. If I look through a binocular and have the 'kidney bean' effect no matter how much I try to adjust the eyecups, I'm not going to buy it. Part of me will try to argue against this, because the image quality may be great and so many people on the forum swear by a certain model.

But when it does not fit me almost instantly (you must ofc know how to adjust a binocular to fit your eyes), it is not for me. I have tried quite a few bins and this is the most important lesson I have learned. It looks like this is something you are learning now, based on your last post.

TLDR Give these models two tries and take your time, as it is always possible to do something wrong when testing a binocular for the first time, and choose the one that fits you best and provides a fatigue-free, pleasant experience.

edit:
I don't know what your experience with long distance hiking and wild camping is, but IMO/IME, the longer and farther you go, the weaker you get, long term. Unless you can somehow keep eating and sleeping well. You become more resistant to discomfort, but at the cost of not being able to enjoy nature, as you spend a lot of time and energy just moving, carrying everything on your back, feeling hungry, daydreaming about drinks and creature comforts, sitting down to rest for five minutes and instead spending an hour dozing off, setting camp and packing again. I know that my mind becomes slower after a few weeks and my priorities change from enjoying the environment to mostly getting from point A to B and thinking about food and sleep YMMV but I think I will only carry a compact 8x20 on all my future long hikes. I have never used my binocular as much as I thought I would when travelling.

 

[AuntySocial]

I've done a fair few long distance hikes and know those feelings well! I'm useless at taking breaks which is why I now take binoculars which easily lengthens a rest stop. I have carries 8x24 previously but they're such a pain to use. A new pair will be mostly used for my everyday birding but small enough to add to my pack. Tried a pair of CL 10x30 today.....interesting but a shame they had no 8x to hand.

 

[Sky2goflying]

You should try the Swarovski Curio 7x21, you will love it. It's pocketable, incredibly stable, sharp and IMO a work of art. The only problem I see is that your wife after trying them might want to keep them.

 

[GrampaTom]

@AuntySocial

That said, while most disagree, I'm a big fan of carrying on a harness which IME would allow you to carry 42 or even 50mm bins (if you find them "optically superior") assuming you can find a harness that works well with the particular bin, your gear load, and your anatomy. I think harnesses are not more popular because the most common design doesn't work well enough to be worthwhile.

Good luck with the Quest.

Mike

I agree Mike. Have harnesses on 3. Curious about the last sentence. Which most common design, (you alluding to) doesn't work well enough to be worthwhile?
T

 

[GrampaTom]

Make it simple. If you liked either the 8x30 SFL or the NL 8x32 over the other, get it and don't look back. Either one would serve you brilliantly on your hike. If it were me, I'd probably take the Zeiss because it is lighter and cheaper.

Lighter and cheaper are surely 2 attributes to think about, with weighting based on your own sense of these and others. As an example overriding those 2 for me, would be the SFL 30 ergonomics. Biggish hands combined with the shortish front barrels and the focuser placement doesn't work for me. The 40 is better in this regard and still quite svelte. Not intended as a knock on the SFL30, just an example of how we each identify and value attributes.

 

[Montereyman]

I would start by determining whether to get 8x, 10x, or 12x binoculars and the easiest way to do this is to go on bird outtings or go to favored birding areas and ask people if you can take a look through their binoculars. You can also determine to what extent the weight is a factor.

My favorite binos cost $1,000 and are Swarovski 10x25 Pocket Mountain that weigh only 12 ounces and easily fit with their case in a jacket pocket. My other binoculars are from Pentax 10x43 and 20x60, Vortex 12x50, Nikon 8x42, and Sig Sauer 16x42 (with two levels of image stabilization).

There is a point of rapidly diminishing returns in terms of optical quality with binoculars much as with most things. I can spend $11,000 on a Leica camera that lacks autofocus and so is unusable with my aged eyes.

 

[AuntySocial]

I know I want 8x and I know I want 30/32. I have 42’s and a scope and had 8x24’s which were useful but hard work. It’s comparing them in unreliable conditions I’m trying to get to grips with. I’ll plan a trip up to Cley Spy soon. They seem to have everything on my list and the weather will be consistently bad or good 🤣. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts.

 

[Maljunulo]

To settle on a larger, heavier, and bulkier glass, because you might encounter bad weather or marginal conditions, seems to me to be self-defeating, if you have decided you need smaller and lighter.

Get the8X32 and be content.

(just my opinion)

 

[edwincjones]

Do not forget the subjective aspect of a pair of binoculars
How does it feel in your hands, in front of you eyes, the pleasure of it's appearance?
Do you immediately bond/love the pair?

edj

 

[mwhogue]

I agree Mike. Have harnesses on 3. Curious about the last sentence. Which most common design, (you alluding to) doesn't work well enough to be worthwhile?
T

GrandpaTom,

With lighter 30/32mm and even the Zeiss VPs, the RYO harness works best for me. For 42 mm the most common 1" elastic X style harness doesn't work for me. Either too loose to function as a harness or too tight fitting to comfortably hold the bins to the eye, no sweet spot. So for 42 mm and larger I instead use a 1.25 or 1.5 inch elastic X harness and a chest pack style harness for 50mm and larger. Again based on my anatomy. YMMV.

Mike

 

[GrampaTom]

GrandpaTom,

With lighter 30/32mm and even the Zeiss VPs, the RYO harness works best for me. For 42 mm the most common 1" elastic X style harness doesn't work for me. Either too loose to function as a harness or too tight fitting to comfortably hold the bins to the eye, no sweet spot. So for 42 mm and larger I instead use a 1.25 or 1.5 inch elastic X harness and a chest pack style harness for 50mm and larger. Again based on my anatomy. YMMV.

Mike

Got it thanks. I use RYO on two 832s and one 1042. Have a pouch but rarely use it. A rainy day thing, sorta… RYO and 42 is fine. Have no experience with those elastic x styles.
T