Viking 10x42s - any experiences or advice? (1 Viewer)

[richtweedy]

Does anyone have experience of the Viking 10x42s that the RSPB are selling?

I'm looking to buy a pair in this general size range for birding. I have a pair of Zeiss 10x50s that were bought 20 years ago: they are great except (1) they are heavy (2) they are not good for glasses - I wear glasses all the time, so it's a real faff because they have much too little eye relief; and (3) if they were waterproof before, the heavy fogging today shows they aren't any more! Although the optics are great, they are not as usable as I would like.

The Viking 10x42s are selling at £279 which is a little beyond my price range, which is why I am seeking advice as to whether it would be money well spent.

Thanks
Richard

 

[Perry Grin]

Does anyone have experience of the Viking 10x42s that the RSPB are selling?

I'm looking to buy a pair in this general size range for birding. I have a pair of Zeiss 10x50s that were bought 20 years ago: they are great except (1) they are heavy (2) they are not good for glasses - I wear glasses all the time, so it's a real faff because they have much too little eye relief; and (3) if they were waterproof before, the heavy fogging today shows they aren't any more! Although the optics are great, they are not as usable as I would like.

The Viking 10x42s are selling at £279 which is a little beyond my price range, which is why I am seeking advice as to whether it would be money well spent.

Thanks
Richard

I have tried out a number of bins that RSPB retail, both Viking badged and RSPB badged. I can't remember specifics but felt that they were a bit overpriced - though the profits do support the RSPB so you may feel that it's worth it.

There's a lot to choose from in that price range. Bins like Bushnell Natureview roof prisms are great value at around £130. Opticron - a well respected manufacturer with a good after sales reputation - do a number of designs in the £100 - £300 price range and if you do a search of this forum there are a number of threads discussing 'Chinese ED bins' like the Hawke Frontier ED's. These are usually around the £300 pound mark but I did see a pair for £219 on a certain auction site today.

Though I have not personally tried many bins in this price range, consensus on this site suggests that you'll find it hard to beat bins like the Hawkes.

If you can though, you should try to get to a shop or field event where you can try a variety of units out. Different people find different likes and dislikes in bins, things like weight, ergonomics, eye relief, field of view etc.....

Good luck in your search

Perry

 

[Veracocha]

There's some open days coming up in your area where a company called In-Focus provide lots of different manufacturers binoculars to try.

Low Barns Co Drham on Sunday 21st Feb
Washington Wildfowl Trust Sunday 21st Jan

www.infocusoptics.co.uk for more info

 

[richtweedy]

Thanks both, this is most helpful.

Perry, I did wonder whether I would get value for money if I went with an RSPB one, so you've put me onto a couple of good alternative trails that look better.

I will try to get to one of the In-focus days.

Many thanks
Richard

 

[Perry Grin]

Thanks both, this is most helpful.

Perry, I did wonder whether I would get value for money if I went with an RSPB one, so you've put me onto a couple of good alternative trails that look better.

I will try to get to one of the In-focus days.

Many thanks
Richard

Just to add to my original post, my Hawke Frontier ED 8x36 bins arrived and I had a chance to try them out today. My first impressions are that they are good value. I have posted my impressions of them on another thread. A quick search will throw up the link.

I'm not sure that In-focus retail this brand but I am sure that you will find something there that suits your needs. I have bought from them a few times in the past and found them extremely helpful and patient with no heavy sales pressure.

Good luck

Perry

 

[richtweedy]

I ended up going to the InFocus day at Washington WWT. The guy doing the event was very knowledgeable, which helped. I bought a pair of Opticron Explorer 8x42s. First impressions are that the optics are excellent (better than the 10x, I think) - and also are fine with spectacles, which for me is a key issue. And they are £100 cheaper than the Vikings that I had been thinking about!

Many thanks for your help, Perry and Veracocha. :t:

Richard