Binocular upgrade advise please!

[zarkwon]

+1 for Opticron Discovery

 

[Silverback 1]

Has this elderly chap lost his marbles or something?

Yes, and a decent pair of bino's.

 

[Dave]

Im expecting to recieve a gift voucher from Bushnell next week, in the value of £200- £250, to be spent in their online store only,and have been wondering what to buy

I thought about one of their Spotting scopes, but have never used one before.
http://www.bushnell-store.co.uk/spotting-scopes-c43/trophy-xlt-spotting-scope-15-45x50mm-p980

Or their Trail Cam:
http://www.bushnell-store.co.uk/trail-cameras-c72/trophy-cam-2011-trail-camera-camouflage-p1043

Or one of their binos?

http://www.bushnell-store.co.uk/binoculars-c21/natureview-porro-prism-binoculars-10x42mm-p963

http://www.bushnell-store.co.uk/binoculars-c21/natureview-roof-prism-binoculars-8x42mm-p926

http://www.bushnell-store.co.uk/binoculars-c21/trophy-xlt-binoculars-10x42mm-p960

http://www.bushnell-store.co.uk/binoculars-c21/natureview-roof-prism-binoculars-8x42mm-p926

I know sweet Fa about Optics, so your opinions and advice would be welcome.



Which would you choose?


Edit: Also was thinking about a night vision scope as it would be nice to see that sheep rustling about, which sounds suspiciously like an escaped panther in the bushes during the wee hours...:yikes:. but I have read mixed reviews, with many saying gen1 nightvision is not worth buying?

Night vision:
http://www.bushnell-store.co.uk/night-vision-c69/nightwatch-night-vision-2x24-p1037

 

[ged]

... Which would you choose? ...

Personally I'd go for a trail cam, but I have several pairs of binoculars already.

Agreed about the night vision scopes, some of them are useless. I have an expensive one (think export restrictions) and even that's a bit disappointing.

If you've never used a spotting 'scope before I wouldn't recommend getting one as you won't know what you want and you might end up not using it.

You probably can't go wrong with any of the binoculars you've shown although I've no personal experience of Bushnell so I can't make any recommendation.

I am a bit bothered by the two year warranty. The warranty on the Opticrons that I bought for my mum is thirty years.

 

[Dave]

Thanks Ged

 

[santaman2000]

I'd say nix on the Gen I night vision.

 

[Dave]

Ja, Im kind of assuming, that most would rather say nothing, than something derrogatory.

I suspect bushnell binos are more than enough for what I need.

 

[santaman2000]

Ja, Im kind of assuming, that most would rather say nothing, than something derrogatory.

I suspect bushnell binos are more than enough for what I need.

True for most of us I suspect. I have 2 pair of Bushnells (a full size pair in the truck and a compact pair for the pack/pocket) I know there are better optics out there but They're all in a vastly higher price bracket and the Bushnells have never let me down. If I were using them for long hours where eyestrain might be a problem I would spend the extra money, but for recreational use, the Bushnells are fine.

 

[Dougster]

I recently bought some Minox BV 8 x 42 from Sportsman Gun Centre for £200/ They are amazing when deer stalking at dusk. They are easily as good as my Schimdt and Bender scope.

Better still SGC have them for £130 in the sale - outstanding kit for a great price.

 

[Dave]

Personally I'd go for a trail cam, but I have several pairs of binoculars already.

I think you're right Ged. After a fair bit of web searching, I ordered the Docter 8x21 as reccomended by Doc and cbr6fs on this forum. At 80 grams they will always be taken with me, and hopefully offer superior 8x magnification, [as Docter Optiks are apparently the old East German Zeiss factory.]
I dont plan on using them for extended viewing.

I did have a look through the Opticron 8x30 yesterday, as I was passing as dealers, and was impressed. Not so impressed with the 8x25 opticron trailfinder 2. So Im hoping the Docter 8x21 porro will outperform them?

An american Airman reviews them here.

[video=youtube;Jf8pJQwTuOI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf8pJQwTuOI[/video]

I may keep or sell the Trail Cam, and save the pennies for a bigger, heavier pair, that I would probably leave out of my rucksack.

 

[Dave]

Had a little parcel waiting for me from Germany today with the doctor Optik 8x21 inside. The sun is just setting here, and I've been trying it out against a pair of binos. The clarity of the mono in low light is excellent, and they weigh next to nothing. 82g. Really well made. Also like the microscope thing where you can focus in on insects and such.

 

[cbr6fs]

Had a little parcel waiting for me from Germany today with the doctor Optik 8x21 inside. The sun is just setting here, and I've been trying it out against a pair of binos. The clarity of the mono in low light is excellent, and they weigh next to nothing. 82g. Really well made. Also like the microscope thing where you can focus in on insects and such.

Glad your happy with them, i use mine more than all my other binoculars put together.