Binoculars

[Dan00001]

I'm considering getting a better pair of binoculars to replace my very cheap pair. I've been looking at something like the Bushnell R3 10x42 at £100~ or the Bushnell Legend 10x42 which I can currently get for £126.

But then I was also thinking, are there any older binoculars that are exceptionally good but perhaps not very popular so can be picked up at bargain prices s/h? I do like repurposing older kit, and I do like a bargain.

Besides that, what is everyone else using? Use will just be general, a bit of astronomy, nature watching etc. What got me thinking about a new pair was last weekend when I was out dogsbodying on the side of a hill and on the other side of the valley I could I could just make out another dog handler working his dog and I thought it would have been good if I had a pair of binoculars on me to watch.

Thanks.

 

[Broch]

I only have a mid-range pair but, when compared to my cheap old ones, they were far superior. However, I made the mistake of picking up and looking through a 'high-ish' end pair and they positively amplified the light! All I'm saying is try to look through them before buying and get the best you can afford.

The other thing to bare in mind is that most people don't check the close focus capability. To watch insects on plants etc. it really needs to be down to about 2m or less - many cheap binos won't do that.

 

[lou1661]

The last pair I purchased were Hawke Endurance ED 8x32, I narrowed them down in the shop with the others in the price bracket I was looking at, the reasons I picked them over the others were the close focus ability, if you are stood up you should be able to get a sharp focus on the toecap of your shoes and they were the ones that felt more comfortable in the hand and to look through, also they were the lightest of the pairs I selected im not a gram counter for kit, but having the lightest pair around my neck made sense to me.The best bins are no good if you leave them in your pack or at home!
They are getting a bit battered now but the optics are still sharp and in good condition. Check the company repair policy as well just incase something happens by accident.

Cheers
Louis

 

[nigelp]

I’m a fan of Opticron. The customer service and warranty is fantastic.

 

[demographic]

I have a set of Bushnell Legend 10 x 42 binos that one of my brothers kindly bought me.
Pretty much the best present I've ever been given.

Were I to buy a pair I reckon I'd have gone for the 8 x 42 version for greater field of view and light gathering ability but thats splitting hairs.

£124 is a good price for Legend binos. I'd be all over it if I didn't already have a pair of 10 x 42's.
I'm still well chuffed with the ones I have though.

 

[stonepark]

Echoing the above for stuffing in a pocket, I have Celestron Nature DX 10X25 Binoculars and they are great and easily beat my 10x40 low/mid range binoculars in clarity. They are light and very portable, the only thing I added was Scope Yellow Lens Caps (36mm) as I didn't like the objective lens cheap rubber caps, the eye lens protector being adequate.

Can be had from Aliexpress at Circa £75

Aliexpress also do the in 10x42 Celestron Nature DX at circa £90

 

[MrEd]

I have had a pair of Nikon sportstar 10x25 which are small and go in a pocket, I use them quite often for watching wildlife that’s in relative close proximity, or picking out movement of n the medium distance.
I want a bigger pair but don’t want to carry (or pay) lol

 

[Nice65]

I’m a fan of Opticron. The customer service and warranty is fantastic.

I have an Opticron Explorer 8x32 monocular that I did direct comparisons with similar Vortex and Hawke models, hands down better glass, much brighter and clear right to the peripheral. These are 3 decent budget brands to start off.

I think it's unlikely you'll find a little known make that's brilliant and peanuts cheap, the binocular enthusiasts are like wristwatch aficionados, whole forums devoted to the best and a lot of very knowledgeable people. I went down the rabbit hole choosing a mono, believe me when I say they know their stuff.

 

[forrestdweller]

i'm using a monocular from vortex -- i've zero connection to the company, but they're popular with local tour guides and come with a lifetime warranty...

 

[Nice65]

i'm using a monocular from vortex -- i've zero connection to the company, but they're popular with local tour guides and come with a lifetime warranty...

Their customer service is praised widely on the birding forums. I really liked the Solo 8x36, being able to adjust the focus easily one handed very nearly sealed the deal. The Opticron take two hands which is a pain if I'm holding my glasses in the other, but it was the optical quality that won me over.

A lot of people suggested that a pair of binos would have been better than a mono, but the fact is the monocular just sits in my pocket or bag 'just in case' and my Vanguard binoculars are never to hand when I need them.

 

[Dan00001]

I asked ChatGPT for suggestions on older binoculars that are perhaps overlooked/undervalued on the second hand market and some of the suggestions were..

• Nikon E and EII series (8x30 especially) – The Nikon E (1970s–80s) often sells cheap compared to the cult-status EII, but still delivers lovely wide-angle sharpness.
• Swift Audubon 8.5x44 (804 model) – Once considered the birder’s binocular; very wide field of view and excellent optics. Heavy and not waterproof, which keeps prices low.
• Opticron HR WP predecessors – Older Opticron porros (like HR or HR II) were surprisingly good and now fly under the radar.
• Carl Zeiss Jena (DDR era) – Models like the Jenoptem 8x30 or 10x50 were East German made. Not quite modern Zeiss, but solid optics with vintage charm. Still undervalued compared to West German Zeiss.
• Bausch & Lomb military porros – Robust, clear optics, sometimes overlooked because they’re plain and utilitarian.
• Minolta Activa & Standard porros – Excellent Japanese glass, not widely remembered.
• Pentax PCF porros (older versions) – Sturdy, very sharp optics, though often heavier.
• Fujinon porros – Especially marine or astronomy types; bulky, but fantastic optics.

 

[Nice65]

I asked ChatGPT for suggestions on older binoculars that are perhaps overlooked/undervalued on the second hand market and some of the suggestions were..

• Nikon E and EII series (8x30 especially) – The Nikon E (1970s–80s) often sells cheap compared to the cult-status EII, but still delivers lovely wide-angle sharpness.
• Swift Audubon 8.5x44 (804 model) – Once considered the birder’s binocular; very wide field of view and excellent optics. Heavy and not waterproof, which keeps prices low.
• Opticron HR WP predecessors – Older Opticron porros (like HR or HR II) were surprisingly good and now fly under the radar.
• Carl Zeiss Jena (DDR era) – Models like the Jenoptem 8x30 or 10x50 were East German made. Not quite modern Zeiss, but solid optics with vintage charm. Still undervalued compared to West German Zeiss.
• Bausch & Lomb military porros – Robust, clear optics, sometimes overlooked because they’re plain and utilitarian.
• Minolta Activa & Standard porros – Excellent Japanese glass, not widely remembered.
• Pentax PCF porros (older versions) – Sturdy, very sharp optics, though often heavier.
• Fujinon porros – Especially marine or astronomy types; bulky, but fantastic optics.

In post #8 I mention the rabbit hole. See you...

 

[plastic-ninja]

I have a very small pair of Leica binos that easily fit in even a shirt pocket. They aren’t super powerful but the optics are stunning and pin sharp and they fit in my shirt pocket. They weigh very little so I do tend to carry them as well. Anything bigger I’d be much less likely to have on me when I needed them.

 

[FerlasDave]

i'm using a monocular from vortex -- i've zero connection to the company, but they're popular with local tour guides and come with a lifetime warranty...

My binoculars are vortex too. From the budget end of the spectrum but still an excellent optic.