Binoculars

[Kerne]

Looking to get a pair of lightweight, easily carried/packed binoculars to take to the hills and woods with me. I know nothing; but (little) bit of research has led me to believe that 8x25 or 8x32 compacts would serve my purpose - birds, animals, where the path goes next, etc. Does anyone have any experience/advice.

Cheers.

 

[UKdave]

The problem with optics is that you do get more the more you pay so its not really a problem! how much do you want to spend? i would also look for a lower mag 6or7 as you will get better light transmition therefore "brighter" image.It really is all about the money at this stage that you want to spend.
Dave

 

[scoops_uk]

UKDave is spot on. You get what you pay for with optics, best advice is to go to a specialist shop and look through a selection.

Find the best you can afford and then buy the more expensive pair that you just decided against.

Scoops

 

[ForgeCorvus]

Or buy second hand, from a shop that specialises in optics (you want to find one thats been there for a while, preferby a independent or better still one thats still run and staffed by the owner or their decendents), you're looking for someone with a reputation to protect.

I've got a camera shop near me like that, you wouldn't believe some of the bargins my mates have had

If you don't mind going back a couple of times, you can buy some great kit that otherwise you couldn't even dream of affording

 

[mikehill]

Whereabouts are you ? The WWT centres have shops with real life viewing facilites and some SH stock. Looking down a high st isn't the best way to try them out. If you are anywhere near Cheshire then FocalPoint have superb facilities and Paul won't try to sell you more than you need, guaranteed. Try to go on an overcast day too, most stuff looks half decent on a bright one.

 

[Barn Owl]

Have a look at www.birdforum.net under optics forum.
Lots of makes and models discussed.
Tom.

 

[Mikey P]

My dad had an old pair of World War II field glasses, given to him by his grandad. They were fantastic quality with some unbelievable magnification and huge lenses for low-light work.

Only problem was, at that magnification, you had to use a tripod or it shook like crazy and you could never see anything properly.

So, what's my point?

Well, low magnification means more light gathering and better image stability. I was carried away with the idea of high magnifcation and it really didn't work for me. Low mag also usually means less glass (depending on size of front-end optics), so lower weight and cost.

You could also try a monocular - I got a cheap, rubber-coated one from Decathlon for about 5 quid. It's small, gives a reasonable magnification and does all I need it to do. Admittedly, quality isn't great but I wouldn't be that upset if it got lost and it weighs nothing, so I'm more likely to carry it.

I'm rambling now....

 

[Kerne]

Sound advice. Thank you all.

I have tried several pairs now and the low magnification point is a very valid one - it is easy to get seduced by large numbers but next to impossible to hold the things steady.

I have gone for a small 8x26 waterproof pair. £60 reduced to £33)