Can anyone recommend a pair of bins for a newbie birder?

[Seamas111]

Hi all,

I am just starting getting into birding both professionally and personally. I am looking for a pair of bins around the £200 mark to start me off. Image clarity, light capture, nitrogen filled and field of view are my priority. Have been looking at things like the Hawke frontier OH 8x42s and Bushnell Excursion EX 8x42s.

Can anyone recommend any brands/models that they trust or rate highly around this price? Or anything I should be looking out for with respect to characteristics?

Thanks in advance

[Tringa]

Hello, Seamas.

IMO the only way to buy binoculars (or scopes) is to go somewhere where you can try a few.

Some reserves have equipment days, but these are mainly during the spring or summer.

The only place I know is In Focus - In focus : binoculars, telescopes, tripods & digiscoping

- and based on the service I received at their shop in London Colney I would recommend them without hesitation, but there are many other good retailers.


Dave

[david156]

Originally Posted by Tringa

Hello, Seamas.

IMO the only way to buy binoculars (or scopes) is to go somewhere where you can try a few.

Can only agree with this.
Go for the best pair you can afford but try them first.

You could also try one of the RSPB centres that sells Bins and scopes. I'm sure they would be happy to help.

[Seamas111]

Thanks for the responses so far and the link. What do you guys use?

Anyone know if there is a difference in performance between nitrogen and argon?

Thanks again.

[david156]

I use a pair of Leica Trinovid 7x42 BN. They are no longer made but there is a secondhand pair on an auction sit in America starting at £500+. If I was to replace them now I would be spending well over £1000 for an equivalent pair.

[Acipiter]

Last year I was using the Bushnell which were good, but I decided to go for a pair of Hawke frontier ED, on advice!! and trying them out first, guess where they are now!! I went back to the Bushnell. The optics are fine on the Hawke, but they are to big and awkward for me, and after a while I gave them away. Bush 8x42 Hawke 8x43.

[Acipiter]

I would just like to add, you will probably be looking at porro as opposed to roof prism for that money, but don't let that put you off. I my self prefer porro. On the nitrogen argon issue, there is little difference in use.

[Hobjob]

Have you checked on threads passim?

This is a common subject.

[Jonathan]

Originally Posted by Acipiter

I my self prefer porro.

You'll probably get better quality porros than roofs at the price the O/P's looking at. I don't like advertising another forum but the binocular forum on Birdforum is an excellent source of information on binocs. Opticron HR WP porros seem well-regarded at just over £200, the new Kowa YF porros (less than £150) seem to be decent binocs and look similar to the highly-regarded Leupold Yosemite (£130).

I've recently purchased two cheap pairs of porros, firstly a pair of Celestron Nature Series 10x50's I picked up for £50 (small but very sharp 'sweet spot', excellent light-gathering abilities) specifically for watching owls, etc. in low-light. Secondly, I bought a pair of Kunming's BW7 series 8x45's after reading this article by the binocs expert Holger Merlitz:

Review: LOAVA 8x45

Remarkable binoculars for the princely sum of £25! (though it cost me around £18 P&P from the US).

Cheers
Jonathan

[diggleken]

Look at some of the other threads on this over the years.
It also depends what type of birding you most do - if its in woods etc, close focus and wide angle are important so 8x42's are best, but for longer views, use a scope.
Bushnell Natureviews are terrific value and performance.
Cheers
Ken