Better Binoculars for my Birthday

[Bushcraft]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

I just been asked an nice question by my dear old hub. What did I want for my birthday?
He always asks about a month in advance because he takes his time
over things!!!
Well as someone accused my poor little pair of binoculars of being 'opera glasses' I thought a new pair would be a good idea. So I need to know about,idiot proof, water proof, drop proof and bankruptcy proof pairs please. Around about a ton.Don't mind second hand-if anyone's got a pair for sale all the better cos I've got the feeling I wouldn't be tucked up!
Ideas on a postcard please to..................ww

Hi Ww

If your budget is £100 then I would go for poro prisms as you will get a better pair of poro's than you would roof prism's at that price. Opticron make many pairs that are good value as do Bushnell although I have to admit Bushnell IMO are not as good in the budget section as Opticron. I can get a 10% discount on either if you happen to be in the Essex area as I sell them for the Wildlife Trust.

Take care
Kris

[Wild-Woman]

All taken on board. It's been a big help, bit of a minefield and I will let you know what I got. Now what about...........

[Gareth W]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

I just been asked an nice question by my dear old hub. What did I want for my birthday?
He always asks about a month in advance because he takes his time
over things!!!
Well as someone accused my poor little pair of binoculars of being 'opera glasses' I thought a new pair would be a good idea. So I need to know about,idiot proof, water proof, drop proof and bankruptcy proof pairs please. Around about a ton.Don't mind second hand-if anyone's got a pair for sale all the better cos I've got the feeling I wouldn't be tucked up!
Ideas on a postcard please to..................ww

Wild Woman, May I suggest that you go along with Mr Wild Woman and handle the optics for yourself. We all have different sized hands and see differently. Dont forget to take your gloves to see if you will be able to use focus wheel during the winter months. Enjoy your prezzie - Gareth

[Wild-Woman]

Oo yes never thought of that.You're dead right. Thank you Gareth. Mr Wild-Woman is currently Mr Snoring Loudly on the Settee! ww

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Oo yes never thought of that.You're dead right. Thank you Gareth. Mr Wild-Woman is currently Mr Snoring Loudly on the Settee! ww

I agree with Gareth, why not go to a kent site where they sell optics, or nip across to essex - haningfield or abberton come to mind, or even a birthday trip to minsmere - then you can try out the optics for the purpose they are designed for andthe sales folk are on the whole bird watchers who know what they are talking about - not marketing droids on commision.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by GARETH W

Wild Woman, May I suggest that you go along with Mr Wild Woman and handle the optics for yourself. We all have different sized hands and see differently. Dont forget to take your gloves to see if you will be able to use focus wheel during the winter months. Enjoy your prezzie - Gareth

I aggree with all that has been said, but would like to add , a good field of view is essential,
I have the Bushnell 8x40, waterproof rubberised and light for around £100.00. I say a good FOV because it's very irritating searching for a small bird in a bush when you have to keep taking the optics from your eye to relocate it. I think 40s are as small as you should go.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by eeyore

I agree with Gareth, why not go to a kent site where they sell optics, or nip across to essex - haningfield or abberton come to mind, or even a birthday trip to minsmere - then you can try out the optics for the purpose they are designed for andthe sales folk are on the whole bird watchers who know what they are talking about - not marketing droids on commision.

there isn't the greatest range of stuff at Hanningfield or Abberton. Opticron and Bushnell if memory serves.

I would suggest looking out for an open day? For instance Kay Optical do
http://www.kayoptical.co.uk/field.htm

In focus do
http://www.at-infocus.co.uk/south_east.html

you can often buy cheaper off of the net though

[Bushcraft]

Originally Posted by Pete

there isn't the greatest range of stuff at Hanningfield or Abberton. Opticron and Bushnell if memory serves.

I would suggest looking out for an open day? For instance Kay Optical do
http://www.kayoptical.co.uk/field.htm

In focus do
http://www.at-infocus.co.uk/south_east.html

you can often buy cheaper off of the net though

Im the Optics man at Hanningfield. We have a good range of bins, larger than Fingringhoe, Abertton and Minsmere's selection and as I say I can give anyone from the forum 10% off on an Optics day at Hanningfield. Its always a great idea to test them first as what suits one person rarely suits another.

Best wishes
Kris

[Bushcraft]

Originally Posted by eeyore

I agree with Gareth, why not go to a kent site where they sell optics, or nip across to essex - haningfield or abberton come to mind, or even a birthday trip to minsmere - then you can try out the optics for the purpose they are designed for andthe sales folk are on the whole bird watchers who know what they are talking about - not marketing droids on commision.

The next hanningfield optics day is this Saturday the 17th.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Bushcraft

Im the Optics man at Hanningfield. We have a good range of bins, larger than Fingringhoe, Abertton and Minsmere's selection and as I say I can give anyone from the forum 10% off on an Optics day at Hanningfield. Its always a great idea to test them first as what suits one person rarely suits another.

Best wishes
Kris

Hi Kris

I would agree about Fingringhoe and Abberton, Minsmere is better if you want to try the "big" names.

If my memory serves Hanningfield sells Opticron and Bushnell and Swift bins? Anyway I may pop into Hanningfield Saturday if I'm not seeing a mate. I'll say hi

Totally agree with you about testing them............... the best place I've found is cley spy they stock virtually anything.