binoculars

[wild sam]

i am currently looking for a new pare of bonoculers up to about £350 can any one advise me on what would be the best.(for bird watching)

[Jenny W]

I use Opticron - good quality optics but they don't have the price tag of say, Leica's or Swaro's.

I had my bins fixed after I dropped them a few months ago and I tryed a pair of the new Verano's and they were lovely - very crisp, clear and bright image. I didn't buy as it cost me far less to fix my old ones, but I would like a pair in the future!

I think the key with bins though is to try them if you can, bacause everyone has different opinions and different ones suit different people. Personally I always try to get the largest objective lens as possible as I like a lighter image and I use 10x magnification which I prefer to 8x (but bear in mind, the bigger they are, the heavier!).

[ChrisR]

Do a search on WAB for "Hawke Frontier ED" and you'll come up with some great reviews. I bought myself a pair of 10x43 for Xmas and can't fault them at all - they're superb. My father has a pair of Swarovskis and I don't think they and much better than mine The 10x43 have 2m close focus, very bright field of view, nitrogen-filled, strong magnesium alloy body, and they're lighter than my father's Swaros.

[wild sam]

Thanks chris looks like a good pair

[diggleken]

Jenny speaks wise words - try before you buy!
Also depends what you want them for - estuary work, in woods or just general - get as much light in as you can by bigger objective lens - and do you wear specs?
Opticron are good, but I use their telescope, which is great, even against more expensive stuff, but my bins are Bushnell 8x42's, at the lower price range (about £130) but tremendous clarity, quick focussing, wide angle, DOF and close focus. Work for me.
I find 10x are too wobbly in the field, and heavier.
Binoculars UK - Bushnell Nature View Binoculars
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Ken

[BillyPilgrim]

I found this thread very useful...

Binoculars for bird/nature watching

After reading through it I bought the Maushaus 8x42 and have been very satisfied with them.

http://www.binoculars-maushaus-dorse...OOF-BINOCULARS

[diggleken]

8x42's,we cant both be wrong Billy!
Cheers
Ken

[Moobli]

Thanks for this thread as I am looking for a new pair of binos for myself. Mainly for moorland and hill but also for woodland. Would the maushaus do the job?

[Jonathan]

You really will struggle to better the Hawke Frontier ED's in their price range (around £300), though personally mine are the 8 x 43 rather than the 10x. Most of my mates use Swaros or Leicas, and I was saving up for a pair of Swaros when I heard about the Frontiers. The write-ups were so good I gambled on a pair and can honestly say I've never been disappointed in their performance against any of my friend's far more expensive bins.

Cheers
Jonathan

[BillyPilgrim]

Originally Posted by Moobli

Thanks for this thread as I am looking for a new pair of binos for myself. Mainly for moorland and hill but also for woodland. Would the maushaus do the job?

I can only speak from my limited personal experience but the Maushaus brand have a good, solid feel to them and are well made. The optics seem quite bright which would come in handy in woodland. Not sure about on the moors and hills but if its 8x42's that you're after I suppose they would be ok.