UKC

Hello All,
Can anyone recommend a some decent compact binoculars? has anyone used the silva binocs? not to expensive
Cheers
Ollie

In reply to ollieollie: what you want them for? what's your idea of "not too expensive"?

Opticron are pretty good, how about http://www.microglobe.co.uk/opticron-green-trailfinder-ii-dcf-ga-roof-prism...

or 8 x 25 if you want smaller/ lighter http://www.microglobe.co.uk/opticron-trailfinder-ii-roof-prism-8x25-dcfga-b...

In reply to ollieollie:
I would recommend either the Olympus PCI 8x25 (£45) or the Swarovski 8x20 (£440). It is a matter of how careful you will be with them and much money you wish to "invest".

Have look at http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=112 for further info. It is amazing how excited you can become about binos ...

In reply to swalk:


Agreed, I tried out a few of the seriously expensive ones at Barnes Wetlands once, and could not believe how much better they are than normal ones which I had thought were fine. It is unbelievable. Came v v close to getting out the credit card, but Mrs Brute managed to get some sense into me just in time.

In reply to ollieollie:

I am on my second pair of Olympus 8x21 DPC I ones. They are excellent fpr the price and weight. Got them for about £50 two years ago.

In reply to Talius Brute:
Generally, the roof prism binos(straight tubes) are more robust than porro prism binos (bent tubes) but because they bounce light around more they are not as good optically. Definitly dont go for binos over 10x magnification - too hard to hold steady and the exit pupil (hole you look through)is too small unless the binos are big for hiking with. I like 8x.

In reply to ollieollie:

Opticron Veranos. I have a pair of these and have had comments from sworn Swarovski/Leica users (with corresponding £1,000+ bins) that they were amazingly clear in dull light.

Only £250ish if you shop around. Like most things, you get what you pay for.

In reply to ollieollie: Probably not in the same league as £400+ models (depends what you want them for i guess), but I got some from Lidl for £5 (10x25 I think). Good enough to see stuff from a fair distance and cheap enough you don't mind sitting on/dropping/losing them, etc.

If these aren't up to scratch then you might want to stretch for the £15 10x50's which get excellent reviews from amateur astronomers (google Bresser 10x50) I tend not to carry these though as IMO they are too big/heavy for lugging around, but nice to have in the car.

In reply to dazwan: The Bresser 10x50 Lidl binos are great. They've attained an almost mythical status amongst astronomers because they're only a tenner! However, in reality, they're only great because they cost ten quid yet act like 50 quid bins. Compared to say the Opticron Veranos, they pale into insignificance.

I think it's a case of set your price and do your research. If you don't have the opportunity to try before you buy, then you may be better going for a most costly bino with better quality control and customer service in case they don't arrive as you'd hoped.

In reply to ollieollie: Generally you do seem to get what you pay for, unfortunately the relationship is not linear. I have had £20 binos, £80 ones and £350 Leica all 10 x 25 The brightness and sharpness of the Leicas is stunning, but only worth it if you really do need the extra quality.