UKC

As per the title. Many thanks!

I couldn't say whether they are the best or not, but I got these last year and have been happy with them.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00VQC6PYG?ref_=pe_3187911_248764861_302_E_DDE_...

The best I've used were a friend's Leica Ultravids, which were appreciably sharper and brighter than my Opticron Taigas of similar magnification. However, the Leicas cost at least six times as much, so I'm happy to make do with the Opticrons, which are very good for the money.

I'm on my second pair of Leicas, first pair made in East Germany were lost somewher e in Grizedale Forest hope someone found them! Second pair made in Portugal I think are just a fraction less brilliant. Cost 200 quid when I got them years ago but we'll worth it i thought/think

I can recommend the Nikon Travelite EX, they were a present from my dad who did a bit of research and tested out various other options - very happy with them 

second vote for Taigas, Cant be faulted for the price

Clear lenses are expensive to produce, you will have to pay at least £70 otherwise it will be like looking through the bottom of two pint glasses. You can't go wrong with Nikon, but try before you buy, their compact binocs vary in size and weight. I have the Nikon Aculon W10s in camo, waterproof and more importantly, lightweight.

My fathers little Swarovski were the best binoculars I ever tried. He choose them over similar offering from Leica just because of the lifetime guarantee. I don’t know which are better. 

I have had a couple of pairs of small Leicas - compact, light, great optics. I now have some Swarovskis, they are a bit bigger and heavier, but are noticeably better optically - quite a bit more expensive though,

Chris

My wife has some opticron, about £300. Coated Bak4 lens I think. Being small, going for the extra optical quality was necessary.

I have a pair of Viking binoculars, ex-display at half price from their website, with occasional deals.

I personally prefer 10x42 size binoculars as they get me close enough to the action while being an infrequent spotter of birds in the garden.

I think the RSPB uses their binoculars and re-brands with the RSPB logo.

https://www.vikingoptical.co.uk/product/viking-peregrine-ed-binoculars/

However if you have deep pockets then why not go for one of the bigboys and their big price-tags.

They could probably be considered as The Best.

https://uk.swarovskioptik.com/birding/product-list-binoculars-c2101?gclid=C...

I bought a pair of Viking Vibes as an Xmas present yesterday for 50 quid, reduced from 70 or 80.

For 50 quid they're brilliant value for money, suprisingly good image quality.

The 'best' are the ones which cost the most. What are they for? For mountain use I recommend 10X magnification rather than 8X (Birdwatching), due to the distances involved. If weight is a priority go for 20mm diameter lenses, or nearer 25mm if image quality is more important than weight.

I spent a good length of time in a respected dealers comparing Opticron and Swarovski of identical power and lens size.

I'm not saying there is no discernible difference in quality but I am fairly sure there is no justification in a 15 x price differential

The fact the OP has had to ask this question suggests a beginner and £600 compact binoculars such as Leica or Svaroski would not be sensibly justified.

message adam long, he has a pair . I don't know what they are but they are damn good

I agree but even outside of being a beginner, how good does your visual acuity need to be to justify a price differential such as I mentioned before?

I'll add Steiner Commanders to the list, picked up a pair at a military show for £15, near mint condition. I doubt you'll find any for that price but they are good.

I have an ancient pair of Olympus binocks, I think they’re 7x 25. Good light & contrast in most circumstances and they’re light enough that I can easily forget they’re at the bottom of my rucksack.

They were £100 so far as I remember,  about 18years ago.

As with most things, there are a number of compromises to consider (not that I'm any expert): magnification v field of view and brightness; size and weight v brightness; price v image sharpness and brightness. On the basis that only you can decide where your priorities are on these, I'd suggest going somewhere with a good range and the opportunity to try them out and get some advice.

I was in a similar position a few years ago and went to a local wildlife optics specialist: https://www.focusoptics.eu If you aren't Midlands based, I'd guess there are similar businesses around the country. After trying a range of smaller and bigger, cheaper and (too) expensive binoculars, I settled on a modestly priced, mid-sized pair of 10x42 Vikings that matched my priorities and I've been very happy with them but now the price tag is well behind me, maybe I should have spent a bit more. 

As with most technical kit, there is the law of diminishing returns.

Once you go beyond mid spec kit, you then spend spend more and more for smaller and smaller incremental improvements in performance and capabilities.

I'm happy with with my ED Viking binoculars as they were what I could afford.

Quite.

Go to a decent shop and try out a range of binoculars. Step outside onto the street and look at things like tv antennas or trees, things with fine detail. Go through the binocs you're interested in and see which pair can discriminate the elements on the antennas or the twigs on the trees at the greatest distance (paying attention to the corners of the image). Some will be definitely be better than others but you may end up with a couple that are better than the rest but with no apparent difference.

Buy the cheaper ones.

I have a pair of Pentax UCF-M 8x21, bought decades ago, for £50. They're BaK4 optics.

I picked up a pair on eBay a few years ago for £12. Binoculars are usually well cared for. Some are hardly used.

Plenty of useful information for a "binopunter" such as myself. I'll buy one of the recommended pairs, though which one remains to be seen.

Thanks to you all.

I quite like my mint 6 x 30 Bino prismatic No 2 Mk III Taylor-Hobson dated 1943 (£12) as they have independently focused eyepieces.  Very clear and bright and you can focus at 2 distances easily by switching eyes

Also a pair of 6 x 30 Barr and Stroud made in 1935 (£10), much lighter and more compact than the usua; 8x30 size.  Had to remove and clean the internal prisms and the effect on gear of over 80 years is remarkable.  Great for having in the pocket for checking birds.

I got a really cheap pair of 20 x 50s at Penrith market that are the first binos with which I've seen the shape of Saturn having rings, though keeping them steady is hard, definitely not compact.   I can however see if someone is by the summit shelter of Cross Fell with them.

This is obviously not a brand recommendation for new but it shows how much pleasure can be had for a song with vintage or 2nd hand

Decide on a budget and go to a specialist shop. If you are close to an InFocus shop (https://www.at-infocus.co.uk/) I recommend you have a look. 

Small binoculars eg, 8x21 will be fine in bright conditions but not so good as the light levels drop. Unless you have VERY steady hands don't bother with anything with a magnification over 10 times.

Dave

I had a pair of Opticron Taigas -- they were great , until the cat knocked them off a shelf. Would buy them again. Small enough to pocket, big enough to see what Debs was telling me to look at when bird watching.

Agree about In Pro. 

First class outfit.

Theyre the one who let me and my mate compare Opticron Oregon  8 x 32 s with an equivalent Swarowski even though he said his budget was £150.

And I don't know about other branches but if you mentioned compact and £100 in the same question the Denby Dale man would say Taiga without hesitating.