Binoculars

[dewmuw]

Anyone care to recommend a pair of binoculars?

I have a small pair that are pocket size but I want something with magnification of 10. Any of you have any that you are pleased with?

Peeping Toms need not reply to this post! :shock:

[aam1234]

I have a Nikon and I like it a lot. Sorry don't have the model name/no. as it's not with me here. I'll check tomorrow.

[dewmuw]

I have a Nikon and I like it a lot. Sorry don't have the model name/no. as it's not with me here. I'll check tomorrow.

Can you use that name here? :)

Thanks - I appreciate it.

[PacAce]

What are you going to use it for. I have a pair of Nikon Monarch binoculars which is great for my birding needs.

[robertwgross]

I agree with Leo. Birders tend to be rather demanding on their binoculars. For scanning for wildlife, 8x binoculars are OK. For fixing on one bird, 10x binoculars are better. The average binocular user can't handhold anything more powerful than that.

Small binoculars with a front end of 20 or 30 are OK in bright light, but they get marginal at dusk when the light fades. The bigger numbers like 40 gather more light. Something like 50 is nice, but they get very pricy. Nearly all binoculars use coated optics these days. The cheap ones are good in the center of the image, but they get a little fuzzy toward the edges. The good ones are flat across the entire field.

For birding, I use 10x42 binoculars. Once I spot the bird of interest, then my Canon wildlife lens is pointed at it, using a focal length similar to the binocular power.

---Bob Gross---

[IanD]

Monarch 10 x 32's are great glasses and not that expensive. OK so it says that other name on the strap and the body. Buy a POTN strap for them and use a Sharpie to black out the name on the body:):):):):):)

[robertwgross]

In contrast to birding binoculars, on some ocean ships there is a lookout (person) armed with very strong binoculars, and sometimes these are as high as 20x50 or 20x60. However, those would be just about useless for birding or normal wildlife unless they were on a tripod.

I have some binoculars here, 6x30, with "Bureau of Ships 1943" stamped on. They are not worth taking out onto the birding trail.

---Bob Gross---

[PacAce]

I think mine are the 10x42 Monarch ATB. There's more info here if you want to take a look. I'm sure Canon has a similar site.

http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/group.php?group=15&subgroup=155

[dewmuw]

Thanks guys. I would be using the predominantly for birding/wildlife watching. Anyone use a scope instead of binocs? That is something else I am considering.

[tommykjensen]

Monarch 10 x 32's are great glasses and not that expensive. OK so it says that other name on the strap and the body. Buy a POTN strap for them and use a Sharpie to black out the name on the body:):):):):):)

Silly question: What is a Sharpie? I can guess it is some form of knife are sharp instrument.

[dewmuw]

Silly question: What is a Sharpie? I can guess it is some form of knife are sharp instrument.

I assumed it was some type of house trained slug that you could have sit on Nikon.

[PacAce]

Silly question: What is a Sharpie? I can guess it is some form of knife are sharp instrument.
Here's one:

http://www.goodexperience.com/broken/i/03/10/sharpie.s.jpg

[Tom W]

Swarovski binoculars are quite nice (and a little pricey):

http://www.swarovskioptik.at/english/produkt/index.asp?cat=Products&type=Binoculars

And there's always the Canon binoculars with IS as well.

[Tapeman]

Leica, if you want to spend a lot of money. I have a pair of their compact 10x 25mm and they are great in all but the lowest light, and small enough to always have them with you.

Their full size models run $1,200. to $1,700.

[dewmuw]

Leica in an ideal world. But isn't if funny how these companies, Canon included, ignore the exchange rate difference. That is: $1000 = £1000!!! :( Leica binocs in the UK are about the same price as they are in dollars!!!

[Avalonthas]

Well thats alot of dollars then. Am I right in predicting that 1000E is like 2200 USD? Ouch!

[tommykjensen]

Here's one:

http://www.goodexperience.com/broken/i/03/10/sharpie.s.jpg

Hehe was I wrong or was I wrong :lol: :lol: :oops: :lol: :lol: :oops:

[CyberDyneSystems]

Ni**n are good,.. the best are Swarovsky, Carl Zeis, Leica and Steiner,.. <=== please note how usefull our "i before e" rule is in reality ;)

(essentially, the Germans have the high end market)