Binocular hire?

StewartR

StewartR

Messages
11,513
Name
Stewart
Edit My Images
Yes
Has anyone ever heard of, or come across, anywhere in the Uk where it's possible to hire binoculars? We just had a customer ask about it and I have no idea. If there is somewhere she can go, I'd like to be able to give her a pointer.

Given that good binoculars can cost as much as a good lens, it doesn't sound like a stupid idea on the face of it - but I've never heard of anyone actually doing it......
 
Can't say I have, but it seems like a bit of an odd request. Perhaps she just wants them for a trip or a one off visit somewhere?

Really good binoculars are very expensive, as you say, but does she want/need the best? I have Leicas and they're fantastic, but I got a good deal on them in SA and they're probably overkill for me. You can buy reasonable ones without spending a fortune and they're handy to have.
 
MartynK said:
Perhaps she just wants them for a trip or a one off visit somewhere?
Click to expand...
Yes, a safari.
MartynK said:
.. does she want/need the best? You can buy reasonable ones without spending a fortune and they're handy to have.
Click to expand...
Agreed. But I have to assume she knows that and would like to try a quality pair. For example I wouldn't mind trying out a pair of 15x or 18x image-stabilised binoculars, but there's no way I'm going to pay £800 or £1000 for the privilege.
 
Stewart, if she wants something a bit better that the Bushnells above, there are two other avenues that you could pursue for her, or point her towards.

Almost every race course in the UK, at least all the reasonably large ones, offer binocular rental facilities and it might be worth checking if they are willing to do a longer term rental (dependant on which sort of kit they have).

Likewise almost all RSPB and WWT sites have rental facilities.


EDIT:

Having followed a WWT comment, it appears that In Focus offer the rental facilities at their locations : www.at-infocus.co.uk

The site doesn't specifically mention hire or rental, but if their on site shops do then they must have some facility and it's probably worth talking to them on a business to business level.

Good Luck!
 
Last edited:
Thanks Rich, thanks Mark. Some good suggestions there. I've forwarded them all on to my customer. If she finds them useful I'll let you know.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top