Binoculars - What do I need to know

Sootchucker

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Hi guys, looking form some advice. My wife has decided she would like to come on walks with me when I go bird watching. However as a non tog, she would like a set of binoculars.

Having never owned a set in my life, I have no idea what to look for, or even what the numbers mean ?

Don't want to spend a huge amount of money (especially as it may be a flash in the pan), but anyone any ideas on what's good and what's not. I've seen some on the web from Nikon, Leica and Swarvoski, but they are waaaaay, out of my price range for now.

Thanks.
 
More than anything else the thing you (or rather your wife as the binoculars are for her) need to know is go and try some.

There is no other way to buy binoculars; they have to be right for the user.

If you have an In Focus shop near you that would be a good place to start. If you are near a bird reserve check it out as they sometimes do binocular days when there are lots of models to try out.

Forget about zoom binoculars. The most common useful magnifications are 7, 8 and 10. Any more than 10x and they could be difficult to hold still, well they would be for me.

The bigger the second number in the description of binoculars the more light they gather and more is better, but they become heavier, so it is a trade off which is why trying pairs is essential.

A dull day is better to test some out than a sunny day.

Dave
 
Don't some have IS? Pretty sure they do but it'll no doubt add to the cost.

My GF picked up a nice pair + case in a charity shp :D
 
7x,8x,10x. 32,40,42 etc, the first number is the magnification factor, the 2nd is the size of the end glass, the bigger that is the more light gets in and the brighter your image will be in duller times of the day and in to twilight. Always best to test them when the light is dull, if they perform well then, then you should be fine. You really need a hands on with them as not every binocular suits every person. You could look at some where like London Camera exchange if you have one locally and as suggested In-focus, Ace optics as well Also if you were able to get, there is the british birdwatching fair at Rutland Water with loads of optics on display and plenty of great advice to be had there, also plenty of camera stuff too ;) this is on 17th to 19th August

These days all the manufactures are as good as the next.
 
I find that 8x32 roof prism binoculars offers a nice compromise for size/weight against performance. Generally speaking, decent roof prism bins are waterproof and nitrogen purged. Another brand to look at that has some decent stuff at the budget end is Viking (I have a pair of the old model 8x32 'Navigator' - the current model is the same binocular with restyled rubber 'armouring' and renamed the 'Navilux').
 
Binoculars' low light performance isn't entirely governed by the size of the objective - front - lenses, it's largely determined by the exit pupil. You can work that out very easily by dividing the diameter of the objective lenses by the magnification, so 10 x 50 = 5, 8 x 32 = 4 etc. Our own pupils can expand to about 7mm in poor light, and 'night glasses' are usually 7 x 50 or 8 x 56 to take advantage of this, but these binoculars are fairly specialised and are big and heavy. The quality of the optics and coatings also impacts light transmission, and it can be fairly significant.

10 x 50 (if you can hold them steady, and are comfortable with the size/weight) and 8 x 40 both have an exit pupil of 5, and are good choices for most purposes. 8 x 30 and 8 x 32 are also very good, and a bit smaller/lighter. There are other alternatives, but these are probably the most popular and are available to suit just about any budget.

The only binoculars I'd caution against are the very small (usually 8 x 20, 8 x 25 and 10 x 25) 'pocket' models. They have a place, and are very convenient to carry, but trade off low light performance and can be difficult to hold steady. I do have a pair of Leica 10 x 25s, but I bought them in Africa - where the light is usually strong - and accepted their limitations because I wanted very small/light binoculars for backpacking and walking in the mountains/bush. They're stunning, but very expensive, and I do have a larger pair of 8 x 42s too.

Binoculars have to 'fit' you comfortably, so I'd go to a shop with a wide range and try as many as possible outside, not indoors. You'll find something to suit you, and you shouldn't have to pay more than £100 tops for a decent pair. Some of the lower priced models might be fine too. The high end Leica, Zeiss and Swarovski binoculars are fantastic, but they're designed for people who want the ultimate in optical and build quality for heavy use, or who just have a lot of money. Bit like cameras!
 
Best value for money are Nikon. Pentax have some good ones and if money is no object then Leica, Carl Zeiss or Swarovski for best quality. Celestron make the cheapest and do a good line called granite but these are a bit more expensive. You MUST handle them to see what's comfy as they are all different. Good Luck!
 
look into 7 x 50 - great for day night and bad weather - this size has always been used in navy's world wide - easy to hold steady and great exit pupil of 7 - get wide angle if you can that is plus 7 degrees.
 
AndyWest said:
Best value for money are Nikon. ...and if money is no object then Leica, Carl Zeiss or Swarovski for best quality. ... You MUST handle them to see what's comfy as they are all different. Good Luck!
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Nikon EDGs are easily up there with the best, but best value for money? That's very dependent on model, price point, and personal preference.

As we've said you need to try a few different brands and models in the price range you're looking at - ideally in the environment you'll use them. ..., for example, sun on water is often a big problem.
 
Also, be careful of using really powerful binoculars on the internet, as you may accidentally focus on a discussion thread from 7 years ago.
 
Yup.

Since I posted my comment I've split up with that GF, met someone else and got married :D
 
Now that I can no longer see the comment I was referring to even with my 8x20 Ultravids, it looks like the joke is on me!
 
Retune said:
Now that I can no longer see the comment I was referring to even with my 8x20 Ultravids, it looks like the joke is on me!
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I wouldn't worry about it :D

I actually found this thread helpful as although I'd read it and posted in it I'd forgotten the informative bits and it just so happens that I've been thinking about binoculars recently so it was worth a (re)read :D
 
Retune said:
In that case, I'll link to the the site I will also suggest back in 2012 if I can just finish the time machine:

https://www.birdforum.net/forum.php

Whether or not you have any interest in birding, it's an excellent resource for reviews and informed opinions on pretty much every common pair of binoculars.
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They also have various subfora including those relating to photography.
 
Bill Oddies advice = throw away the case as soon as you buy them. Kinda see his point.
 
I love my Swaro ELs but they are pricey. However a friend has a pair of Vortex Viper HD 8 x 42 bins that are surprisingly close and half (or less) the price. They are more compact and ergonomically pretty good + they have the ultimate guarantee! Twice (yes twice) we have managed to damage them between the two of us and they have not been repaired - they were simply replaced with new ones that were even better than the original pair! No arguments, no hassle - just sent them back and new ones arrived! That is excellent service.
The originals were great for the money but they have got a touch better over the years as was demonstrated by the replacements.
Would I prefer them over Swaro bins? No. But they are very good, a LOT cheaper and have a no condition lifetime guarantee - can' fault them.
 
Bincs are like cameras in some respects. Top of the range cost a fortune and are superb, but for a hell of lot less money you can get new kit almost as good. 8x42 is a good sensible specs - bright image and easy to hold steady.
Look for ease of use. You want to be able to easily "bend" the bincs to align with your pupils. Similarly the individual eye magnification (on one lens only) should be easy to use and remain where it is set.
This is not often mentioned, but it is a bonus if the eyecups fit closely to your eyes because that shields out extraneous light and thereby improves image quality.
 
I've been thinking about some new binoculars but have also been using my Panasonic GX80 with 45-150mm lens and when using the magnified view the reach is very good plus of course I also have the option of pressing the shutter button if I want :D
 
Just to add ... some makes/models are better than others if you’re a spectacle wearer, so bear that in mind when you’re trying them out (which is vital).
 
Stephen L said:
Just to add ... some makes/models are better than others if you’re a spectacle wearer, so bear that in mind when you’re trying them out (which is vital).
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Very good point and I should know! I was a spectacle user for about 50 years but now my eyes have plastic lenses so I only use specs for reading. What a difference!
Now bins that were difficult to use are ideal and others that were perfect are now problematic. Luckily my Swaros work well either way - PHEW!
This is an important consideration so it was important to bring it up.
 
I gave up using binoculars about three years ago because my tremor made them useless for me, about 18 months ago I bought a pair of Canon 10-30 image stabilised binoculars and the difference was amazing, I'm now thinking of trading them in for the 10-42 version for the extra light gathering ability, worth considering if you are an old wobbly like me.
 
Some years ago I worked through all the binoculars we stocked (bar the Swarovski) in the shop I then worked in. This included Nikon, Hawke and Bushnell but my choice was Steiner Ranger Pro and some of our customers did the same test and agreed with me. The current Ranger Xtreme is even better and is mid-range at around £400.
As mentioned, bins must fit and really need to be tried before buying.
 
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