Compact binoculars

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Brian Springthorpe
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Compact binoculars

Post by Brian Springthorpe »

Looking for reccomendations for a good pair of compact binos. Will use them mainly when fishing but also for a bit of bird watching and also take them on holidays when there's a chance of dolphin and whale watching. Budget is £150.
Thanks Brian
Steve Burke
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Re: Compact binoculars

Post by Steve Burke »

I spent a long time looking at reviews and then handling binoculars in a shop. I too thought I wanted compact binoculars, but actually found I could see more with 8x42s as I could hold them steadier.

I also tried 10x models but, again because of steadiness, found no improvement on 8x bins. What's more they had a smaller field of view plus weren't so good in low light.

I also wanted long eye relief to see the whole field of view wearing glasses. I found the stated eye relief in brochures to be very inaccurate!

The design of the binoculars also varied and it made a big difference to how steady I could hold them.

So for these reasons I'd strongly suggest going into your local camera shop or a specialist binocular store as we're all different, even to the shape of our faces. There I looked through and handled those that had done well in independent head to head tests and that I'd shortlisted.

There's quite a difference in performance between models in the same price range, let alone between cheap and mid-price binoculars. However former top of the range features have recently filtered down to the mid-price bracket, and you have to pay a lot more for a small increase in performance. The "sweet spot" seems to be between £150 and £200.

I ended up buying the Opticron 8x42 Discovery bins. Very compact for 8x42s, long eye relief and, because of the large eyepieces that rested on my nose, easier than others to hold still. They're also waterproof and fogproof. They cost me £159.
Last edited by Steve Burke on Sat Jul 21 2018 20:06, edited 2 times in total.
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Bob Watson
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Re: Compact binoculars

Post by Bob Watson »

I've read some decent reviews about these.

http://www.strathspey.co.uk/shop/front_page.html
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Andrew
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Re: Compact binoculars

Post by Andrew »

Not sure hiw compact you want but i find these manageable.

Helios nitrosport 10x42

Birthday gift from my mum so no idea how much they cost.

They are waterproof and come with adjustable eye piece (see pic) for people who wear glasses.
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Phone cam through lens so not the greatest but it is very very clear, sarp, and strong colors(not washed out and no strong blue or green over powering other colors) and barely any chromatic abbrasion.
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20180721_111242.jpg
Adjustable eye piece
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Andrew
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Re: Compact binoculars

Post by Andrew »

20180721_112624.jpg
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Nige Johns
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Re: Compact binoculars

Post by Nige Johns »

Interesting topic this,I wear glasses that are vari -focal and as yet haven’t found a pair of bino’s that I can use them with,does anybody have the same prob
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davelumb
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Re: Compact binoculars

Post by davelumb »

Nige Johns wrote: Sat Jul 21 2018 13:15 -
Interesting topic this,I wear glasses that are vari -focal and as yet haven’t found a pair of bino’s that I can use them with,does anybody have the same prob
I'm a four eyed git and have had a pair of these for a good few years (they live in my fishing rucky) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Travelit ... lite+12x25 Other powers are available for less money.
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Re: Compact binoculars

Post by Nige Johns »

davelumb wrote: Sat Jul 21 2018 17:53 -
Nige Johns wrote: Sat Jul 21 2018 13:15 -
Interesting topic this,I wear glasses that are vari -focal and as yet haven’t found a pair of bino’s that I can use them with,does anybody have the same prob
I'm a four eyed git and have had a pair of these for a good few years (they live in my fishing rucky) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Travelit ... lite+12x25 Other powers are available for less money.
Thanks Dave,what is it that makes them suitable for ol spec you four eyes then
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Re: Compact binoculars

Post by davelumb »

Nige Johns wrote: Sat Jul 21 2018 18:35 -
davelumb wrote: Sat Jul 21 2018 17:53 -
Nige Johns wrote: Sat Jul 21 2018 13:15 -
Interesting topic this,I wear glasses that are vari -focal and as yet haven’t found a pair of bino’s that I can use them with,does anybody have the same prob
I'm a four eyed git and have had a pair of these for a good few years (they live in my fishing rucky) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Travelit ... lite+12x25 Other powers are available for less money.
Thanks Dave,what is it that makes them suitable for ol spec you four eyes then
Dunno, they just work. :shrug: I've an older pair of Russian bins which I have to take my specs off to use.

Your best bet is to do the unthinkable and go try some in a shop!
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Re: Compact binoculars

Post by Steve Burke »

To add to my earlier post here are links to 2 very useful sites. The first in particular has some very useful advice plus reviews; the second has head-to-head tests.

https://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/b ... culars.php

https://www.birdwatching.com/optics/201 ... eview.html
Brian Springthorpe
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Re: Compact binoculars

Post by Brian Springthorpe »

Blimey I didn’t realise picking a pair would be that complicated, thanks for advice everyone, think I will visit a few shops and try some rather than order a pair online.
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John Milford
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Re: Compact binoculars

Post by John Milford »

If weight and compact size are factors, has anyone considered a monocular?

I bought one for the very practical reason that I only have full vision in my left eye, so binoculars are completely wasted on me. However, the space and weight advantage alone could make them a consideration for anyone?
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Re: Compact binoculars

Post by Mike J »

I used professional grade binoculars for over half my working life, I also bought the binoculars for my team direct from the suppliers and insisted on inspecting each pair before I accepted them.
Here is what you should do, not might or oh well, but should!
Do not buy online or a single pair from any shop.
Go where you can try 2-5pairs of your choosen model then test each pair in turn, I once rejected all four pairs of Nikons this way.
Never listen to what the salesman is telling you, go deaf and decide for yourself.
Look down each objective lenses in turn and compare what your seeing, if anything is in any way different, reject them.
If your at a good shop or event they will have already selected targets/fixed objects to check their products against, use these but also choose your own, a stay wire or telephone wire is a good choice, clean straight lines on a clean background, and study the target in fine detail for several mins.
Use a firm rest, a door jab, fence post etc and focus them correctly, look for clarity and how far the clarity goes to the edges of the lense, and check the close focusing as it can be as important as distance clarity and if you haven't got it you'll wish you had.
If you plan to use them from a vehicle get inside and rest them on the steering wheel and study what you see through the windscreen, some models are hopeless, some are v good.
For regular outdoor use and reduced light ensure the first number is divisible by the second by a factor of 5 or more.
The heavier they are the easier they are to hold steady.
You wont need a bag or box, just a good sling AND a rain guard.
As above £150-200 will get you a good pair and for daily use you can expect tens years of service before they need replacing.

If you want a good make by Steiner's.
'No Man Ever Fishes The Same River Twice, .... For It Is Not The Same River, .... And He Is Not The Same Man' Heraclitus of Ephesus
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