FalconFN Posted November 11, 2014 Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 (edited) I know good and cheap don't really go together but I'm looking for a pair of general purpose bins, nothing fancy or big but that will do the job but don't cost much. I've been looking on eBay and there seem to be hundreds of makes and I don't know which are worth going for? Prinz, Boots, Swift, Ross, Bell & Howell, Praktica, Tasco, Chinon and about a million others. I had a cheap but OK pair of Bushnell's that are now probably somewhere under a ploughed field, so I know they are worth a look but which other makes should I look for and, more importantly, which should I avoid? Any help appreciated. Edited November 11, 2014 by FalconFN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted November 11, 2014 Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 Swift are good or most of the Russian made. Picked up a pair of Bushnell 7x50 at local Charity shop for £20 and they are superb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted November 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 Cheers, I would have probably avoided Russian ones. I assume that Zenith are Russian and made by the same company that made Zenith cameras? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver pigeon 3 Posted November 11, 2014 Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 Opticron are good for the money, I have 2 pairs and are very pleased with both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted November 11, 2014 Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 just got a brand new set of minox 10 x 42 cost £150 on ebay rrp £400 from optics camera specialist shop on there. depends on your budjet, i have found these absolutey exceptional quality for money. minox are german and make quality optics. come with 5 year guarantee. i use them for spotting for the rifle, not too small or too big, easy identification out to many hundreds of metres Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted November 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 Minox and the like areare unfortunately out of my budget. Just looked at Opticron and they seem to be more affordable so they are on the list, thanks silver pigeon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedster Posted November 11, 2014 Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 A pair of these for less than 90 quid brand new..... http://www.strathspey.co.uk/shop/full.php?q=1118417250 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martindd Posted November 11, 2014 Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 http://www.sherwoods-photo.com/ex_demo/ex_demo_optics.htm Have a look here I've bought 2 pair of Opticron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted November 11, 2014 Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 I have a pair of Bushells which are very good. I dropped them a while back and broke them. I thought they were well out of warranty and the damage was due to my negligence but they were still replaced, FOC for a better model (mine were discontinued) by Bushnell UK. They have a lifetime warranty which based on my experience they will honour without quibble. I'd love a pair of Zeiss or Swaro binos but I can't justify it. And I'm not entirely convinced my eyes are good enough to see enough difference to justify the cost. Fisherman Mike who is a keen birder and knows his binos, rates Opticron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted November 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 Thanks chaps, thats just the info I hoped for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted November 11, 2014 Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 (edited) I've got a pair of bushnell H20 I love them and at £20 instead of £70 from eBay I can't complain Edited November 11, 2014 by team tractor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted November 11, 2014 Report Share Posted November 11, 2014 http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/161466596367?nav=SEARCH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theshootist Posted November 12, 2014 Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 Those 8x25s look great value but are very small. Are you after a general purpose set look for something bigger. How about a set of East German made Zeiss Jenoptem? They can be found cheaply. 30 year old East German is likely to be better glass than new chinese made too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewsher500 Posted November 12, 2014 Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 you dont say what your budget is Vanguard do decent bins very well made usually get a decent pair for £50 on the Bay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blade Posted November 12, 2014 Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 Got some 10x 30x50 minox day and night you can have for £55 posted zoom ring has come loose but can be zoomed with the left eye piece Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted November 12, 2014 Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 An excellent pair are Hawke nature trek. They carry a 10 year warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted November 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2014 Got some 10x 30x50 minox day and night you can have for £55 posted zoom ring has come loose but can be zoomed with the left eye piece Cheers, probably a great price but they may be a bit too much for my needs, I'm looking at 8x really, ideally 8x40 ish but those Bushnell's are very tempting.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtaylor Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 +1 for the Zeiss Jeno's. I've had mine for about 5 years second hand of ebay. Very good glass for not a lot of money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 Cheers, probably a great price but they may be a bit too much for my needs, I'm looking at 8x really, ideally 8x40 ish but those Bushnell's are very tempting.... I would take a chance with the minox . Best pair of bins you will ever get for that money . If I didn't have a pair myself I would have them . Harnser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdubya Posted November 13, 2014 Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 +1 for the Zeiss Jeno's. I've had mine for about 5 years second hand of ebay. Very good glass for not a lot of money. yep thats what I have, spot on glasses, problem is a lot of fakes on the bay but if you do your research you can spot them easily enough, KW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted November 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2014 Yes, that is a worry, just seen some Steiner bins at a very good price but I have concerns that they aren't what they seem as I can't find anyany other reference to the model on the web. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted November 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2014 Thanks for all the advice, i missed a few on ebay then bought a pair of 10 x 40s on a whim which are probably absolutely fine, but I told a friend that evening and he said I could have his old pair of Opticron 8x42s if I get them collimated. He dropped them off today and they are superbly sharp but slightly out of alignment, so a quick Google and a quarter turn of a screw and they are back in line. Happy days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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