gerron Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 I'm looking for a new set of bino's and plan on picking up a pair when I'm in the states, I won't be spending 1000's on a pair of swaro's much as I'd like to ! Has anyone one got any ideas on a good pair that are reasonably priced ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 (edited) I used to use a pair of Hawke premier,thought they where ok£70 and only used them for shooting.Since retiring from shooting I've got back into birdwatching but the Hawke were just not up to it.So bit the bullet this week and purchased a pair of Ziess from Uttings.They where about £950 rrp and discounted to £685,got a further £35 knocked off.Wow what a difference,will be down at Saltholme on Friday giving them a proper road test. Edited February 16, 2017 by Davyo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Meopta or Minox are very good glass at sensible prices Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savhmr Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 (edited) Minox, Zeiss or Steiner if new. You can get a great pair under £1000. Budget on £500 minimum for anything decent. Edited February 16, 2017 by Savhmr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RingDove Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 (edited) Steiner are very good, I have the Skyhawk 3.0 8x42, great at low light. Edited February 16, 2017 by RingDove Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Sort out what magnification and objective size you want first. The general rules seem to be that; 8x or 10x are best for most applications (12x and more get more shake and less light) For low light use, larger objectives (i.e. 40mm upwards) let more light in, but for use in good light smaller is very adequate and significantly cheaper Expensive names ARE better, but only marginally so under good light, more significantly so as light deteriorates (better coatings and glass) IF you wear glasses - go for a pair with adequately long eye relief (the distance the eyepiece rear lens can be from the eye). Short eye relief is a pain with glasses. Most have adjustable eyepieces to allow for glasses users, but be sure to try this works OK for you. Big binos (i.e. things like 8 or 10 x 50) are great in low light, but are expensive, heavy, bulky and unnecessary for the vast majority of the time (yes I made that mistake of thinking that as they were so much bigger and more expensive they must be better!) Small (I use 8 x 20 much of the time) are easy to carry and have with you, and you can get very good ones (e.g. Leica, Swaroski, Zeiss are probably 'equal best') quite reasonably (compared to bigger glasses) because the lenses are smaller and so cheaper to make. Finally, there is excellent value to be had second hand if you are prepared to consider that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Purchased a pair of Hawkes for my wife and they are equal if not slightly better than my Swarofs. Very good value indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumpy22 Posted February 16, 2017 Report Share Posted February 16, 2017 Purchased a pair of Hawkes for my wife and they are equal if not slightly better than my Swarofs. Very good value indeed. in lowlight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clakk Posted February 17, 2017 Report Share Posted February 17, 2017 (edited) If you are impatient like me ave a look at Mcloud,s of Tain sell new n nearly new Swaro,s,Leica and Zeiss very good prices and he,s a gent .Ive got Leice Trinovid 8x 42 superb for the money atb Edited February 17, 2017 by clakk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy RV Posted February 18, 2017 Report Share Posted February 18, 2017 Carl Zeiss Jena off eBay when you get back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrowningB525 Posted February 18, 2017 Report Share Posted February 18, 2017 in lowlight? The higher model Hawke's are pretty good (such as frontier ED). Not Swaro good, but will be 90-95% as good for 30% of the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redgum Posted February 18, 2017 Report Share Posted February 18, 2017 Have a set of bushnells and compared them to top end and they come very close, and little difference in shootable light. Cost £200 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet1747 Posted February 18, 2017 Report Share Posted February 18, 2017 Cheapos simple wots the point in spending loads when cheap do the job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerron Posted February 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2017 Someone said the bushnells are allot cheaper in the states too ? I have a bushnell elite scope on my 308 and it does the trick, suppose the binos would be similar ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted February 18, 2017 Report Share Posted February 18, 2017 (edited) I'm looking for a new set of bino's and plan on picking up a pair when I'm in the states, I won't be spending 1000's on a pair of swaro's much as I'd like to ! Has anyone one got any ideas on a good pair that are reasonably priced ? There is a pair of Opticon 8x42 on sale in the sales section now. Edited February 18, 2017 by Davyo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted February 19, 2017 Report Share Posted February 19, 2017 There is a really nice looking pair on the bay carl zeiss Jena 8*30 look brand new, 20 bids ends tomorrow. I have a pair of 10*50 that I inherited and yes they are chunky but they are brilliant if the pair on sale are a good bit smaller and lighter could be a good buy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exudate Posted February 19, 2017 Report Share Posted February 19, 2017 (edited) Meopta or Minox are very good glass at sensible prices I have Meopta Meopro, and totally agree with this. Quality glass, rugged build and sensible price. Not exactly cheap, but not exactly bank-breaking either. Edited February 19, 2017 by Exudate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerron Posted February 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2017 Thanks for the input guys, I'm planning on spending less than 500 if I can get away with it this thread has given me a good idea on what to look out for, I'm thinking 10x42 would be about right for me or there abouts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerron Posted February 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2017 I take it the carl ziess Jenna are an older model as the ones on eBay look old Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted February 19, 2017 Report Share Posted February 19, 2017 Yes 1989 it says I had to have a look 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted February 19, 2017 Report Share Posted February 19, 2017 http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemDescV4&item=292026507893&category=83880&pm=1&ds=0&t=1487495406692 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted February 19, 2017 Report Share Posted February 19, 2017 in lowlight? They very good indeed. I have used them occasionally from a high seat and can see rabbits along the wood side 100yrds away when the light has almost gone past my shooting time. I was surprised by how good they were considering the price. You pays your money and makes your choice these days and sometimes you pays for a 'Name' At this moment I am sitting here wearing a fleece jacket I purchased from Aldi for £7, I have almost lived in it every day this winter and it is snug and does the job in spades. I saw similar at the shooting show with the fancy firms name printed across the front for ten times that much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red-dot Posted February 19, 2017 Report Share Posted February 19, 2017 You MUST have a pair of Swarovskis hanging round your neck just incase a TV camera pops up and makes you look like a expert in birding and nature. I think the BBC hands them out to townies that like to twich? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quentyn Posted February 19, 2017 Report Share Posted February 19, 2017 I'm looking for a new set of bino's and plan on picking up a pair when I'm in the states, I won't be spending 1000's on a pair of swaro's much as I'd like to ! Has anyone one got any ideas on a good pair that are reasonably priced ? have a look at image stabilizing bino's they really make a difference. Press the button and bam a stable shake free image Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerron Posted February 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2017 Has anyone had any experience of vortex? They seem to get a Good write up too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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