Robertt Posted December 7, 2017 Report Share Posted December 7, 2017 (edited) A friend's wife has asked me to research binoculars for my mate for Christmas. Budget £200 ish. Usage , a bit of bird watching whilst out walking , general use and occasional accompanied Roe Stalking as guest. Am thinking 7 x 42 but my word I cant find any of that spec anywhere close to the budget. Looking at 8 x 42 the Hawke Endurance gets a good write up for the price. Any suggestions please. Edited December 7, 2017 by Robertt Mistake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted December 7, 2017 Report Share Posted December 7, 2017 Have a look at the Hawke range available from Deben. I purchased a pair for my wife and to be honest they are as good as my Swarovskis. Very good value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted December 7, 2017 Report Share Posted December 7, 2017 I bought these from Ffordes photographic, Minox 10x42 £129, these are great binos, excellent at that price, I can highly recommend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazb1967 Posted December 7, 2017 Report Share Posted December 7, 2017 Vortex are really good, see below link. https://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/vortex-diamondback-8x42-roof-prism-binocular--2016-model Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haynes Posted December 7, 2017 Report Share Posted December 7, 2017 +1 for the hawke. Been really impressed with mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turmoil Posted December 7, 2017 Report Share Posted December 7, 2017 +1 for the Vortex... + Unlimited, unconditional lifetime warranty... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted December 8, 2017 Report Share Posted December 8, 2017 Hawke Nature Trek are excellent value for money, and carry a ten year warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted December 8, 2017 Report Share Posted December 8, 2017 I prefer 7x or 8x to 10x. If you are only going to use them in good light, you don't need 'big' glass. 8 x 20 works very well in good light - and are so easily carried/stowed in a pocket. 8 x 40 (or thereabouts) will be better in low light, but of course bulkier and heavier. Over the years I have had several - initially thinking 'big was better', but now use my 8 x 20 for almost everything ........ because they are just so convenient to carry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted December 8, 2017 Report Share Posted December 8, 2017 Can she push it a bit: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bushnell-Legend-Ultra-Roof-Binoculars/dp/B00200C7L8 This price can probably be beaten a little - near yet so far - same as the binoculars - superb bit of kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted December 8, 2017 Report Share Posted December 8, 2017 Look at the minox range . Proberbly the best out there for the money . I have had a pair for years ,faultless . harnser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robertt Posted December 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2017 Will go to nearest bins shop and hopefully test the recommended bins back to back. This dull weathers a good test as all optics look great on a bright day. Thanks for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted December 9, 2017 Report Share Posted December 9, 2017 13 hours ago, Robertt said: This dull weathers a good test as all optics look great on a bright day. That is very true; surprisingly, better grade small binos can work very well even on dull days. Its dusk/deep shadow that really show up the bigger/better ones. Our eyes compensate for light variation by the pupils changing diameter - and quite a large change in light on a light meter isn't really noticeable as a big change to the eye. Once the pupils get to their limit (about 4 - 5mm in older people, a bit more in younger eyes)then the limit of adjusting is reached and vision fails quite quickly. Bino pupil outlet size is the objective size divided by the magnification (i.e. 8 x 40 gives 5 mm, and 8 x 20 gives 2.5 mm, 10 x 50 gives 5mm etc.) There is little point in going to a larger exit pupil size than 5 mm as the pupil itself doesn't accommodate more. 8 x 42 or 10 x 56 are about as good as you will get for low light. It the user wears glasses - make sure that whatever model is chosen has sufficient 'eye relief'. This is the distance that the eyepiece glass can be from the eye. For use with glasses about 16 mm or more is needed. Below 15 mm and you may need to remove glasses - or you will see less than the full field of view. See this http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/education/eye_relief.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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