Bungle The Bear Posted December 10, 2018 Report Share Posted December 10, 2018 (edited) Looking to purchase a pair of compact binoculars - price isn't an issue, are Swarovski, Lecia. Zeiss etc worth the money..? I would appreciate some relevant feedback 8 X 20 / 24 Edited December 10, 2018 by Bungle The Bear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billytheghillie Posted December 10, 2018 Report Share Posted December 10, 2018 Opticron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheruk Posted December 10, 2018 Report Share Posted December 10, 2018 I use opitcron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted December 11, 2018 Report Share Posted December 11, 2018 I have Leica Ultravid 8 x 20 and they are excellent. I think there is virtually no difference between the Swarovski, Leica. and Zeiss models, all of which are very very good indeed. It really comes down to personal preference, brand loyalty and ergonomics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SxS Posted December 11, 2018 Report Share Posted December 11, 2018 I upgraded my Bushnell compacts (a decade or so old, and weren’t that expensive when I bought them) for Swarovski 8*25. They are simply in a different league and money well spent. Partly the optics i suspect, but I am sure the step up from 20 to 25mm front lens makes a big difference to the image brightness. I can’t see a situation (other than loss or damage) that would see me needing anything more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted December 11, 2018 Report Share Posted December 11, 2018 Have a search on the forum there was a couple of topics not too long ago on binos. The hawk ed came out good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted December 11, 2018 Report Share Posted December 11, 2018 Hawke NatureTrek around £110. Excellent value for money and carry a 10 year warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant1 Posted December 11, 2018 Report Share Posted December 11, 2018 i have a pair of leica trinovids 10x25 bca. superb little binoculars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted December 11, 2018 Report Share Posted December 11, 2018 What I would say - is try and trial your chosen shortlist - especially in low light. The key things for look for are; Ability to see detail in low light. Most binos, even quite cheap ones are pretty fair in good light, but when the light fails, the best are much better than the 'average'. This is especially important in compact binos which by nature of their limited objective size are all a bit limited in low light - but the best are MUCH better than the poor due to much better glass and coatings. Check for poor focus, distortion and colour fringing at the edges of the field. Cheap lenses tend to suffer at the edges. Check the overall field 'width'. Some are a bit better than others. IF you wear glasses, check you get the full field of view. If the 'eye relief' is low, you will not see the full field. I wear glasses and need at least 15mm eye relief. Check the ergonomics and ease of focussing smoothly If you want to use close focus (e.g. watching birds on a garden bird table) - make sure your chosen model will focus sufficiently close. (Most are now very good) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wb123 Posted December 12, 2018 Report Share Posted December 12, 2018 I recently bought some used leicas which have been a league apart from the lower priced offerings I have used before, particularly in low light. Interestingly the field of view from my 8x leicas is the same as my cheaper 7x pair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungle The Bear Posted December 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2018 Thanks folks for all the Info - going to get some compact Lecias I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted December 13, 2018 Report Share Posted December 13, 2018 I don't think you would be disappointed with any of Leica, Swarovski or Zeiss. They are the best money can buy and nothing to choose between then other than minor differences is ergonomics. In Leica, you can choose either rubber armoured or leather I believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
das Posted December 15, 2018 Report Share Posted December 15, 2018 (edited) Swarovski if you can afford, best there is. 8 or10x 25 cl compacts are superb and you can put them in a pocket or they are no problem on a strap round your neck. Difficult to find used Great for spectacle wearers too as they have adjustable eye cups. Edited December 15, 2018 by das Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted December 15, 2018 Report Share Posted December 15, 2018 I have a pair of Bushnell I won in a raffle and mostly they live in one of my cabins. Excellent at spotting stuff and identifying, don't know what they would cost but in a compact set I do not require anything better. I have a set of Swaros which I have had 30yrs and they are OK but I would not pend that sort of money today. My wife has a pair of Hawks and I cabnnot honestly see any difference. I have better things to spend my money on than names on items be it clothing or binos. Have a look at the Hawke range as I am sure they will do the job and spend the balance on an enjoyable day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungle The Bear Posted December 17, 2018 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 On 15/12/2018 at 17:31, Walker570 said: I have a pair of Bushnell I won in a raffle and mostly they live in one of my cabins. Excellent at spotting stuff and identifying, don't know what they would cost but in a compact set I do not require anything better. I have a set of Swaros which I have had 30yrs and they are OK but I would not pend that sort of money today. My wife has a pair of Hawks and I cabnnot honestly see any difference. I have better things to spend my money on than names on items be it clothing or binos. Have a look at the Hawke range as I am sure they will do the job and spend the balance on an enjoyable day. I think you have hit the spot Walker 570😏 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabel25 Posted December 17, 2018 Report Share Posted December 17, 2018 I've a set of Leica range finders and they are excellennt for the job they're designed for But for general use compact i have a set of Bresser 10x42 and they are spot on Clear as a bell colour definition is great and well worth looking at for the money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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