Hi all,
I have been looking through some of the gear posts but many are quite old now.
I am wondering which range of current binoculars and spotting scopes you would recommend for a beginner. I don't have a huge budget but I want something worth buying that will give good results. I have a cheap scope from Maplins (£50) but I have seen RSPB ones (I think) that are more expensive (£300+). I'm looking somewhere in between, maybe even under the £100 mark.
Are there any i should be looking at over others?
Thank you,
Stuart
Add to the list of Opticron, and Hawke, for budget binoculars Nikon and Bushnell are two others to look at, both of which I use still today, both Bushnells are weatherproof.
The Bushnells were about £50 when I bought them around ten years ago, and the Nikon Travellites were just over £100
I think the RSPB's own binoculars are Viking, another good budget brand.
As already mentioned by Whistling Joe, it would be wise to try before you buy, many RSPB reserves and wildlife trusts where they have full visitor facilities, often have an adviser and some even have days specifically set out to try equipment.
Also, as Seaman mentioned, consider some cash for a tripod, depending on how big your binoculars are when you buy.
You're welcome Stuart, and good luck.