Hellow everyone
We would like to splash out on a new pair of bins but not really sure what sort to get. Can anyone give advice as to what would be the best type for birding i.e. magnification size etc. Looking at not more than a £100 or should we be paying more?
Regards
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/
Can I just add, don't buy any until you try them out. And if, like me, you wear specs, if you can, get ones where you don't need your specs as the further bins are from your eyes, the less well they function - in my experience.
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Ooh, good luck Kezmo! I wouldn't like to have to choose a pair of new bins... (I also initially thought you were after storage containers!!). I am VERY fortunate to have my grandfather's Carl Zeiss (8 x 32) bins which are superbly clear!! He gave them to me before he died as he knew that with my interest in wildlife I'd get plenty of use from them so they are extra special to me!! :-)
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
Rockwolf said:I am VERY fortunate to have my grandfather's Carl Zeiss (8 x 32) bins which are superbly clear!!
Hi MarJus, I inherited my dad's bins when he died. They are very old - he has been dead since 1987 and goodness knows how long he had them. They are 8 x 30 and also very clear. The only problem is they are heavy, which I why I got some lightweight ones, but I still prefer my dad's.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Hi Kezmo (just to give you an idea), due to my arthritis I needed lightweight bins so I eventually chose these which, so far, I have found adequate for my needs:-
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Olympus-10-25-Silver-Binocular/dp/B00006G33K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265895167&sr=1-1
I am short-sighted but with these I can, without wearing glasses, see completely perfectly a bird over 100 feet away!
Thanks for that link Squirrel. They look perfect for my needs and I have saved the details for future reference.
Buzzard said: Hi Kezmo, new bins for a £100! I'm sure you know you only get what you pay for!! The best bins are Lieca and Swarovski and a decent pair will cost £1000 - £1800 I have included two links for you a link telling you about the optics and what to look for in making your purchase! Also a link with prices, opticron offer a mid price range and are reasonable. The other thing is to have a look at the RSPB gift shop. http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=binoculars&hl=en&price1=&price2=100.00&lnk=prsugg&show=dd http://www.laser-king.com/binoculars_selecting.html Regards Buzzard
Hi Kezmo, new bins for a £100!
I'm sure you know you only get what you pay for!!
The best bins are Lieca and Swarovski and a decent pair will cost £1000 - £1800
I have included two links for you a link telling you about the optics and what to look for in making your purchase!
Also a link with prices, opticron offer a mid price range and are reasonable. The other thing is to have a look at the RSPB gift shop.
http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=binoculars&hl=en&price1=&price2=100.00&lnk=prsugg&show=dd
http://www.laser-king.com/binoculars_selecting.html
Regards Buzzard
Hi Buzzard, yes I did realise they can be expensive. A lady who was in the hide with us over the weekend had a pair of Swarovski's and they were huge. The problem I have is that I suffer with palsy in my hands so anything too big would just be a hindrance to me.
Although if I've now got to start studying nasal hairs to determine the sex of a bird, then I know something more powerful than we have is necessary!!! LOL
Thanks for your links which I have saved and will start going through. OH said something about not getting anything bigger than 10x magnification but not sure where he got this from.
Thanks Buzzard
Hi Kezmo, did you have a look at the ones in the link I posted on Page 1?
Sorry Squirrel, for the late reply (just had to go off and have my tea so only had time to post to Buzzard as he ws the first to reply!) Yes I did have quick look and they look pretty good to me. How do you get on with them?. The one's we have are okay for garden birds but as we tend to visit the estuaries around where we live, I need something a bit powerful - so would be interested to see how yours compare.
Hi Brenda, thanks for the reply. The makes you mention are not ones I recognise but I'm not an expert on these sort of things anyway so it doesn't surprise me. Good to note about the eBay, I have to admit I have never used it so not too sure what to expect but I thank Janet for giving me another idea.
Hi Bishy - it was the same with us, I think the one's we have were a freebie with something else. As you say they're okay in the garden somewhat but not if you want to get a real good look at something.