Binoculars

[Zipline65]

One of the things we like to do the most is watch wildlife. Right now I am camped at Thompson Causeway on the Mississippi wishing I had a good pair of binoculars to watch the huge flock of pelicans that is hanging out up river from us. I can bring them in somewhat with the zoom on my camera but not as close as I would like.
I'm looking for suggestions for binoculars in the $50-100 range. Any brands you particularly like? What magnification level is better for far over (looking for mountain goats range) viewing?
Meanwhile it is time to pack up this site and head home to repack for CRA on Thursday.
Liz

[kludge]

10x or 12x is about what I would be looking for for your purposes. In your price range I might even go 8x, just because the glass in that price range is not very good and it will usually cut down on the refraction. Also, keep in mind, the more power, the harder it is to hold steady when viewing long range. 10x or 12x is hard enough, so I wouldn't go beyond that, but that kind of magnification will let you see the moons of Jupiter.

Another option is a spotting scope on a camera tripod, then you can get into the 40x, 50x, 60x range. But again, the glass in your price range is not very good and at that magnification (rainbows at the edges).

Whatever you get, ask to try it outside before you buy. You want clear/bright and minimal refraction. The better the coatings on the optics and the better the grind of the lenses the less refraction you will get. Bigger objective lenses = more light, but more potential for refraction.

In your price range, there is no one brand I can recommend, just focus on the paragraph above. Some entry level Redfield binocs for $100 or under would be my first choice, maybe Pentax (my cheap binocs - got them as a gift).

If you can spend a little more, Redfields go from around $120-$200 will be pretty good, also, Leupold and Nikon.

[Cosmo]

I became a bird/wildlife addict after a week in Cape May N.J.
Binoculars turned out to be my best entertainment investment. They never stop delivering enjoyment. My trailer has windows on all 4 sides which is handy for viewing nature and is serves as my primary entertainment center (which is why I am out there in the first place)

In any price range I would stick with the big names as was suggested. I would add Pentax to the list of brands to consider.

The big names usually provide a great warranty when compared to other brands.

I would consider waterproof if you love all weather birding or expect to be in temp changes where condensation can fog the interior of unsealed brands

My favorite power is 10X the larger the objective (42 is common which would be 10X42) I also love smaller pocket binoculars - but you make a few trade offs for that portability. but they are always with you. Its hard to ignore most people prefer 8X but I love 10X. The 10 times magnification shows me more detail and I have a steady hand. If you have shakey hands take a look at 8X for a comparison.

A good resource is this binocular forum where you can read reviews and post questions. http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=112

I started off with inexpensive bins in the $200 range and worked my way up. I tossed and turned about this for a while and then just went out and purchased the bins I lusted for!

I don't regret any money I spent on optics. They keep on delivering enjoyment. ALMOST any binocular at any price is better than no binocular.

Good Birding!
Cosmo

[Fred Trout]

Once you have a pretty good feel for what's available, how it looks when you use them, and their prices, you can save some money checking the used market. Pawn shops, Craig's List, want ads, whatever you are comfortable with are worth a look.

[noseoil]

I have an older pair of small Nikon binoculars (7X) that have served me very well. The newer ones are a bit nicer in general & the 8 X 25 would be what I would get if I wanted to replace mine. Here's a link in your price range which would be a good value for the money in a Nikon set. At 8X you can still hold them without any trouble with excessive movement.

Check out Craigs list to see what's out there in your area. Pawn shops can be OK, but lots of stuff is priced upwards of new prices & has no warranty.

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-7277-25mm-T ... +binocular

[booyah]

these have been very very well reviewed for the price range

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00189CT42

they are roof prism, means not as small or as light, but with the advances in roof prism manufacturing the optical quality is through the roof for the price!

[capnTelescope]

Let me try and confuse you more. Consider compact binocs. They are much lighter and easier to carry. They are also harder to hold steady, so stay at 8X. Because of their smaller lenses, they don't have the light gathering ability needed for stargazing.

In full size binocs, as you go up in magnification, some models will come with tripod mounts. This will get you up closer, but adds to the stuff you have to carry. I have a pair of Celestron Skymaster at 15X that fall not far above your price range. These puppies are huge and heavy. I wouldn't want them along on a nature hike. To hold steady at this magnification without a tripod, you will need to rest against something.

I bet if you found a birdwatching forum, they would have some pretty good recommendations.

Just my $0.02. Have fun shopping!

[tony.latham]

I would suggest you shop for binoculars in a brick and mortor store, not the internet (I'll admit to being an Amazon junkie but reading reviews isn't the best way of buying optics).

Find a place with numerous binoculars –preferablly in a large building. Locate a small printed sign inside (or outside the store if they will let you) to compare each pair of binocs. Just picking up a pair and "glassing around" isn't subjective enough. If need be, take a folding cardboard eye chart inside the building and set it up somewhere. Make sure you look at the sharpness on the edges of optics not just the center.

Oh, and for birding, compare each pair's focusing distance. Some binoculars won't focus in close.

Someone once told me that a poor man buys his tools twice. I've found that to be true. The same thing could be said for binoculars.

Tony

Open and print:

http://www.visionsource.com/site/assets/files/1192/free_eye_chart.pdf

[Zipline65]

Weeding my way through the suggestions. My hands don't shake yet but at 63 that might be in my future, so 8x seems to be the way to go. I am also sensing that it would be a good idea to bump my price range up some. I would rather buy once. If I bump up to $100 to $200 is there any different advice? I will def try things out in person first. Then I might head over to Amazon as I, too, am an addict.
Liz
btw - thanks for helping.

[Redneck Teepee]

All I can say is stay away from these.....bought a pair and everything is always fuzzy and out of focus.

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/imag ... gHhBjXAcSs

https://www.papabert.com/itemimages/87.jpg

[Cosmo]

As a starting point, you might consider these. I would not go lower in quality (for my needs)
They are both lightweight compact binoculars and great for diverse outdoor use.

They will work for a beginner to intermediate.

They certainly won’t hold you back. They come with a great warrantee

Very rugged VERY light weight. Good sharpness, color, contrast, and brightness (for the price).

They won’t break the bank. They are a 9X28 so they will be bright enough for about 20 min after sunset or before sunrise.
I own 2 pair, I take them kayaking etc when I don’t want to risk the expensive bins. I have a pair in the kitchen to keep an eye on the feeder.

All binoculars suffer when viewing a back lit bird and when looking in the direction of the sun when it is low on the horizon, like in the winter (never look directly at the sun through optics of course). The more you pay the more your reduce that problem. These are certainly acceptable.

This is the cheapest price I could find on Amazon. They typically sell for about $250. This link has them for $165 and free shipping. This binocular gets good reviews (for its price) on both Amazon and the Binocular forum.

http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-62599-9X28 ... lar+dcf+lv

If you are feeling like spending more money you might consider
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-7580-Monarc ... +binocular

Both binoculars are not the popular 42MM which will gather more light in a low light situation such as late sunset or scant moonlight looking for owls. Will work in full moon lighting. For my needs I like the smaller bins because I bicycle ride and hike long distance and don’t want to carry weight. Both will be easy on your neck.

I agree looking at bar codes in a store might indicate some degree of sharpness. But every bin I did that with in an evenly lit store did just fine. Nothing will beat 20 min outdoors. That’s where you see the changeable lighting, shadows , contrast, color – and especially back lighting.

Amazon is a safe choice since they will take a return if you are not happy.
An alternative is to go to a popular birding spot and ask to check other peoples binoculars.

You have many excellent choices available. These are 2 you can add to your list to check out. You will get endless enjoyment with your purchase. Binoculars have a long lifespan.

Good Birding!
Cosmo

[nevadatear]

We have been birding for several decades. The short answer is to buy the most expensive bins you can afford. This is one area where you truly get what you pay for. The difference between bins is remarkable. I second trying them out in a store. Wait to buy on line until you find what you like. It is not just power, but balance In your hand and things like eye relief, important if you wear glasses, close focus, etc. bird watchers digest does annual reviews of bins in different categories. You can access them on line. Both my husband and I like 8 power for larger field of view and lack of Shake doesn't matter how old you are, you hold them up in the air very long looking at that hummingbird and your hands are gonna shake. I had 10's and like my 8.5s much better. I don't recommend mini or compact they just don't have a big enough field of view. There are some good midsize. 12 power bins are worthless without a tri or monopod. Also check with you local Audubon society.