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Forum section: electronics / general

author: GEuser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2016, 05:55:00 am
content: Q

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2016, 06:37:14 am
content: The first question one should ask is for what you will be using the binoculars.Last year I was looking for inexpensive (<$100) binoculars for a granddaughter. She is into nature and wanted them for bird and wildlife watching. After some research, I got her a pair of Nikon Aculon A211 8X42 (https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-8245-ACULON-Binocular-Black/dp/B00B7LQ73U). They were such an incredible improvement over the "opera glasses" I had been using that I immediately bought myself a pair. They are bight, wide field, easy to spot with, and not too much color aberration. Nikon also has the same model in a 10X50 version.I am not a gung ho birdwatcher, but for just enjoying what's around, I have no regrets and am very happy with them. In particular, I began my search looking for a 50 mm pair but am happy with the 42 mm one. Besides, it is smaller, lighter, and easily portable. Most of the wildlife I look at are within 200 yards.John

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 21, 2016, 06:44:47 am
content: The optimum size for hand held non-stabilised binoculars is either 8x40 or 7x50, generally. Anything bigger gets hard to hold and the shakes overrides any magnification over these. Fairly good quality binoculars in these sizes can be had for under $100USD.If you want to spend more then I might suggest you look at the Canon 15x50IS for $1000+.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 21, 2016, 07:20:29 am
content: 10x50 is the upper limit of what most people can hold steady. 12x50 is going to be a problem for most people. It is not what you can hold for 30 seconds but what your arms are going to do after a minute or two.I am an amateur astronomer and have the experience of over 45 years to back up what I am saying and the experience of thousands of others to back up my experience.The next binoculars I will buy are the Canons I mentioned.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2016, 09:26:14 am
content: Interesting perspective on the dust caps. The Nikon eyepiece caps are a single, removable unit. The objective end has two individual caps. The only ones I use are the eyepiece ones. However a shoelace or similar will connect them, if needed. I use it indoors, and it stands on the big end nicely. I would find something that flipped back or dangled down a negative.John

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2016, 01:15:24 am
content: Quote from: Lightages on June 21, 2016, 06:44:47 am$1100 is near enough to OP's $120 limithttps://www.amazon.com/Canon-Stabilization-Weather-Binoculars-Batteries/dp/B00006I53P/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466557956&sr=8-1&keywords=Canon+15x50ISWish I could afford them BUT what about the end caps? Boy got to get out and buy some lottery tickets.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2016, 02:03:06 am
content: If you can possibly do it, go to some brick and mortar store and try them. As you say there are so many choices it is tiresome, and there are some very good products sharing brand names and even part of the model name with absolutely horrid product. I hesitate to recommend brands and models in this price range for that reason.I have found excellent binoculars with rapid focus, a large field, lots of tolerance of eye relief, no visible aberrations a wide range of diopter adjustment and more for well under $100 US. But have also found horrible chromatic aberration, tiny fields, gritty clunky mechanisms and so on in much higher priced sets.It only takes a few seconds to try something, either looking across a large store, or looking out the window of a small store. You can quickly winnow out the clunkers. If you are having trouble deciding between the remainder they will probably all make you happy. Just pick one. It's the only sure way I know to get something you will be happy with.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2016, 02:06:37 am
content: I have to add that I also find 12X on the high side for hand held binoculars. If you are set on that much magnification I would at least recommend picking a variable magnification pair. Good ones can be found in your price range, and the lower magnification ranges will save you on some day when you have had too much coffee, or not enough warm clothing or whatever. Unless you are doing serious expeditions or are a very tiny person the extra weight won't be a problem.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 22, 2016, 05:45:02 am
content: I would stay away from zoom binoculars. They are all generally big compromises in quality. They are also more fragile and more likely to break. Stick with proven simple designs.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2016, 05:58:56 am
content: How about theseCanon 20X50 High quality Hd wide-angle Central Zoom Portable LLL Night Vision Binoculars telescope free shippingfor $37 Imagine a 20x50 Canon for less than $40http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-2013-Canon-20X50-Powerview-Porro-Prism-Binoculars-Optical-Binocular-Telescope-100-NEW/1456330422.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.10.m9k5EP&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_0,searchweb201602_4_10037_10017_10032_10040,searchweb201603_11&btsid=9b931c6a-1b31-42f5-867e-6139cf88f193Oh they are in HD also(ha ha ha)Oh for $10 more a Nikonhttp://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Nikon-binoculars-20x50-58M-1000M-Nitrogen-waterproof-High-power-high-definition-Night-Vision-Hunting-Telescope/818027_1454139342.html?spm=2114.10010108.1000023.9.Ir67ufWow look at the reviews (again ha ha ha)

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 22, 2016, 06:08:25 am
content: Lowest price option IMHO:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/208810-REG/Bushnell_133450_10x50_Falcon_Binocular.htmlAnother:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/314389-REG/Olympus_118760_10x50_Trooper_DPS_I.html

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2016, 06:15:33 am
content: Quote from: Lightages on June 22, 2016, 06:08:25 amI thought those Aliexpress were a joke. But with BHphoto carrying cheap bios, I do not know now??

author: borjam
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 22, 2016, 06:31:57 am
content: The sweet spot for carrying around and having enough light gathering capability is at most 42 mm. Actually, if you don't plan to use them at dusk or dawn, even 30 mm is great.Larger (like 50 or 56 mm.) is only advantageous in very low light situations or when using very high magnifications.For example, I've got a pair of Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 for bird/nature watching. Not large, lightweight, and very good value for money. For those times when I want to watch seabirds but I don't want to lug around a spotting scope and tripod, I have a pair of Monarch 5 16x56. Hard to keep still (I manage, though!) but the alternative is much more bulky.For general use, something like 8-10 x 30-42 is great. Please be aware that the sweet price sport for such binos is in the $200-$300 range, so there can be a huge difference between, say, a Monarch 5 8x42 and a $100 binocular. And image quality is not only good because of a wow factor. It means less fatigue if you spend a whole day trekking and using themAnyway, always try the models you consider. There are many tiny factors involved and a pair of binos I find comfortable myself can be a pain in the ass for you.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2016, 05:21:31 pm
content: Best of luck with your purchase. If you are forced to return to the market, Barska is an example of why I hesitate to recommend something. I have seen some excellent optics from them, and also the exact opposite. Somewhat correlated to price, but not strongly.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2016, 07:45:35 pm
content: Quote from: GEuser on June 22, 2016, 10:20:55 amWhat did you buy - include linkthanks