Which cheap binoculars ?

[Patrick1964]

Can anyone recommend a pair of cheap (under £100) binoculars for general use (eg looking at birds, scenery etc rather than deer stalking) ?

[Monty Python]

Bushnell Natureview 10x42

http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/Bushnell_Powerview_Roof...

However, like all optical stuff, I'd try and find somewhere where you can try them first.

[Buff Mchugelarge]

You're not one of the ever increasing number of usually older gentleman hanging about on bridges over motorways with binoculars are you?

[normalbloke]

Monty Python said:

Bushnell Natureview 10x42

http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/Bushnell_Powerview_Roof...

However, like all optical stuff, I'd try and find somewhere where you can try them first.

They're clearly not under £100.....

[GetCarter]

http://www.telescopesandbinoculars.co.uk/acatalog/...

Top tip. Don't go above 10x magnification.

These will be as good as you get for that sort of money

http://www.telescopesandbinoculars.co.uk/acatalog/...

FYI... the first number is the magnification, the second the size of the 'big end'. The bigger the big end relative to the magnification, the more light is let in. Other things to consider. Waterproof is useful!

Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 30th April 16:05

[Lordbenny]

I bought some crappy binoculars a couple of weeks ago and got charged £500 by the man in the binocular shop....I think he saw me coming!

[cootuk]

http://www.telescopesandbinoculars.co.uk/acatalog/...

Depends if you want compact ones or standard

[towser44]

try Scope N Skies http://www.scopesnskies.com/

Or, pick up some Carl Zeiss Jena's second hand if you can, preferably the ones made in East Germany. My dad has a pair of 10 x 50s, which must be 40 years old now and they are absolutely stunning in terms of clarity. Just be careful to ensure they are not fakes!

An example below:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CARL-ZEISS-JENOPTEM-MULT...ygAAOSwpzdWrNNp

[Laurel Green]

Lordbenny said:

I bought some crappy binoculars a couple of weeks ago and got charged £500 by the man in the binocular shop....I think he saw me coming!

[Boosted LS1]

Go onto Ebay and buy yourself something with BAK4 lenses. I'm amazed at the clarity they provide. I recently bought a pair of Gambit 8x42 for bird watching and the image is far sharper them my much older Swift's.

What's more there are plenty for around the £50 price. Amazing.

[Patrick1964]

Buff Mchugelarge said:

You're not one of the ever increasing number of usually older gentleman hanging about on bridges over motorways with binoculars are you?

Not yet, but then I don't own any, so let's see

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Lordbenny said:

I bought some crappy binoculars a couple of weeks ago and got charged £500 by the man in the binocular shop....I think he saw me coming!

[jurbie]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-71009-Skymaster...

Quite large and cumbersome but I'm happy with mine and also good for looking at the night sky.

[DIW35]

I bought a pair of Celestron 9x42 binoculars a while back and they have been superb. Reasonably compact, lightweight and a nice crisp image. They also have a fitting so that they can be mounted on a tripod if required. Bad news is that they were slightly more than £100 and I don't think they are in the current Celestron model lineup, though Pentax do 9x42 that look very similar.

I fear that if you restrict yourself to a £100 budget you really will get what you paid for and will quite possibly at some point along the way look to upgrade. When it comes to binoculars I believe in the adage; buy cheap, buy twice.

[GetCarter]

DIW35 said:

When it comes to binoculars I believe in the adage; buy cheap, buy twice.

I agree. Bins (unlike cameras) are the sort of thing that will last a lifetime. Buy once, buy wise.

[CoolHands]

I bought these olympus 8x40 they are very nice for £42 very clear etc good for general duties

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Olympus-8-40-DPSI-Binocul...

[S47]

Nikon 7x35 'Action', binoculars - I paid £40 for mine, 5 years ago. currently about £60-70.
Nice and light and fantastic clarity.

[m1dg3]

towser44 said:

Or, pick up some Carl Zeiss Jena's second hand if you can, preferably the ones made in East Germany. My dad has a pair of 10 x 50s, which must be 40 years old now and they are absolutely stunning in terms of clarity. Just be careful to ensure they are not fakes!

I've got a pair of those and the optical quality is ridiculously good. However, they are big, heavy and feel a tad fragile to throw around in the field. Amazing in low light though.

For walking I've got some Nikon Sportstar EX 10x25 binos. They aren't as good optically but they're tough, light and waterproof and, because mine have a London 2012 logo on, they only cost £30.