Racing Binoculars-Xmas Present

lslola

Im looking to find a good pair of binoculars for my boyfriend for christmas.
One that are good for horse racing.
Not a clue where to start or look.
Can anyone give me an idea on what id expect to pay and where I should go/look??

Thanks.

kincsem

Here
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/25/xx/xx/3/1/criteresn.html

I have 7 x 50 Pentax binoculars that I bought in 1976.
Originally I bought them for horseracing at The Curragh, but later used them in game parks in Africa (lived there for two years), and now use them to look at the birds feeding at my bird feeders in the garden. They are heavy enough.

Binoculars are not that useful for horseracing as -
(1) you cant see much when the horses are a half mile away
(2) you get too close a view when the horses are near the finish
(3) often they show the racing on giant screens at big race meetings so you don't need them.

You can also use binoculars to get good views of horses parading, going down to the start, and to view bookmakers prices from a distance.

Explanation 7 x 50 ..... 7 times magnification; 50mm front lens diameter.

The greater the magnification and bigger the front lens diameter the greater the weight (usually). It is not easy to hold heavy binoculars for minutes so I suggest light binoculars. Another thing I would look for is lens covers for both ends that are attached so you can flip them open, and when finished viewing you can snap them shut to protect the lenses.

On that site I would go for in order -
Nikon Action VII 7x50 CF .... €118.51 (Nikon are a top quality make)
Olympus 8X40 DPSI N1240382 ..... €81.47
Olympus 8-16X40 DPSI N1240582 .... €99.57 (these can zoom from 8 up to 16 times magnification)

Shipping costs are extra.

kincsem

Also http://www.cameracentre.ie/

They have four shops in Dublin

56 Grafton Street
Stephens Green End
Tel: (01) 6775594
Fax: (01) 6777977
____________________________
The Square Tallaght
Level Two beside Dunnes Stores
Tel: (01) 4521105
Fax: (01) 4521099
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Blanchardstown SC
Unit 139 Ground Floor
Tel: (01) 8221989
Fax: (01) 8221995
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Liffey Street
Junction of Henry Street
Tel: (01) 8735076
Fax: (01) 8735078
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kincsem

http://www.opticsplanet.net/how-to-buy-binoculars.html

Very useful guide. Take notes.

See APPLICATIONS heading near the end.
They recommend 8x40 or 8x42 for sport.

Nulty

kincsem wrote: »

Here
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/25/xx/xx/3/1/criteresn.html

I have 7 x 50 Pentax binoculars that I bought in 1976.
Originally I bought them for horseracing at The Curragh, but later used them in game parks in Africa (lived there for two years), and now use them to look at the birds feeding at my bird feeders in the garden. They are heavy enough.

Binoculars are not that useful for horseracing as -
(1) you cant see much when the horses are a half mile away
(2) you get too close a view when the horses are near the finish
(3) often they show the racing on giant screens at big race meetings so you don't need them.

You can also use binoculars to get good views of horses parading, going down to the start, and to view bookmakers prices from a distance.

Explanation 7 x 50 ..... 7 times magnification; 50mm front lens diameter.

The greater the magnification and bigger the front lens diameter the greater the weight (usually). It is not easy to hold heavy binoculars for minutes so I suggest light binoculars. Another thing I would look for is lens covers for both ends that are attached so you can flip them open, and when finished viewing you can snap them shut to protect the lenses.

On that site I would go for in order -
Nikon Action VII 7x50 CF .... €118.51 (Nikon are a top quality make)
Olympus 8X40 DPSI N1240382 ..... €81.47
Olympus 8-16X40 DPSI N1240582 .... €99.57 (these can zoom from 8 up to 16 times magnification)

Shipping costs are extra.

This...but nice idea. Maybe get him some racing books?

convert

kincsem wrote: »

(3) often they show the racing on giant screens at big race meetings so you don't need them.

This is usually only done at 'big' meetings, so if your OH is a regular race goer they'd be quite handy to have on 'normal' racing days.

UrbanSea

Ah Convert even Sligo has the big screen.

convert

greetings wrote: »

Ah Convert even Sligo has the big screen.

For every race meeting?! :eek:

UrbanSea

From what I can remember yes. I thought all of them would have it if Sligo had it,maybe I'm wrong.

Nulty

The racing authorities have a truck thats drives to the meetings and out of the top of the truck comes the screen. Theres rarely two meetings on the same day so I don't know if they have two trucks.

UrbanSea

Nulty wrote: »

The racing authorities have a truck thats drives to the meetings and out of the top of the truck comes the screen. Theres rarely two meetings on the same day so I don't know if they have two trucks.

That'd be the bad boy I believe.

Well I know at the October meeting at Galway they only had a big screen behind the parade ring not in front of the stands so I really needed my binoculars, but didn't have them.

They are nice to have at the races but I find them a bit of a nuisance at times especially as they are quite heavy (and if you are going straight into town etc after a meeting and have no where to leave them). I have two pairs a small pair which I tend to use more but they are not as good, but not bad either and a big pair which are good that I bought years ago in Austria. As mentioned above I find them very good for checking prices etc especially on busy days where its hard to get around.

I also like to watch the races rather than look at the big screen, though I have been lazy recently about bringing them with me.

Juwwi

Maybe you could get him one of these .


http://www.lazyboy.co.uk/La-Z-Boy-Handle-Recliners/La-Z-Boy-Cool-Chair-Recliner/prod_50.html

finbarrk

Binoculars are handy if you have a horse running yourself, you can keep watching him throughout the race. But with the HRI big screen that goes around the country now the binoculars are only an inconvienence that will inevitably end up being left under a bar table at some stage!

s-cogan

robbie1977 wrote: »

Maybe you could get him one of these .


http://www.lazyboy.co.uk/La-Z-Boy-Handle-Recliners/La-Z-Boy-Cool-Chair-Recliner/prod_50.html

looks a bit weighty to have strapped around your neck between races.:p