binocular buying advice

tom_tarbucket

Hello

Dont know if this is the correct forum but will give it a go.
Looking to buy a pair of binoculars.
Budget is max 50 Euro.

Can anyone recommend a simple set where you dont have to move 5 dials to get focused, ideally id like just one dial to twist to get focus or is that even possible any more.

rmnrgn

Hi Tom, I appreciate that times are tough but for 50 euro you might as well not buy anything at the moment. The quality of binoculars will depend on what you need them for but good glass costs money and you will end up wasting yours. If you can wait, Aldi/Lidl sometimes sell binoculars, (Bresser) and they are a reasonable brand for basic use.

tom_tarbucket

rmnrgn wrote: »

Hi Tom, I appreciate that times are tough but for 50 euro you might as well not buy anything at the moment. The quality of binoculars will depend on what you need them for but good glass costs money and you will end up wasting yours. If you can wait, Aldi/Lidl sometimes sell binoculars, (Bresser) and they are a reasonable brand for basic use.

I get ya with the budget

The use may be a bit strange but there you go.
its just for me parents really, they are farmers and have cattle in fields behind the house - sometimes up to 1.5 km away

They sometimes need to count the cattle from the house or check on them to see if they are all ok or any of them lame etc etc

Eddie B

Yea Aldi/lidle do a half decent pair! Other option is second hand, car boot sale, markets e.t.c!
Friend of mine got a top quality pair at a local market, for 30 or 40 euro, lucky beggar!

Maybe ask on Nature, Bird Watching,! Be more using them there, rather than on this section!

deeksofdoom

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

I get ya with the budget

The use may be a bit strange but there you go.
its just for me parents really, they are farmers and have cattle in fields behind the house - sometimes up to 1.5 km away

They sometimes need to count the cattle from the house or check on them to see if they are all ok or any of them lame etc etc

Here's a novel idea, why don't they walk down to the cattle to check them?

tom_tarbucket

deeksofdoom wrote: »

Here's a novel idea, why don't they walk down to the cattle to check them?

very helpful, never thought of that, great input. :rolleyes:

parents are old and if its pissin rain walking 1.5 k is not ideal

deerhunter1

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

very helpful, never thought of that, great input. :rolleyes:

parents are old and if its pissin rain walking 1.5 k is not ideal

There is always one smart ass who does not know the full story,nor is it our business to know, only answer his question as best we can

Not2Good

I use Celestron binoculars for astronomy and you can pick them up very reasonably in some of the larger camera shops or chemists(!) Im guessing 8x40 or 10x50?

tom_tarbucket

deerhunter1 wrote: »

There is always one smart ass who does not know the full story,nor is it our business to know, only answer his question as best we can

thanks, good to know some constructive people on here

tom_tarbucket

Not2Good wrote: »

I use Celestron binoculars for astronomy and you can pick them up very reasonably in some of the larger camera shops or chemists(!) Im guessing 8x40 or 10x50?

Thanks, like this is the input I want, even a half decent brand name or whatever.

based on my limited research, I think 8 x 40 would be ok for the intended use.

high level, I **think** an 10x50 is more expensive than a 8x40 and based on this I think I should stick with the 8x40 - or maybe im totally wrong.

Not2Good

Think I have seen Celestron 8x40 for between €49 and €69 so I think its in the right ball park and it is well known trusted brand.

Vegeta

Lidl/Aldi usually do a spotting scope (on a small tri-pod) every spring, around €25 I think.

Not what you asked about but for extended periods of observation having some form of mounted solution (tri-pod, mono-pod, etc) is much more comfortable. Holding up binoculars for long periods may be taxing for elderly parents.

Word of warning though, the quality of the units varies wildly. Myself and my brother have them. Mine is great, his is a piece of crap. Look through whatever you're going to buy if at all possible (not always easy with internet shopping these days)

deerhunter1

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Thanks, like this is the input I want, even a half decent brand name or whatever.

based on my limited research, I think 8 x 40 would be ok for the intended use.

high level, I **think** an 10x50 is more expensive than a 8x40 and based on this I think I should stick with the 8x40 - or maybe im totally wrong.

8X40 will be more than enough, better clarity that the 10X40 for what you need them for, they are also a popular brand, but remember you get what you pay for
Good luck

Cass

A lad that gives me permission was looking for a set of Bins for the exact same reason. Elderly chap with no family. I bought him a set from LIDL for €30. They were 8-42, and cheap, but he was delighted and still thanks me to this day.

They are not seeking or needing Leica, Swarovski, etc. Plus with the chance they'll be fecked into the car, corner, etc. you don't want an expensive set. Plus it's not for foxes, rabbits, etc. A cow, even at distance is a big animal so the cheap set will do just fine. Something like these:

In ALDI.


I'm sure if you look around LIDL, or some online sources you'll find higher mag for the budget you have.

tom_tarbucket

Cass wrote: »

A lad that gives me permission was looking for a set of Bins for the exact same reason. Elderly chap with no family. I bought him a set from LIDL for €30. They were 8-42, and cheap, but he was delighted and still thanks me to this day.

They are not seeking or needing Leica, Swarovski, etc. Plus with the chance they'll be fecked into the car, corner, etc. you don't want an expensive set. Plus it's not for foxes, rabbits, etc. A cow, even at distance is a big animal so the cheap set will do just fine. Something like these:

In ALDI.


I'm sure if you look around LIDL, or some online sources you'll find higher mag for the budget you have.

Thanks. These aldi and lidl things don't come up too often I think.

Anyone recommend a good brand that I could buy second hand even ?

J.R.

Argos also sell binoculars:

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10152&catalogId=14551&langId=111&searchTerms=binoculars&authToken=

transit260

you anywhere near cork tom?

tom_tarbucket

transit260 wrote: »

you anywhere near cork tom?

I'm not transit

tom_tarbucket

These seem to be decent I think.

Olympus 8 x 40 DPSI Binocular https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0001M3612/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_o-Q4tb0SZVRFD

tom_tarbucket

Actually, any thoughts on these :

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Meade-8x42-Wilderness-Binoculars-Waterproof-Multicoated-lenses-Rubber-Armor-Bak4-/131219266136?pt=UK_Photography_Binoculars_Monoculars&hash=item1e8d471a58

One shot on kill

An add in the for sale section here might help. Plenty of guys have there first set of binoculars lying around that they first started with.

Stick up a wanted add.

MysticMah

I will give you one free ,is aldi or lidl ,I do not know but is good for free

tom_tarbucket

MysticMah wrote: »

I will give you one free ,is aldi or lidl ,I do not know but is good for free

Sorry for delay and Thanks very much for the very kind offer but I ended up buying my own pair.

tom_tarbucket

ok, some of you will be delighted to know that I pulled the trigger. ( thanks be to Christ says yee ! )
feck it, just went with the below. Getting them delivered to UK so postage was cheap.

im sure they will be ok and get decent reviews. they are porro prism etc


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Binoculars-Warranty-Magnification-Lightweight-8x40/dp/B008F4Q494/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Thanks for all the patience and advice

deerhunter1

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

ok, some of you will be delighted to know that I pulled the trigger. ( thanks be to Christ says yee ! )
feck it, just went with the below. Getting them delivered to UK so postage was cheap.

im sure they will be ok and get decent reviews. they are porro prism etc


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Binoculars-Warranty-Magnification-Lightweight-8x40/dp/B008F4Q494/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Thanks for all the patience and advice

yep they will do the job just keep them dry and away from moisture

tom_tarbucket

deerhunter1 wrote: »

yep they will do the job just keep them dry and away from moisture

Thanks ; )
Hopefully they will be fine for the job intended.