My Mum wants compact/small quality binoculars for Christmas: any advice appreciated?!

Arequipa

Hi!
My Mam would like a small, quality pair of binoculars for watching the birds in her back garden..Her back garden is approx 30 metres long and 20 metres wide...
I suppose my budget would go up to €100...
Any models you could recommend to me?

Thanks very much!

A

jmkennedyie

Have a read of the existing thread here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056260386

The problem with small/compact bins is that they have small/compact lens and so they can only let in very little light so it can be hard to make anything out. The more light in the better, so a more normal 8x40 or 10x40 would be really much more useful. The first number is magnification. The 40 is the size of the big lens. Both sizes or similar would be fine for the back garden. Avoid bins that have cool-sounding "zoom" capabilities. One place to start would be birdwatch ireland shop.

Arequipa

Thanks for your reply!
Any other reputable websites?
I have an opticron set, but they are quite big,,, are they considered a good make?

Thank you!

magicbastarder

what specs are yours, so we can get an idea of what you consider to be big?

Rosahane

If it's only for the back garden Aldi are selling off 8X40 binos at half price for €17.50. They are mid sized and reasonable quality, perfectly adequate for the garden. Really great value.

Full size, higher quality, and the permanent focus feature is great for quick viewing. Heinnie are a top class site and quick delivery.
http://www.heinnie.com/luger-optics-optics-fx-7x50

Arequipa

Must check out those Aldi binos..
My opticrons are 10 x 42; i use for bird watching & also i love watching jets fly over on a clear day: they werent as goid at this range as I first imagined...!

gzoladz

I'd go for an 8x42, they will perform better when the light is not great and they are not too big. Try Uttings.co.uk they have great deals and they are very reputable.

ThunderCat

I have a pair of these and they are absolutely terrific

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Olympus-8x25-Binoculars-Silver-Black/dp/B00006G33J/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418815278&sr=8-1&keywords=olympus+8x25

They are small, the optics are very good and they are clear closer to the edge that most other binoculars I own.
If your mam just needs them for during the daytime then they would be great. It's only in low light (dusk, dawn, star gazing) that they wouldn't perform as well as the bigger bins. But for their size, they are surprisingly good in daytime. What I will say though, is despite it's small size and light weight, I am able to get a steadier view through my 8x40's strangely enough.

Arequipa

Hi! Thanks for the advice and feedback...i bought my Dad a Canon pair, very similar to those Olympus binos, years ago..
Unfortunately the nieces and nephews used them to play & they didnt last long..
I will check that Amazon link out!

eorpach

What about a grant from the Neighbourhood Watch Committee?

Arequipa

I think these 2 binoculars seem to get good reviews: which would you go for..?

1)http://www.amazon.co.uk/Opticron-Adventurer-DCF-GA-Compact-Binoculars/dp/B001LZFZ5S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1418836591&sr=8-3&keywords=opticron+8+x+25

2)http://www.amazon.co.uk/Opticron-Trailfinder-Black-Compact-Binocular/dp/B005I0L3GC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418836591&sr=8-1&keywords=opticron+8+x+25

Thanks!

whyulittle

Just looking at Amazon there, and my 3 year old pair of Opticron Discovery bins have actually appreciated in value by about 60 quid! :eek::D

ThunderCat

Arequipa wrote: »

I think these 2 binoculars seem to get good reviews: which would you go for..?

1)http://www.amazon.co.uk/Opticron-Adventurer-DCF-GA-Compact-Binoculars/dp/B001LZFZ5S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1418836591&sr=8-3&keywords=opticron+8+x+25

2)http://www.amazon.co.uk/Opticron-Trailfinder-Black-Compact-Binocular/dp/B005I0L3GC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418836591&sr=8-1&keywords=opticron+8+x+25

Thanks!

I'd say the first one because its listed as having BAK4 prisms with the optics being fully multi coated whereas the second one also has BAK4 prisms but the optics are just multi coated. I can't see an eye relief figure for the second pair but the eye relief on the first pair are 11mm which might be restrictive if your mam wears glasses.
It's also worth pointing out that the two binoculars linked above are roof prism binoculars. At your price point, the quality and clarity of a porro prism pair or reverse porro prism pair would be better than a roof prism pair.

Ulmus

Birdwatch Ireland sell Opticron Savanna 8x30, a porroprism, for €125.

http://shop.birdwatchireland.ie/birdwatchireland/product_info.php?cPath=21_22&products_id=888.
Good reviews online.

Arequipa

Thanks for the replies!