Binoculars advice

older i get better i was

Hi
Want to purchase a set of binocs with a view to starting to birdwatching. I'm completely new to this so would like some simple advice (and not info overload). What size should I go for? 10x42 10x32 8x42 8x32? Should I go compact or bit larger? The below models get excellent reviews are they good brand value?

http://shop.birdwatchireland.ie/birdwatchireland/product_info.php?cPath=21_22&products_id=1140

http://shop.birdwatchireland.ie/birdwatchireland/product_info.php?cPath=21_22&products_id=1142

magicbastarder

some decent advice here:

https://www.irelandswildlife.com/choosing-binoculars-for-birding/

OpenYourEyes

I'd recommend 8x42, in whatever model you go for!

Rosahane

If size and weight aren't an issue you would be better getting something like these Porro Prism ones by Opticron.
http://www.connscameras.ie/p/opticron-marine-3-7x50-bifga/5036422300560
They will be significantly better than the Hawkes.

OwlEye

Scroll down the page for some good deals on closeout stock. Got a new boxed pair of Vortex 10x32 for €52 delivered.

https://www.sherwoods-photo.com/ex_demo/ex_demo_optics.htm

OpenYourEyes

Just from my own experience - I own a pair of opticron roof prism binoculars, having had nikon porro prisms before. I don't think I'll ever go back to porro prisms, and everyone I know uses roof prisms.

WildIreland

Rosahane wrote: »

If size and weight aren't an issue you would be better getting something like these Porro Prism ones by Opticron.
http://www.connscameras.ie/p/opticron-marine-3-7x50-bifga/5036422300560
They will be significantly better than the Hawkes.

Actually not at all sure those porros would be "better than the hawkes" as an all round biding / wildlife observation optic. 7x50s will be very bright, but they're big, and by their nature porroprisms are always both less robust and more cumbersome in the field. Roof prism binoculars are almost always a more practical and comfortable choice if you plan to carry your optics around with you. The porros you recommend are also individual focus eyepieces, which would be a disaster for birding. Optically too I think you'll find the Hawkes more than hold their own -- with phase corrected prisms and high quality coatings they are optically excellent for the price.

For the OP's intended use of "getting started" with birdwatching the 8x42 or 8x32 Hawke endurance ED is a great little binocular. I've reviewed both models, and my personal preference was for the compact 8x32 -- but both are excellent value for money. My advice... if size and weight are an issue go for the 8x32, if you want to eke out a few more minutes of use in twilight / as the light fades go with the 8x42.

Others worth considering in the same price bracket (that I've tried / reviewed comparatively recently) include the excellent Kite Caiman (Kite is a Belgian company that's been producing bins and scopes for more than 30 years -- with a focus on optical and build quality rather than flashy gimmicks), and the Vanguard Endeavor ED offers excellent value for money. If you can stretch the budget just a little the Vanguard Endeavor EDII is a superb binocular that can rival many costing much, much more.

You'll find hands-on reviews of all models mentioned on the Ireland's Wildlife site. I won't post a link to my own site here... but they're quite easy to find. I'm also culling a few of my post-review / demo optics on the site at the moment, some of which may be of interest. Again, I won't post a link here, but they're easy enough to find should you want to.

Hope that helps... and best of luck with your search.

All the best,

Calvin!

WildIreland

magicbastarder wrote: »

some decent advice here:

https://www.irelandswildlife.com/choosing-binoculars-for-birding/

Thanks for posting that :-)

magicbastarder

one thing to bear in mind if you're considering buying off birdwatch - they have a decent selection you can manhandle at their office (or did, anyway, when we bought), but their office only opens on weekdays.

WildIreland

Eeek just noticed an issue with SSL certificates for the site -- only cropped up this morning. Hosting company should have it fixed ASAP. Apologies if you're getting annoying "site not secure" warnings in your browser.

gzoladz

8x42 (preferred) or 10x42. I would try second hand first until you learn about them and then can invest more wisely in relation to what you value more: Field of view, sharpness, weight, etc as there is always a compromise.

Conns are great at giving you advise and letting you try the gear, and price is reasonable too.

older i get better i was

Ok thanking all who replied to my 1st world SOS, as this is from santa missus woman has gone ahead and purchased a pair which arrived today, they are the opticron Oregon 10x42. Now most of my research was steering me towards the 8x42 as the reviews seemed to be very very good toward the 10's reviews. Again I haven't even opened the package should I follow the reviews and change to the 8's?? Or stick with the 10. I like the idea of the 8 being more compact but I'm such a bloody novice I really don't know what to do. 😨

http://shop.birdwatchireland.ie/birdwatchireland/product_info.php?cPath=21_22&products_id=697

Rosahane

WildIreland wrote: »

Actually not at all sure those porros would be "better than the hawkes" as an all round biding / wildlife observation optic. 7x50s will be very bright, but they're big, and by their nature porroprisms are always both less robust and more cumbersome in the field. Roof prism binoculars are almost always a more practical and comfortable choice if you plan to carry your optics around with you. The porros you recommend are also individual focus eyepieces, which would be a disaster for birding. Optically too I think you'll find the Hawkes more than hold their own -- with phase corrected prisms and high quality coatings they are optically excellent for the price.

For the OP's intended use of "getting started" with birdwatching the 8x42 or 8x32 Hawke endurance ED is a great little binocular. I've reviewed both models, and my personal preference was for the compact 8x32 -- but both are excellent value for money. My advice... if size and weight are an issue go for the 8x32, if you want to eke out a few more minutes of use in twilight / as the light fades go with the 8x42.

Others worth considering in the same price bracket (that I've tried / reviewed comparatively recently) include the excellent Kite Caiman (Kite is a Belgian company that's been producing bins and scopes for more than 30 years -- with a focus on optical and build quality rather than flashy gimmicks), and the Vanguard Endeavor ED offers excellent value for money. If you can stretch the budget just a little the Vanguard Endeavor EDII is a superb binocular that can rival many costing much, much more.

You'll find hands-on reviews of all models mentioned on the Ireland's Wildlife site. I won't post a link to my own site here... but they're quite easy to find. I'm also culling a few of my post-review / demo optics on the site at the moment, some of which may be of interest. Again, I won't post a link here, but they're easy enough to find should you want to.

Hope that helps... and best of luck with your search.

All the best,

Calvin!

Overall you are probably right in what you say. Not too sure I'd agree with you about the fixed focus in all cases though. I have a pair of Steiner 7X50 Military Porro Prism fixed focus. They are in focus from about 20 yards to infinity. Admittedly, I don't use them a lot but they are great in some circumstances especially in low light or woodland on darker days. Using them I was once able to see clearly watch curlews feeding on pasture at nighttime.

gzoladz

older i get better i was wrote: »

Ok thanking all who replied to my 1st world SOS, as this is from santa missus woman has gone ahead and purchased a pair which arrived today, they are the opticron Oregon 10x42. Now most of my research was steering me towards the 8x42 as the reviews seemed to be very very good toward the 10's reviews. Again I haven't even opened the package should I follow the reviews and change to the 8's?? Or stick with the 10. I like the idea of the 8 being more compact but I'm such a bloody novice I really don't know what to do. ��

http://shop.birdwatchireland.ie/birdwatchireland/product_info.php?cPath=21_22&products_id=697

8's are easier to hold steady, have a wider field of view and are a little brighter (like-for-like). I would start with an 8, but it is entirely personal and the difference would not be massive. 10 are great too.

My friendly advise is now stop thinking about the binocs, get out and enjoy BWI offers loads of free outings and participants are always very helpful and friendly.

A nice "game" to start with...pick 10 common birds and go to find them in your local park, for example: Robin, Woodpigeon, Bluetit, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Moorhen, Mallard, Grey Heron, Little Egret and Black headed gull.

Irish garden birds by Oran O'Sullivan was my first book, great for starters.

WildIreland

older i get better i was wrote: »

...should I follow the reviews and change to the 8's?? Or stick with the 10. I like the idea of the 8 being more compact but I'm such a bloody novice I really don't know what to do. ��

http://shop.birdwatchireland.ie/birdwatchireland/product_info.php?cPath=21_22&products_id=697

Some people prefer 10x, some prefer 8x -- it really is down to personal preference. The best thing to do would be to try out a pair of 10x and 8x OF THE SAME MODEL in moderate to low light conditions and see which you prefer (I stress the same model, because if you're out and about trying other birders optics and end up trying a high end 10x Swarovski or Leica with an 8x mid-range Opticron or Hawke it's not a fair / relevant comparison).

Some people find the increased magnification of a 10x harder to hold steady (bins magnify hand and body movements as well as the view), but if you've reasonably steady hands holding 10x bins comfortably shouldn't be too much of a problem.

All other things being equal, 8x bins will outperform 10x bins in lower light, for the simple reason that they let more light through to your eyes (in binocular speak they have a larger "Exit Pupil").

In bright conditions the contracted pupil in your eye is usually the limiting factor, so you won't see a difference in brightness between 8x and 10x, but in fading light (when your eye's pupil typically dilates wider than the exit pupil of a 10x42 binocular) the view through an "equivalent" 8x will appear brighter.

8x also shows you a wider field of view, which is more useful in some situations; assuming you can hold them steady enough 10x will resolve slightly more detail at distance, which can be useful in other situation.

Swings and roundabouts, horses for courses, etc., etc.

Personally use a high-end 10x42 as my go-to birding and wildlife binocular. I also have a pair of very bright 8x30 (Kite Lynx HD -- great little bins) for travel or when I need something smaller/lighter/unobtrusive.

It's a personal choice. I'm sure the Opticron Oregon 10x42 will serve you well in the short-to-medium term (maybe longer), then having used them for a while, if / when you feel it's time to upgrade you'll have a clearer idea of what you prefer.

older i get better i was

Thanks for that, that's a start point for me.

gzoladz wrote: »

8's are easier to hold steady, have a wider field of view and are a little brighter (like-for-like). I would start with an 8, but it is entirely personal and the difference would not be massive. 10 are great too.

My friendly advise is now stop thinking about the binocs, get out and enjoy BWI offers loads of free outings and participants are always very helpful and friendly.

A nice "game" to start with...pick 10 common birds and go to find them in your local park, for example: Robin, Woodpigeon, Bluetit, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Moorhen, Mallard, Grey Heron, Little Egret and Black headed gull.

Irish garden birds by Oran O'Sullivan was my first book, great for starters.