Which (cheap) binos

keith s

Anybody have experience buying/using sub €200 binoculars.
I've seen some mad prices and they seem to have great reviews, but I'll be limited to about €200.

I have a very cheap Lidl or Aldi set and they were fine until I looked though a decent Vortex set and mine suddenly became very crappy.

I'm going to be after deer, fox some wood and some more open area, so looking for any advice on a half decent set.

Thanks

tomtucker81

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/cameras-and-camcorders/photography-accessories/binoculars/nikon-aculon-a211-zoom-model-10-22-x-50-mm-porro-prism-binoculars-21485824-pdt.html

Just check them out. I've a pair since 2013 and they've done me perfect. Really clear glass. Good zoom and low light capability. They were about 300euro, nowadays less. I cant fault them for all I've used them for, from deer hunting to looking at the Galileo moons!

cookimonster

If you can stretch the budget (a good nose around the internet can turn up good deals) or get secound hand try Hawke.
I have the 8x56 Endurance I use for woods and low land but they also do a 10x42-
https://uk.hawkeoptics.com/endurance-ed-10x42-binocular-black.html.

I also have the Hawke 10x42 Vantage, which I think are now discontinued (but should be still out there), that I use for hill shooting. I've given them some abuse weather wise and crawling around, with no bother.I haven't used them in first/ last light situations as I tend only to hit the hills in daylight hours.

The entry level binos from Hawke are now the Nature-Trek, within your budget £149/€165 up to £179/€198
https://uk.hawkeoptics.com/nature-trek-binoculars.html
Theres a good range of sizes there to suit your hunting style or situations.

Glass in these ranges are acceptable and I have hunted with similar quality for years only replacing them after catastrophic damage to a focus wheel. I've hunted along side lads with top binos and yes thier nowhere near them in image but as for light gathering (first and last lights) we are only talking minutes in difference and in my experience the surrounding landscape, cloud cover etc has more to do with those extra minutes on the ground then quality glass. The most important factors to me is durability, weatherproof and reliable function and plenty of low cost binos will do this for your buck.

PS.

Although I have no personal hunting experience with them only 'look see' a lot of lads have good things to say about Vortex.

keith s

cookimonster wrote: »

If you can stretch the budget (a good nose around the internet can turn up good deals) or get secound hand try Hawke.
I have the 8x56 Endurance I use for woods and low land but they also do a 10x42-
https://uk.hawkeoptics.com/endurance-ed-10x42-binocular-black.html.

I also have the Hawke 10x42 Vantage, which I think are now discontinued (but should be still out there), that I use for hill shooting. I've given them some abuse weather wise and crawling around, with no bother.I haven't used them in first/ last light situations as I tend only to hit the hills in daylight hours.

The entry level binos from Hawke are now the Nature-Trek, within your budget £149/€165 up to £179/€198
https://uk.hawkeoptics.com/nature-trek-binoculars.html
Theres a good range of sizes there to suit your hunting style or situations.

Glass in these ranges are acceptable and I have hunted with similar quality for years only replacing them after catastrophic damage to a focus wheel. I've hunted along side lads with top binos and yes thier nowhere near them in image but as for light gathering (first and last lights) we are only talking minutes in difference and in my experience the surrounding landscape, cloud cover etc has more to do with those extra minutes on the ground then quality glass. The most important factors to me is durability, weatherproof and reliable function and plenty of low cost binos will do this for your buck.

PS.

Although I have no personal hunting experience with them only 'look see' a lot of lads have good things to say about Vortex.

Thanks Cookie,

That's brilliant.
Funny enough, I have hawke scopes sitting a top some rifles and never thought about Hawke for binoculars!

I just had look at the website there and seen Monoculars, which I had not considered before either...
They are cheaper than binos (maybe because they're made of almost half the material), so maybe I could get "better glass" in my budget from a Monocular? I'd imagine they are easier (lighter) to carry as well.

I just never hear of lads using them, is there any reason for that I wonder?

keith s

tomtucker81 wrote: »

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/cameras-and-camcorders/photography-accessories/binoculars/nikon-aculon-a211-zoom-model-10-22-x-50-mm-porro-prism-binoculars-21485824-pdt.html

Just check them out. I've a pair since 2013 and they've done me perfect. Really clear glass. Good zoom and low light capability. They were about 300euro, nowadays less. I cant fault them for all I've used them for, from deer hunting to looking at the Galileo moons!

Thanks Tom,
They look like a decent set. Sounds like you got good mileage out of them as well.

Cheers

Richard308

Probably better off sourcing a good quality secondhand pair. I bought hawke frontier edx. Unbelievable glass for the money. But if you’re sticking to the €200 mark and new. Look around at these. Steiner Observer 10 x 42 Roof Prism Binoculars 2314 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0171YB50G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hIUGFbSK6HTM4

keith s

Cheers Richard,

I am half thinking of a monocular, because I can probably get better glass for the money.

https://www.opticswarehouse.co.uk/hawke%20endurance%20ed%208x42%20monocular

Have you ever used one, is there any reason why they are not as popular as binos?

Grizzly 45

FWIW.
Why not google GDR binoculars or search such on flea bay.
You could get a set of East German ZEISS binoculars in that price range. Zeiss Jena made in former East Germany is just as good,if not better IMO as some of the Western stuff today in the same price range.Ok it is dated in looks,are a bit heavier than Western stuff,but they are robustly made by Zeiss machinery and technicians[albeit Commies at the time] and easy on maintenance, and easily enough repaired too.

cookimonster

If monoculars are your thing, try this -
https://www.photospecialist.ie/vortex-solo-10x25-monoculair?gclid=Cj0KCQjw2or8BRCNARIsAC_ppyaltcZqbxVVOLq9je-sLVZ9yoP-eeM16BGaVSgZdJHw3znHI91T4BIaAigYEALw_wcB#

cookimonster

I looked at buying vintage binos and scopes before. There is a time limit to which you should sensibly go back to if you are going to use them in the wet and damp environments of this wee country. Seals can vary from natural to a composite natural and manufactured elements, which over time and specifically their life time to date can fail. Even in their pristine orginal state these older models don't offer the waterproofing of modern units. So do your research will, plenty of web sites out there to advise you as to which model and vintage is suitable to different conditions. One model Zeiss Ilooked at recommended not to be taken off the race tracks its ability to withstand moisture was poor, wellthat ruled out the Wicklow mountains.

Asus1

https://www.uttings.co.uk/p128850-bushnell-trophy-8x42-binoculars-green-bn334208/
I have the above binoculars and i find them great.Lovely and clear with a lifetime warranty.Only slight negative is there weight but unless your holding them for hours on end it should be fine.Use addresspal or parcl motel for cheaper shipping.

J.R.

keith s wrote: »

I am half thinking of a monocular, because I can probably get better glass for the money......... is there any reason why they are not as popular as binos?

Monocular vs Binoculars: An Expert’s Study to Unleash the True Facts

https://rangerexpert.com/monocular-vs-binoculars/

keith s

I'm not sure why, but my Thanks button is not working for me right now, but thanks a million for all the feedback guys.
Much appreciated and gives me a lot to think about.

Cheers

Hunter456

hawke or vortex both have a lifetime warranty.

keith s

Hunter456 wrote: »

hawke or vortex both have a lifetime warranty.

Thanks for that.
Yes, I have done some research since I got feedback on here and both brands you mention look good.
Additionaly, hearing good things about Delta Titanium.

There are just so many models from every brand, it can be hard to confirm and compare one brands models with another brands in the same class.

I do now understand the difference between roof and porro prism. It also looks like the HD term is well overused, to the point its just a marketing buzz word and has no actual metric to quantify it.

I guess the important things I am now looking for are:
Lightweight.
Low-light.
Water and fog PROFF.
Good warranty.
These are metrics I can see based on the description/specifications on the manufacturers website.

Looking at reviews, I think clarity, "viberant colour" and if they are well made/hard wearing, all seem to be objective or maybe based on the reviewers previous experience with another brand/model.
This is where first hand experience comes in to play and having my hands on a few different sets, to compare for myself. In the absence of that, I rely of reviews.

So for now, I am sticking closely to the 200 euro mark which I think will get me a half decent set without an over the top outlay. Maybe I will upgrade after a while, if I start to notice they are lacking or use another set I prefer and can justify a trade up.

Thanks Again

J.R.

keith s wrote: »

I guess the important things I am now looking for are:
Lightweight.
Low-light.
Water and fog PROFF.
Good warranty.
These are metrics I can see based on the description/specifications on the manufacturers website.

I'm unsure if you wear glasses or not - I do - so, for that reason, I would always check the eye relief ..and if the binoculars were suitable for glasses wearers.

You may not wear glasses now...but may have to in many years to come.
if you keep them long term......or, if trading up and selling your binoculars in a few years.......then potential buyers may be glasses wearers...something to consider.

keith s

J.R. wrote: »

I'm unsure if you wear glasses or not - I do - so, for that reason, I would always check the eye relief ..and if the binoculars were suitable for glasses wearers.

You may not wear glasses now...but may have to in many years to come.
if you keep them long term......or, if trading up and selling your binoculars in a few years.......then potential buyers may be glasses wearers...something to consider.

I do wear glasses, great call there JR, I'll keep that in mind as well.
Cheers

J.R.

keith s wrote: »

I do wear glasses, great call there JR, I'll keep that in mind as well.
Cheers

Binoculars:
Eye Relief for glasses wearer

https://www.birdwatching.com/optics/education/eye_relief.html#:~:text=Some%20binoculars%20have%20eye%20relief,need%20depends%20on%20your%20glasses.

CJhaughey

This website is pretty decent for overviews, https://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/

keith s

CJhaughey wrote: »

This website is pretty decent for overviews, https://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/

Thanks CJ

photosmart

Great deal on these at moment

https://www.uttings.co.uk/p128850-bushnell-trophy-8x42-binoculars-green-bn334208/#.X58Ql-IYCUk

I just got a pair and am very impressed but especially at this price point.

keith s

photosmart wrote: »

Great deal on these at moment

https://www.uttings.co.uk/p128850-bushnell-trophy-8x42-binoculars-green-bn334208/#.X58Ql-IYCUk

I just got a pair and am very impressed but especially at this price point.

Wow nice discount

daithi55

ive had a few pairs of cheaper binos over the years.. i bit the bullet last year and got the money together for a good secondhand pair of zeiss conquest binos.. cost me 550 euro.. they come up from time to time but are gone very fast.. i had the money ready to go when i saw the ad.. there is no comparison in these binos to the cheaper ones i had,, they are a lifetime guarantee binos and will sell for the exact same money as i paid for them in ten years time if i wish to sell them.. great at first and last light

keith s

Thanks Daithi,

Yeah, looking at them there they are close to a grand new.

This years my first time on the deer.
Got my DHL back the same day we went in to lockdown, so not done anything so far.

For this first year/season, I have spent my lot.
Maybe in a year or two, if I am still interested I will look at spending more on a really good set.