Binoculars

[665ae]

Anybody here into Optics?

I'm looking for a decent set of binoculars for under $100 (the farther under $100 the better )  I'm going on a cruise in June (Alaska) and would like to look at the shore as we sail by.  The problem is, I have no clue when it comes to binoculars, except what the numbers mean. (like 10x42)

Are there any brands to look for?  Any brands to avoid?  Anyone have any recommendations as to what "size" I should get?  (12x50, 10x42, etc...) 

I need help!

[Leatherman123]

I have about three pairs of binoculars and out of all of them these were the cheapest and they work just as good as my 150 dollar pair.. And they are on sale for $50

heres a link-  http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=search_redir&id=0052165712817a&navCount=3&podId=0052165&parentId=cat20752&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=7IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20752&hasJS=true

[kreskin13]

These are the only ones to buy!   Let me know when you get a pair, I'd like to try them out and I bet Def would look really cool with them in his kayak!

http://www.deutscheoptik.com/

Calvin

[Grant Lamontagne]

Hey!  I haven't managed to turn my kayak into a U Boat...  yet....

Def

[kreskin13]

I don't know a lot about binocs but I just picked up one of these monoculars. Great for EDC, works well and is cheap!

https://edcdepot.com/merchantmanager/product_info.php?cPath=10&products_id=170&mmsid=5e73c36f7d049056bd23aaa93275fe3c

Calvin

[yellowhammer]

Bins are a subject close to my heart, though I warn you now I am an optics snob I don't know of any brands for that sort of money to recommend, but if they're in your budget look at the Bushnell porro prism range, such as the Natureview - they're about £120 here.

Depends what you're going to do with them, but for general use/looking at birdies don't go too high in magnification. 7- or 8x is plenty. Any higher and it just gets more like hard work. 10x is really the max you should go for. For a given objective lens size, lower magnifications are brighter and more usable in low light. The 'exit pupil' is an indication of this - divide the big number by the small one, and the higher the result the brighter the image. E.g. 8x40 = 5, 10x40 = 4, the 8x40s are brighter. This obviously doesn't take into account the lens quality or coatings, etc.

Best all-round sizes are 8x32, 8x40 or 8x42, 7x40. For the objective size don't bother going smaller than 30 or bigger than 50.

Couple of other things; if you wear glasses you may find that twist-up eyepieces are more comfortable than fold-down rubber ones, If you want to look at insects or anything close up pay attention to the close-focus distance - the number quoted in the bumf is a lie . Always, always try before you buy 'cos some just will not work for you at all. And finally, don't be tempted to try a set of Leicas/Swarovskis/Zeiss "just to see" - that way lies only madness, poverty and death. Ask me how I know this

Hope this helps

[665ae]

I don't know a lot about binocs but I just picked up one of these monoculars. Great for EDC, works well and is cheap!

https://edcdepot.com/merchantmanager/product_info.php?cPath=10&products_id=170&mmsid=5e73c36f7d049056bd23aaa93275fe3c

Calvin

Haha... I already have one of those Brunton Monoculars and I EDC it   They are very cool.

[kreskin13]

Dang yellowhammer, I'm not in the market for binocs but all that great info you gave out makes me want to get a pair!

What do you think about the ones these guys sell?

http://www.deutscheoptik.com/

Calvin

[Sea Monster]

I got some No-brand (I'm sure they have a brand, but I no longer have the packaging, and it is not written on the Binocs themselves) Black Rubbercovered (but Non-Waterproof) 7x50s.

Everything about them is sort of wobbly and of unbrilliant "fit and finish", but they seem to work fine enough (For now)

They were asking $99.99, but I haggled for $75

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I got some No-brand (I'm sure they have a brand, but I no longer have the packaging, and it is not written on the Binocs themselves) Black Rubbercovered (but Non-Waterproof) 7x50s.

Everything about them is sort of wobbly and of unbrilliant "fit and finish", but they seem to work fine enough (For now)

They were asking $99.99, but I haggled for $75

Good man, haggling's a bit of a lost art these days

[yellowhammer]

Dang yellowhammer, I'm not in the market for binocs but all that great info you gave out makes me want to get a pair!

What do you think about the ones these guys sell?

http://www.deutscheoptik.com/

Calvin

Minox are superb for the money - IIRC they use the same glass as Leica but are a third of the price Gotta love those U-boat 8x60s though Get a pipe, a duffel coat and a woollen cap and pretend you're John Mills on the bridge of your destroyer; "For the love of Mike, I know you're out there Jerry...)

[Sea Monster]

Good man, haggling's a bit of a lost art these days

A victim of chain stores and employing underage Casuals who have not the wit nor experience to be given authority to price change - The few independent stores where the man who sells you something is the same man who owns the place (or his son, trusted friend, etc) are a haven for

A. Actually enjoying shopping and
B. Thrift*.


*Though whatever you save against their marked price is often offset by their marked price being higher as they have not the buying power of an international chain who often save via bulk, or by directly importing goods themselves.
(They also tend to have better product knowledge, and a higher standard of customer service. I'm all for raising employment, but Retail seems to be the unfortunate end for the gormless masses unable to work a Trade, and they treat their work with the same respect their faceless corporate employers treat them)
When was the last time someone at "Wally World" remembered your name or asked how you were enjoying the last set of china cups or DVD player you bought?

[kreskin13]

I don't know a lot about binocs but I just picked up one of these monoculars. Great for EDC, works well and is cheap!

https://edcdepot.com/merchantmanager/product_info.php?cPath=10&products_id=170&mmsid=5e73c36f7d049056bd23aaa93275fe3c

Calvin

Haha... I already have one of those Brunton Monoculars and I EDC it   They are very cool.

Oh yeah. how about these

http://www.countycomm.com/optics.htm

I just picked up one of these and although not as good as the Bruntons, for 10 bucks they're not bad.

For anyone into EDC stuff (most/all of us) you gotta check out countycomm.com

Calvin

[Benner]

My Grandad have me some binoculars a few years ago but I don't think I ever used them.  I think they are Miranda's and if I remember correctly are 10X50.  They came in a hard case which knowing my Grandad probably cost more than the binoculars themselves.

[CQC-7]

My wife bought me a set of bushnell 12x binoculars a few years ago when I used to compete in 3-D archery tournaments.  I quit shooting and have not used them since.  I think that my mom has them now.  She uses them to watch the deer when they are in the yard.