Cameras and Lenses
Another 'which ones'!? thread...
Firstly, 'Hello'. I've been lurking around here for a very long time, but this is my first post.
I'm looking for some serious binocular help. I've never actually owned binoculars, despite being a birder and studying to be a safari guide. It's obviously time to take the plunge.
At the beginning of my search, I had a strict budget of £200. Now, having researched for months, I have a strict budget of £800. And I don't know what to do with it. This is also a lot of money to me as i'm just doing minimum wage work until I finish my field guide training (when i'll start a career making significantly less, come to think of it...) But I want to take the advice to start out with the best you can get.
These are my requirements. Most important is durability. I hope i'll be living out in the bush for the next 20 years or so. I want them to last this long. I want to be able to use them in the rain. They'll be smacked around by trees, dragged through mud and accidentally bashed against vehicles no matter how well I take care of them.
Next is size- 8x32 is ideal. I'm a very small person and i'll have these around my neck every day. If I was just a birder, i'd go for 42, but I need to compromise.
I currently live on the Isle of Man, so there's a real shortage of binocular shops. The only optics dealer on the Island (who stocks nothing in excess of £99) gave me the advice, 'You should never spend £700 on one pair when you can have 10 pairs for £70 each'. Fail.
So I went to the 'mainland' last week, on a quest to try out and bring home new binos. Came home empty handed and I'm now more confused than ever! I think I have narrowed it down to a few possibilities.
Swarovski SLC 8x30: I used to use a friends much older model and loved it completely. They were my first choice. I went to England last week 90% sure i'd come back with a new pair of these. When I tried out the new one, something was off for me. I had a fair amount of blackout. Same happened with the larger SLC HD's. Really disappointed because the 8x30 was the binocular I was most hoping to bring home, but I couldn't do it. Still a consideration, but I think i'd be looking for a used model. Is there a way to reduce blackout, or is it my eyes?
Vortex Viper 8x32: Really nice, but if I buy it, will I constantly think, 'if only I had got the Swarovski...?' And yet, the Vortex warranty is perfect for my needs.
Nikon HG 8x32: Very nice, but how durable are they? I've heard they're not as tough as some others.
Hawke Frontier ED: The surprise of my quest. Hadn't even considered it. I thought it was really quite good, but I actually worry that it's too 'cheap' and wouldn't be able to deliver everything i'd need from it over the years.
The dream binoculars:
Swarovski EL 8x32: Loved this, found a secondhand 10x32 just over budget and would have bought it if it had been an 8.
Zeiss Victory FL 8x32. THE VERY BEST. Another I hadn't considered, but blew everything (including EL to my eyes) away. Even secondhand ones are a little too much though.
Tried several Leica's, but didn't like the way they felt in my hand.
I'm sorry this post is so long. It's the result of months and months of research and frustration and now i'm looking for advice from people who know what they're talking about (and If you have any of the above for sale, feel free to mention it!).
I won't be back to England until next year, so from this point on, i'll be buying without trying. Scary thought, and I need help!
Thanks so much :)
Hi Moose,
You have detailed your requirements quite thoroughly; no apology is required. You clearly have a good working knowledge of binoculars.
If durability is your 1st concern you should also look into the Leica Trinovid 8 x 32. They can be found on the used binocular market and have a stellar reputation for durability and optical excellence. It is both compact and very rugged.
And Welcome to Bird Forum!
I'm sure you will get many well reasoned recommendations from experienced birders and binocular users here.
Bob
The Hawke's have a ten year warranty, at around £200 a pair you could buy a back up set and still have change for more kit :) They're rugged enough alright.