I have just received a request from a friend I met while on holiday. With both makes of bins being outside of my price range (I use 10 x 42 Avians), and not living near London, I am hoping some of you guys can help!
" As I mentioned in Tanzania, I am looking to buy a pair of quality binoculars for wildlife watching. They must be fairly light in weight, easy to use and fairly robust. I have been looking at Leica and Swarovski but really need to visit a store in London to try them out. Can you advise on what I should consider and where I might see them?"
Thanks
Rhod
Could you be more specific in terms of what configuration (magnification vs. objective diameter) as well as what price range you are looking at? Both bits of info should help with further suggestions.
Considering your comments about "must be fairly light in weight, easy to use and fairly robust." and without a price range in mind I might suggest the Zeiss Conquest 8x30s. They are the lightest in their class at 15 or so ounces plus their image quality is quite possibly the sharpest out of any bin in their price range ($480 US). Out of the three or four pairs I have owned none of them have displayed any issues with durability including my current pair.
If you are looking for higher end bins (Leica, Zeiss, Swaros) then there are better choices but the Conquest 30 mm models are quite good in that price range.
swaro SLC 7x42
old style can be found NEW still relatively cheap compared to the new model price