My OH and I are about to buy our first pairs of serious birding binoculars so want to go where we can try lots in friendly, helpful and patient environment. Have no firm ideas on brand... but light weight essential ... and good value for money always feels good. I guess we are hoping to be blown away by something mid-range in comparison to the odd collection of ancient Boncs we are used to.
Visits to Kay Optical Morden and Barnes In-Focus are equally feasible. Has anyone had particular good experience at either or are there other retailers between London and Sussex coast we should be considering?
We are total novices but go with a list of helpful criteria gleaned from these forums for which we are most grateful.
Finally, is it normal to haggle over price in such outlets on new or secondhand equipment?
Bit late answering, but there's FA Anderson in East Grinstead. I well remember auditioning some binos in the street outside their shop. A few years ago now, but they had a fair selection... and their Swarovski binos were cheap as they were 'grey' imports.
Kay Optical also have an enviable reputation.
cheers,
Andy
try them out in "shops" by all means, but also look at the best prices online. i was in retail for many years, and i know shop mark ups. treat every penny as a prisoner. i myself research and buy online, i never buy in a shop. i know there are others here who will say , "oh yes but we NEED shops, i buy mine from OPTICS BLOGS they treat me very well and are nice people, and they give advice". OK, that point taken, so if its try before you buy, then ask the "shop" to try to /or match internet prices. NEVER pay OVER the odds for the running of the "shop", NOT in this day and age. retail is moving on.