Hello all,
I have been saving hard to buy myself a good pair of binoculars and need advice/suggestions on what to buy.
Basically I'm looking for a pair of 8x42's for general bird watching. This afternoon I've been looking at the 8x42 Opticron DBA Oasis S-coat and wondered if anyone has any views on these or indeed can suggest any alternatives. I have a budget of about £550.
Any help/guidance will be very much appreciated.
Thanks.
Keith.
Hi and welcome to BF.
Your budget should prompt a quite few suggestions. Personally and I know you said 8x but if you would consider 7x, Birdnet Optics has a Zeiss 7x42 Classic used but exc condition for £499.
One of the all time classic binoculars IMHO.
Hi Keith,
have a look at Kay Optical's website and check out the dates of their field days. They have some in Kent. At them you can try all sorts of bins in the field and they take a good selection of secondhand stuff along too. If you contact them beforehand, they'll make sure they take along any particular bins you are keen on trying out.
Secondhand is the way to get much more for your money.
The key to success is not to rush into anything. Try as many as you can before you decide. And base your decision on your experience of the bins, not what anyone else says about them. They might get rave reviews on here and elsewhere but they might not suit you at all. The ergonomics of whether they fit your hands and face (glasses if you wear them) is as important as the optics, I think.
Good luck.
Martin
Good luck