I appreciate this sort of thread must be done over and over again, so I do apologise. The xmas present I was going to buy for my wife has gone the way of the dodo and I need to re-think.
From the recommendations many years ago I purchased some compact Vortex Fury 8x28 Binocular which are absolutely beautiful, have taken them everywhere and for my eyes they ahve absolutely wonderful optics.
I am now after something a bit bigger with better magnification and wondered if you had any recommendations. I was thinking about the Vortex Fury 10x42mm or 10x32 and wondered if this was the right size for a couple who have already a decent compact and just want to see birds and wildlife with better magnification. I am not entirely sure what the right sizing or the right make and/or model. I can spend up to £250
Sorry about this wooly thread but in a spot of bother and could do with ordering today
I've not looked at very many 10x pairs and definitely not the Fury I'm afraid. Two others spring to mind. The Nikon Monarch. There are two or possibly three versions in circulation at the moment, but the one usually called the MkIII with dielectric coating is better than the previous version. Just to add to the confusion there is a Monarch 3 out now which I've not seen. The dielectric coatings were added to the 10x42 not the 10x36. The x42 is fairly light at 620g.
The Hawke Frontier ED has been a very popular choice in the UK. It has a wider, flatter field than the Monarch with much less colour fringing. However it is physically bigger and heavier than the Monarch. The older model had a relatively slow focus. They have just released a new version which I haven't seen yet, but I think would be over budget. The 10x43 and the x36 are both listed on the Hawke website at 700g but I thought the x43 felt heavier.
Good luck.
David
I have had a look and have narrowed it down to these
Viking ED Binoculars 10x42 SP Edition as I can get them for £299!! from here or Opticron Countryman BGA Binoculars which I can get for £219.
I suppose I might just get the Viking as they seem to be nearly £200 cheaper than I can find them anywhere else
Any thoughts?