Hi everyone,
I started birding about 2 months ago and am enjoying every minute of my time out in the wilds .. I am currently using a pair of Sunagor 8-20 x 25 zoom bins. Yes I know , well old but they did cost me around £70 about 18 years ago. I am looking to treat myself to something a bit more modern and have maybe £200 to £250 to spend. My birding takes me through very dense forest which obviously offers a low light and then over an open heath which is of course the exact opposite. Having read many reviews which have left me even more confused, I decided to ask the guys who know so here I am !
I struggle at the moment with the narrow field of view, I spot a bird in a tree and try to find it through the bins but due to the restriction in the viewing field I have problems actually finding it.
This problem leaves me thinking that I need a pair of bins such as an 8x40 but then I,m reading that many of the compacts are just as efficient nowadays as regards the viewing angle offered. My walk is usually somewhere in the region of 8 miles so I am wondering if I should be looking at a pair of compacts as opposed to the larger heavier types. Obviously my limited knowledge of binocular technology is making it tricky for me to decide on what is better for me.
Does anyone have any suggestions please ?
Thanks very much
Kind regards
Dave
Simmo1111,
I understand that what you need is anything else than a bad zoom binocular, forget zoom binoculars at all!
There are many factors affecting the choice of binoculars.
Also forget any binocular with more than 10x magnification for handheld use.
If you want a binocular usable even for low light condition it need at least 4mm exit pupil.
Regards, Patric
Hi Dave, I agree completely with Patric. Just to expand a little, I have quite a number of bins, but my favourite size overall is an 8x30 or 8x32. Some time ago on this forum the question was asked what size bins most birders favoured, the consensus was 8x30 or 8x32. While the very compact, pocketable, bins can be very good. in the higher price models, they never give me quite the satisfaction of a good mid-size pair. Good luck, I am sure you will get many more replies, this forum is a great place!
Regards, John