Professional advise

juliancab · Guest

Hi there,

I am interested on buying binoculars... I would like to use them for whale-watching from the coast (some times it is possible to spot whales with the naked eye here in Santa Cruz, CA) or, occasionally, from a boat... Also, I would like to use the binoculars for bird-watching and spotting some other wildlife while on a hike...

Originally, I was interested in zoom binoculars, but from the forum it seems that it is not a good choice... however, one would think that having the opportunity to zoom-in something in the distance is nice.

I have a budget of $50(or less!)... So, I am inclined for a porro prism. I guess my best bet is something with magnificent 8-10X. However, I do not know what is better: if going for a 40 mm. or if 25-30 mm, this last lens sacrifices too much brightnesses compared with the bigger ones?.

From the current offers in your website there are many nice options: including Nikon 8x40 Action and Bushnell Hemisphere 8x32 mm Fully Coated and the zooms: Bushnell Powerview 9-27x25 Zoom Porro and Barska 10-30x60 Zoom Binoculars.

I won't buy binoculars anymore, so I would be willing to spent some more money to get better quality (up to around $75).

Any advise? what is the best option in the market?

Thanks in advance for your help and comments.

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5383

Hi

You did your homework. Good job. Forget the zooms, yes, and stay with an 8x or a 10x fixed power in a porro. If you are going to be using them on a ship and if you are a beginner, you will find an 8x to be much easier to use and you will not lose a significant amount of detail, compared to a 10x. In that climate, you would also be well advised to go with a waterproof model, even if it costs a bit more.

Try the Bushnell 8x42 H2O porro is a good choice, here, as is the Celestron Outland LX 8x40.
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juliancab · Guest

Thanks very much for your advise and prompt response.

I have come up with a short list (in no particular order):

-Bushnell Legacy WP 10x50 Binoculars 120150
-Bushnell H2O 10x42 Binoculars 132410
-Nikon 8x40 Action Binoculars VII Ultra Wide View
-Nikon 10x50 Action Binoculars 7218
-Celestron 8x40 OutLand LX Porro Prisms Waterproof

It is a close call, since all binoculars feature BaK-4 Prisms, and all but the Legacy, have Porro prisms, and the prices are not that different... One problem is that they vary in the Lens Coating, Eye Relief, Exit Pupil, and other technical features that I do not know much about (I red that FMC is better than MC, and this better than coated).

On the Objective Size, I assume that 50 mm is better than 40 mm., but it weighs a bit more (however, I will be willing to go up to 30 oz if it is worthy)... I do not know what would be the real difference between a 10x42 and a 10x50... maybe it is negligible... but maybe the difference between 8x40 and 10x50 is really big...

On the other hand, I am not sure if just shock resistance is OK, or if it is better to have the H2O full waterproofing... I am more worried about the dust, than water... but it is nice to be able to take the binos in a Kayak trip (as is highlighted in your website review of the Bushnell H20 binos).

Finally, in your website review of the Nikon it says something about the diopter control... however, this is not a highlighted feature of the other binos I have chosen... I know that my right eye has a worse vision than my left, so it is nice to be able to adjust....

Any final advise?

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5383

Hi

If you are on a boat or in a dusty or wet environment, waterproof is a must. Waterproofing is just as effective aginst dust as it is water. Waterproofing will extend the life of any binocular ina dusty or dirty environemnet.

If you wear glasses when you observe, at least 15mm of eye relief is a must. Ohterwise, don't worry about this spec.

A 40mm objective will offer all the image brightness you need, as long as it is is mulit-coated or fully multi-coated. However, fully multi-coated is slightly better than multi-coated. Again, you are gaining nothing with a 10x over an 8x, especially if you are abeginner or using a binocular on a boat. Stay with an 8x.

A porro at this price will always offer better optics than a roof.

My original suggestions are still what I would recommend. Your call.

For the basics on binocular construction and features is easy to understand terms, see my article at How to Understand Binoculars. This will explain all those specs in greater detail.
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juliancab · Guest

Thanks very much again for your advise.

On last question popped up consulting with my wife: if I were willing to spend up to $100, could I get something really better than the recommended binos Bushnell H2O and Celestron OutLand LX? (as I said before, we do not buy binoculars everyday, so it could be worthy to expend a little extra for better quality and optics, no?)

juliancab · Guest

Dear Joanie,

any final advise on this topic?

Thanks so much for your help!

Julian

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5383

Hi Julian

Yes, I think the Bushnell Legend 8x42 would be hard to beat. Definitely a better binocular in terms of construction and optics. Well worth spending a few more dollars.
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