JiminMD
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Post by JiminMD on Aug 15, 2016 15:04:47 GMT -8
Ok, I read almostthere's excellent primer. It didn't answer this one though. I'm a dayhiker so weight is less of an issue for me. Sometimes on the trail I want binoculars. Maybe I'm looking for wildlife I heard or a trailmarker that I can't find. I usually have my Camelbak pack so I have some space but not piles of it. I don't need night vision or similiar. Anyone have a good recommendation?
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Post by johntpenca on Aug 15, 2016 15:16:41 GMT -8
I have a Steiner Safari which I like a lot. Not the best magnification, but light and small. I think it is 8X.
edit: optical quality is really good.
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Post by trinity on Aug 15, 2016 15:27:47 GMT -8
I carry these, which I like a great deal. I have a very nice pair of full sized binoculars, so I bought this pair specifically for backpacking. I bought them from Eagle Optics, unfortunately they no longer seem to carry Nikon binoculars. But you might call Eagle Optics customer service and ask for their advice. Let them know your budget, intended use, etc. They have incredibly knowledgeable people, and a one month return policy. You won't go wrong with anything you purchase from them. |
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Aug 15, 2016 16:27:45 GMT -8
I have Bushnell's for my lesser pair. I have a better set of Nikon Monarchs for other uses.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2016 19:14:19 GMT -8
My wife and I were just at Sportsman's Warehouse this weekend so she could check out some binoculars, she ended up taking quite a fancy to these particular binoculars. She would have purchased them on the spot but she also needed a new pack, so that was the more important thing, but she was quite a fan of them. |
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Post by Coolkat on Aug 16, 2016 4:15:27 GMT -8
There have been only a couple of times that I wish I had a pair of binoculars with me and since it's so few times coupled with the weight I've never really considered them but if I could get a nice "light weight" monocular I might consider it.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Aug 16, 2016 8:15:34 GMT -8
I sometimes bring an Alpen 8x25 monocular. It has unusually high-quality optics for such a device, if you're willing to incur the weight. When I want more, I bring Alpen Apex 8x32 binoculars, which are small for what they are, but still heavy. I only use them when I'm searching for unmapped ruins.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Aug 16, 2016 10:49:47 GMT -8
Well, there are some great binocs out there, but ones with decent magnification, wide aperture, and good optics are heavy and expensive. I have a pair of Nikon Monarchs (8x42 maybe), but I wouldn't consider the optics to be very good. On the other hand, I'm used to high quality photographic optics, so something like the Monarch might be perfectly fine for your intended use.
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Post by bradmacmt on Aug 19, 2016 5:38:30 GMT -8
Jim, the subject of binoculars is a BIG one. Really, to make a recommendation, it's important to know your budget. In general, there are "compact", mid-sized (or small), and full sized binoculars. Typically compacts have a 20-25mm objective lens, mid-sized have 26-32mm objectives, and full sized have a 40mm+ objective. In the world of compacts, you especially get what you pay for. Most are fairly unsatisfying to look through, and really decent one's are expensive. As you move up in size it's easier to spend less and get more. I don't know your budget, but one of the most underrated, great "small" binoculars is this Bushnell: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542196-REG/Bushnell_620726_7x26_Elite_e2_Custom.html |
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snappypepper
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Post by snappypepper on Aug 19, 2016 8:53:25 GMT -8
If you want something inexpensive but useful, I can recommend these: www.rei.com/product/853676/rei-ku-10-x-22-binoculars We usually bring them along on most trips, especially when we go to the Mount Rogers area and are trying to spot wild horses and cattle. They are super affordable, fairly compact, and easy to use. There's obviously a huge range when it comes to binoculars, but these ticked all the boxes for me, since I wasn't trying to see anything too crazy and didn't want to spend a fortune! |
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panatomicx
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Post by panatomicx on Aug 22, 2016 16:53:55 GMT -8
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JiminMD
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Post by JiminMD on Aug 23, 2016 1:26:14 GMT -8
Thanks everyone, I'm still shopping. My in-laws bought me an America the Beautiful pass for my birthday so now I really need to get some trail time. Brad, the link you provided is right around my budget. I'd love to have $500 for these but $200 is probably a lot more realistic.
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Post by dayhiker on Aug 23, 2016 4:06:11 GMT -8
Tasco makes. Some cheap ones that I like better than Minolta. I got some replacements on Amazon but the rubber eye piece was brittle so returned. I usually don't use so don't take. 8 x has wider field of view which I find useful. A camera with a zoom works ok in some cases
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amaruq
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Post by amaruq on Aug 23, 2016 4:29:43 GMT -8
A camera with a zoom works ok in some cases This is what I use for route-finding and wildlife spotting. At least it follows the UL mantra of minimum-double-uses, hah. |
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franco
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Post by franco on Aug 23, 2016 14:25:29 GMT -8
Ideally you should look through them because your eyes will tell you when or if the difference between one price range and another is worth it.
Failing that , the 7x26 suggested above is good for that price range and will give you a brighter image than say a 10x20 or even a 10x25.
It has a decent eye relief so good for people that wear glasses.
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