Binoculars

[Laura Johnson <>]

​I recently got a pair of Vortex Diamondbacks, and I've been really happy with them! The lifetime unconditional warranty is nice, too. I think a few other people on the chatline also have good things to say about Diamondbacks. 

I had to order them online from Queensland though, no places to try or buy in Canberra. 

---

From: Martin Butterfield <>
Sent: Friday, 21 March 2014 2:38 PM
To: Susanne Gardiner
Cc: Ray Comer;
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Binoculars

 

I have owned some low end Nikon bins in the past and been very happy with.them.  

WRT to Bushnell we purchased a pair of Explorer EX 8x42 which are fine optically (for the price)but unfortunately have a useless means of securing the strap to the bins: we have used cable ties to hold them on so they are OK as an emergency/loaner pair.

The biggest problem is that there is nowhere - as far as I am concerned - in Canberra that sells reasonable bins, and it is always good to tr before you buy.  If you are in Sydney (or Melbourne) Bintel are the solution.  The folk in the Sydney store are very helpful and, if you aren't going to Sydney I would be inclined to try giving them a call and buying on line.  The Kowa brand is good quality and they have some not too far out of your price range.  

Martin

Martin Butterfield

http://franmart.blogspot.com.au/

On 21 March 2014 13:07, Susanne Gardiner <> wrote:

Hi Ray,

this is a copy from the emails from last October:

>>>>>>

Brian,

 

There are big choices to be made around how much you want to and/or are willing to spend. People may offer all sorts of advice, but if that amount to an set of binoculars which is several times more than you are willing to pay, then it's not very helpful advice.

 

For instance I recently got a pair for traveling which I really like:

 

http://www.bintel.com.au/Binoculars/All-Binoculars/Nikon-Prostaff--7-br--10-x-42/1252/productview.aspx

 

For me they are powerful, clear, light weight, highly rated and a pleasure to use, and much cheaper than my 'good' binoculars which I use in Canberra which are better quality but are bigger, weight about a 1kg!

 

Looking at the Nikon Prostaff 10x42 in the link, do they seem too expensive or surprisingly cheap? Depending on what sort of price range you end up in will help with what sort of advice we need to give.

 

John

 

 

 

From: Brian Thorp [ 
Sent: Sunday, 13 October 2013 8:13 PM
To: 
Subject: [canberrabirds] Binoculars

 

As a person newly interested in watching birds, would anyone like to give me some advice on purchasing some suitable binoculars.
What sort of binoculars, whether there is a particular brand or model you recommend and where best to buy them.
I'm not expecting to use them too regularly and therefore don't want a top of the range expensive pair.

<<<<<<<<

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From: Ray Comer <>
To: "" <m("canberrabirds.org.au","canberrabirds");" target="_blank">>
Sent: Friday, 21 March 2014 12:51 PM
Subject: [canberrabirds] Binoculars

We had the misfortune of a house break in early in the week when one of the items stolen was a pair of Bushnell Binoculars. Insurance will cover the item but the exact model is no longer available. They were not an expensive pair but light,good for the longer bush walks and pretty good for birding.Bushnell do have a model Nature View (8x42) which could pursue with the insurers. Alternatively they offer replacement value which would be about $200. I recall there have been numerous conversations on the chatline about the relative merits of the brands on the market. Without wanting to be a nuisance can anyone remember a good model for around this money?
Any help would be appreciated.
PS Also has any one done the trip around Iceland and the Faroe Islands? We have ten days there in June this year and wondered if anyone had some birding experiences to share.


Ray and Sue-Ellen
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