Spec me some binoculars

D3K

D3K

Soldato
Joined
13 Nov 2014
Posts
3,931
I've been requested to give a relative some binocs for xmas, but I've no idea where to start.

All I know is they want to read the names of the ships passing by. The distance may be about 5km?

What kinda mag vs diameter would be advisable? Would you recommend a tripod?
 
They'll not be logging then about, so weight isn't an issue.

I've asked them to look at Google maps and work out a more accurate distance . I said 5km for leeway, it could be much less
 
You may be better with a Spotting scope on a tripod.

I have a Celestron 80mm Spotting scope that would be good for this sort of thing. Cost about £150.
Magnification is higher than Binoculars and a brighter image.

I use mine for archery and some of the cheaper scopes people use are pretty crap so read the reviews.
 
Last edited:
You may be better with a Spotting scope on a tripod.

I have a Celestron 80mm Spotting scope that would be good for this sort of thing. Cost about £150.
Magnification is higher than Binoculars and a brighter image.

I use mine for archery and some of the cheaper scopes people use are pretty crap so read the reviews.
The telescope idea got poo pooed. Shame I as think it is the best solution too.


I've managed to get a choice out of them:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/celestron...RqvLmYlKkmbtD53f5avFVA15sKAKAusXikxoCqHjw_wcB

They seem to offer better mag and dia than the others. Seem to be good reviews too. Do they sound ok in your books guys?
 
I have hawke saphire 8 x 42 excellent but quality is outstanding fully weather proofed even up to 1m submersed ,nitrogen filled light and you can hold them steady for hours good in low light
do not go for high magnification unless stabilised x12 or above if you do get the canon ones but will be costly ,but money no object then swarvoski ,ziess or leica probably that order as well ,
you get a lovely leather case with the hawkes but i have never used it a little overkill i have put mine in a neoprene case you really get 3d effect looking through them very quick to focus and decent eye relief .
 
Hope the Sapphire serve you well. I have a pair of Frontier ED 8x43, great optics (sharp and flat across frame, good in low light, a small amount of fringing at distance) build quality could be much better. One of the lugs on the body for the strap broke whilst out in the field (I'm licensed for a number of breeding bird species which means a lot of time hiking about on moors and mountains during the summer). It just went while I had them round my neck. This was a week after the year warranty was up. Sent them back to Hawke who told me I had dropped them but they said they would sell me a new pair at discount (33%). Told them where to go. Will be buying Leica or Swarovski in time for next season.

I have hawke saphire 8 x 42 excellent but quality is outstanding fully weather proofed even up to 1m submersed ,nitrogen filled light and you can hold them steady for hours good in low light
do not go for high magnification unless stabilised x12 or above if you do get the canon ones but will be costly ,but money no object then swarvoski ,ziess or leica probably that order as well ,
you get a lovely leather case with the hawkes but i have never used it a little overkill i have put mine in a neoprene case you really get 3d effect looking through them very quick to focus and decent eye relief .
 
Back
Top Bottom