Having worked in and around birding optics for decades I'm often asked my opinion on similar models and what do I recommend. The best advice I can give is: 1) know your budget, 2) compare similar spec models at different price points and 3) try before you buy! #BirdingGear 🧵 1/13 - ThreadSky

stevedudley.bsky.social • 96 days ago

Having worked in and around birding optics for decades I'm often asked my opinion on similar models and what do I recommend. The best advice I can give is: 1) know your budget, 2) compare similar spec models at different price points and 3) try before you buy!

#BirdingGear 🧵 1/13

Comments

stewchat.bsky.social•96 days ago

Id buy used/ ex demo etc top brands rather than new cheaper brands...

stevedudley.bsky.social•96 days ago

Same here, Stu, but even high-end secondhand prices are still out of reach for many.

stewchat.bsky.social•96 days ago

They can be, but sometimes there are canny deals. I bought used as new Ultravid 10x42 BLs ie no rubber armour . As a result they were much cheaper through lack of demand. 18 yrs of field use, still as good as the day bought.

gasbirder.bsky.social•95 days ago

Worth keeping an eye out for less popular configurations too, I have a pair of Ultravid HD 7X42 which I absolutely love. phenomenal light gathering, great field of view for tracking flying birds but obviously less favoured and I got them for less than £600 on Ebay

trainerlam.bsky.social•96 days ago

As someone who leads bird and nature walks both in my former home state of New York and my current home state of Arizona, when anyone asks me advice on which bins to buy I always recommend buying the most expensive ones you can afford as he will save money in the long run.

trainerlam.bsky.social•96 days ago

Inevitably most people buy an inexpensive pair used them for a little while, then get another slightly more expensive pair used them for a while, etc., until they could’ve just bought the higher end ones from the get-go.

stevedudley.bsky.social•96 days ago

Sometimes they can't afford the high-end model when they start out. And mid-priced models are so good now that the £/$ diff can be hard to justify. And I would never suggest to newbies to spend big right at the start. Buy big once you're secure in the knowledge that this is your thing. #BirdingGear

stephbirdart.bsky.social•95 days ago

A friend of mine often says about buying new bins, "is the difference between current and new really worth £1000+ more?"... It often isn't...

niallchains.bsky.social•95 days ago

True but sometimes you can get second hand high end for the same price as new midrange. The former might be better value for money eg due to better build quality

stevedudley.bsky.social•96 days ago

Many thanks. I read that as being the same as knowing your budget ;-) Also be aware that you're paying a premium for some high-end brands, even at their lower price points (which may include OEM models available as other brands a lot cheaper). #BirdingGear

rovingosprey.bsky.social•96 days ago

Is there a difference in the toughness between these bins? Like which one could handle falling down the side of a ravine or withstanding a blizzard or pouring rain?

christebbens.bsky.social•96 days ago

If you are truly worried about toughness, a part of that will be your warranty coverage. Nothing will withstand everything. Vortex Optics has a lifetime guarantee to fix anything, no questions asked.

rovingosprey.bsky.social•94 days ago

That explains why that's the most common brand I see people use in Canada

stevedudley.bsky.social•96 days ago

Good question! I was limited with the potted info I could include for each model. I'm pretty sure all the models covered are gas-filled to prevent internal fogging and waterproof enough for what a birder needs (just no scuba diving!). See individual links for each model info.

#BirdingGear 1/2

stevedudley.bsky.social•96 days ago

Robustness is never tested in reviews.These are all metal bodied models and because of their compactness they'll be pretty robust. The least robust part is the focus wheel/mechanism and because of this you should to be careful how you place them on hard surfaces 👇

#BirdingGear 2/2

albicilla66.bsky.social•85 days ago

I often do NO, but very gently?

deadcatdave.bsky.social•96 days ago

Thank you for sharing your knowledge Steve, looking at Xmas present buying at the moment and this is a great help #BirdingGear

stevedudley.bsky.social•96 days ago

Many thanks, Dave. I just one person benefits from what I enjoy sharing here on the #BirdingGear, job done! I’m sure you’ll find something that’s right for you. And don’t be limited by my recommendations 😉

stevedudley.bsky.social•96 days ago

So many models look so alike these days and its true, many binoculars come from OEM (original equipment manufacturer) suppliers (mainly in Asia). Usually the inner chasis and optics of these models are the same with only the external armouring, detail and branding being different.

#BirdingGear 2/13

stevedudley.bsky.social•96 days ago

I think we all know the RSPB is a bird/wildlife conservation charity and not a binocualr manufacturer. Yet they have their own line of RSPB binoculars and telescopes. These are OEM products branded as RSPB. The same (or very similar) models will be available under other brands.

#BirdingGear 3/13

stevedudley.bsky.social•96 days ago

Some models within the same brand may also look very similar and have pretty much the exact same dimensions (size and weight). This is probably because the metal body is shared but the optics differ to provide similar models at different price points.

#BirdingGear 4/13

stevedudley.bsky.social•96 days ago

A friend recently asked my advice. His heart was set on the Swarovski 8x30 CL Companion. He'd read this review: https://www.birdguides.com/reviews/binoculars/swarovski-cl-companion-8x30-b/ but was struggling to justify £1,150.

I suggested two alternatives:
Nikon Monarch HG 8x30 @ £799
Opticron Traveller ED 8x32 @ £379

#BirdingGear 5/13

stevedudley.bsky.social•96 days ago

He went to an optics event (no Opticron models) and despite really liking the Swarovskis, he very quickly decided he didn't need to spend as much as he thought to get a 'decent' pair. He ended up comparing the Nikon Monarch M7 Plus 8x30 (£319) and Zeiss Terra ED 8x32 (£399).

#BirdingGear 6/13

fiona-1who.bsky.social•96 days ago

Been using Zeiss Terra ED for about 4 years now.... love them!

stevedudley.bsky.social•96 days ago

And his binocualr of choice . . . the Nikon Monarch M7 Plus 8x30 bought for £319 (RRP £499). He said it was a hard choice between these and the Zeiss Terra but he just liked the feel of this model more in the hand and was also put off by the Zeiss warrenty of only 2 yrs.

#BirdingGear 7/13

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