Binocular Puzzle

Colt Super

October 09, 2003 20:43

I didn't want to steal the other thread on binocs.

I'm looking for a compact pair to put in my camping back pack. The pair needs to be as light weight as possible. Is there anything decent out there for under $200??

If not, what would I have to spend & what would I buy??

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  He Dog

  October 10, 2003 09:09

  The real question is how much will they be used and for what. If you are just packing and want to look at scenery, you can get by with a $50 pair of compacts. If you plan to use them for scouting/hunting or bird watching, you will find you are not happy. I have some Bushnell compacts (about $45) that live in the glove box and for occasional wildlife viewing/birding they are far better than nothing. We also have a pair of B&L's that were around $100 and they are better, but still not all day binos.
  
  My heros have always killed cowboys.

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  Colt Super

  October 10, 2003 09:57

  Mostly looking for a pair that won't weigh much, just for gazing around.
  
  Don't know much about binocs, at all - what features should I look for?

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  He Dog

  October 10, 2003 12:54

  In the compacts there are not a lot of features. They are small and light weight, and mostly have plastic housings. Lenses are not top end nor or coatings. First check the columation by placing them on a fixed rest after adjusting for your eyes. Each barrel should be focused on the same scene, so look through one lens and note what is at the edges of the sight picture. Then check the other to see it shows you the same picture. If they are more than slightly off, you will end up with eye strain. Coatings on lenses reduce the amount of light that is reflected from the lens and refracted on entering the lens, so that fully multicoated (several coatings on each glass/air interface) are the most desireable. Coated lenses are a must, but avoid the cherry red coatings. Greenish, or purplish coatings are fine. It usually works better in these to select a known name like Bushnell, Nikon, etc. as their quality control is better than off brand products. Likely you will pay a little more, but it will be worth it if they actually work when you want them. Compacts are usually reverse porro prism binoculars, that is they are wider at the looking in end than at the looking out end, which is reverse of the way typical (porro prism) binoculars are built. Roof prism binoculars have straight barrels rather than crooked or off set barrels, and are simply more expensive to build. You can buy higher quality porro prisms for less than poor roof prisms. Try to get to a place with several brands, like Cabela's or Pro Bass Shops, or a local camera store, or sporting goods store, and actually handle and try them out. Good Luck!
  
  My heros have always killed cowboys.

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