Brilliant Binoculars

capd

capd

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Having been in the market and after testing some R70,000 Swarovski binoculars (quite the experience!), I'm looking for the best more budget-friendly binoculars. Happy to spend around R5k, or more within reason. Have checked Takealot and Vortex ones seem to be some of the better ones they sell? Bresser also seems like a good brand? I do wear glasses with a +- -3 prescription.
 
You can look at the Celestron range as well like the 15x70 Skymaster should be in budget.
 
RonSwanson said:
Bushnell. Excellent multicoated optics, been around for at least the past 40 years.
A pair of "normal use" 10x50s should cost a shade over R2k and come with diopter adjustment built in.
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No need to get something better? Would like excellent, sharp & bright optics.
 

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i mean, they do make cameras

not an expert... was merely looking
 
capd said:
No need to get something better? Would like excellent, sharp & bright optics.
Click to expand...
Vortex are reputed to have better optics, but that's subjective. Personally, I doubt that my eyes will ever tell the difference, and even if they are, does it justify a price of 150% more?

Of course they are sharp and bright, which is largely dependent on the size of the incident optic. They all have multicoatings which is important for brightness as well as external light sources. What's equally important is build quality and serviceability, and also factor in that insurance premium that you pay monthly. Bushnell ticks all these boxes.

All things considered, for "normal use" the Bushnell range is great, and if you really want to spend more, rather get a Bushnell with a 60mm incident lens vs a 42mm Vortex. At least then the difference will be tangible vs subjective.
 
tcofran said:

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com

i mean, they do make cameras

not an expert... was merely looking
Click to expand...
Porro prisms. Rather get roof prisms like Nikon Monarch
 
tcofran said:

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com

i mean, they do make cameras

not an expert... was merely looking
Click to expand...
Nikon is still one of the few companies that actually manufacture their own optical glass. Core competency, and these days Japanese quality > Germans.
 
B-1 said:
You can look at the Celestron range as well like the 15x70 Skymaster should be in budget.
Click to expand...
Nice for astronomy and birding, but you don't want to be seen dead on the beach with that, unless you wear a dirty raincoat. :laugh:
 
RonSwanson said:
Nice for astronomy and birding, but you don't want to be seen dead on the beach with that, unless you wear a dirty raincoat. :laugh:
Click to expand...

Those are good enough to sit on the stoep with a whiskey and admiring from afar.
 
The Nikon Monarchs are great. Or the cheaper ProStaff ones. I use 8x42 for birding and game viewing.
 
B-1 said:
Those are good enough to sit on the stoep with a whiskey and admiring from afar.
Click to expand...
Agreed, at least there's a firm surface for the tripod! Nice spotting scope for plinking too, but anything over 10x magnification, whilst good for specs, becomes irritating unless you do breath and strap control, or assume the prone position. Then there's the bulk: "general use" implies standing up and being on the go, and the weight will soon have you reaching for the unbranded 10x20s for a hike.
 
RonSwanson said:
Agreed, at least there's a firm surface for the tripod! Nice spotting scope for plinking too, but anything over 10x magnification, whilst good for specs, becomes irritating unless you do breath and strap control, or assume the prone position. Then there's the bulk: "general use" implies standing up and being on the go, and the weight will soon have you reaching for the unbranded 10x20s for a hike.
Click to expand...

The OP didn't specify what he was after so I just threw an option in there. But yes if they are looking for something to take on hikes its not the right one. Birdwatching from the car, wale watching, stargazing etc it will work great.
 
For general purpose, these two would be my choice:

and
https://www.takealot.com/bushnell-10x50-falcon-porro-binoculars-black/PLID40736505

8x21 is small, lightweight, can carry it anywhere concealed, all of the time. You don't look like a tourist, attracting chancers, and you're better off than the guy without anything, who tells you all about his fantastic Zeiss (which he left at home).

The 10x50 is great quality, solid and honest, good to take along when night birding or any low light situations.
 
capd said:
Having been in the market and after testing some R70,000 Swarovski binoculars (quite the experience!), I'm looking for the best more budget-friendly binoculars. Happy to spend around R5k, or more within reason. Have checked Takealot and Vortex ones seem to be some of the better ones they sell? Bresser also seems like a good brand? I do wear glasses with a +- -3 prescription.
Click to expand...
Nikon 10x50 Acculon ,or Minolta if you can find one
 
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