Recommendation for affordable, quality binoculars?

[theHandpuppet]

I'd really like to treat myself to a decent pair of binoculars this year but have no idea how to judge what's good and what's crap. Can anyone offer some recommendations on a good pair of field binocs that won't break the bank? Thanks!

[XemaSab]

1. how much can you spend?

[theHandpuppet]

2. Can I get a decent pair for 100 buck or less?

I really can't afford any more than that.

[semillama]

3. Yeah, you can

I got my Nikon bins for $85, and I'm pretty happy with them. To tell the truth, I've looked through a pair of top-end Swarovski bins and then at the same thing with my Nikon pair, and I didn't notice much difference.

Save your money for the scope - that seems to me to be where the most noticable difference in quality is.

[wildflowergardener]

4. I love mine

Hi. I love the binoculars that I bought - they are for birding, but are small and easy to carry - easy to focus both close up and far away, and were reasonably priced. They may not be top of the line, but they work great for my purposes - watching the birds at my feeder, and taking them with me biking or walking.

They are the
Eagle Optics Triumph
Markings on the binoculars are: 8 x 25, Field 6.3 degrees

I tried to buy the same pair for our office (for identifying trees) but I accidently bought a larger pair than I intended - they don't focus quite as close.

They are 69.99
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?dept=1&type=19&purch=1&pid=3360

[semillama]

5. I'd also recommend going with 8x40's over the pocket sized ones

The larger sized ones gather more light - I've been in situations when all I've had were my pocket sized 8x25s and I couldn't ID a bird in a wooded area, whereas the same situation with my regular pair, I probably would have.

I'd advise on buying something as close to your price limit as possible - use the search options on the link posted earlier and make sure you select the large size binoculars.

[wildflowergardener]

6. size of binoculars

I suppose the size depends on what you are going to use it for. I just found the large ones (at least in that particular brand) could not focus on objects as close up.) I have not used them much in the woods - mostly at home where I want to be able to see something clearly that if fairly close to me (my feeder)

Don't know how much detail you'd get far away.

Maybe there is another brand that is large and can also focus close up too.

Meg

[semillama]

7. In that case

I've been more than happy with the Bushnell 8x25s you can pick up at places like Target, and you can usually find a pair for about $25. Just fine for casual birding. I usually travel with small bins and keep a small pair in my glove compartment.

[carpetbagger]

8. Bushnell 8x42 Natureview Plus

Runs about $100. I started with them and haven't yet found the need to upgrade, some 630 spp later. (I did get a spotting scope, but I still find the binoculars adequate for everything except mudflats and the ocean horizon). I'll give the disclaimer that I'm in my 30s, so my eyes can take in more light now than they will be able to in another decade or so.