Hi, everyone. I have a question about binoculars. I need to buy some/one?

[babylonsister]

for a gift (actually, my sister does, for her DH) and asks how you can determine what's good (besides price), and would eBay be a good place to buy them?
Thanks for any insight.

[zabet]

1. I do not know if this helps or not..

This info comes from personal experience. I purchased a mid-range
priced set to use for bird watching. They were dropped from approximately
4 ft off the ground. Visibly with close inspection, there appears to be
no damage, lens look fine, the damage is when you look through them and attempt
to focus with the center knob, they will never focus completely. You can
close either eye and still see perfectly through one lens at the time.
This experience would make me hesitant to buy a set I could not actually look
through before buying unless they were new.

[babylonsister]

2. Thanks for the insight; can you

give me a mfgr, name, where you bought it/them, something? Also, I don't know what 'mid-range' price is as I've never bought binoculars.

[zabet]

3. I purchased them

online from Bass Pro Shops. It was a few years ago but,
I think they were around $115 - $125 with shipping. I do
think they were also on sale.
A lot depends on what they are being used for.


Here are some and the links...

SALE+Special Offer
RedHead® ''Dad & Me'' 8x40 and 8x25 Binoculars Combo
A $89.98 value! for ***$39.88***
The perfect set of binoculars for exploring the outdoors with your son or daughter! Both of these RedHead Ascent Binoculars feature multi-coated optics and a quality BaK4 inverted porro prism design. This design allows for superior light transmission and maximum image contrast, producing sharp edge-to-edge views.
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=83804&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults


SALE RedHead® Epic Binoculars
Regular price $149.99-$239.99 ***$119.88-$189.88***
RedHead's Epic Series Optics: Hunting's best value -- Period!
Fully multicoated lens system
Nitrogen purged for fog-free performance
100% waterproof
BAK-4 high index prisms with phase coating
Shock-absorbing rubber armor
Twist-up eyecups give eyeglass and sunglass wearers an easier view
Right eye diopter for precise focusing -- a must-have in the field
Flexible rubber ocular lens covers and attached objective lens covers
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=64982&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults


Link to Bass Pro Shops Binoculars for sale:
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchResults?searchOption=products&hvarSearchString=binoculars&storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&CMID=TOP_SEARCH_GO&x=12&y=9

[zabet]

4. I apologize..

as far as the make and model..I would have to ask my son
to be positive. I am pretty sure they were Bushnells.
I gave them to him to beat around in his hunting truck. He
definitely couldn't do any more damage to them IMO.

[grasswire]

5. if buying on eBay, you could do two things

1. If the seller has 100 percent feedback, you might be reassured.

2. If the seller has a return guarantee, you would probably be okay.

[Whoa_Nelly]

6. You might want to check at eBay's other spot online

http://www.half.com

And another place to look would be http://www.buy.com

And, don't forget Amazon.com!

About what distance magnification does your sis want to get her DH? That can make a big difference in the end price.

Here's a great little article explaining about binoculars and range:
http://www.vikingoptical.co.uk/advice.html

[babylonsister]

7. I don't think she knows what magnification she wants, but THANK YOU ALL

for your feedback. I'll send her this link so she can wade through the info.

:hi:

[NMDemDist2]

8. what are they to be used for? hubby has ones he uses on stars

which are totally different that what a bird watcher would need

if you can give me some more info I'll ask hubby who is somewhat an expert on optics thanks to his passion for astronomy