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Re: [birdnet] Binocular advice again

Here are a few other sites that have great pricing on binoculars.  They may
not have all the models that www.eagleoptics.com has, but the prices are
good.

http://www.aaacamera.com/binoculars.html
http://www.cameralandny.com/binoculars/binoculars.html

If you are comfortable with ebay, that is an option.  Many vendors sell new
items there at a reduced price.  I just bought the Pentax 10x50 DCF WP from
cameralandny.com with an ebay auction.  I had used the binoculars before,
like Ron said, so it was just about price for me.

Blaine Hamilton

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Kort Utley" <kutley@gov.state.ut.us>
To: <miles2go@konnections.com>
Cc: <birdnet@utahbirds.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2001 1:06 PM
Subject: Re: [birdnet] Binocular advice again


> Ron,
>
> Here are four web addresses for birding binocular reviews on the internet;
you'll find them very helpfull:
>
> www.betterviewdesired.com
> www.njaudubon.org/genlmenu/optics.html
> http://birds.cornell.edu/publications/livingbird/spring99/binos.html
> www.birdwatching.com/optics.html
>
> You can get a great binocular for under $300 these days.  You've mentioned
B&H, but I would also recommend that you call Eagle Optics.  Look them up on
the web at www.eagleoptics.com.  I have purchased 3 binoculars and a scope
from them.  Their customer service is wonderful, and their prices are almost
as good (sometimes better) than B&H.  They are very friendly and
knowledgeable about helping you pick the right binocular.  I definitely do
not recommend Sportsman's Warehouse in Provo.  I bought a binocular from
them about a month ago and it was the worst retail experience of my life.
I've never been treated so poorly.
>
> I've looked at a lot of binoculars in your price range and I'd recommend
you consider the following:
>
> Pentax 8x42 DCF WP: My brother used these before he bought a Swarovski
binocular.  He loved them.  The reviewers at birdwatching.com and
betterviewdesired.com like them too.
>
> Swift Audubon 8.5x44:  These are legendary in the birding world and have
recently been updated with better ergonomics and twist-in eye cups.  See a
detailed review of them at betterviewdesired.com.  One cautionary note,
these aren't the best if you wear eye glasses or sunglasses while birding
because their eye relief is short.  In other words, you won't get the full
field of view (which is one characteristic that makes this binocular great).
>
> If you wear eye glasses I would recommend the Swift 8x42 Ultralites over
the Audubons.  I've used the Ultralites for the last four years and think
they're great binoculars for the price, and I love their light weight (21
ounces).  I recently upgraded and would sell my Ultralites to you cheap if
you were interested in a slightly used binocular.
>
> You'll notice I've recommended all 8x binoculars.  In your price range, 8x
is the way to go.  A 10x binocular of the same optical quality as the 8x
bins I've recommended would cost you more like $600.  The lowest priced 10x
binocular I could recommend would be the Nikon Superior E 10x42 which runs
about $650-$700.  Nikon also makes the Superior E in an 8x32.  I recently
purchased a pair of these for my dad from eagleoptics.com for about $560.
The Superior E's are terrific and are a significant step up in optical
quality and price from what you're looking at, but if you decide to splurge,
they are my recommendation.
>
> My last word of advice is echoed by every good optics critic you
encounter: test before you buy.  Find some other birders who have the
binoculars you're considering and take a look through them.  Everyone's
hands and eyes are different, and different people like different things in
a binocular.  Find the bins at a local retailer and look through them.  Ask
if you can take the binoculars outside and look through them since the
lighting in stores seems to make all binoculars seem just about the same.
>
> Let me know if you have additional questions.  I'd be more than happy to
help.
>
> Kort Utley
> Salt Lake City, Utah
>
> e-mail: kutley@gov.state.ut.us
>
>  "Ron" <miles2go@konnections.com> 03/26/01 08:34PM >>>
> Well I'm finally going to buy better binoculars for observing the birds
> around our home and on the trails. I suppose the Falcon nest was the last
> straw. I'll be using them to pull in stands of trees that are between 3
and
> 600 yards away in most cases. I don't want anything huge though as I'd
like
> to be able to hike with them too. I remember talking to some folks on the
> list not long ago and it seems that the larger the exit pupil the better.
> I'm wondering if there is a typical minimum exit pupil size that is
> recommended and if there is a clear favorite for binoculars at or under
> $300. Actually I'll likely be buying from B&H at
> http://www01.bhphotovideo.com/ in the hopes of getting the best I can for
> what I want to spend.
> I suppose that 8x42 or 10x50 is the standard choice. I've also seen some
odd
> variants such as the Swift 8.5x44 BWCF Audubon Waterproof binocs that B&H
is
> selling for $274. Actually the wide choice at B&H is bewildering even just
> among the Swift line. I will certainly welcome some advice. While I intend
> to do a little bit of research as well, I always greatly value unbiased
> consumer/user level "word of mouth" over what could possibly be dollar
> driven influence.
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Ron
>
>
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