Budget bins advice

[nav2014]

Hi all, looking at a pair of budget bins around £60 and the Celestron skymaster 15x70 seem to be in my price range. Thoughts on these please and advice on any other bins in this price range worth a look at. Will be using them for a general flick around in the night sky in the garden. Thanks.

[Spiderduck]

the Celestron 15x70s are my advice. I gotta pair recently and they are brilliant value for money...all you need then is clear skies...!

[Peter Drew]

They are indeed excellent value, buy from an outlet with a good returns policy as there are reports of variable quality, Don't drop ANY budget binocular!  

[johnnyp]

If you're hand holding then I would think 8x40 are a better option. These are a decent buy and close to your budget.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/helios/helios-naturesport-plus-8x40-wa.html

[fondofchips]

+1 for 8x40 try these: - http://www.firstlightoptics.com/porroprism/opticron-aspheric-wa-zwcf-ga-8x40.html

Lighter bins means you will be able to hold them up longer.

[Steven_J]

As has already been said, it is very difficult to hand hold most 15x70s for any length of time and for quick, grab and go scan trips, something in the 8x40 - 10x50 range would be preferable. Personally, I recommend the Opticrons.

I would also suggest going with these if you still want a 15x70 - http://www.telescopehouse.com/acatalog/Revelation_15x70_Binocular_Special_Offer-1.html

They are the same Kuming BA1 make binoculars, but cheaper and from a retailer with a good return policy. If you're buying budget bins, I also suggest getting familiar with evaluating binoculars if you aren't already. They usually rely on the customer doing the quality control and something like http://binocularsky.com/binoc_eval.php helps a lot in sorting out whether you have a good pair or a dud.

[Alfian]

15x70s are going to be difficult to use well hand held although that will vary from person to person. Telescope house did some good deals recently on bino/tripod packages but I can't seem to find it now - might be worth a call.

If mounting the 15x70s does not suit - then as said by others try a 10x50.

[nav2014]

I'm thinking about attaching them to my monopod pole or lying horizontal on my lounger with them so i'll try not to keep weight as an issue. Thankyou for the advice, much appreciated and i'm 99.9 percent in favour of the Celestrons at the moment.

[nav2014]

Just ordered the Celestron 15x70, delivered to nearest Tesco store within 24 hours which is 2 miles from here. Free postage on returns if any faults. Paid £58.98 delivered to store which isn't bad at all.

[LukeSkywatcher]

Just ordered the Celestron 15x70, delivered to nearest Tesco store within 24 hours which is 2 miles from here. Free postage on returns if any faults. Paid £58.98 delivered to store which isn't bad at all.

They are very popular bins. Having never used a monopod, i have no idea how it will cope with the weight of the bins. I mean in swaying movement rather then the actual weight of the bins.

[nav2014]

They are very popular bins. Having never used a monopod, i have no idea how it will cope with the weight of the bins. I mean in swaying movement rather then the actual weight of the bins.

Its the same as a bipod or tripod only it sticks in the grass, there are varying degrees of weight limit but mine is 2 kg, designed for camera's really but adaptable for bins. Just takes most of the weight and steadies it.

[nav2014]

I'm very impressed with these I must say.