Entry Level Binoculars

[Kluson]

Hi Guys

I would like to get my wife a pair of Binoculars for Xmas, my budget is around £150. Can anyone offer any advice as to which entry level Binoculars owuld fit the bill. I am thinking 10 X  50 size. We have a spare tripod we could mount them on.

Thanks

Dave

[Second Time Around]

Does she wear glasses?

What's she going to be using them for?

[Kluson]

Hi,

Thanks for getting back to me.

She does and doesn't wear specs. Her main use would be Lunar, large Nebulae, general stargazing w=etc. She would I guess also use them for watching the birds in our garden 🙂

Cheers

Dave

[Franklin]

Pentax do an entry level SP 10x50 with a 6.5deg field and they go for around £100.

 

[bosun21]

I recently bought a pair of Opticron Oregon 10x50 WA for £69 from FLO (First Light Optics). I am really impressed by the quality of them, both optically and mechanically. They would be a good introduction to the night sky as well as terrestrial. You can pay more for quality binoculars and the skies the limit as far as how much money you want to spend. The reviews left, both by other buyers and our binoculars man Steve Tonkin have been great,

[Kluson]

Thanks Franklin, They look great, sadly out of stock, I asked to let me know when they are back in stock

Thanks Bosun, Yes , I also saw the Opticron 10 x 50. I watched the Steve Tonkin talk two eyes are better than one on you tube, Whilst it gave me the type , it didn't give a brand. I am very keen to avoid those, which Steve describes as BSO's 🙂

 

Thanks all

D

[bosun21]

59 minutes ago, Kluson said:

Thanks Franklin, They look great, sadly out of stock, I asked to let me know when they are back in stock

Thanks Bosun, Yes , I also saw the Opticron 10 x 50. I watched the Steve Tonkin talk two eyes are better than one on you tube, Whilst it gave me the type , it didn't give a brand. I am very keen to avoid those, which Steve describes as BSO's 🙂

 

Thanks all

D

Here is the detailed review that Steve Tonkin wrote for the Opticron Oregon 10x50 WA

 

https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/reviews/binoculars/opticron-oregon-wa-10x50-binoculars-review/

 

[Astronomist]

if you can afford to go larger the Opticron Oregon 20x80 is within budget and gets good reviews. The astronomical views at 80mm are great, but hand holding is not really an option. ( I do not have this exact model, I have the Bresser spezial astro 20x80 which is broadly similar )

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/all-binoculars/opticron-oregon-observation-20x80-binoculars.html

[ONIKKINEN]

I have a pair of Nikon Aculon 7x50 binoculars, these dont cost all that much and are very satisfactory to use under dark skies where loads of things can be seen.

I would also note that stability of the hands that hold the binoculars are important and here lower magnifications will have an advantage. At 7x its easy to hold steady even with my not so steady hand, not so sure about 10x and i wouldn't want to have more zoom on mine.

[happy-kat]

There are binocular reviews on the website binocularsky dot com and a great monthly newsletter available by email covering what's current to observe using binoculars. Mine are 8*42 as the weight is lighter for me.

Edited November 15, 2022 by happy-kat

[ScouseSpaceCadet]

I have Opticron Adventurer T WP 10x50s and v. happy with them:

https://www.opticron.co.uk/our-products/binoculars/adventurer-t-wp-binoculars/adventurer-t-wp-10x50.

and I'm also happy with my Oregon Observation 15x70s but use them with a monopod or tripod:

https://www.opticron.co.uk/our-products/binoculars/observation-binoculars/oregon-observation-15x70

 

You may wish to consider downsizing to 8x42. These are 170g lighter than the 10x50s and shorter in length, so shakes are reduced significantly.

https://www.opticron.co.uk/our-products/binoculars/adventurer-t-wp-binoculars/adventurer-t-wp-8x42

Edited November 15, 2022 by ScouseSpaceCadet

[Kluson]

Thanks everyone for all the great replies. Very much appreciated

 

Thanks 

Dave

 

[Alan White]

If you can stretch the budget just a little (189), these are super and smaller than many 10x50.
I have a pair, my daughter has a pair ready for Christmas.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/classic-binoculars/opticron-imagic-tga-wp-50mm-binoculars.html
 

[doublevodka]

Worth a looks through the recommendations here https://binocularsky.com/binoc_choosing.php#5

 

[Kluson]

1 hour ago, Alan White said:

If you can stretch the budget just a little (189), these are super and smaller than many 10x50.
I have a pair, my daughter has a pair ready for Christmas.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/classic-binoculars/opticron-imagic-tga-wp-50mm-binoculars.html
 

They look great , and the review seems favourable, might be worth the stretch - Thanks

[Kluson]

1 hour ago, doublevodka said:

Worth a looks through the recommendations here https://binocularsky.com/binoc_choosing.php#5

 

Thanks , Yes I've been through  that, thanks again for the advice and help