Posted on 11/10/2014 4:30:24 PM PST by Chickensoup
I know next to nothing about optics. I want to look at the birds more closely at the feeders at home. I will be looking through double paned windows. The feeders are four to ten feet away. Then there are the birds in the trees that are up to 25 feet away.
Any recommendations for binoculars? I wear glasses and am nearsighted.
I would appreciate any input. I think they are going to be my Christmas present to myself. That or a receiver for my old stereo that I am trying to resurrect. But that will be another thread!
Thank you all!
soup
+1 for Nikon. I’ve had two pair for 5 years and am very happy with them. Didn’t break the bank buying them either!
I am, I guess, at the way, way low end, on your scale.
Probably a few dollars above party favor. I was hoping to stay in the 200 dollar range or less!
I love Cabelas. I will go there. Good idea.
I get to feel rugged, purposeful and washed in all that testosterone that I have missed since my father died.
+1.
Nikon Monarchs.
I never leave home without them.
My Father-in-Law is a bird watcher and photographer. He hired professional window cleaners to clean all the windows in his house.
There are a lot of high quality binoculars I would recommend but looking through double pained windows will mean none will be great. Just get a name brand and spend as much as you can.
Don’t go power hungry, 7X or 8X are enough. You can’t go wrong with Nikon or Zeiss, Steiner, Leitz, or Leupold. The Swift Audubon has been recognized as one of the great bargains for many years.
Nikon Monarchs.
I never leave home without them.
I will look for them.
Vortex makes excellent optics for the price.
I have had my rubber armored 10x42 Zeiss for over 25 years, they are still working as well. I have scanned many hours from deer stands with them without any issues.
Walmart advertises Bushnell 8X21 for $13.13 and Bushnell 10X25 for $17.21 . I think one of these might be just what you want. Very easy to use.
Bump! See my post #18.
I'll be going back to the Nikon Monarch as soon as my Endeavor brand gets destroyed, which probably won't be long as I usually wear out a pair every year.
For what it's worth, about 25% of all the new bird surveyors I train start off the season with Nikon Monarch. It seems to be the word-of-mouth go-to binoculars for seasonal field biologists. But what's funny is that about half of the other surveyors (those without Nikons) ditch their current pair for Nikon Monarchs by the end of the season.
Sturdy, lightweight, easy to use, and crisp optics. I'll never waste money on anything else.
I bought a used Nikon 7X50 back in the 60s. It is still one of the sharpest ones I have ever looked through. I think it is still being made as the Prostar model. It has the range finder and individual focus.
I read somewhere that the Australian Navy used them in the 60s and paid something like $1500.00 apiece for them.
If you adjust the binoculars properly, you likely won’t need your glasses...the binocs will do the same job.
I have a pair of Canon IS 10 x 30 that are fantastic, had them for about 15 years. The image stabilization (IS) is unbelievable. Worth spending the extra money, cheap binoculars are a waste of money.
I have a similar situation as Chickensoup, but I also have wildlife (mostly deer) in my backyard from time to time. I’m also looking for binoculars, but I’ve also wondered about a good camera with zoom lens. Could you find out what your FIL uses or might suggest? You can PM me if that’s better.
Thank you, Chickensoup, for your great thread. I have a huge picture window in my family room that overlooks my very wooded backyard. We set a feeder in late summer, and the birds are very active here. It’s exciting to see such a variety! The feeder is about 20-25 feet away. The woods with the deer are probably 3 times that distance.
I am both a binocular and camera enthusiast.
First tell what you are willing to pay then I or others can give you a recommendation for both camera and binocular.
Thank you I will look for them.
Only about 200 or less dollars. I just want to be able to differentiate birds at the feeder.
We will have a good time this winter. Looking out our windows and enjoying the winter scenes.
In tough snowy years the deer yard in my back yard. I have counted up to 10 dear beds.
It appears you are getting tons of recommendations.
I’ll give mine.
The old stand-by 7X35 binos (7 power x 35mm) will serve you well.
The magnification is about right for hand held use and 35mm is wide enough to see more than one bird.
Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time.
I am going to spend some time looking around.
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