Hello Everyone.
Well, it is that time of year again..... time to buy gifts for people, most of whom I barely speak to. Fortunately the wife does speak to me, and after a decade of blissful wedlock she knows well enough to simply tell me what she wants rather than drop vague hints.
Her heart desires, among other things, binoculars to take when she goes on hikes in order to bird watch.
I haven't the foggiest idea what to get. I have the same set of binoculars that my grandfather gave me twenty years ago....they still work.
Hopping online was no help......way too many options out there, mostly from companies I have never even heard of.
I suppose I'm looking for something moderately compact, or at least smaller than military glasses.....and around 200 dollars.
Any ideas? Thanks for the help.
Been away from the forum for a while, had a lot of things to deal with. Anyway, I've been mulling this optics decision myself. I previously wanted to go with a monocular for ultimate compact size. I realized quickly, after some generous members shared their toys, that binoculars are a must if it is not a spotting scope. So, I've reconciled to the smallest pair of binoculars possible.
You've also said the magic word: she's a birder. Hard to shop for, very demanding of optics. If she wants something light, and moderately compact, we need SPECIFICS.
Any possible description of physical condition? Some men like their women petite, others like them to haul their own weight- and him as well when he gets tired.
Binoculars can get heavy relatively easily, as they are hand held. If you go for something larger, look into getting a binocular harness- distributes weight vs. just on neck.
What does she have now, binoc wise? Company, decade, all are important. If she uses top shelf bins, then you have to buy top shelf. If not, you can pleasantly surprise. If nothing, then you can blow her out of the water.
Would she be doing any birding early in the morning or towards dusk? Those conditions necessitate low light performance.
Does she take good care of equipment, or knock it around? Might be better served with worse view, more durable bins.
What environment do you live in? Are we looking at long, open praries, dense woods, a mixture, barren mountains?
Does she wear glasses? Some binoculars are great except unfriendly to glasses.
Generally, it's hard to do under $300 and do truly small and compact while high quality. Most quality optics under $300 are porro prisms, which by their nature are bulkier and can add weight. They also are generally less durable and waterproof. You're probably supposed to stick with binoculars that end with a 30, 32, or something similar. That is the size of the big lens, which determines overall size and weight.
Recommendations without your input:
If you could go bigger, to 42, I would highly recommend the Leupold Cascades. Right around $200, a little over. Porro prism, waterproof, rather excellent for the price.
If you need small and that price range, then this is about $20 over your initial stated price. They are quite compact,
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=5209
Also, they have been very much beloved as top compact binoculars. Anything better (from what I know) is bigger, heavier, or more expensive. They are actually smaller than necessary for what your wife sounds like she needs, but they would do fine.
If you don't want bigger, or over your price at all, then probably the best binoculars, without getting a screaming deal, is in Leupold Yosemites.
At $250, very well reviewed, true mid-sized binoculars:
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexfury6x32
Generally, you go as big as comfortable with binoculars. Furies have gotten excellent reviews, and, consequently, are probably the best fit for all that she wants.
That said, just call up either eagle optics. They'll do a much better job of sussing out needs in real time. Good return policy in the event you fail her
Zero
-- caught them on an in-store-sale for $199.
