Opinions on new binoculars

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WFBont007

Joined
Oct 1, 2002
Messages
73
I am looking to purchase a pair or two of binoculars. Both pairs will be used for work when I conduct surevillance. I was a compact pair. I am looking at the Nikon Travelite zoom 8-24x25. For the larger pair, I am considering the Nikon 10-22x50. Roughly about $200.00 for both pairs. Work has provided me with two big pairs of Steiner. They are too big for surveillance in my opinion. Let me hear your thoughts and opinions on a compact pair and a large pair.
 
Forget about the zoom binoculars. They break. "If you are offered a pair for free, politely refuse."
If you really want a zoom, get a nice spotting scope -- there are several that are pretty tough and portable.
What time of day will you be doing your surveillance? After dawn and before twilight, you should do just fine with about 30mm objectives (as in 8x30). You can often get a used Nikon 8x30 E for around $100; you could get an E2 for $200-$300.
Just how big are the Steiners? If you're going to be working at night, many people recommend 50mm objectives. Since I haven't done the kind of specialized work you'll be doing I don't want to offer advice about 42mm vs. 50mm at night.
If you can go up in price a bit more, consider some kind of image stabilized binoculars. The canons also come in 12x36 and 15x50, but the 10x30 are closest to your price range. The 10x30 and 12x36 are reasonably light; the 15x50s might be too heavy.
Could you get a small tripod for the Steiners you have? I'm not sure what you mean by "too big", so it's hard to think about how to work with them. Nicer straps or suspenders could also help.
 
The Steiner are 20x80, they are big! For the bigger pair, I like the 50mm lens. I want a 20x50 or maybe bigger. I will be using them at twilight and sometimes at night in lighted apartment complexes.
 
For 10x50 I'd recommend the Steiner police....
For surveillance you want a big light gatherer....
With that usually comes a commensurate bigger package...

Let us know what you end up with as I do love Good Glass!
Tom

Added that the more magnification the more shake to the hand.
 
If you are watching from a fixed position, and at a distance, the Steiner 20X80 mounted on a tripod would be the cat's a$$.
A good 8X56 or 7X50 would be good for mobile use.
Compact models generally aren't great in low light conditions. They just aren't big enough to gather enough light. If you absolutely MUST have a compact bino, don't go over 8X, and 6X would be better for low light.
The Optics on zoom models generally are not as clear as a fixed power model.
 
You won't be able to use any binos over 12 power without a tripod or image stabilization.If it is from a fixed position with a tripod,those Stieners would work great.If the binos are to be used hand held,I would stay with ten pwer or lower.

You can't carry binos with objectives from 40mm on up covertly,if there might be a problem with that,look smaller.
There is a large weight penalty between 42mm and 50mm objectives in all brands,I have decided that the minimal light gathering gains are more than offset by the weight and size losses in the larger binos and see no reason to go above 42mm in portable binos.

If "look at the dude with the binos" is no problem,7X42 offer a good compromise between light gathering and portability,this is my choice for use at night in my line of work.

If you are talking about carrying somthing around with you in a coat pocket,just in case,stick with 25mm or smaller objectives and 10 or less power.
In your price range, you might look at compact binos from Nikon,Bushnell and Pentax for a lot of nice choices.
However,in small binos,ergonomics are even more important than in larger ones ,so,if you can,try before you buy.
 
Nothing you can get for $100 is going to come anywhere close to the Steiners you've been given. Good glass is expensive. However, the advice you've been given here is good. Forget about zoom and don't go over 8x or 10x if you're going to be hand holding.
 
I just got a pair of Nikon Monarch's, in my research I heard a lot of talk from qualified individuals saying at around 300.00 they are the best you can get without stepping up to 700-800 bucks. I do like them.

Metro
 
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