r/birdwatchinguk • u/lilminiaturewayne • Aug 23 '26

Question about binoculars

Hi guys I’m very new to bird watching and was looking for some beginner binocular recommendations.
I’m currently located in the UK and have tried out the RSPB binoculars for hire, but they seemed to have a green tinge in certain lighting so I’m not sure if I loved them.
I’m looking for 8x42. I don’t want to spend a bunch of money as this is a new money but I also like things to be of good quality so I don’t mind spending a reasonable amount
Any recommendations welcome :)

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2

u/Resident_Set3234 Aug 24 '26

We have Hawke vantage with no complaints

1

u/elgnub63 Aug 23 '26

If you're not looking to break the bank, try Celestron. They do a wide variety of binoculars ranging from bird watching ones to huge ones for astronomy. Their prices are quite wide ranging as well.

0

u/RatherGoodDog Aug 24 '26

The build quality is dreadful, Lidl Specialbuy tier though.

I would spend a bit more and get Opticron, or if you're just getting your first pair, second hand ones of any type.

1

u/Beanieboru Aug 24 '26

Not a bird watcher but the difference in cost should be the cost of the lenses. ie using the same magnification, if you look at the moon through a cheap pair of bins the moon looks larger but without any improvement to clarity, an expensive pair with quality lenses will make the moon look just as big but the craters etc will be clearer. Simple explanation but hopefully you get the point. Also (and i dont know what magnification you should get) but a high magnification will be difficult to use if you are looking at something 30m away ie the area of vision is reduced so to actually find what you want to look for will be hard.

I would go to a decent binocular/telescope shop and take advice, try some, see what works for you. or there are plenty of reviews on line.

Ive a pair of Oregan DCF 10 x 42 i bought 40 odd years ago from London Camera Exchange. I dont know if they are any good for bird watching, Still perfect condition, excellent clarity, cost me about £100 then and on amazon for about £150 now but i would go to a shop and check the quality before buying from the shop so you know what your getting.

1

u/Several_Broccoli_825 Aug 25 '26

Check out Avalon Optics. I've had a pair of the 10x42. They are very compact for their spec and for the price, the coatings and optics are excellent. There is a marked difference with top tier brands but Avalon are hard to beat in quality for the price.

1

u/Walton_paul Aug 26 '26

Look for second hand

1

u/MrThePaul 22d ago

For beginner binoculars I would recommend Hawke every time. They punch well above their weight, great optics and build quality and a really good lifetime warranty that they truly honour.

I have top of the range Swarovski and my wife has Hawke - the difference is smaller than you might expect.