cheap binoculars

josh1234

these outdoor solutions 5x30 are in in my local poundland

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Outdoor-Solutions-Lightweight-Binoculars-5x30/dp/B003PBE3BS

zurpher

I'm looking for affordable binoculars for my first trip to South Africa which will also include a short trip to a game reserve.

I came across a website recommending following specifications:

Magnification: 8 x 42
Field of View: At least 330 ft at 1000 yards.
Exit pupil size: 5.25 mm or more
Eye relief: 18 or more
Prism and Coating: BAK-4 prism and Fully Multi-Coated surfaces
Weight: Not more than 30.1 oz. lbs.

I guess the ones from Poundland are probably not suitable.

Do you have any experience with this. Which ones can you recommend as VFM which also meet the specifications above?

josh1234 wrote: »

these outdoor solutions 5x30 are in in my local poundland

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Outdoor-Solutions-Lightweight-Binoculars-5x30/dp/B003PBE3BS

Do they cost a pound?

josh1234

everythings a pound in poundland....lol

Retro_Bunny

zurpher wrote: »

I'm looking for affordable binoculars for my first trip to South Africa which will also include a short trip to a game reserve.

Tempted to suggest that if going on safari, this is not the time to be buying pound shop binoculars - you need to be spending a minimum £50 up to infinity for something worthwhile.

If you're a peeping tom and need to dispose of the evidence in a rush, then these poundshop binoculars are up your street

photome

I have a pair of Bushnells 10x 25 £43 on amazon, I think they are a good product, small and lightweight but very durable and a great image

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bushnell-H2O-13-1005-Binoclulars-waterproof/dp/B00009R6S7/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1310572496&sr=8-8

They meet most of your criteria but not sure what the eye relief is but the above are 12, I checked a £600 pair and they were only 15 so not sure what you would pay for 18 (As I say I dont even know what it is)

boatman

7 or 8 times magnification(e.g.8x42, or 7x42) is a good level to aim for, if you want more get a scope and tripod.7dayshop have some for £20 but will probably want to spend more.

zurpher

boatman wrote: »

7 or 8 times magnification(e.g.8x42, or 7x42) is a good level to aim for, if you want more get a scope and tripod.7dayshop have some for £20 but will probably want to spend more.

I've read that one should be prepared to spent £100+ for a decent binocular but I'm not prepared to splash out that much cash. After all, it's only going to be a 3-day safari. Just a teaser.

The 7x50 binoculars look good but are a bit heavy. I wonder what its field of view is.

The two 10X25 binoculars are probably missing out on light sensitivity especially in twilight when animal are most active.

zurpher

photome wrote: »

I have a pair of Bushnells 10x 25 £43 on amazon, I think they are a good product, small and lightweight but very durable and a great image

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bushnell-H2O-13-1005-Binoclulars-waterproof/dp/B00009R6S7/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1310572496&sr=8-8

They meet most of your criteria but not sure what the eye relief is but the above are 12, I checked a £600 pair and they were only 15 so not sure what you would pay for 18 (As I say I dont even know what it is)

Have you ever tried your Bushnells 10x 25 in low light conditions?

The following site explains eye relief and exit pupil size: http://www.microglobe.co.uk/info/eye_relief/

nottseagull

There is a specific thread for Poundland items. If everybody started one whenever they found a bargain there, the board would be inundated with them.

boatman

I bought some pentax 10x25 a few years ago, really nice and compact but to be honest you see things more easily with the 7x50. I had a look through some £800 Swarowski and it was easy to see the difference but to be honest I think its not as dramatic as you would think...

UnemployedMan

The Poundland ones are (barely) suitable for kids. Plastic shell with cheap plastic lenses.

Not everything in Poundland is a pound...