binoculars

Hi Andy,

Check out these for a nice powerful compact pair.

Bushmaster 16x32

But it depends on what you want to do with them.

Cheers, ToNy!

Depends on what you want to do them. The greater the power, the more you see but it exagerates the shakes. If it is for general use a pair of 7x50 might suit you, if it is for birdwatching, 7x42 wide angle might be better. If your walking a fair bit, the smaller compact units might be better.
Generally, you get what you pay for. i.e. $250 ones are better than the $80 ones but the $2,000.00 one leave the others for dead.You can get night vision ones. Best thing is to talk to a reputable dealer and have a good look through them before you buy.

Andy

Have a look here (sorry you'll have to cut-and-paste) www.opticmall.com/binocular/choose.html

Should have all the info you need to know.

Generally the more you pay, the better it is. The question is how good is good enough. I've got a $50 8x21 job which is ok 95%of the time, and goes everywhere as it's light and small. The 10x50 stays home unless for low light work.

Id love a pair of the Nikon Image Stabilising bino's

Nikon Bino's

From memory they are about $3K so definetly not something I would be in the market for!

Cheers,

GLenno.

I got mine from eBay. I have a set of Tasco 10 x 50 (10 x magnification - 50 lens size) for use on the farm, but wanted a compact lighweight for the backpack. Got 12 x 25 (12 times magnification, smaller lens size in the compact types) for around $20 odd from eBay. The basic models seem to be 8x, 10x and 12x magnification.

Thanks for all your responces, a great help......yeah I didn't really say what I was to use them for! After our last trip(far to the north and back from Melbourne) my wife and I decided that a pair of binoculars would be a good addition to the kit.
I've found many pairs of binoculars on e-bay, lots of different sizes and shapes even binoculars with picture and video capability.
Anyway thankyou all once again

Andy, I have just recently bought a pair of Southern Cross Focus Free 7 x 50, $80.00, brilliant for general viewing, no need to focus. Got them at a marine place in Port Adelaide, Taylor Marine http://www.taylormarine.com.au/, hope this helps.

Andy

Bushnell or Bosch and Lom bad spelling would 2 of the better ones on the market.

cheers

Hi Andy
Some general info for you
50 mm front lense gives you good light deffinition and light gathering in low light.
above 10x most people have trouble holding a stationary image.
Divide small number into larger number gives you the light factor idealy it should be over 4.2, this means there is no light being lost internaly.
Ray

A good pair will serve you for many years. I bought a pair of Pentax wide angle 26 years ago and they remain a delight to use. For trips, however, I use $30 Dick Smith specials. They work OK and I won't slash my wrists if they get lost or damaged.
One feature that I would look for is a camera tripod mount for star gazing.

buy the best you can afford.....these generally allow better light and more true imaging

magification is then the main criteria and that manily depends on what you want to use them for

G'day, thanks to you all, great information and advice. Spent the day(well nightreally) looking up information on all the subjects you all supplied.
Anyway I bought a pair of FernGlaser 10 x 25 Binoculars, brand new with case and strap from e-bay......28.80 including frieght. Even if they are useless I haven't broken the bank!!

I have two pair.

A pair of 8 x 30 Tasco's
A pair of 12 x 50 Bushmaster's.

Bugger the compactness. Hardly use the Tasco's any more.