Want to Buy WTB:Binoculars

peoplemerge · Sep 17, 2023

I realize this is a photo forum, but I have a sneaking suspicion that lens lovers living here have good taste in binoculars.

Looking for sturdy options to get beat up by family use. Budget open to options, hoping to spend about $50

RalphLambrecht · Sep 17, 2023

peoplemerge said:
I realize this is a photo forum, but I have a sneaking suspicion that lens lovers living here have good taste in binoculars.

Looking for sturdy options to get beat up by family use. Budget open to options, hoping to spend about $50

You need to add a '0' to get a really good one.

peoplemerge · Sep 17, 2023

Once the kids get older, that extra ‘0’ will manifest itself.

4season · Sep 17, 2023

I got this (or very similar) Nikon 10x25 binocs for my mom awhile back

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/910826-REG/nikon_8263_10x25_aculon_a30.html

Handy compact package, great grab-and-go set for most applications, save for low-light usage, where the 25 mm objectives have limited light-gathering power. You can certainly use small binoculars for star gazing, or checking out birds at dusk, but larger objectives will give you a brighter image in those situations.

Was originally going to recommend the factory-refurbished product, but at the moment, due to discounts, it's actually slightly cheaper to buy non-refurbished! It happens sometimes as prices fluctuate.

Some of the Celestron products can be had for a good deal less, and they seem to have good ratings too, but I haven't had a chance to sample the current bunch.

Alan Edward Klein · Sep 17, 2023

peoplemerge said:
I realize this is a photo forum, but I have a sneaking suspicion that lens lovers living here have good taste in binoculars.

Looking for sturdy options to get beat up by family use. Budget open to options, hoping to spend about $50

Call B and H Photo. They handle binoculars as well as cameras and can help you select the right one.

Alan Edward Klein · Sep 17, 2023

Here's a Nikon with $20 off. Now $79. A little more expensive than you want. But it;s a Nikon... 7x35 are a good range.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/910763-REG/nikon_8244_7x35_aculon_a211.html/qa

Here's others at the cheaper end.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?q=binoculars&sort=PRICE_LOW_TO_HIGH&filters=fct_magnification_156%3A7x

Alan Edward Klein · Sep 18, 2023

Not sure if it comes with a case.

Dan Daniel · Sep 18, 2023

I've had a pair of these Pentax for a decade or more. My basic car beater pair. Very good image quality, especially for the price. Looks as if there is now a waterproof set out there for more money. $55

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1113232-REG/pentax_61801_8x21_up_binocular_black.html?sts=pi

Pentax also has a 'Papilon' model similar to this but focuses very close, $140 or I think.

Nikon has a similar pair, 8x25, $87

Nikon 8x25 Travelite Binoculars

Buy Nikon 8x25 Travelite Binoculars featuring Lead- and Arsenic-Free Eco-Glass, BAK4 Reverse Porro Prisms, Aspherical Lenses, Fully Multicoated Optics, Center Focusing Knob, Fold-Down Rubber Eyecups, Rubber-Armored Body. Review Nikon Travelite

www.bhphotovideo.com

The right Pentax or Nikon will be usable. The advantage of both these designs is that they are compact and they are harder to knock out of alignment. Olympus and Celestron are also quality. Other brands, best to avoid.

peoplemerge · Sep 19, 2023

Thanks, guys! These look like some great options. At these prices, I can get a pair for each member of the family.

Also if anyone is willing to part with some $87 binoculars because they're ready to upgrade their current set to another '0', I'm open to that too

Barlow · Sep 19, 2023

peoplemerge said:
I realize this is a photo forum, but I have a sneaking suspicion that lens lovers living here have good taste in binoculars.

Looking for sturdy options to get beat up by family use. Budget open to options, hoping to spend about $50

I've had these binoculars for 15 years and I still love them. 16x magnification, equivalent to the field of view of an 800mm lens in 35mm. Although they do cost $200, which is really inexpensive for the type. ($50 new will buy toy binoculars.)

Nikon 16x50 Binoculars

Want to Buy WTB:Binoculars

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