Hi List, I am relatively new to birding [I have been interested for many years but my kids are now old enough that I can pursue it a bit more easily!] & have been hoping Santa [Aka husband] will give me a scope for Christmas. What brand would you recommend and is there a good shop in Sydney or would we be better off buying overseas online?
I have a more immediate need as my binoculars have suddenly stopped working [left eye can’t be focussed!] & so they also need replacing. They are 10 X 50 & are probably not worth repairing as they were only a cheap pair. What brand and strength would you recommend & again, a good place to buy from Sydney.
Thank You, Jenny Stiles, Sydney
===============================
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request@vicnet.net.au
http://birding-aus.org ===============================
Thank you for all the very helpful replies about scopes and binoculars. I have a good list of recommendations and I hope to get into Bintel this weeks to have a look. It wont be difficult to improve on my current cheap [broken] binoculars as they were chosen for astronomy and weigh 1kg, so I am sure I will end up with a pair far more suited to bird watching! Now I just need to find out how very good Santa thinks I have been…
Merry Christmas to you all! Jenny Stiles
===============================
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
http://birding-aus.org ===============================
G’day all
I’ve had two pairs of Nikon Monarchs now and they fall apart.
My previous bins were cheaper Nikons and were still fine when I replaced them after 15 years. The Monarchs were 10 x 42s and were the model before the current one. Optically and in the hands they are great but they fall apart.
I can’t comment on the durability of the new model but the older model is often displayed on online shops – so make sure which one you are buying.
My current pair is held together with dental floss (http://bukobasteve.blogspot.com/2011/06/recent-birding.html) because one of the eyepieces has disintegrated to the point where it won’t stay screwed on. I’ve only recently noticed one of the objective lenses is about to fall out. This was also the problem I had with the first pair – replaced under warranty. I could get these fixed but I have no faith in them lasting long.
I’m hoping Bintel has something reasonably priced that appeals to me when I’m in Melbourne over Christmas. The Pentax DCF SP 10×43 looks a likely prospect – anyone have any comments on it?
Cheers Steve ===============================
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
http://birding-aus.org ===============================
I was surprised and pleased to find that Adelaide Optical were about $600 cheaper than Bintel when I purchased some new Swarovski 10×50’s earlier this year. Bintel were $3200, AO were only $2599, and AO is local of course for me. Shop around is the message.
Tony
Two other things Jenny – you will of course need to budget for a tripod for your scope, and beware that some prices for scopes exclude the eye-piece!
===============================
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
http://birding-aus.org ===============================
Another happy Nikon Monarch user here (8×42).
My old binoculars focused to within 3.6m, and I think I only ever once found that wasn’t close enough. The Monarchs focus to, I think, 3m and I’ve never found I needed closer for birding.
I agree that being able to use them one handed is useful. My old pair were difficult to focus one handed because they, like most waterproof porros(?), had fairly stiff focusing.
Peter Shute
===============================
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
http://birding-aus.org ===============================
Chris,
I can recommend the “cheap” Swarovski’s that Chris was referring to. But go for the 8X30 rather the 10X30, the latter having a much reduced field of view. Here is a link to their website http://www.swarovskioptik.com/en/products/binoculars_cl-companion
Both my son and I own a pair of Swarovski EL 10X42, which we are very happy with. But they cost over $3,000 now and can be a bit heavy to lug around, especially on a long overseas trip when weight is a premium.
So my son bought a pair of the Swarovski CL Companion 8X30 before we went overseas this year and was extremely please with them. Much lighter and less bulky – quite easy to carry in a small backpack.
*Neil*
===============================
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
http://birding-aus.org ===============================
Hi Jenny I second Chris’s recommendation of Bintel in Glebe. They provide help and service beyond the call of duty.
For binoculars, apart from looking at distant things (of course) you want a pair that can focus reasonably close, to see fine details on that litle brown bird that’s hopping about in nearby shrubbery. That’s one reason I like my Nikon Monarch 8×36. Another reason is their relatively light weight, a factor when you’re carrying backpack, water bottle, etc. – and I see that at least sometimes you’ll be carting a scope as well. I can manage my binoculars one-handed, which can be useful, and they’re water resistant so can be carried in the rain. Regards, Joan
===============================
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
http://birding-aus.org ===============================
There is a (fairly technical) leaflet at http://www.boca.org.au/component/docman/doc_download/500-best-binocular-for-youwhich describes the optics and considerations for bins – such as your age! Important also (if you wear glasses) is eye-relief. ANd even if you do not wear glasses now you might as you get older!
===============================
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
http://birding-aus.org ===============================