Budget binoculars?

EDC Gear for Flashlight Carriers
1

I saw a couple on Amazon that got good reviews, also some on DX. I don’t really want to spend a lot as I may not use them much though they would be handy at concerts, theatre etc.

8x21, anti-reflective, 10 yr warranty(!)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Binoculars-magnification-warranty-birdwatching-lightweight/dp/B009778Z6I/

10x32, red coated monocular, is anti-reflective? Seems quite compact
http://dx.com/p/portable-15-x-32-spotting-scope-monocular-telescope-73486

8x22, anti-reflective
http://dx.com/p/mini-30x60-binoculars-with-strap-black-91668

Do you have any of these or know of others worth considering?

2

I researched budget binoculars a few months ago.

These are less than $15, and supposed to be pretty good:

http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Powerview-Compact-Folding-Binocular/dp/B00004SABB

Choose "8x21" for the cheapest ones.


Here's a review:

"Users at Amazon.com like the cheap Bushnell PowerView 8x21 binoculars (*Est. $12) for their 10x magnification, the way they fold compactly and their 7-ounce weight. They focus only as close as 21 feet, but have a 378-foot field of view. The PowerView 8x21 binoculars don't have the best durability, optics or eyeglass friendliness, but they might be better than no binoculars at all. Nearly 85 reviewers at Amazon.com give them a 4.5-star rating, and even those who give them a lower rating say they're not bad for the price."

source: http://www.consumersearch.com/binoculars/best-budget-binoculars

3

I’m not a fan of cheap optics, but the Bushnell reviews on amazon.uk aren’t so great (only 3 mind you). Someone recommended Jessops, but these have probably been discontinued since their liquidation.

4

anyone can suggest me a monocular?
with anti reflective coating :slight_smile:

5

With optics you normally have to spend a bit more to get up to a decent quality. After reading around I decided that the Vortex Vanquish 8x26 were the best value out there right now, considering their lifetime warranty. Having ordered some I’ve been very happy with them, but they’re pushing £100, so probably can’t be considered ‘budget’.

6

Binocs and other optics are one of those things that you get what you pay for. A drastic reduction in price will result in a drastic reduction in quality and preformance.

You are better off going with something in the budget line of a name brand than a no-name Chinese knock-off. Go with a cheap Nikon or Leopold compact binoc and you will be so much happier than a ultra cheap set.

If you don’t spend at least $30, you simply will be getting junk that’s barely worth having. If you can spend $100, you can get get some honestly good ones. The less you spend, the more you have to give up.

7

I think with optics they can be at least better than nothing, like an old Maglite in complete darkness! From that sort of perspective rather than expecting a Solarforce equivalent?

8

I have these, to me they were a good balance between price and performance. Both perform well, although for me personally, I’d always use Binos rather than Monos unless really size/weight constrained.