Spotting Binoculars

[PhilDernerJr]

I was at B&H today and was killing a few mins when I decided to walk up to the binocular section. I told the guy what I do and what I'd like to and at what distance. He pulled one off the shelf and I was very impressed with it. Assuming it was around $300, I asked him the price, and he said $60. I had no choice but to purchase it.

http://www.binoculars.com/binoculars/bi ... gproof.cfm (http://www.binoculars.com/binoculars/bird-watching-binoculars/bushnell8x42waterprooffogproof.cfm)

WOO! I'm very excited.

Anyone else use binocs for spotting or anything else?

[eric8669]

I use binoculars for spotting. Not sure what brand I use, but they work well.

[pgengler]

I've got a pair that I usually bring with me. I find they're better than my camera (at 400mm) at getting me a view of distant planes, though this is only helpful to satisfy my curiosity faster (because usually it's going to get closer to me anyway) because I'm impatient.

[PhilDernerJr]

The binocs I got today are equivalent to a 400mm.

[darlyn]

I got a pair of 12x25 Bushnells on Amazon for about $18. 12x zoom, or 240ft @ 1000yd. I don't really care about night viewing, so the 25mm is great for me. Yours are 8x42, which are decent for night spotting, but offer less zoom.

http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Powervie ... B000051ZO7 (http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Powerview-Compact-Folding-Binocular/dp/B000051ZO7)

[Gerard]

Always have my binocs with me when out spotting. I have the Pentax 8x21 UCF Mini-binocs. I love the small size
but it does the job.
Camera, scanner, binocs, cell phone (to call a lawyer :lol: ) are the essentials for spotting. At least for me.

[NIKV69]

I got an old minolta pair they work great.

[Delta777LR]

Time for me to get a new pair!!

[darlyn]

I really recommend the Bushnell 12x25's linked above. It's rather small form-factor is great; I carry it everywhere in my backpack.

[cancidas]

i'm glad this topic came up, i'm looking for a good pair of compact binos. at work we have a pair of bushnell 20x50s that are amazing. does anyone make compacts that are that powerful?

[flyguy1]

I use Minolta 7/50. Ive had these since I was a kid, dropped them a few times, and they still work great.

[Hussman75]

I got an old minolta pair they work great.

For sure! Had a pair of Minolta 10x50's until a few years ago... Put them
thru sheer hell (rain, heat, sand- generally bad care of equipment) and
they only failed me after about 11 years of service, when the rubber
started rotting out. Great clarity and very versatile! I'm on a cruddy pair
of hunting binos now, but a better 10x50 pair is on my to buy list for this
year...

[Idlewild]

I treated myself to a pair of Zeis 10x42. Very, very pricey, but, the clarity is very breath-taking.

[Idlewild]

I treated myself to a pair of Zeis 10x42. Very, very pricey, but, the clarity is very breath-taking.

[PhilDernerJr]

I just wish I had more uses for the binos. I'm often taking pics when out with the planes, but I love the improved visbility at distance.

[jerslice]

I have a 100-400 - sometimes I use it to take pics, and others as binoculars. :-)