Recommended binoculars up to £100 please.

Preferably as compact and light as possible.

Happy with second hand.

Thanks.

In reply to Post #1
Nikon sportstar 8x25 is what I use nice small compact binoculars £79.99 from Argos

Barr & Stroud Sahara do the job for me.

In reply to Post #3
Bushnells do some good ones.
I have a 8x42 waterproof pair from them.

For a good pair of binoculars, visit second hand shops, usually plenty of good quality ones available at cheap prices and ideal for throwing in your bag etc and no need to worry about ruining or damaging a pair you have spent a lot of money on.

Over the years I have bought a few good sets of binoculars this way for fishing. Prices can be as low as £15 or less.

In reply to Post #1
I've been pretty happy with the Fortis XSR. Seem to be about the right magnification to hand hold without shake, and waterproof in case you throw them in the drink.

Thanks for the replies

My Dad came down the lake with some expensive Bushnell Nature Views at the weekend, I was well impressed! I don't fancy spending that much though

I'll check out second hand shops

In reply to Post #7
Barr & Stroud 👍🏻
Good binoculars for sensible money

In reply to Post #1
sent you a PM with info

In reply to Post #9
Would you mind passing that info my way old geezer, looking for a new set myself 👍

In reply to Post #1
I've got the fortis ones and I'm happy with them

Gerrys advice is sound on binoculars. He helped me find some and they are great for what I need .

In reply to Post #1
sod the compact and light...

need to have a set of 10x50s....

great all rounder and perfect in low light conditions.....

In reply to Post #13

In reply to Post #9
What ones do you recommend gerry as im looking to get some at xmas time ?

In reply to Post #15
i have the fortis and love them, very robust, no fogging, waterproof and not over magnified which makes things sharp as hand doesnt have to be dead still, i guess there are little expensive compared to some though

In reply to Post #1
For the money, I don't think you can get better than a Pentax UP 10 x 25 WP Porro Prism. Way better than (cough) something you can pick up from a tackle shop ... I have these compact bins on me every trip out. Small enough to pack away in the rucksack, not too heavy and the image quality is outstanding, even in low light - waterproof and incredibly well made. You can pick one up for just over £100 right now on Amazon. I did a lot of research before buying these and have found they're perfect for fishing.

In reply to Post #1
Bushnell H2O

In reply to Post #17
Just spotted a brand new pair of those for 50 quid on the bay. Snapped them up.
Nice one

I have a pair of bushnall permafocus 10x50, a bit bulky but great to use and no adjusting to focus & good for long range viewing

In reply to Post #18
Thats exactly what I use

I was advised by a bird watching friend a few years ago to buy the H20 8 x 25 at first I was sceptical as I didnt think the image would be bright enough but I was wrong on this model its just perfect

My opinion is the highest usefull magnification for our use is 8 times as after that its harder to keep them still
and YES I have owned and used lots over the past 55 years

I still have an old favourite pair of Russian professional BNU USSR Helios 7 x 50 ZOMZ Binoculars with the green and red clip on filters that are totally awesome but they are heavy and massive so dont come out any more

In reply to Post #21
Would these be any good to view opposite sides of lakes for showing fish etc. 10-12acre lakes ? You can see them in the right conditions but slightly choppy water becomes a lot harder

In reply to Post #21
Hi Gerry iv been looking at the 8x42 of this version , do you think these would be over the top or should I get the 8x25 ones?

In reply to Post #23
the difference would be a brighter image and they would work better in lower light but of course if you can afford them they will work better but not so compact

the magnification is the same 8 times I dont know what the physical size of those are though not seen a pair
8 is the magnification power and “42” is the diameter (in millimeters) of the objective lenses (the lenses closest to the object you're viewing) you divide the magnification in this case 8 into the objective lens 42mm to give you the exit light reaching your eye the higher the number the brighter the image you see

also magnification the HIGHER it is the narrower the field of view so this is why on high powered lenses the field of view is so narrow you only got to move it a bit and you miss the fish

8x30 is a great size for quick focus and locating your target area. As said before 10x40 or 50 have a narrower view.
There are bargains out there 2nd hand but you generally get what you pay for. Check bird sites for recommendations.

Are night vision ones worth looking at.

In reply to Post #1
depends what your looking at

In reply to Post #27
Trying to see carp rolling

In reply to Post #26
If you are looking a Night Vision , Start looking at Gen 2 equipment as a basic starting point , and go up from their Gen 3 ,Gen 4 ect

Barr & Stroud 8x42 Saharah's do the job for me... excellent in low light and nice and compact.

In reply to Post #18
Just had a pair of these delivered (lockdown purchase) based on yours/Old Geezers recommendation and the £50 ish price tag. Seem really nice for the price, compact, crisp and easy to focus - looking forward to getting out and using them. Thanks

I have tried many brands/models over the years and never really got on with any. Last year my dad bought me a pair of Bushnell Excursion EX 10x42 and they are the best I have ever used. When you twist the eyecaps they extend out which has made a massive difference in how they work as it keeps your eye a little further from the lens.

My dad has some Zeiss Victory binoculars he swears by (bird/wildlife watcher) but they are a lot more money and I don't think there would be any benefit for just looking to spot showing fish.

In reply to Post #31