Thread: Newbie: Suggestions for first binoculars?

Nice little can of worms you have got going on here @uk_exile and some rather excellent questions.
Since I'm in the uk @gundoc our @stug will be able to help here. But there's plenty more on here that I'm sure will come and give it a once over at the local shop and might even take you done the local range and have a sight in done to make sure your not buying a lemon.

The website Rubber Monkey has some really good priced Bushnell binos. Worth a look.

Originally Posted by 300wsm for life

The website Rubber Monkey has some really good priced Bushnell binos. Worth a look.

That website im pretty sure just searches the web for deals then makes you pay them for them from what I can gather.. seems dodgy

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

That website im pretty sure just searches the web for deals then makes you pay them for them from what I can gather.. seems dodgy

The name Rubber Monkey sounds dodgy in it's own right.

actually @Sarvo Delta Forest binos are pretty damn good for what they cost, make excellent glovebox binos too

There is a BSA CF2 in 7mm mag on Trademe with a buy now of $650. Complete with Bipod and Tasco Pronghorn scope.
I have had two CF2's and still have one. Don't worry they can really shoot. They have a target type adjustable trigger and an action like a Sako Forester. The CF2 balances perfectly with the 7mil Mag as it is quite a big rifle. If it was me, I would bid on it you might buy it for $550 then spend all the money saved on Binos. Finding them to shoot is the important and harder part. You don't need a great scope to be able to shoot a deer at normal ranges.

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

That website im pretty sure just searches the web for deals then makes you pay them for them from what I can gather.. seems dodgy

We've used Rubber Monkey website quite a lot at work for protective cases for survey & test equipment and it's ok. Fast delivery so I doubt they're acting as middle men.

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

There is a BSA CF2 in 7mm mag on Trademe with a buy now of $650. Complete with Bipod and Tasco Pronghorn scope.
I have had two CF2's and still have one. Don't worry they can really shoot. They have a target type adjustable trigger and an action like a Sako Forester. The CF2 balances perfectly with the 7mil Mag as it is quite a big rifle. If it was me, I would bid on it you might buy it for $550 then spend all the money saved on Binos. Finding them to shoot is the important and harder part. You don't need a great scope to be able to shoot a deer at normal ranges.

I think you're referring to this one https://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/hun...34f24d58a91f8f
I can't buy yet as FAL not completed yet so too soon, and it's pickup only. I'm in Chch, it's Levin. Note scope & bipod are not included.
Thanks for the suggestion though. I'm guessing it'll be a month before my FAL completed.

Originally Posted by uk_exile

I think you're referring to this one https://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/hun...34f24d58a91f8f
I can't buy yet as FAL not completed yet so too soon, and it's pickup only. I'm in Chch, it's Levin. Note scope & bipod are not included.
Thanks for the suggestion though. I'm guessing it'll be a month before my FAL completed.

When you get the license through, throw up a wtb add on the buy and sell section forn the rifle and see whats out there. There's fellas on here change rifles more than their undies, so often worth asking the question. Dont get stuck on the 7mm mag to much either, with modern ammo a 308/7mm08/270 will kill shit out further than you will be able to accurately shoot anyway.

If buying expensive binos is going to stop you getting out hunting then IMO dont't buy em. Nothing wrong with vortex diamondbacks or similar. Hold price well too. Top dollar glass is bloody nice but $$$ and when setting up from scratch sometimes you need to go a bit cheaper in order to get out there.

I had just started a new business when I got back into hunting and couldn't afford high end shit, so did the research and bought quality used, or good value items, then upgraded as needed when funds allowed. Probably cost more in the long run but at least I was in the hills

Got to remember all the other shit to buy as well. Boots, tent, sleepingbag, backpack, knife, PLB (recommend), cooker, the list goes on...

Originally Posted by mikee

actually @Sarvo Delta Forest binos are pretty damn good for what they cost, make excellent glovebox binos too

It is all I use now
Doing an order now from a few more - sold many to Farmer mates - as you say - glove box - Quad box - $200ish great
I am going to get the Delta Titanium 10x56 for myself to try next order - they are double the price though, so will see if they worth the extra cost

Spotted this https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Lis...?id=1913860676 and thought it could be an option as has 4.5-14x scope.
Ok value?

Originally Posted by uk_exile

Spotted this https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Lis...?id=1913860676 and thought it could be an option as has 4.5-14x scope.
Ok value?

Yeah man 1200 bucks is probably about right. Scope is nothing super awesome but not bad either. Will do what you want from it

I have bought a few second hand rifles for very little money and they shoot fairly well, leaves money for the other things. I've also bought second hand optics that do the job well enough. Keep an eye on the buy/sell/swap section for some good deals. Don't be in too much of a hurry to spend. On trademe it is often a good time to buy rifles heading into the duck season as some guys change gear for the seasons. Gauge the market to get an idea of second hand pricing and wait for a good deal. If you are starting out with gear you will be unlikely to be reloading so go with something that takes readily available shop ammo.

Also take up offers from the good buggers here to try gear. It will give you a good idea of what you can get for your money and give you a better chance to test than looking out the door of a shop. @Sarvo would be a top candidate for someone to buy binos from.

This a such a good forum for getting good advice! There's a MTB forum I used a few years ago that was great for sharing info, trial details, maintenance tips etc but it's entirely been taken over by munters making their own in jokes. Has become useless.

Originally Posted by Frodo

That's why glassing is so important! Because through repeated observation you'll begin to realize they don't tend to move around as much as you may think! Deer are creatures of habit and follow patterns.
But if you shoot the first few animals you see, they won't be able to answer any of your questions.
There's no such thing as spending too much on glass. Trust me. Go to your local store and have a look through some low end, mid range, and high end models. Even during the day you'll pick up on some major differences.

Repeated, sustained observation requires comfortable binoculars.

Comfortable binoculars have a bright image, not too much perceptible shake, and are not too heavy.

Higher magnification like 10x requires thicker, heavier glass for their lenses to bend light that much, which steals some light. They have a smaller exit pupil which can punish at dusk, when our own pupils may dilate to 5+mm (young eyes 7-8mm!) but the 10x42s will only feed them with a cone of light of 4.2mm. And they have perceptible shake due to the magnification which makes prolonged (handheld) observation a strain.

Don't go above 8x magnification for a combination of all the above reasons.

This puts me squarely in the cheapskate category of course, but the considerations above are basic physics so can't be gotten around by manufacturing a 10x42 to a higher spec. The glass will still be thicker to gain that magnification, the magnification will still cause image shake, and its exit pupil (EP) will remain limited to 4.2mm.

A little table to show you I can do division on a calculator, though the easy ones I did in my head:

10 x 50 EP 5.0mm
10 x 42 EP 4.2mm
8 x 50 EP 6.25mm
8 x 42 EP 5.25 mm
7 x 50 EP 7.14mm
7 x 40 EP 5.7mm
7 x 35 EP 5.0mm
6 x 30 EP 5.0mm

Disclaimer: the best binoculars are the ones you have on your person when you need them, someone else on this forum said that.