MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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Can someone explain ??
Want for long distance, views mountains out to sea etc, don't want a massive pair.
Better to buy 2nd hand ?? Any recommendations??
Thanks in advance
A x B
A magnification
But lens size - bigger means better in low light (moreso with bigger A)
As cynic-al says
For long distance use you'll need a large first number (say 10)
The second number is the diameter (mm) of the 'bottom' lens. The bigger it is the more light you'll capture, but the bigger they'll be.10x50 would be probably be best for your use - but they won't be small. 10x40 obviously smaller and should be okay
Naval binoculars are usually 12/15 (even 20) X 60/75 but they'll be mahoooosive
First number is magnification, second is the diameter of the front lens. Greater the magnification and larger the object lens narrower the field of view in degrees and greater the problem with holding the glasses still.
If you hold a pair up and look at the eyepiece, you'll see a dot of light, the bigger this is, the more light the glasses allow through, making them better for low light use. 10x50 = 50 ÷ 10 = 5mm diameter exit pupil, making them the optimum size for general use, but it does make them fairly heavy, 8x42 or 8x32 are probably the best all-round, 10x40 slightly lighter than 10x50, 10x32 less useful in dim light, 32 ÷ 10 = 3.2, etc.
The likes of the RSPB have days at wildlife reserves where you get the chance to try a large range of binoculars and telescopes, possibly worth checking out.
My pair are 8x32's, which are small enough to stick in a large jacket pocket, are light enough to carry round my neck all day without getting uncomfortable and are probably the best size for all-round use.
But worth going to a good dealer and trying, rather than just buying a cheap pair from t'interwebz; quality can be really variable, and £150 is a good starting point.
Something like a Nikon Travelite VI which you can get online for that. 9x25 which means 9x magnification (shouldn't wobble too much when you look through them) x 25 front lens (objective lens); not very big but will let in enough light unless its very dull (small size of lens keeps the bulk and weight down).
Where are you based Geezer?
Have a look on here for some new & used stuff...
http://www.at-infocus.co.uk/usedequipment.html
I've used them before for a decent spotting scope.
It's a compromise.
High magnification sounds great, but as a guide, go much above 10 and you'll need a tripod to keep the view steady. And you can end up concentrating on such a small area, that it can be hard to see what you're looking at...
Big lenses sound great, but they're heavy, and expensive.
As above, you won't go far wrong with a pair of 9*25's...
I reckon the best all round is an 8x42 roof prism, Strathspey binoculars are worth looking at.
10 x 25 from John Lewis.
Nikon £50
Something German slighlty better £100
Fwiw I went for the Nikons and there good a year later.