Terry Ross asked:


When you get to high end binoculars they are all pretty good, they have to be to command the prices but there is always going to one pair of binoculars that stands out from the crowd and for me that is most definitely the Swarovski Binoculars. The EL 8.5x42's are absolutely amazing, you pick them up and you hardly know that you have them in your hand, the weight and balance is superb. The 8x42 HG DCF Nikon Binoculars definitely feel heavier and yet they are the lighter of the two (795g vs 819g).

When you pick up a pair of Swarovski binoculars they just feel special even when they are among the elite of the elite. The Nikon High Grade feel good but there is a definite difference which makes Swarovski, for me, win hands down.

As you expect the optical quality of both the Nikon and the Swarovski binoculars is outstanding. The Swarovski EL's have a slight advantage of an extra 0.5x magnification which gives them an additional edge. Both deliver a sharp image, the contrast of the Nikon's is perhaps slightly better but the Swarovski binoculars, in my opinion, are the brightest and have the best resolution, although the resolution of the 8x42 HG DCF Nikon binoculars is close.

Some people prefer the colour retention of the Nikon HG 8x42 Binoculars but I found the Swarovski binoculars to be exceptionally good. The EL 8.5x42's boast the latest technology with Swarobright prism coating which dramatically increases light transmission and ensures natural colour.

For depth of field the Swarovski EL 8.5x42's come in top and again with field of view which is 62.0o compared to 52.1o with the 8x42 HG DCF Nikon binoculars.

Both the EL 8.5x42 Swarovski binoculars and the 8x42 HG DCF Nikon binoculars enable close focusing, 2.5 mtrs and 3.0 mtrs respectively, not much to choose between them, both with excellent image quality.

Spectacle wearers can use either, the Swarovski binoculars come with twist-in eyecups (eye relief 18mm) and the Nikon have turn and slide rubber cups (eye relief 20mm), both are comfortable to use but I definitely preferred the Swarovski which just has the edge despite a slightly smaller exit pupil of 4.9mm (compared to 5.3mm with the Nikon).

The 8x42 HG DCF Nikon binoculars are waterproof to 2mtrs, nitrogen filled and sealed and perform well in extreme conditions. The Swarovski binoculars are waterproof to 4mtrs, also nitrogen filled and sealed. Both are rubber armoured and highly durable, little to choose between them.

I think you can take it as read that my preferred binoculars are the Swarovski EL 8.5 x42's, exceptional all round wildlife / bird watching binoculars, beautiful to hold, excellent image quality and perform well in low light conditions. For anyone who is in the market for a high end binocular then the EL Swarovski binoculars have most definitely got to be strong contender. Use them once and you'll never want to be without them so if you don't have £1,000+ to spend on a pair of binoculars I highly recommend that you don't try them!

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SPORTING BINOCULARS 10 X 50 CAMPING Bird Watching    US $8.35

Red 4 x 28 Binoculars HuntingCampingBird Watching    US $1.10

Binoculars Alpen 625 8x28 Camping Hunting Bird Watching    US $29.95

NEW AUDUBON HUNTING BIRD WATCHING ADJUSTABLE BINOCULARS    US $35.99

Camo Spy Binoculars 30 x 50 Bird Watching Camping Hun    US $18.95

BINOCULARS 10x25 POWER GREAT FOR HUNTING BIRD WATCHING    US $11.99

MIKE SELVON asked:


One of the thrills of bird watching is the discovery of a species you have never seen before. In the past, a bird watcher often had to wait for a long time to get help in identifying a bird that he or she may not have recognized. Programs, like the one at Cornell University, allowed those who bird watch to submit photographs and descriptions of things that they had seen. The experts and researchers at the university would then help them identify the bird. The internet however, has eliminated the hassle of waiting for the mail. This information is available instantaneously online.

The ability to come home from a day in the fields of Belize watching birds, or even after bird watching in Costa Rica, and to sit down in front of a computer has given birth to a completely new realm of resources. Bird watchers can visit sites such as Birding and Birding Guide to access information about what they have seen through their binoculars while bird watching that day. There are several benefits to websites like these and the photographic resources available on the web.

Aside from written descriptions, the internet provides a wealth of photographic information to bird watchers. Photographs that would add up to literally mountains of books could quickly be searched, organized, and selected for viewing online. The convenience is immeasurable. The ability to get information quickly and accurately makes the research process an enjoyable one for most bird watchers.

One of the features that bird watchers who are internet savvy might find of particular interest is the communities that exist on the bulletin boards of websites catering to bird watching. These forums allow users to start, and participate in, conversations concerning a wide variety of topics that relate to birding.

Some conversations, called threads, are global in their scope and may include broad topics like equipment, which are not geographically specific. Other threads may be very geographically specific and give local bird watchers a place to share individual information about sightings and numbers in special locations that probably are not of interest to someone outside of that region.

In addition to the sense of community that bird watchers can find on the web, it also serves as a very useful tool for spreading information. Local chapters of bird watching clubs and conservation groups, such as The National Audubon Society, utilize the parent websites of their organizations to provide news of local interest.

They may also use this space to advertise upcoming events, seminars, conferences or group outings. A birder who wants to get involved and volunteer with an organization may also find opportunities to do so listed here. These websites are an ideal place to find a great deal of useful information.

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Camo Spy Binoculars 30 x 50 Bird Watching Camping Hun    US $18.95

OPSWISS 10x50 BINOCULARS BIRD WATCHING FOOTBALL    US $49.99

SPORTING BINOCULARS 10 X 50 CAMPING Bird Watching    US $8.35

Binoculars 10X25 Bird Watching Wildlife Brand New    US $7.67

TASCO COMPACT BINOCULARS W POUCH STRAP BIRD WATCHING    US $7.99

Konus Event Binoculars 8x42 Hunting Bird Watching NEW    US $139.99

Rich Russell asked:


Digital camera binoculars are a cool item to buy as a gift for the gadget freak who has everything. But are the just for people who have to leap on the latest technology, whatever it happens to be, or could they serve some purpose for the rest of us? First, what are they? Simply, they are binoculars with a digital camera built in.

So why would you want them? Well, binoculars in themselves have come very much into the mainstream. A quick search online will turn up dozens of retailers selling vast range of them from manufacturers you will have heard of and probably some that you haven't. Somebody must be buying them and how many technology geeks can there be?

Binoculars do have many uses in the real world. You may find pleasure in sailing, hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, bird watching, astronomy, or watching sports or other outdoor events. A pair of binoculars can add a new dimension to any of these pastimes. If it's good to be in the great outdoors or at a great event, isn't it better to be able to see it up close and personal. To zoom right in and see details that are normally unavailable to you.

Camera binoculars can to take it a stage further. If you do happen to get a breathtaking view in your lenses, a magical wildlife moment or a climactic point in a sporting event, now you can preserve the memory forever. Imagine catching a killer whale momentarily breeching the waves. Instead of telling your friends about it, you would be able to show them.

What are these camera binoculars all about? Most people are familiar with the general principle of binoculars if not the details. They enable you to bring distant objects up close and into focus. And digital cameras are insanely cheap these days, to the point where you can pick up a pretty good one from the supermarket while you shop for your groceries. There must be few people who don't own them or haven't used them.

What do you get when you put them together and how much does it cost? Binoculars themselves come in many varieties and from cheap to frighteningly expensive. Camera binoculars, surprisingly, tend to come in at the cheaper end of the market. One reason for this is that the binocular technology is usually not at the cutting edge. The magnification is in the low to medium range, not the sort of thing that the dedicated bird watcher is likely to buy.

Similarly, while digital cameras with 10 megapixel resolution are now becoming very affordable, the best you are likely to find in a camera binocular is half of that. And many come with much lower resolution, probably less than you would have in your camera phone. So why does that matter? A 4 megapixel camera will produce very high quality images. It depends what you want to do with them.

If you want to print your images, low resolution will limit the quality and the size of the images you are able to produce. Personally, I believe that the main advantage of digital images is that you don't have to print them. I have seen far more of my images on a computer screen than I ever did when they were printed and stuck away in a cupboard somewhere.

Let's look at a practical example. This is not intended as a product review, just an indication of what is available. I have chosen the Bushnell Imageview 8x30 with 5MP camera to take a look at. For those not familiar with binoculars, Bushnell is a respected manufacturer. The 8 in the title refers to 8 times magnification. In other words an object would appear 8 times closer than if seen with the ***** eye. The 30 refers to the diameter in millimetres of the front lenses which influences the amount of light that enters.

The camera is 5 megapixel and has a 1.5 inch pop up screen. It has 16mb of flash memory built in and this can be expanded with an SD card up to 2 GB. The camera also has 8 times magnification. I would regard a 5MP camera as perfectly acceptable but I have read reviews claiming it to be woefully inadequate. That's gadget freaks for you.

In a nutshell, for what is regarded as a compact, pocket sized binocular, this unit will perform pretty well, producing good, crisp images. At the time of writing, this model is on sale for just under $175. Not outrageously expensive, I'm sure you'll agree.

So do digital camera binoculars have applications for those of us who are not busy chasing the latest techie trends? I think that they could enhance a lot of outdoor activities, adding to the fun and preserving the memories.

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Figment Bird Watching With Binoculars Hat Disney Pin    US $1.99

Red 4 x 28 Binoculars HuntingCampingBird Watching    US $1.10

Red 6 x 30 Binoculars HuntingCampingBird Watching    US $1.49