binocular magnification

[tali122]

i understand the numbers for binocular magnification- but i dont understand the relative pricing
e.g 12/25 are �9.99 at argos they are the cheapest and appear to be far more powerful than ones �20 -30 more- a tad confused-is magnification the main feature to look for in binoculars?

[Buenchico]

The basic specification of binoculars is usually expressed in two numbers, e.g. 8 x 50. The first figure tells you the magnification. The second figure tells you the lens size. The reason that the second figure is important is that a larger lens will mean a brighter image.

Although many people buy binoculars which have very large magnification figures (e.g. 30x or 40x), this isn't always a good idea because, at these magnifications, it's very hard to point the binoculars in exactly the right direction to view your chosen object and even harder to keep the binoculars steady enough to view properly. For most purposes a magnification figure of 8 or 10 is probably ideal.

As with all optical devices, the quality of lenses can vary greatly between manufacturers. One of the main reasons that the professional wedding photographer gets better quality pictures than the wedding guest with a disposable camera is that the professional paid over �1000 for the lens on his camera. Quality lenses cost money and this applies to binoculars as much as cameras. (The lenses in most binoculars usually have a coating to reduce 'flare' in the picture you see. The quality of this coating also varies depending on the price you pay).

A final point. If you're looking for cheap, good quality binoculars, don't go to Argos. It's not that there's anything with their products -the Praktica brand, in particular, provides excellent value - it's just that you can't 'try before you buy'. The only way to see if a pair of binoculars suits your needs is to step outside the shop and try them out. You'd have to find a very quiet time at Argos if they were to be happy about you doing this. Instead head to your local Jessops store (where they expect customers to test their products before purchase). You can find your nearest store, and check out their prices, here:
http://www.

[Buenchico]

Oops! Not enough space for the link! :
http://www.jessops.co.uk/shop.cfm

Chris

[Tim B]

I bought my binocks from Argos, they were quite happy for me to test them.

[Buenchico]

Perhaps I was a little 'over the top' in suggesting that all Argos staff are 'less than helpful'. I've shopped in many of their stores and attitudes have varied from 'very helpful' to 'positively aggressive'! I was thinking of the Christmas rush coming up. I've waited 1 hour 40 minutes to get to a counter before now. (Admittedly that store had been experiencing intermittent computer problems but I don't think I'd have been too popular if I'd have asked someone to step outside with me while I checked out a pair of binoculars!). In the pre-Christmas period, the larger Argos stores can have well over 100 people waiting to be served.

Let's just say that many Argos staff think that they're being required to give 'special service' if you ask to take a product outside the store to test it. Staff at Jessops routinely expect customers to take cameras and binoculars outside and are happy to allow you as much time as you need. Given that prices are similar and that Jessops staff are far more knowledgeable about their products, I'd still suggest that Jessops is the best place to go.

Despite this, I'm happy to apologise, both to Tali122 and to Tim B, for the inaccuracy in my previous post.

Chris

[Buenchico]

Eddie51 has provided excellent information, as usual.

I would suggest that, from the point of view of Tali22, possibly the most important thing Eddie has written is that 8x50 or 10x50 binoculars are the best types for general use. I'm sure that many thousands of people have bought binoculars with higher magnifications (erroneously thinking that they'll be better) only to find that they're inappropriate or awkward to use.

Chris