Optics: Page 13

Browse our stock of Binoculars, Monoculars, Telescopes, and Spotting Scopes. We have something to suit everyone, from the budding Urban Birder to the junior Astronomer. We stock optics from Swarovski, Canon, Steiner, Zeiss, Nikon, Celestron, and Vortex.

The specification, eg 8x40, describes the magnification followed by the diameter of the front glass in millimetres. The first number divided into the second gives the light gathering power. Thus, a pair of 8x32 will be as bright as a pair of 10x40 but smaller and with less magnification.

Sizes up to 8x25 or 10x25 will slip into a trouser pocket. Cost, size and weight all go up as either number increases. It also becomes increasingly difficult to hold them steady without a support.  All high-quality Binoculars and Spotting scopes come with a tripod fitting.  

If you are able to call into either shop and discuss your requirement, we will be more than happy guide you towards the best compromise between magnification, brightness, weight, cost and quality. 

Which is better? A spotting scope or binoculars?

 For serious, long-range viewing, maintaining light gathering power at high magnifications involves a fair amount of glass that is both heavy and expensive. Making do with the view through just one eye has its advantages. Also, the stereo vision obtained from using both eyes diminishes with distance. A serious birder will mostly commonly be seen with a spotting scope, firmly attached to a tripod, slung over one shoulder en-route (excuse my French) to the next location.

Swarovski are the Spotting-Scope masters and their modular system is the pinnacle. In recent years, they have introduced the BTX binocular eyepiece so that you can pretty much have the best of both worlds.