Birding on the Trail. Which binoculars to bring?

[hikerbee]

Binoculars are my luxury item! I have some good ones currently that are pretty heavy (10x42), so I'm looking to buy a pair for the trail. Needless to say they need to be compact and waterproof, I'm flexible on the magnification (8-10x) and the lens will probably be around 21-30mm. Anybody have any experience with some particular bins? Reasonably priced would be nice ($50-$100). But I would like to hear about any opinions about brands or particular models!

In case this is important, I'm planning a thru-hike this spring. So I'll be lugging them quite a ways (hopefully). Thanks!

[burger]

When I carry bins, I have a pair of Zeiss compacts (Conquest 8 x 25) which have great optics and weigh less than 7 ounces, but they weren't cheap (I paid around $275 a few years ago). You can find cheaper compacts out there, but you might think about paying a little extra to get something that's waterproof. Even if you keep them safely in your pack during rain, with the humidity, you stand a good chance of getting condensation inside the bins.

But most of the time now I don't carry bins. I'm an ultra-lighter, and a half pound for bins just doesn't see, worth it. Instead, I bird by ear. If I'm in an area where I know the birds, I'm set. And if I'm going somewhere new for an extended trip, I study up on my songs and calls. Before I hiked the PCT, I spent about 3 months listening to recordings of 200 or so species, and by the time I got on the trail I knew most of them pretty well.

[bigcranky]

Check Eagle Optics online, or call them for help. There has been an explosion of new, inexpensive bins in the last few years with features that not long ago were available only on $2000 models. Things like nitrogen purging, BaK-4 prisms, fully multicoated optics, etc., can be had on sub-$200 glass.

I just went to their site and plugged in "compact, 8-9x, waterproof, <$200" and got 22 choices. These Vortex reverse-porro bins look like they have the best specs (reasonably wide field, close focus, fully multicoated, etc.) and weigh ~12 ounces.

When I hiked a section of the Florida Trail a few years ago, I didn't want to carry my regular bins, so I took an old pair of lightweight crappy ones. Not a good idea -- really wanted good bins when I saw a scissor tailed kite way way off in the distance. The next time my two hobbies intersect, I'll either suck it up and carry my good binoculars, or buy something like these Vortex.

(Disclaimer: I'm just a happy customer of Eagle Optics, no other affiliation.)

[hikerbee]

I do plan on birding by ear, but I just can't fathom being outside for months without binoculars. I also really like Eagle Optics (I have the Ranger). I was hoping to spend considerably less on this compact pair, but you're making me re-think how much $$ to invest in a quality pair, to last against the wet and for months outside. Thanks for the help!

[Wise Old Owl]

Glass is a specific weight - there might be nothing wrong with your current glasses - so going lighter - will cut quality. So the glass closest to the eye is made smaller or plastic is used - both will cut your ability to use them well.

May I suggest doing this: CLICK HERE

[Pedaling Fool]

Yesterday I was checking out binos at a local sporting store. Three of them were of the same optics (16x50), two no-name brands and one a Nikon. The difference between the Nikon and the other two was incredible; not only was the clarity much better in the Nikon, but I could make out little details better with the Nikon, as if the optics were stronger, but they were the same.

[bigcranky]

Hey, hikerbee,

I was thinking more about binoculars on a thru-hike, and had one suggestion. If you are leaving before late-April, leave the bins at home for the first few weeks. There will be few birding opportunities in the late winter (juncos, titmice, maybe some cardinals, TVs, an occasional red tailed hawk....) and the bins are just more weight to carry at the start. Once you've been on the trail a few weeks, have them sent to you. Once migration starts in May, you'll have more to see.

Good luck on your hike.

[4Bears]

You might look at this model by Simmons, I have a pair and like them a lot, and they are not expensive plus the 8-17 zoom is wonderful.

http://www.adorama.com/SM899846.html

[clb]

You might consider an monocular.

[clb]

Sorry, make that a monocular

[hikerbee]

That's a great suggestion, big cranky! I ended up getting the Aspen 8x25 monocular (thanks to those suggesting monoculars!). Sending them ahead might just be what I do.

[Mike2012]

Glass is a specific weight - there might be nothing wrong with your current glasses - so going lighter - will cut quality. So the glass closest to the eye is made smaller or plastic is used - both will cut your ability to use them well.

May I suggest doing this: CLICK HERE

4.4 ounces! surprising

[Wise Old Owl]

Yea - a few here missed the UL moment.

[BradMT]

Binoculars are my luxury item! I have some good ones currently that are pretty heavy (10x42), so I'm looking to buy a pair for the trail. Needless to say they need to be compact and waterproof, I'm flexible on the magnification (8-10x) and the lens will probably be around 21-30mm. Anybody have any experience with some particular bins? Reasonably priced would be nice ($50-$100). But I would like to hear about any opinions about brands or particular models!

In case this is important, I'm planning a thru-hike this spring. So I'll be lugging them quite a ways (hopefully). Thanks!

It's nice to see someone that considers carry a binocular... I didn't when I was younger, now I consider them indispensable and a critical part of my enjoyment of the outdoors... I think you'll ultimately regret getting a monocular. They're really not practical for birding. Better to carry a little extra weight and a real binocular. Good binoculars are not even remotely cheap, but quite possible the best, small binocular for the money is the Bushnell 7x26 Custom.

My backpacking bin is a Zeiss Victory 8x20... I never have regretted its price.

[DocSarvis]

Forget monoculars for birding. They're just not practical except for sudden opportunities when you happen to have nothing else available. Carry the few ounces more for a compact binocular. You might consider dropping in at www.birdforum.net and checking the numerous threads on compact binoculars. Prepare to be massively overwhelmed! After almost 40 years of serious birding, I have tried more than a few compacts as well as standard sized bins. My current hiking binoculars are an 8x20 Leica Ultravid (8.5oz) and a Nikon Premier LXL 10x25 (10.5oz). Rare among compacts, both work very well with glasses. Like most quality glasses today, both are waterproof and darn near bulletproof with extraordinary warranties. Occasionally bargains can be found on refurbished models, but you have to persistently look for them. Both Leica and Nikon ( as well as Zeiss and Swarovski and others ) produce compacts in both 8x20 and 10x25. The Nikons are the bargains and imho are the optical equals of the euro glasses for half the price. Still...be prepared for some sticker shock. Remember though, you are literally making a lifetime purchase; especially in the case of the Leicas! I also recommend that you purchase from a specialist dealer who offers a 30 day money back warranty so that you can try them without penalty. Look online under "birding optics". If you are carrying an iphone or an ipod touch there are now electronic versions of the popular field guides that are evolving daily. Check out the itunes app store. That saves the weight of a paper field guide but honestly are not as handy...YET! Tho they all have calls and songs included. Quite useful for educating your ears along the trail. Again, ask the gang at birdforum. As good a bunch as Whiteblaze!