Print
How much should I pay?
Binoculars fall into three price bands:
£50 to £150
£150 to £350
£350 and over.
Those in the cheapest band are mass-market instruments. They include 'stencil-brand' binoculars: the same basic instruments, made in the same factories, marketed under different brand names.
Within this price range there are some excellent value-for-money products to suit the occasional user. Porro-prism binoculars are a better buy, as cheap roof-prisms, which require a more complex construction, do not perform so well.
Up to £350 there is a much wider choice. Most of the top manufacturers offer high-quality compact binoculars in this range. Lightweight models with well-known brand names can be found for around £300. Although not as robust as their bigger counterparts, with careful use they will provide years of service under normal conditions.
Over £350 ensures binoculars of the highest quality from top manufacturers. Be careful to compare different quality makes, as cost is not the most important factor in this group. Personal requirements, such as the position of the focus wheel, the shape of the eyecups and the texture of the covering, must be considered, preferably by testing in the field.
Second-hand binoculars are usually a good buy so long as you keep to well-known brand names. Be sure to check all moving parts for wear, especially the focusing, and make sure there are no scratches on the lenses; look inside from the wrong end to check the prism for chips.