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Olympus 118760 Trooper 10x50 DPS I

Olympus 118760 Trooper 10x50 DPS I


Justifiably popular budget 10x50. Robust, with a crisp image.It does have the unjustly maligned (click here to learn why) BK7 prisms, but is surprisingly good both optically and mechanically, and is much better than a lot of other stuff at a similar price. Unusually for a budget binocular it is not significantly stopped down, and it will suit a wide range of faces.

Review here.


Celestron Skymaster 15x70

Celestron Skymaster 15x70


A popular incarnation of the United Optics BA1 that represents good value for money. Like all binoculars of this class, it is internally stopped to an effective aperture of about 63mm. There is also a 25x70 version.


Opticron Oregon LE 8x42 WP

Oregon LE 8x42


An excellent choice for someone who needs a good entry-level lightweight binocular that is very easy to hold steadily. It is nitrogen-filled and waterproof, so will no tsuffer from internal fogging. There is also a 10x42 option for those who prefer a smaller exit pupil and can hold a 10x binocular steadily.


Opticron Imagic TGA WP 8x42

Opticron Imagic TGA WP 8x42


A lovely little binocular that gives excellent images. Very good optics, lightweight, click-stop twist-up eyecups, with easily enough eye relief to make it suitable for spectacle wearers. It has a very flat field of view and a very firm eyepiece bridge that does not rock in normal use. It is waterproof and nitrogen-filled, so will not suffer from internal condensation on dewy nights.

Review here.

(NB Review on Amazon is for a different model)


Pentax SP 10x50 WP

Pentax SP 10x50 WP


This is the upgraded replacement for the discontinued PCF-WP II, which was a popular choice as an intermediate quality general-purpose binocular. Robust but light construction and nitrogen-filled to prevent internal fogging. Does not have a traditional eyepiece bridge, so does not suffer from bridge rocking. It has a lockable focus, which is very useful for astronomy. Very sharp optics with a flat field of view. The control of stray light is superb. At its new price, it represents exceptionally good value for money.

Review here.


Pentax SP 20x60 WP

Pentax SP 20x60 WP


This is the upgraded replacement for the discontinued PCF-WP II, which was a popular choice as a good quality light-weight "observation" binocular. Robust but light construction and nitrogen-filled to prevent internal fogging. Does not have a traditional eyepiece bridge, so does not suffer from bridge rocking. It has a lockable focus, which is very useful for astronomy. Very sharp optics with a flat field of view. The control of stray light is very good.

Review here.


Orion Resolux 7x50

Orion Resolux 7x50


This is the 7x50 version of the United Optics BA8, which is a very good binocular for this price range. Very bright indeed with a wide field of view. Waterproof and nitrogen-filled. Individual eyepiece focusing is ideal for astronomy. Also available as a 10x50.


Vixen SG 2.1x42

Vixen SG 2.1x42


Entirely different to any other binocular in appearance and in the experience it offers. Very wide field (I get 23°) and gives about an extra 1.5 magnitudes. A delight to use under a transparent dark sky. Very much a luxury item, but it offers a binocular experience that you will be unlikely to mimic with anything else.

Review here.


Orion Resolux 15x70

Orion Resolux 15x70


This is the very popular Orion-branded version of the very popular United Optics BA8. Very robust construction and nitrogen-filled to prevent internal fogging.Individual eyepiece focusing is ideal for astronomy. Eyepieces are threaded for standard 1.25" filters. Eye relief is a bit tight for spectacle wearers. It has a deservedly good reputation and you will need to spend nearly twice as much to get a noticeably better 15x70 or 16x70 binocular. There are also a 10.5x70 and larger versions available.