The binocular thread.

[tanner sheltry]

Who all carries binoculars with them? I feel like it's a pretty common thing but I don't really see it mentioned when talking about gear we carry. I have an old set of Gemini model 435s that I'm carrying right now, but I'm looking to upgrade. Mainly looking at the vortex raptor series. I'd like to see yalls recommendations for a new set, pictures of yours, what you use them for, etc. I figured this would help me as well as be a good source of information for people that are also looking.

 

[MA_Trooper]

I carry a pair of Vortex 10x42s. Can't say enough good about Vortex. Used to have some Celestrons I liked but they got destroyed.

I keep mine around for viewing wild life mainly. Hunting and birding.

 

[Steve]

I have two pair of binoculars.

An old (30+years?) Nikon 7X20 Travelite II compact pair that is always in my Klettersack any time I'm out.



And, about 25 years ago, Deb bought a pair of Swift Audubon 8.5X44 for me. I was a volunteer naturalist at the local metro parks for several years, and these were for birding.




(Both are Google images, because I'm lazy...)

I used to keep a pair of inexpensive 10X50 in my vehicle, but with our high humidity, they eventually had mold inside. That's when I learned *never* take out the prisms to clean them! They'll never be aligned again. ;)

 

[Road]

I have a great pair of Vortex Diamondback 8x42 and a pair of Bushnell Powerview 10x32 Compact Folding Binoculars that I keep in the driver's door side pocket.

Vortex Diamondback 8x42:


Bushnell Powerview 10x32 (not the best vid, but gives you an idea:


Used to have a great pair of Nikon 8x35 I think they were, that looked a lot like Steve's Swift Audubons, but I took them apart as a young teen to see how they were made inside (I was fascinated by how they magnified so clearly) then had too much fun with the prisms starting fires on the sidewalk.

Love having good binocs when out and about. I don't take them apart any more. I do that with stuff on my van now.