Good Binocs for bird watching? ($50-$75)

[aphex]

Any recs on some good binocs for bird watching? Present for the mother in law who wants to get into bird watching. She wears glasses and is about ~ 62 yo.

Looking to spend $50-75

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Having good binocs in that price range is going to be tough: I find it best to get binocs that have at least a 4mm exit pupil which can be calculated like so:

aperture (the second number in the binocular spec) divided by zoom power (the first number)

ex: 10 x 40 binocs would give you a 4mm exit pupil, 8 x 32 would also give you a 4mm exit pupil. With the latter you sacrifice magnification power, which is important for birds, for possibly a cheaper price and smaller package (32mm binocs are generally cheaper than 40mm ones, and so on and so forth).

A larger exit pupil gives you a bigger and brighter picture than if you had a binoc that was only 10 x 25, the latter of which is unfortunately smack dab in the $50-$75 range. 10 x 25 is crappy for bird watching.

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3206460&cp=2367438.2367821.2285520

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2287373&cp=2367438.2367821.2285520

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2509358&cp=2367438.2367821.2285520

 

[aphex]

Excellent info! Thanks a ton!

How would this Nikon be? http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-10x40-action-binocular-7266.html or this as well; http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/219816-USA/Nikon_7218_10x50_Action_VII_Binocular.html

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Excellent info! Thanks a ton!

How would this Nikon be? http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-10x40-action-binocular-7266.html or this as well; http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/219816-USA/Nikon_7218_10x50_Action_VII_Binocular.html

I would go for the second one. 10x zoom with a 5mm exit pupil will make for some excellent viewing. In addition, the staggered design of the lens barrel versus the straight through design of some of the ones I linked to sacrifices compactness for better depth perception.

If you're ok with a 50mm lens you can even upgrade to a higher power if you want to get even closer. Downsides to this is that it's harder to hold steady and sometimes it can be too powerful if the bird is close and you can't back up.

 

[aphex]

on second thought, how would the nikon action 8 x 40 hold up for birdwatching? I worry the 10x50 may be a little too big for her.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

on second thought, how would the nikon action 8 x 40 hold up for birdwatching? I worry the 10x50 may be a little too big for her.

I honestly have no idea

After reading around it seems that 8x40 would be a better bet for her. 10x is considered the upper limit for handholding binocs steadily, and the large 50mm objective lens isn't going to help.

So 8x40.

EDIT: Gah, might have given you some wrong info:

http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/myths2006-intro.html