For bird watching almost all birders will agree, I think, that either 8 power or 10 power are the best. Most will select 8 power because of the wider field of view which is important when trying to find the bird in the field of view among the clutter of tree limbs or even flying across the sky. Stability of the image is important and above 10 power the image tends to shake so much that a tripod is recommended.

I have both 8 power and 10 power and I prefer the 8 power. Zoom is not a gimmick but in binoculars it is impractical because of image shake. If you want zoom, it is best to get a spotting scope with a tripod. An inexpensive spotting scope with zoom is this one.

http://www.astronomics.com/main/product.asp/catalog_name/Christophers/category_name/4E42GTNES8B58JFF5C943TT2R6/product_id/K65SS

I took it to Ecuador with me and was quit satisfied. You will also have to purchase a tripod to use with it the little tripod that it comes with is worthless.

As for binoculars, how much do you wish to pay?

The very best cost well over $1700. But I do not own such a pair. Seems like a waste of money to me. For the extra money I can finance a trip to South America.

This pair is inexpensive, fairly compact, water proof and fog proof, has a decent field of view and is marginally adequate if you wear glasses. What it does not have is a locking diopter adjustment. A refinement found in more expensive binos.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=3623

This pair is more expensive but has a somewhat wider field of view and a closer focus.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4144

If you are not on a budget, then these are among the best that do not cost an arm and a leg. They do have locking diopter adjustment. I took this pair to Estonia.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4449

If you want a very compact pair, you will have to sacrafice eye relief.

Here is a good pair.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4487

Are Celestrom Binoculars the Binoculars For You?

Celestron are well recognised as world leaders in optical design and all Celestrom binoculars, telescopes and spotting scopes are manufactured to the highest quality to deliver outstanding resolution and excellent clarity for the price.

If you want choice, affordability and value for money it is well worth looking at the extensive range Celestron have to offer. Celestrom binoculars are built to the same high standard and to a level of quality that is well supported by a lifetime guarantee with many models including the Upclose range, the Traveler, Outland, Oceana and Skymaster (Celestron's binoculars for astronomy).

No matter what your sporting requirement Celestron have the binoculars for you including lightweight, compact binoculars, binoculars for travel, bird watching, action sports and nature viewing, zoom, waterproof and marine binoculars. Whatever your choice you can be sure that all Celestrom binoculars are built with excellent attention to detail and priced at a level most people can afford.

If you want truly affordable have a look at the 'Upclose' range and pick up compact or full-size Celestrom binoculars for under £50. For your money you get fully coated lenses, rubber coated, water resistant bodies and a no-fault lifetime warranty. This series includes high powered compact binoculars (12x25 & 16x32), objective diameters up to 50mm (including a 20x50) and a wide angle & zoom option. The downside is the prisms are Bk7 rather than Bak-4 (which is a better quality) and the lenses are fully coated rather than fully multi-coated but for the money the specification and performance is good.

With compact binoculars Celestron do have some strong competitors, even in the low price range including Nikon, Pentax and Olympus (who offer the widest choice), all good makes and all worth a look at. Canon do a compact IS binocular and Steiner make some excellent high quality compact binoculars ranging from about £50 - £300.

If you want to move up a grade then take a look at the Outland series, again available in compact and full-size models. These Celestrom binoculars are waterproof and fog-free, ideal for tough outdoor pursuits, and come with multi-coated (not fully multi-coated lenses, this is available in the Outland LX series), top quality Bak-4 prisms, twist-up eyecups for long eye relief (ideal for spectacle wearers) and a lifetime warranty. Excellent value for money at under £100 or the LX series for under £125.

There is strong competition in full-size binoculars with Leica and Swarovski capturing the top end of the market. If you are looking for high quality but don't have £1000+ then Steiner, Nikon, Pentax and Bushnell offer and excellent choice and

For affordable marine binos then look no further than the Oceana series Celestrom binoculars which come with a range finding dial and compass. However, if you want truly top notch marine binoculars then don't make a purchase before checking out the Steiner Commander series which are salt water resistant, protected against environmental pressures, waterproof to 10 mtrs, long-life rubber armoured, auto focusing and guaranteed for 30 years, truly special.

If you want to get into astronomy but don't want to spend a fortune Celestron do a range of affordable binoculars to get you started. The Skymaster series are priced as low as £50 or, if you want a telescope then Celestron has a vast selection of low cost beginner models right up through to the top of the range.

In this digital era, no range would be complete without digital binoculars. The Celestron Vistapix allows you to store pictures, download them onto a TV or laptop and print quickly and easily starting from around £50.

What Celestron are missing is an image stabilizing model so if you want an 'IS' option then Canon offer the widest range.

So are Celestrom binoculars, the right binoculars for you? Well that depends on what you want to use them for and how much you have to spend. It has to be said that they offer excellent value for money and a wide choice at the lower end of the market. If you can afford it and you are going to be using your binoculars regularly you should seriously check out some of the competition with top quality optics well worth paying for. Don't look at Leica or Swarovski though unless you have serious cash to spend as once you hold binoculars by either of these nothing else will be quite good enough!!

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