THREE OF THE BEST BINOCULARS
TRAILSEEKER ED, 10X42 Celestron, £299 0118 467 1200, Celestron.com
At 666g and measuring 139.7mm x 124.46mm, these are comparable in size and weight with most mid-sized binoculars. However, unlike many others, they come with a harness which eases the strain when carrying and using them.
The objective lenses are made from extra-low dispersion (ED) glass to minimise chromatic aberration (when the lens fails to focus all colours on the same point), which improves the clarity of the image, even in low-light conditions. I was disappointed with the minimum
focus of 2.5m – that’s a big distance if you like to look at nearby insects or plants.
The twist-up eyecups move through two clicks so that you can choose which distance works best. With rubber
armouring across the whole of the binoculars, the lenses feel well protected. The grip is quite comfortable. • Limited lifetime warranty applies.
VERDICT: Good for watching distant wildlife, but not for close-ups on nearby insects and other invertebrates.
TRAVELLER BGA MG, 8X32 Opticron, £259 01582 726522, opticron.co.uk
Lightweight at only 380g and small at just 98mm x 118mm, these are easy to use and carry, fitting into most jacket pockets.
For those used to binoculars, the push/ pull retractable eyecups will take some getting used to. And on the other end, there is minimal protection around the objective lens compared to most pairs of binoculars. I would be worried about them getting scratched or otherwise damaged. The rubber coating is also restricted to the central part of the binoculars. On the other hand, the image is
surprisingly clear for such a small pair of binoculars, even in low light. And the close
focus is only 1.5m, which is great for watching invertebrates. •A 30-year guarantee provides peace of mind if faults should occur down the line. VERDICT: Good for weight and close focus, best for use as a pair in the car or if travelling with space restrictions. TIP: Opticron also makes another Traveller range, with ED glass lenses. OTHER SIZES: £249–£275.
MERLIN ED, 8X42 Viking Optical, £259.95 01986 875315, vikingoptical.co.uk
At 720g, these were surprisingly heavy. Much of this weight will be down to the 42mm objective lens. Measuring 141mm x 128mm, they are also on the large side. Like most binoculars, they have
twist-up eyecups which go through two clicks to alter the distance. The rubber
casing covers the whole of the binoculars, and the grip feels comfortable. I found these binoculars provided a
very clear image, including in low-light conditions. ED glass is used for the objective lenses to give sharper images and reduce chromatic aberration.
However, I was slightly disappointed with the minimum focus distance of 2m, which is just about adequate for watching insects, but not amazing. • Viking offers a 10-year guarantee on these binoculars. VERDICT: My preferred pair of binoculars out of the three, despite the weight. TIP: Viking Optical also manufactures the binoculars sold by the RSPB. OTHER SIZES: £239.95–£269.95.