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Hi folks, if this gets through. I have been reading with
interest the thread about optics. I am one of those working folks who live from
paycheck to paycheck, and rarely have anything left over for kilobuck
binoculars. I have struggled along for years with sub $100 binoculars, and have
done OK. A few years ago, my wife and I bought a scope for a trip we made to
Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee (never saw so many eagles) that cost $350. It worked
quite well.
I think that these recommendations might mislead folks
starting out to think that they cannot bird without a $1000 outlay for binos,
and a $2000 outlay for a scope.
It would be nice if we tried to suggest to beginners a
somewhat less expensive optics option. I know many of us have used "budget"
binos; indeed, many of the birders I meet in the field are using
them.
Any suggestions for the beginners (and less affluent) amongst
us?
I realize that you get what you pay for: armor, drop
resistance, better optics, etc. When I can afford them, I am buying a pair of
Swarovskys, and a Swarovsky scope. But those days are probably a few days
off.
I have a pair of B&L 7-15x Zoom binos, retail about $150,
and a B&L Discoverer scope, retail about &350. Both have served me well,
and will probably continue to do so until I can get the top of the
line.
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