(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best binoculars

You learn birds like you learn anything - starting small, learning obvious/common birds and what makes them what they are, and working your way up. My mom was super into birds when I was a child, so I had a solid knowledge base as an adult. Today, I rehab birds and I work in education with glove-trained raptors, and I’ve picked up a LOT of advanced knowledge through that.

For the average person who wants to know more, bird ID websites and subs (like this one!) are a good way to get in a little bit of bird ID every day to remind you of common birds. Visit this sub and try to ID a couple of posts every day, and then look at the comments to see if you’re right. I also highly recommend a good bird guidebook for your region. I’m a Stokes person myself, but the most popular guides are Audubon, Sibley, and Peterson. These are all good choices, and they have helpful guides on how to ID birds and what the key words are. And since you’ll always have your phone on you, a bird ID app is essential. I prefer Audubon’s app, but Merlin is also popular. They are both free. Both also have VERY helpful guides that will narrow down your choices based on your location, time of year, bird shape, bird color, etc. This is helpful for novices because it narrows the overwhelming amount of choices for an ID down to a few.

I recommend learning the types of birds first. When you look at a bird, you can eliminate about 90% of your species choices by knowing what TYPE of bird you’re looking at. Learn what a perching bird, tree-clinging bird, upland ground bird, waterbird, hummingbird, gull, dove, hawk, owl, swallow, etc are. This sounds like a lot but these body types are all so different that you’ll figure it out almost immediately. Then once you can look at something and say “that’s a gull” or “that’s a perching bird”, you’ll have a way easier time determining species. Learning species in your area is just a matter of time. Make an effort to learn the super common birds in your area. For the eastern US - Mockingbirds, robins, red-tailed hawks, hummingbirds, Great Blue Herons, etc. You can also use these easy birds to learn common identifying field marks - “eye stripe”, “wing bar”, “plumage”, etc. You can use your book and app, and post here or on bird ID Facebook groups. Birders love telling other people how to ID birds. Once you learn the common birds in your area, you can start figuring out the hard stuff. Non-breeding plumage, females of different species that look the same, gulls and sandpipers, Cooper’s vs Sharp-Shinned. We are here to help you with that. Post as much as you want!

I hope that this helps. Please reply or DM me if you have questions!

Edit: i forgot to answer your group question. Going out with “bird nerd” groups is SUPER helpful because they’re led by a very knowledgeable person who you can learn from, and everyone there is super into this hobby, and they love to talk about it. Your local Audubon chapter should have free or very cheap bird outings around your city. I always recommend these groups, as the one in our area is very active and informative.

Edit 2: also, if you’re going to be really into this, invest in a decent pair of binoculars. My partner is also a birder and they bought me these. They’re expensive, but a good pair of binoculars will REALLY help, as you can obviously see things a lot better. I wouldn’t recommend dropping that much on this if you’re not going to use them, but if you get into birding enough and you think you’ll use them, they’re worth the price. Until then, maybe buy a cheaper pair or see if you can borrow a pair.

Just did a bunch of binocular research last year. I was looking for a pair for similar things as you, though mostly stargazing and hiking. Personally, I wound up buying a pair of Pentax PCF II 10x50s, which are waterproof, well-built, steady, sharp, and ~$150.

8x vs 10x is a personal thing. I'd heard people say 10x was harder to hold still, but I found the difference there to be negligible and the extra magnification very nice to have. I'd go to a store and try out models that come in both magnifications (e.g. comparable 8x and 10x Nikons or something) to figure out which you like more and what you can hold steady comfortably. The field-of-view difference is there, sure, but again it's a matter of taste; to me, 5º for my set vs 6.5º for some others wasn't a deal-breaker.

It sounds like you're leaning towards mostly daytime use, which makes things a little easier, because the other big variable with binoculars is the exit pupil (= objective diameter / magnification), which controls how much light gets to your eyeballs. For the same magnification, a bigger objective size gives you more light-gathering power at the expense of more size & weight (& cost, usually). As an example, "standard" 7x35 binoculars have an exit pupil of ~5 mm, which is a good balance of weight and dusk-time visibility. 7x50s, on the other hand, sometimes get called "night glasses" because they're so much better at gathering light than your eyes that they really bring out detail well in crappy lighting. If you're going to be using these exclusively during the day, you could get away with a 4mm exit pupil, but I'd consider something larger if you're thinking about astronomy use or if you might be attending night-time games (especially poorly-lit high school or collegiate games).

So, in your 8x vs. 10x case, that means your choices are really 8x40 and 10x50 in a 5mm, or 8x56 and 10x60 in a 6mm. There's lots of good pairs in all of those categories; I'd skip the 7mm-exit-pupil pairs, since they get heavy fast at 8x or 10x. Generally you get better quality at a lower price point with porto-prism binoculars than roof-prism pairs, so that's a consideration, though the Monarchs are consistently well reviewed (they were also above my own price-point). Nikon does make a very-well regarded pair called the Action Extremes, though. I'd also look into Pentax and Oberwerk models. Oh, and if you wear glasses, make sure you get something with adequate eye relief so you don't have to pop your glasses or shades on and off every time you want to use the binoculars.

Good hunting! =)

Light pollution will nail you no matter what equipment you've got unfortunately. You're better off travelling out of the urban areas to darker skies.

Astronomy binocs can be pretty big and heavy. Imo you're just as well off with a pair of decent "non astronomy" 7x50s or 10x50s. 7x50s will give you wider views, nice for big stunning vistas. 10x50s will get you more power but they're right on the edge of being okay to hand hold - at that magnification you are better off with a tripod.

The binocs I use (and love) are the Pentax PCF WP II 10x50. I've got them mounted on a regular cheap video camera tripod by way of a Barska adapter.

I would also recommend a camping mat that you can roll out on the ground. Sometimes it's nicer to just lie on your back without the tripod.

As for what you'll see, binocs up to 10x50 are really only any good for bright clusters like Pleiades and the beehive and for some decent lunar views. The brighter DSOs like the Orion nebula and Andromeda will be visible as faint, fuzzy, monochrome smudges. On a good clear dark night you might make out Jupiters 4 main moons as tiny specs extending in a line from the brighter "star" that is Jupiter, but you won't see detail in Jupiter such as banding or the red spot without something much more powerful.

Obviously, it will depend on what he's already gotten for himself, what you can afford, what kind of sailing he's doing, and where you are.

You know your dad, I don't, but I'm going to suggest that a genuinely antique spyglass isn't going to have the utility you are envisioning. If he has a den/study/other area to display a curio, then fine, but it probably shouldn't be knocked around and soaked in the ways it will while sailing. A good [waterproof pair of binoculars] ( http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Waterproof-Fogproof-Prism-Binocular/dp/B006U3ZIWQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1370063798&sr=1-1&keywords=waterproof+binoculars) would be much better, IMO.

In my limited experience, here are some things most sailors might need, in no particular order:

• PFD--Personal Floatation Device, "lifejacket". On wetter, faster and/or smaller boats many people like a [kayak style vest] (http://www.amazon.com/Stohlquist-Personal-Floatation-X-Large-XX-Large/dp/B000FB9JBU/ref=sr_1_10?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1370063280&sr=1-10&keywords=paddling+vest) . If it's a drier cruising style of sailing, [an automatic inflating vest] ( http://www.amazon.com/Revere-ComfortMax-Inflatable-Automatic-30-52-Inch/dp/B000EG3VI8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1370063031&sr=8-6&keywords=automatic+inflatable+life+vest) is great. I linked an inflatable with a safety harness, a good idea for offshore, rough weather but if it's sunny-day and flat water sailing, then a sub-$100 version should be great.
  
  
• A hat they will wear. If you know him just right, you can pick out his "sailing hat" for life. Maybe a ball cap with the perfect logo on it, maybe a hiking/sun hat from the outdoor supplier, maybe a Tilley hat. It will live on the boat and he will wear it as soon as he steps on board.
  
  
• Gloves. Plenty to choose from. [Here's an avereage priced, commonly available sample] (http://www.amazon.com/Deckhand-Gloves-Deck-Glove-Short/dp/B00140P1DG/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1370063702&sr=1-2&keywords=gill+deckhand)
  
  
• Footwear. Way too dependent on the type of sailing for me to supply good samples. Post specifics if you want suggestions, otherwise google "sailing boots(or shoes)" for ideas.
  
  
• Knife. Plenty of basic ["Sailing Knives"'] (http://www.amazon.com/Maxam-SKRULE-Misc-Sailors-Tool/dp/B003COEDMW/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1370064431&sr=1-4&keywords=sailing+knife) on the market. Normally includes a blade (duh), a marlinspike and a shackle key. Again, you know him. Some prefer a [multitool with an easy to deploy blade] (http://www.amazon.com/Gerber-30-000587-Crucial-Multi-Tool-Black/dp/B00783N8MO/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1370064557&sr=1-2&keywords=gerber+crucial), while still others will prefer a fixed, small (maybe 3 or 4 inches) blade with a sheath.
  
  
• Polarised sunglasses. 'nuff said
  
  
• Tethers (like "croakies") for abovementioned hats and glasses. It's windy, things prefer to fall overboard than stay attached to you.
  
  
• Foul weather gear. In some places, even when it's nice on land it is cold and wet on the water. You can use hiking style soft/hard shell jackets and rain gear as well as a VAST assortment of sailing-specific jackets and pants. Look at the apparel sections at websites like westmarine or mauiprosailing.
  
  
• Books. "Sail Trim" and "Knots" are good places to start. Normally, you should avoid a "for dummies" or "eyewitness" type book for someone who is already sailing.
  
  Does he own the boat? Jackpot! You almost cannot go wrong if you talk to him and do a little bit of research. ALL boats, huge or tiny, need many somethings, all the time, forever. Some silly expensive, others affordable. Charts, Compass, Air-horn, Fenders, Tail-bags, Sheets, Blocks, Cleats, Clutches, Etc., Etc.
  
  Oh, can't figure it all out? Try this:
  
  http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ShopView?langId=-1&storeId=11151&catalogId=10001&page=Gift-Cards&redirectTo=WM

Honestly, I'd upgrade your binoculars first. Many of the birds you see on hikes will not stick around long enough for you to get a scope on them, and it is much harder to track a fast moving bird with a high powered scope. Scopes are a good supplement in certain situations; if you are studying shorebirds, at a stationary event, or wanting to show a cooperative bird to someone without needing them to find it in their bins. Scopes aren't really an "upgrade" from binoculars, but a compliment to your binoculars in specific situations.

Vortex makes very affordable binoculars of good quality. With better glass and a larger aperture you will be able to get much better looks at the birds, and be much more mobile. Plus they have one of the best warranties I have seen. A good pair of binoculars will improve your birding much more than a scope, especially for a casual birder. Once you start noticing an actual need for a scope (eg. simply can't make out the field marks due to distance, or find yourself surrounded by nearly identical shorebirds), then save up for a good one. I have the Vortex Razor HD 85mm and love it, but I only ever bring it out when I am leading a group or know I will be spending a good amount of time on shorebirds or looking for a specific bird.

I meant that you were lucky that your interest in stargazing was genuine and not just a spur of the moment thing that you were going to drop a week later.

And yes, binoculars are obviously not going to be as good as a telescope, but they're a great extra tool to have. You might not always be able to / want to bring your telescope with you everywhere. Binoculars are easy to drag along anywhere you travel. I keep mine in the trunk of my car. A good pair of binoculars is definitely a good thing to have for anyone interested in stargazing.

And seeing as how you can get a pretty good pair for 10% of the cost of the type of telescope you're talking about, I think it's a much safer way to get into stargazing.

I definitely agree that the safest thing to do is to go and visit a group nearby. Possibly attend a star party and talk to people who are already into the hobby. You'll get to gauge your interest without spending a dime. If that's not an option where you live though: I would highly recommend binoculars over immediately buying a telescope.

EDIT: Although thinking about it again, if you buy from Amazon you'll be able to just return it within a month anyway, right? So fuck it: Just start with whatever you want. You can easily return it if you hate it.

7x50 gives brighter images for evening or night time use. 8x42 is more compact. Best to pick budget and size first.

What you get by paying for the Outland X 8x42 is longer eye relief for comfortable use with eyeglasses, more magnification with the same true field of view, and a much more compact design. You also probably get better quality control or stronger construction or more subtle improvements throughout the optical system. Little stuff like bigger prisms, better coatings and internal baffling. The general image quality and sharpness will presumably be better when looking at bright objects. With binoculars, generally you get what you pay for.

The 7x50 will still give brighter views in the dark, because aperture beats quality, and porro prisms (the big angular binocular design) have better light throughput. The compact roof prisms inherently pass less light, so it's more expensive to coat them up to a given standard of quality. Btw, planets are boring through small binoculars, you will rather be scanning the milky way.

42mm porro prism binoculars would be more of a compromise between the merits of the two designs. I would rather get this than the outland 8x42, if the cometron is just too large:

https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-8245-ACULON-Binocular-Black/dp/B00B7LQ73U?th=1

It is well regarded.

I think there aren't any 50mm roof prism bins in this price range, like I said they are a more expensive design.

Glassing and the glass itself are incredibly vital to your hunt. I have these exact binos and they are amazing. They are about double what you are looking at but these have a lifetime warranty from Vortex. I have heard their customer service is amazing, as well.

I love the clarity and quality of these binos. They are an amazing value for the price. I would highly recommend checking them out. Good luck out there!

Thanks, this is a good bit of useful detail! And with that budget, you can get something really nice. Two things you should consider are that the exit pupil size is not the main determinant of field of view, and you also need to consider the factor of "eye relief" - which becomes relevant if you wear glasses. Here is a good buyer's guide
that discusses both eye relief and field of view. As you can see from the examples they provide, a field of view of 350 feet or more would be on the high end of what is generally available.

For your intended purpose, you would probably be best served by a model around 8x42 (to pick a common size). As you might expect - the higher the magnification, the smaller the field of view, other things being equal. The issue of weight is not so much a problem of carrying them around; it is an issue of how much time you can keep holding them up to your eyes without interruption!

Here is Amazon UK's page for an item you might want to consider which is well within your budget. And here are more detailed specs showing a field of view of 65^o or 425 feet. ( for comparison the 10x42 model has a field of view of only 341 feet.)

Celestron is a well-known maker of telescopes and binoculars, so I trust them. I would be wary of binoculars from vendors without established names in optics, especially since you have the budget to get a name brand. And even more expensive models don't seem to have a better field of view than what you would get here. Good luck!

As an owner of thee firstscope as well as a a 6" f/7 newtonian, the eyepieces that are included with the firstscope are absolutely terrible. I replaced them with cheap plossls at 25mm and 10mm which make this scope usable, but adds an additional 30-60 bucks to the price. Also this scope has no finderscope at all. Good luck getting an amateur to point it at anything with any accuracy. To fix, even a low cost RDF (+$10-20) or a GLP rubberbanded to the OTA (+10) is absolutely essential.

The secondary mirror is missized for this device (you can never get the full 76mm of aperture, its effectively stopped down to ~60mm) and the primary is not able to be collimated in anyway (mine has pretty extreme coma throughout the entire FOV, stars look more like a blownout * than anything approaching a single point even with a 25mm astrotech plossl). Jupiter was always distorted and saturns rings are barely noticeable. Bright open clusters were pretty nice as were very low mag views of the moon (again, with replacement eyepieces. the plastic huygen pieces it came with were always fuzzy and a PITA to use).

For the same $40ish dollars you can buy a nice 10x50 pair of binoculars which suffer very few of the drawbacks and several additional benefits.


I don't say these things to knock on the FirstScope, I did a lot of modifications to the primary cell to allow collimation, and with the added green laser pointer 'finder' and improved eyepieces its a nice little scope to keep in the car or scan starfields with. For the ~$100 or so all the add-ons cost, you can get a nicer tabletop scope than this one or used 90mm refract or 114mm dob. For the $50 of the Firstscope, most people be much happier with the views through 10x50 binoculars as well as it being much simpler to use out of the box.

If you can spend another $100, Nikon Monarchs, Eagle Optics Rangers, and Vanguard Endeavors are all solid and you can often find them for around $200 - $250. I've used all three and been pleased -- I think the Nikons have better optics, but I love the feel of the focus ring on the Vanguards.

I also owned a pair of Nikon Trailblazer 8x42s as my first pair, and I enjoyed them plenty. They are very cost-effective, I think, but you can definitely notice the better optics in the Monarchs. It looks like they sell some 25mm objective Trailblazers which look completely different (I've never used them, but they look pretty crappy). I can vouch for the 42mm ones though.

If you can swing just a little more than $200, the Vortex Diamondback 10x42 are a solid choice.

I just picked up a pair of Zeiss Terra ED 10x42 for $399 (no tax and free shipping) through Amazon. Previously, I had the Nikon Prostaff 7 10x42 that I had picked up at REI for $180 in June of 2013.

The Nikon's had been great for the year they lasted. Keep in mind I bird most every day. The Binoculars had a lot of use and abuse. The focus nob came un-glued from the focus wheel. The right eye cup came un-glued as well, but would still stay on. I sent them to Nikon and they're being replaced under warranty.

I've had my Zeiss for about 2 weeks now and I'm really enjoying their entry level binos. They're just a bit lighter than my Nikon's were. They focus very quickly and are very comfortable to hold and look through.

Hope that helps, and good luck deciding on a pair. So much to choose from out there.

This is just my $.02 internet cents .... If your budget is less than $300 stay with binoculars (I saw some.. I think it was 10x50? on amazon..) unless you can get a good used telescope. If you can go to $400 to about 7 or $800 an 80mm or 90mm refractor or a 6 or 8 inch dobby mounted newtonian(i have a 10" dobby newt). are good choices.

The binocs are nice also because you can use them at events ... or land level spotting etc.

here is the 10x50 - Orion 09351 UltraView 10x50 Wide-Angle Binoculars (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000XMRBM/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_wE6rybX4ERPX4

and a eq mount (didn't check compatibility)

Orion 9011 EQ-1 Equatorial Telescope Mount https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000XMX7K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_2F6rybNJHGEZM

Should come in around $300 new

edit the 8" dobby is my #1 recommendation as well if you can get your hands on one for 300 used, otherwise binocs new. Cheers.
Oh, and don't expect color looking at things like Orion Nebula. It will be wispy gray and gorgeous. The faint light does not fire your photoreceptors in your eyes, so you don't see color. Long exposure CCD's are needed to let a sufficient amount of photons to hit and the dobby isn't a good platform for DSO's to film, but you can get great shots of the moon with a 8" and a 2" eyepiece and a phone camera squished up to the eyepiece.
Last, a goto is... interesting. My dobby has a goto but I have never ever powered it on. 😅 I am getting around to it... someday but I enjoy all the knobs, dials, etc. and wiggling it around.

I bought these, and overall I am very happy with what I got for what I spent. I got these to supplement my telescope and for just enjoying the sky when I don't have my telescope around. I ended up keeping them in the trunk of my car and whip them out whenever I'm away from the city and it's dark. Since they are cheap, I'm not worried about hurting them. Because of the weird exit pupil (see below), views seem bright through them, which is nice when looking at the sky. I've spotted Andromeda, a couple bright nebulas like the lagoon and trifid nebula, lots of star clusters and globular clusters. Those objects won't be very big, but they are fun to find.

Here's a review from space.com of these guys, an editors pick.
>Runner-Up: Celestron Cometron 7x50 (Cost: $30)

>Yes, you read that price correctly! These Celestron lightweight, wide-field binoculars bring honest quality at a remarkably low price point. The compromise comes in the optics, particularly the prism's glass type (you might see a little more chromatic aberration around the edges of the moon, and the exit pupil isn't a nice, round circle). Optimized for "almost infinitely distant" celestial objects, these Cometrons won't focus closer than about 30 feet (9.1 meters). But that's fine for most sports and other outdoor use. If you're gift-buying for multiple young astronomers – or you want an inexpensive second set for yourself – these binoculars could be your answer. Just maybe remind those young folks to be a little careful around water; Celestron claims only that the Cometrons are "water resistant," not waterproof.

All that being said, I'm now on the hunt for a better pair of binoculars to try and get crisper views. I keep looking at these right now.

My recommendation is to not get her a telescope as a gift here, if you're on the mainland. Why? A few reasons.

• She's going to an astronomy program. If she isn't already knowledgeable and proficient in scope use, she will be soon. Many astronomy programs allow their students to use much larger, better scopes than you would be able to provide.
  
  
• Are you sure she doesn't already have a scope?
  
  
• Telescopes don't travel particularly well or cheaply. They can be logistical nightmares. It's probably better, if you really want to get her a scope, to get it sent directly to her in Hawaii.
  
  
• Dorm rooms don't have room for anything big like a Dobsonian, and anything more compact isn't going to be very good or within your price range.
  
  So what should you get her instead? A really nice pair of binoculars. They travel well and are a wonderful way to enjoy the night sky. You grow out of a $300 telescope in a few years, but a $300 pair of binoculars lasts a lifetime. Also, perhaps they are useful for taking in the volcanoes?
  
  If you want a recommendation, I'd go with these guys. . Space.com rated them as their top pick for medium binoculars, it's a reputable brand, and the price is fair.

Hello :-)

As /u/sflamel wrote -> For hand-held, <=10x magnification is recommended.

20x isn't overly high, so you can probably get away with any camera tripod.

• Cheap tripods 1 2 - Random links. These are not very rigid. I have a cheap one somewhat similar like these, and it works, even with my smaller spotting scope. But if you invest a bit more, they will be of noticeably better build quality.
  
  
• Binocular/Tripod adapter 1 - Random link, you can get them cheaper off ebay; 2^(YMMV/Long shipping times)
  
  Another alternative could be a mono-pod. 12345. Monopods are better for lower magnifications though; Also see this forum topic.
  
  The deluxe solution is THIS of course ;-)
  
   
  
  In the summer, when the ground isn't cold, you can also lay down and just rest them against your head.
  
  With these binoculars you'll going to be able to see the Gallilean moon's of Jupiter, Saturn will be a bit elongated 'dot', and of course many star clusters and a bunch of nebulae and galaxies will be visible as faint glow.
  
  Have fun!
  
  //edit: Added links

Monocular would be more compact but I always use binoculars as they are much more stable to view through.

If you're looking for decent compact binos then there are loads of options at a decent price but I reckon it would be easy to end up with tacky ones!

I have a pair of compact waterproof Busnell binos and they are great for just having in my bag and forgetting about until I want to use them!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006U0Z72U/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_r79sybQS2TGPB

This is them and I've used them for almost two years and if you're looking for compact id recommend them!

You'll want to look for something like this, but not necessarily that exact one. You'll want to make sure you find one that will fit the phone that will be used. The more expensive you go, the more universal and rugged they will be. The trouble is that the scope will lose balance if you go to heavy, making it hard to aim it (though you could always add some kind of a counterweight to the back).

This will not attach to a tripod, and I would absolutely not recommend trying to. The scope is heavy enough with enough mass that even a high-end camera tripod will not hold it steady enough for telescope observation. And if you're going to spend money on a tripod to go with this thing, then you might as well just spend more money on a bigger, full-size scope that doesn't require a tripod.

You will need a solid surface for this to sit on, ideally a surface that is separate from anything you're sitting on, as the slightest movements will induce vibrations that will be visible through the eyepiece. That is, try to avoid using it on a picnic table or something else that also serves as seating. Ideally, you'll have a platform like this:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F2KeHJjSDzE/VMGNE5azqCI/AAAAAAAAPn4/lvMC7EXmY5E/w549-h732-no/2015-01-22.jpg

Except I don't know any place that sells tripod stools like that commercially, so you might have to get creative.

first pair I bought

second pair

quality was night and day after using the first ones for 2 years, but my first pair worked great for two years ( didn't know any better, im in my 20's and have 20/20 vision). If i ever couldn't make something out i either got closer, or needed a scope.

my recommendation? buy what you can, but know that there are good options for cheap for someone with good eyes.

Personally, I would opt for binoculars. A scope would be a liability at the closer ranges you would shoot at, and eye relief would be an issue, whereas many binoculars are adjustable for use with eyeglasses and the like, and you can get a much nicer set of binoculars for the same price. For example, [these] (http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Waterproof-Fogproof-Prism-Binocular/dp/B006U0Z3BA) in 10x42mm. Your options are many and very nice for under $100. Plus I'm guessing that your gun doesn't go further so much as you just needing target ID at further ranges, which binoculars are perfect for.

If you insist on magnification physically on your gun, [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Arms-Gear-Generation-Magnifier/dp/B004BI4O3Q) would work. 4" eye relief should be enough for you to use through eye protection.

An 8" Dobsonian reflector telescope, such as the Orion XT8i with Intelliscope to help you find your way around the sky. $640.

The book NightWatch, $20.

The Backyard Astronomer's Guide, $30.

A planisphere. Get one appropriate for your latitude. $10.

A comfortable camping stool for sitting at the eyepiece, or your back will quickly complain. ~$30.

SkySafari for your iPhone/iPad, $3.

A pair of good binoculars, 8x50 or 10x50, $120.

A nice wide-field (62-degree) eyepiece, like the Explore Scientific 24mm. $140.

That's about $1000.

One more thing to add: a dark sky. Priceless.

If I had awesome binoculars like that. I'd be looking at some of the parallelogram binocular mounts. I've never used one. But I've heard people say they are great.

Orion 5379 Paragon-Plus Binocular Mount and Tripod https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YJPDN8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_rG5lDb2S56QAH

On the U.S. Amazon, they're $196 vs $277, but I've seen the Monarch 5's go for as low as $235. The price moves quite a bit and local shops and sporting outfits always have sales around the holidays. I like the Monarch 3's but the 5's don't have the prismatic edge fringe when viewing something with the sky in the background or when you've got a lighter contrasting background.

The Amazon Canada price is a little higher on the camo 3's but a bit less on the 5's than the links you posted.

I like using this website to track Amazon prices as they move up and down a lot. You can set an alert to send you an email when the price drops to your benchmark. It's really helpful when you're looking for something but you're not in a particular hurry. You just enter the Amazon URL and you can track all sorts of information.

Here's the page for the Monarch 5's.

https://ca.camelcamelcamel.com/NIKON-7577-MONARCH-10x42-Binoculars/product/B00C66C784


Also, whatever you do, don't buy an extended warranty from the shop. Nikon has a no-fault warranty on their products. You break it, they replace it. The store warranty is wasted cash and unethical.

It was nice having binoculars, but I don't think there's a need to spend hundreds of dollars. I got these $80 binoculars and they saw a good amount of use, particularly in Juneau when we saw 10 bald eagles in one day. They were also nice for seeing sea otters and bears from the ship.

Good for the money, but trying them side by side against the Vortex Vipers convinced me to save a bit longer for those. Also, those are going for $229 on amazon right now. Is priority shipping really $20? I have been using prime for so long that just seems crazy.

I would really recommend some good binoculars with image stabilization. Something like this actually. If it ain't L class, it ain't worth shit.

Are the skies really dark where you live?

Do you realize that the field of view of a telescope is so small, that finding what you are looking for is usually quite difficult for a beginner? Are you prepared to learn some proper "star hopping"?

I wanted a proper telescope too, so I bought a Funscope. I ended up giving my Funscope away because I couldn't find much with it.

People always recommend starting out with binos. They are right.

Get some adecuate binos, learn the sky. Marvel at a sky full of stars. See if you can catch Jupiter's moons, Andromeda, some nebulas. If after that you are still wanting more, go for an 8" dobsonian.

The Funscope, unless in knowing hands and great sky conditions, is a useless toy. Sorry.

Read these reviews and see what people are looking at with their binos: https://www.amazon.com/Orion-09351-UltraView-Wide-Angle-Binoculars/product-reviews/B0000XMRBM/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_btm?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=recent

Inexpensive or compact or good for star gazing. Pick 2 ^_^

For inexpensive astro take a look at the Nikon Action EX 7x50. $76 and waterproof but weighs 1kg.

The Bushnell Natureview 8x42 is $107 and 654g. Haven't heard much about this model but on paper it sounds okay.

The lightest option that should be decent for star gazing is the Vortex Solo 8x36. Costs $100 and weighs an unbeatable 275 grams.

I'm basing "good for star gazing" on Schaefer's magnitude formulas. And this is the list that I was working off of.

Image stabilized waterproof Canon 10x42s. Best of both worlds, but expensive.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-10x42-Stabilization-Waterproof-Binoculars/dp/B0007W4IW2

I've taken them from desert to jungle to glaciers and been happy with them.

I second the idea of a knife. Particularly the newer disposable blade ones like the Havalon Piranta (~$40) http://www.havalon.com/piranta-edge-skinning-knife-xt60edge.html

If your friend duck hunts, I might suggest instead a Mojo Teal decoy. You can never have too many motorized wing decoys (unless you live in Washington or another state where they are illegal) http://www.amazon.com/Mojo-Outdoors-Teal-Duck-Decoy/dp/B001COY80G

For a deer hunter in the West, a decent pair of binoculars occasionally falls into that range on sale. These are not in that range right now but I got them for ~$80 (http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Trophy-Binoculars-10x42mm-Collector/dp/B003B9ZFO8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1451110559&sr=8-6&keywords=binoculars+bushnell+prism)

Edit: PS you can never go wrong with a Cabela's or Bass Pro gift card

Check this. $300 pair of binocs at Basspro for $114 after the mail in rebate. I bought em, they're pretty awesome.

I got these on sale. I think they are great. Lite weight and good glass. I use them 3 or 4 times a week. I could never see myself spending over 100 bucks on binoculars. Highly suggest for the money

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006U3ZIWQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474598736&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=Bushnell%2BH2O&dpPl=1&dpID=51I2QBSiLWL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

Bushnell H2O Waterproof Compact Roof Prism Binocular, Black, 10 x 25-mm

I'm fairly sure those should meet all of your requirements. Bushnell makes a great product.

EDIT: On the Bushnell site, for tech specs

I will take your advice on the non-zoom ones. I heard that it compromises the image quality.

On last question... what do the numbers mean (i assume some sort of magnification, but not sure).

I am eyeing this non-zoom Nikon 8248 Aculon A211 10x50 Binocular (Black), you think he will be happy with this?

Im willing to spend a bit more if you think i can find something significantly better... (my max budget is ~$200 USD)

I just need lens caps for the other two sets of binos I got, one free pair, one Trophy pair for like $15 after the rebate.

So this isn't a rebate pair FYI, it's an Amazon deal of the day. It is the cheapest they've been according to Camelcamelcamel

I've been using one of these. Works great once you figure out the right adjustment.

Eyeskey Universal Phone Spotting Scope Adapter Mount Compatible with Telescope, Spotting Scopes, Binoculars, 106g (3.75oz) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J9F19I8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_3Q6ZAbC4TGKD6

If you want them for astronomy, you are going to need at least 10x magnification (although even 10x is too small I think). If you want them for camping, you are going to want the binoculars to be waterproof, shock resistant, and as small as possible (I've had large binoculars in the past, and they always ended up staying home because they were too big and bulky). I currently use the Bushnell Trophy XLT 10x28 (I chose this model because they are very small, and I'm not intro astronomy), but I suggest you look into the 10x42 version, which are a bit larger but better suited for amateur astronomy, as they capture more light (they appear to be right within your budget range on Amazon).

I’ve gotten Jupiter with the 70AZ, but nothing I’m proud enough to post yet. With how close it is right now you should be able to get a picture with the moons all in one shot. Do you have a bracket or something to hold the phone? There’s a bunch out there if you don’t, you can get them overnighted from Amazon for a total of less than $10. See below, hopefully the link works


Eyeskey Universal Phone Spotting Scope Adapter Mount Compatible with Telescope, Spotting Scopes, Binoculars, 106g (3.75oz) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J9F19I8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_whCbBbE27VCWJ

They are. Stellar binos for the money. I was hoping to get 150 for them. Had them for about five months.
Obligatory amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-8220-Trailblazer-8x42-Binoculars/dp/B000NK6XJ4/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1396466536&sr=8-7&keywords=nikon+trailblazers

I have a couple pairs that I’d recommend.


These would be my top pick:

Athlon Optics , Midas, Binocular, 8 x 42 ED Roof, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YLTG7DA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_McoTDbNQHBWAM


These would be my second pick:

Celestron - TrailSeeker 8x42 Binocular - Fully Multi-Coated Optics with Phase and Dielectric Coated BaK-4 Prisms - Waterproof, Fogproof, and Rubber Armored - 6.5' Close Focus https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B73JNKW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0doTDb6BGXHR5

I've been using these $84 Nikon 8245 ACULON A211 for two years of birding and they are reliable and "good enough" for the most part.

Eyeskey Universal Cell Phone Adapter Mount - Compatible with Binocular Monocular Spotting Scope Telescope and Microscope 106g (3.74oz) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J9F19I8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_2shCyb5EYFKZ5

This specific link said it was sold out , but I have seen it many times on Amazon in the past. This is just the exact link of where I got it

I don't know about the monarchs, but someone here will be able to clue you in.

Looking further, I find that the Vortex Diamondbacks are really highly regarded. They are on Amazon right now for $166

http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/2016_affordable_8x42/review.html

Vortex Optics New 2016 Diamondback 10x42 Roof Prism Binoculars https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0192GJLMU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_YqvCybKA6BN1H

I kinda want this for taking pictures of the stars telescope adapter

What kind did you get? I got this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J9F19I8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_nJLYAbKCMH30Z

Check this out.

You can always get a parallelogram mount for the binoculars. A bit pricy, but can work for all people.

Here's one such unit.

https://www.amazon.com/Orion-5379-Paragon-Plus-Binocular-Tripod/dp/B003YJPDN8

The only way I could make the 15x70s usable was to buy a tripod for it, which ended up costing me a bout a hundred dollars. Anything cheaper was not stable enough to hold them.

The ones I personally have are these, although /u/eyesontheskydotcom posted cheaper ones and he's more of an expert than I am!