(Part 2) Best binoculars according to redditors
We found 554 Reddit comments discussing the best binoculars. We ranked the 169 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 21-40. You can also go back to the previous section.
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.
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:
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
4-Pack Plastic Solar Eclipse Glasses https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072Q9SQFC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_l-YFzbG4C2F0A
Eclipser HD Glasses https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A9OVOA6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_4aZFzbYPCXXK6
Celestron EclipSmart Binocular 10x25 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MAX8ZB7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_2dZFzbPS8Y2KW
Soluna Solar Eclipse Glasses - CE and ISO Certified 10 Pack Cardboard Eclipse Glasses https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9T9CZL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fgZFzbT8CTF83
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.
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.
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! =)
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
Hi, I would avoid that scope if I were you, it's liable to turn you off astronomy more than pull you into it.
The most affordable worthwhile scope out there at the moment (imho) is the AWB Onesky.
If your budget doesn't amount to that much, I would recommend finding either a pair of decent 10x50 binoculars attached to a cheap tripod with a Barska Adapter
Alternatively you might be able to find a used 4 or 6" dobsonian for under $150.
The best beginners book on backyard astronomy is definitely Nightwatch, and it should be followed by the more in depth Turn Left at Orion
Hope that helps!
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.
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 ;-)
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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
I just purchased a set of these and can't wait for them to arrive. I've never directly observed the sun before.
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
Appropriate username I suppose. =P
Edit: I found this adapter. Now I just need to see if it'll fit my scope's eyepiece.
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.
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!
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&amp;qid=1474598736&amp;sr=8-1&amp;pi=SX200_QL40&amp;keywords=Bushnell%2BH2O&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=51I2QBSiLWL&amp;ref=plSrch&amp;th=1&amp;psc=1
Rule of thumb is avoid cheap refractors. With refractors you need top notch optics to get good results, and you will never find them on cheaper ones. Don't be fooled by the magnification number, 300x magnification is useless when your optics cannot produce good results to begin with. It's just a cheap trick they use to impress beginners
Your best bet, with a 200€ budget is to get a good pair of binoculars, something around 15x70 and a tripod. If you still want a telescope, what you need is a reflector. Check out the dobsonians in Amazon, they're great and pack a lot of power for what you pay for, best bang for your buck as a beginner. Example: Orion 8944 SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian Telescope https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DDW9UW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DsWCCb75RADY1
Telescopes are one thing where price does really matter though, it is advised to spend as much as you can on one, because quality and results obtained exponentially go up the pricier they are.
My suggestion would be to get a pair of nice binoculars, and if you like what you see thru them in the night sky (completely dark, away from City lights preferably) save up for a nice telescope. I've seen quite a few deep sky objects with just these cheap Olympus 10x50 ones, in completely dark skies. Olympus Trooper 10x50 DPS I Binocular (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AKGX3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_HIWCCb36S5DK2
Good luck!
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.
Btw, these are the binos i have, they are very good and well suited to what you need (well regarded in the astro community) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0000AKGX3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_03alyb4PQB7H9
They are listed at quite a high price right now, I'd expect them to half in price on blackfriday or the holidays. Use camelcamelcamel to set up a price watch. :)
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.
I bought a less powerful version of these, which lets you see it a little larger. I can even see some sunspots (when there are some, which there aren't right now). The problem is that the sun is really hard to find in those things. The field of view is pretty small and everything but the sun is just black, and you don't want to look at the sun to get it lined up.
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.
Oops, I ignorantly assumed you were in the US. And yeah, they're only $90 here. They're high quality binoculars, but $200 is definitely a bit steep. It's a shame most binoculars I'm familiar with seem to be vastly more expensive in Canada.
Hm, these Orion E-Series 10x50's could be an option. They're sealed to be waterproof/dustproof, but not fogproof. Sharp & clear optics, plenty of eye relief to be used with glasses (I've tried them myself), and the same wide field of view.
There might something cheaper that's equally as good, but I'm not sure.
This was my first set of binos..loved them for many years.
http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Waterproof-Fogproof-Prism-Binocular/dp/B006U3ZIWQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1376673982&amp;sr=8-4&amp;keywords=bushnell+8+x42
(4x magnification seems to be the most popular, at least from my search... But again, mine were a gift, so I didn't choose them. Love them, though. And it's kind of nice to know that I can use them for other things, if I want to.)
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.
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
I have always loved backyard birds.
My husband recently got me a pair of expensive binoculars and (Wow!) they really make bird-watching that much more fun.
If you want a nice pair, I recommend spending around $100 or more.
Nikon 8252 ACULON A211 10-22x50 Zoom Binocular (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B9Z24J0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_8LBuDbYDQTBZN
What do you think of this pair? Is it missing anything crucial ? https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00B9Z24J0/ref=psdcmw_297842_t2_B00LAT2QFM?th=1&amp;psc=1
Oh and also sorry for the US assumption. I should have said area instead of state. I'm actually not sure how much info Cornell has for other countries, but I hope if you're in a different country there will hopefully be a comprehensive website about your birds. I know there is one for Britain. Anyway, happy birding, and one more tip, if you're serious about wanting to bird, binoculars are a must. I have this pair and I love them: https://www.amazon.com/Wingspan-Optics-Binoculars-Waterproof-Magnification/dp/B01JU747YS Make sure you get waterproof binoculars, you WILL forget them in the rain at some point, or accidentally drop them in water.
I just bought a 2x pair of Monarchs for birding with my gf. Amazon also recommended these two, does anyone have any experience with either?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07HKLFCQD/ref=psdcmw_297842_t1_B00C66C784
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06XT7M6P5/ref=psdcmw_297842_t3_B00C66C784
Since we're total noobs idk if I'll see a benefit with the Monarchs but I did read they were th best bang for buck! But spending $520 was kinda a lot lol
Thanks, I ended up buying these binoculars:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EZZ5WM2/
alongside this tripod:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K8U2EBK
and the adapter listed in that thread. Hoping they all work out!
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.
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&amp;showViewpoints=1&amp;sortBy=recent
Celestron EclipSmart 2017 North American Total Solar Eclipse Binocular, Black, 10x25 (71237) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MAX8ZB7/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Make sure you understand this binocular is for solar viewing only. The solar filters are built directly into the objective lenses. I bought these on Prime Day and they do the job.
I have an Olympus 10x50 that works pretty well. Obviously you won't be able to see planets up close, but you can see the Orion Nebula, Andromeda Galaxy, and the moon.
Some worry about the stability with 10x magnification, but provided you have steady hands, it's not something to be concerned about.
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!
Well, most of the big websites like Amazon have sold out already, but you still have options:
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Astrozap makes good quality solar filters, and they have variable sized packs.
Astronomers Without Borders is good for bulk purchasing (>10). The money also goes to a good cause.
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If you want something more fancy, Celestron has some rather neat stuff.
Celestron still has some 2x mini solar viewers available. They have a 2x magnification for better viewing.
Amazon still has some Celestron dedicated solar binoculars with permanent filters if you want to have some long-term use viewers. They have 10x25 and 10x42. Might not be the best option if everyone wants their own item, though.
Which model do people recommend?
This is what I've been using: https://www.amazon.com/Wingspan-Optics-Binoculars-Waterproof-Magnification/dp/B01JU747YS
Athlon Midas 8X42
I got an open box deal on Amazon and they're the best $200 I've ever spent.
It was when I posted 2 hours ago, what can I say.
All eclipse glasses on Amazon are sold out right now, so it was only a matter of time until these binoculars did too.
Here's a $30 pair still available with Prime shipping as of this comment:
https://www.amazon.com/Sunoculars-Mini-magnification-Eclipse-Glasses/dp/B01J4FQXS4
I like the look of the Nikon ones... the A211 is more in my budget also.
What do you think of this one? Nikon 8252 ACULON A211 10-22x50 Zoom Binocular (Black)
The reviews seem good, but i want the opinion of a real sailor.
Thanks again for the advice! I want to make sure i get him a gift he'll be very happy with.
http://www.amazon.com/Carson-HookUpz-Binocular-Binoculars-IB-442/dp/B00FFUAXLQ
and they have accessories for it too
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
I found these but they are 9 feet, I'd have to move my couch...or my tank LOL!
Standing still works for the fish who come out, but my concern was the loaches as it can be hard to count them; when they come out they are so fast. It can be hard to see if there's a problem. One of my girls seemed like there may have been an issue, but I could never see her well, so I treated prophylactically and I don't generally like to do that.
You won't get a decent refractor at that budget. You could get a reflector, but they're not as robust as a refractor and probably not ideal for a 5 year old. They also don't look like a "traditional" telescope.
If you want to look at reflectors anyway, https://www.firstlightoptics.com/heritage.html is a good starting point.
A decent pair of 10x50 binoculars is a better idea. You can get a reasonable pair for about £50 - https://www.firstlightoptics.com/all-binoculars/opticron-adventurer-porro-10x50-binoculars.html or https://www.amazon.co.uk/Olympus-118760-Binocular-10x50-DPS-1/dp/B0000AKGX3 You can mount them on a camera tripod with an adapter - https://www.firstlightoptics.com/all-binoculars/opticron-l-type-binocular-tripod-bracket-adapters.html
I have a pair of Nikon compact binoculars that I love because they are so small and portable. http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-8217-Binoculars-TRL-Blazer/dp/B000NO5OYA/ref=pd_cp_p_1
I know everything I've read says to get at least 40mm optics, and there are definitely times that I wish things were a little bit brighter, but these things are just so easy to carry.
I use the $12 one with a spotting scope and it works great
These:
10 x 50 Powerful Binocular for Bird Watching Stargazing Outdoor Sightseeing Climbing Traveling Sport Game Concerts,Durable Portable and Fully Coated Lens,w/Carrying Case Strap Clean Cloth Lens Caps https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQVXHUM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_kfKLzb1R62JNR
And these:
Sunoculars Mini (Red) with 6x the magnification of Eclipse Glasses https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J4FQXS4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_mjGVwLcSU6sDh
I'm really worried about using the real binoculars during totality. I had a hard time finding the sun with the solar pair. Granted, I only spent a couple of minutes while I was at work. Gotta be fast when it really goes. Lol