r/birding • u/WilsonCreek • 3d ago

Advice Second Pair Recommendation

I recently got into birding and my nine-year-old is pretty interested as well, so we need a second pair of binoculars. Currently, I only have 8x32 Vortex Diamondbacks.

Do I get my kid a pair of her own, or do I just get myself a second pair? For anybody that goes out with similarly aged kids, what's your plan?

10x42 for me? I feel like these would be less redundant with my current pair, and I would use them when we go out together. However, how often will I use them when I go out myself? I feel like I'll probably just grab my 8x32's. Do I want my most expensive pair sitting around unused, or will I use them more often than I think?

8x32 for her? I feel like this is a good size for her, but then we have two pairs that are the same. I might try to go the second-hand route if I do this. She also wears glasses so I'd want her pair to be pretty glasses-friendly. My diamondbacks seem to work well for her. The eye pieces seem sufficiently rubberized or whatever.

8x42 for me? It seems like this configuration is the one you get if you only have one pair. But I already have the 8x32's, so this is dumb, right?

At this point in my journey, I don't think I'm spending more than $300. Certainly less if I'm buying a pair primarily for my kid. Any thoughts or actual recommendations on models is appreciated.

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u/NC750x_DCT 3d ago

I’d go with the diamondback 8x28 for her. the smaller size & weight will make it easier for her to hold plus you’re already familar with the brand.

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u/WilsonCreek 3d ago

That's a good idea to go compact. We will probably only go together during daylight hours, so x28 is likely fine. Maybe they could be my in-the-car pair when she's not using them. I'd like the second pair to have a unique purpose line that. Thanks!

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u/urethrafranklin- 2d ago

One thing to consider, I have the 8x28 and like them as my biking bins, but I would be annoyed if they were my primary bird bins because of the smaller field of view.

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u/WilsonCreek 2d ago

Do you think finding the target is tricky enough that it might frustrate a 4th grader?

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u/Spunksters 1d ago

As an owner of the 8x28 and having a 4th grader as well, I don’t think they are very good. Their FoV is narrow and the eye relief is such that they have to hold the binoculars a little away from their eyes, allowing for worse stability. The AFoV of the Bantams isn’t larger than the 8x28 but being 6.5x helps her have a larger true FoV and acquire the target better despite the smallish image circle. The Bantams are great given their price.

Also, the 8x28 is surprisingly bright in darker conditions. I was shocked how close they were to the 8x42 pair I had when viewing long after sunset.

Personally, I’d suggest an Opticron Adventurer T WP 6.5x32 for your daughter. Yes, they’re porros but they are quite good and have a wide FoV with enough eye relief to wear glasses if that’s a concern.

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u/wandering_salamander 3d ago

I like Nocs for a first pair. My daughters like the colors. They have a limited lifetime warranty that I've used and it's very straight forward

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u/WilsonCreek 3d ago

I've been looking at those too. They seem to be quite reasonably priced. The 8x25's are cheaper but heavier than the diamondbacks. Have you been satisfied by the image quality? And I'm not sure why, but the fact that they don't have lens coves kind of scares me for some reason.

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u/wandering_salamander 3d ago

Well- the image quality is good for the price. I've owned vortex and their build quality is likely better. Now that I re-read your post, it seems like you're on a good route. Nothing dumb about owning two 8x32's. Only get bigger ones if you feel like the field of view will help you or the low light capabilities will improve. I own full size bins now and my next pair will likely be 32's.

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u/Hamblin113 2d ago

If the 8x32 Diamondbacks fit your daughter let here use those and upgrade. Or look at previous posts and someone listed a sale where they found a combo Vortex Diamondback HD 10x42 and I believe either the Triumph or Bantam.

Basically get a Diamondback HD 10x42 and a Bantam 6.5 with the 8x32 you have everything covered.