Can you recommend good binoculars?

[wdfifteen]

I need good binoculars or maybe a small telescope.

There is a bald eagle nesting about half a mile from me and I'd like to keep an eye on it. They are pretty rare around here.

I can see it better through my camera with a 300mm lens than through the binoculars I have - Bushnell 10x50. The image is hazy through the binoculars.



What would you recommend I use to watch the nest?

[crb07]

Cheap spotting scope with a tripod will be less than quality binocs. How much do you want to spend?

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by crb07

Cheap spotting scope with a tripod will be less than quality binocs. How much do you want to spend?

That's really it with optics...how good do you wish to spend? I second the spotting scope/tripod comment.

http://www.opticsden.com/best-spotting-scope-aw-lp/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI75Gb8bfO2gIVCb3sCh3YGQiBEAMYASA AEgIUdfD_BwE

[varmint]

Craigslist.

[varmint]

There’s a pair who used to nest in our yard. I called them Ron and Nancy. My wife called them screechy and cat killer. Beautiful to look at.

[KFC911]

There are a few optic gurus here. Are you looking in low light or broad daylight?

[masraum]

I have a set of these and like them. They are 20x, so they'll provide twice as much magnification as your current 10x. You'll probably want a tripod to mount them to or something to brace them against as they are pretty big. I use them for astronomy from my balcony, and a little bit for looking at birds.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1113197-REG/pentax_65874_20x60_sp_wp_binocular.html

Otherwise, yeah, a spotting scope would be a good option too.

[CurtEgerer]

From 1/2 mile away, you'll want 50-60X on a tripod. Spotting scope is the way to go. Just go to Amazon and search spotting scope. There's dozens of decent ones on there. I'd go with an 80mm diameter lens - it will be far brighter than a 60mm.

[crb07]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

From 1/2 mile away, you'll want 50-60X on a tripod. Spotting scope is the way to go. Just go to Amazon and search spotting scope. There's dozens of decent ones on there. I'd go with an 80mm diameter lens - it will be far brighter than a 60mm.

Hook up a digital camera. Post pics.

[dad911]

flyby with a quadcopter?

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by crb07

Hook up a digital camera. Post pics.

That's possibility. I was looking at spotting scopes on Amazon and they have one that you can mount your iPhone on. The price is reasonable, too.

[vash]

Super cool! How long till that tree grows some leaves?

I have a 45x 65mm Vortex Vioer sporting scope that I like. Mid pack scope since it is my least used optics. About $500 IIRC.

[NZVW]

LEICA SPOTTING SCOPE APO TELEVID 82.

Spoil yourself

[vash]

Originally Posted by NZVW

LEICA SPOTTING SCOPE APO TELEVID 82.

Spoil yourself

My friend left me one for two years. I almost cried giving it back to him. At 70 yards you can read the text on a a dollar bill. With clarity.

[NZVW]

At 75 yards I use my Leica 82 to dial my .22 FX Wildcat Pre charged air rifle in to the point that I can hit the phosphorous head off matches.
Sometimes they even catch fire if "grazed"..

[gr8fl4porsche]

Harbor Freight sells a cheap 60 power spotting scope that will work just fine if you only want to spend a few bucks. Even includes a cheap tripod.

I have a pair of Vortex Crossfire’s that I like. As said above, half mile is far for binoculars.

[John Rogers]

Several years ago I needed a spotting scope for use at the shooting range. I bought a Barska 30-90x100 for a bit less than $100 and now it is a bit more. The important number is the last one as the larger it is the more light gets in. I can see hits at 300 yards when we do night shoots and it is nearly dark. I seldom take it off the 30 (min. magnification) even at 300 yards away.

[NZVW]

Dont get me wrong,, you need not spend a fortune on optics theses days.
$150 USD will get you everything you need, with perhaps a camera or iphone mount so you can record the going on's in that nest.
It really is lot of fun,,