National Geographic – 4×30 Binoculars

A. Deacon

at 1:26 pm

Unlike the previous three reviewers, who each gave 5 stars, I’m going to give only two.

It’s a cliche to say “You get what you pay for”. It’s not a cliche I always agree with. Any fool can pay over the odds for something expensive that is no better quality than something inexpensive. But there are times when the cliche is true.

I got these binoculars free with something or other – I forget what. I looked out of the window and, well, yes, things looked bigger. Then, for comparison, I looked through another pair of binoculars, not a super-expensive pair, but free with a National Trust membership. I was amazed at the difference. The National Trust bins were so much sharper, so much clearer. Remember, this was not a £200 Zeitz pair of bins, this was another freebie.

Children (under 5) who don’t know any better might be pleased with these “binoculars” (shame on National Geographic for putting their name on this product). But, frankly, compared to anything else, they are rubbish.

pros:

* Bright yellow means easily found when lost in undergrowth.

* Lightweight yet sturdy. Unlike most bins, won’t break when dropped

* Low magnification (4x) makes them more child-friendly

* Little compass on the top stimulates curiosity

* Size and shape means easily gripped by small hands, yet will fold to accommodate young (=close-together) eyes.

cons:

* Absolutely everything to do with the view obtained:

Sharpness, Brightness, Contrast, Eye Relief, Field of View:

* It’s like looking down two (bright yellow = distracting) tunnels. But hey, when I was three, I was happy looking through a toilet roll tube. I concede, these bins are more fun than a toilet roll.

* Other bins have individual eye adjustment. These don’t. Though this is irrelevant if both eyes are perfect or at least the same prescription. Also, no adjustment = simpler = better for kids.

* Limited range of focus means they cannot easily accommodate short- or long-sight.

* The focus wheel is quite stiff – little fingers might have difficulty. Low magnification however, means a greater Depth of Field, meaning less need to focus. Besides, children’s eyes auto-focus better than ours.

Summary: Okay as a toy for a 3-year-old. But if you are hoping to foster an interest in birdwatching or similar, spend just a little bit more and get something half-decent. Don’t go mad on the magnification – go for 8x or less. If view is all-important, for under £100 you’ll get better with old-fashioned “porro” bins. These have dog-legs unlike the more modern-looking twin-tube “roof” bins.

If you are feeling extremely generous, for an older child with wider-set (56mm+) pupils (or for yourself!), you can’t beat the magical window into the beauty of the world of insects and flowers given by the Pentax Binoculars

Less generous? A child’s hands might be too small but..the 7dayshop 10×42 roof may not have the best optics ever, but is well-built and amazing value (I know, I did say 8x or less but…)
Rating: 2 / 5

Champagne

at 6:08 pm

Excellent first pair of binoculars – very durable and colourful to find in long grass, too! Works very well, and brings things nicely close up, in sharp focus, too. Ideal for younger children who want to be like older brothers or parents who have their own more expensive set.
Rating: 5 / 5

Mrs. C. E. Watkins

at 9:51 pm

these are perfect for looking at wildlife in your back garden, from the back room window, but for any bigger distance these would disappoint. great for the price, and just what we needed them for.
Rating: 4 / 5