Does anyone know anything about binoculars?

[Swoop]

1.7km?

Get a good tripod and a spotting scope, forget the bino's.

[beyond]

For general viewing get a pair of 8x40's
Anything more than 8x magnification means you can't hold them still enough to get a good clear image and they aren't too heavy to hold for long periods.
Most the top brand stuff is good including Nikons but you get what you pay for.

Go cheap and your viewing times will be severely shortened from eyestrain.

If you want to watch the birds getting their rags off you will need a high power good qulaity terrestrial telescope and it might pay to win the lotto.

[Dooly]

Thanks for the replies.

Checked my existing one and it is a Nikon 8x40.
So I guess I'm looking for one that gives more distance, or zoom?

[beyond]

Nikon 8x40 are good binos.

More magnification will mean a steady hand (lay off the coffee) or a good solid stand or tripod to mount it on. Even a 10x50 can be hard to hold still enough to get a clear image without shake.

You could spend a bit more and get a Vibration Reduction model with higher magnification like a 10x50 oe 12x50 but they start getting up a bit in price.

[skidMark]

i always just thought they were good for spying on yer neighbours shagging?