Binoculars for Butterflies

[wint]

Occasionally I get caught in the position of having a butterfly (or dragonfly) too close for my binoculars to focus (< 3m) and was thinking of getting an additional short focussing pair which can be in my pocket for such occasions.

I've found the following http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4044 by searching the web but wondered if anyone had actually tried them seen any reviews of them etc.

Thanks for any feedback.

[Perseus]

Occasionally I get caught in the position of having a butterfly (or dragonfly) too close for my binoculars to focus (< 3m) and was thinking of getting an additional short focussing pair which can be in my pocket for such occasions.

I've found the following http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4044 by searching the web but wondered if anyone had actually tried them seen any reviews of them etc.

Thanks for any feedback.

Good post. Most binoculars are unsuitable. I was thinking of dragonflies mostly where they cannot be approached because of the water.

I went as far as ascertaining than a close focus of four foot was all that was needed and there may be another make of binoculars that go this close and they may be better at longer distances. I cannto remebr the make right now.

A I have managed to lose my pocket binoculars, I am looking for a replacement pair that will fit in my pocket.

My main uses for binoculars are for viewing garden birds, estuarine birds (when a scope is needed really), and occasionally dragonflies (which need a close focus). Butterflies, I rarely need binoculars, but I like a pair in my pocket (rather than large pair) just in case.

Adur Butterfly & Large Moth List
http://www.glaucus.org.uk/Butterfly-list2005.html
Adur Butterfly Flight Times
http://www.glaucus.org.uk/Butterflies1X.htm


Cheers

Andy Horton
glaucus@hotmail.com
Adur Valley (West Sussex) Nature Notes
http://www.glaucus.org.uk/Adur2006.html
Adur Valley Nature Notes: January 2006
http://www.glaucus.org.uk/Jan2006.html

[Trev Sawyer]

The Pentax Papilio 8.5 x 21 binoculars mentioned earlier in this thread have a list price of around £120, but with a little digging, it is possible to find them on sale for under £80. I've recently taken the plunge and bought a pair and they really are excellent for close range work - get in close and wing details etc. are amazing. They can obviously also be used for longer range searching and I look forward to scanning the treetops for black hairstreaks in a few weeks time. Let's hope the sun comes out again one day and I actually get the chance to use them!
Trev

[Perseus]

Papillo are on my shortlist at number one.

[Will]

Papillo are on my shortlist at number one.

Tecno currently have the 6.5x21 Papilio for only £56.81!! Mine arrived yesterday and they are superb value at that price. They certainly live up to the claims made for them. Cheap computer designed, Chinese manufactured binoculars are amazingly good these days.