Optics Retailers

Fatbirder regularly reviews birding optics… check out the archives before buying and look at our specific advice HERE on what you need to know before you decide which optics are right for you.

After reviews, decent optics retailers are often the best source of information about birdwatching equipment. It pays them to make sure you get equipment that suits you, not necessarily the most expensive option. Some of the sites have comparisons of equipment, league tables etc. One or two exhibit a range of optics in the field at various reserves. Some manufacturers (see Optics Manufacturers) also thoroughly review their own products and are also good sources for spare parts.

Take the long view… I say ‘decent’ retailers because there are differences. General stores do not have expertise, nor do they look after customers after they have made the sale. I would avoid the ‘pile them high, sell them cheap’ merchants. I wouldn’t be tempted to select your binoculars from reviews and personal experience and then buy from a cheap store either, as you don’t get the after-sales service. And when it comes to upgrading or downgrading come to that, most of those will not stock or take second-hand gear; the good retailers do.

Spotted Eagle Owl Bubo africanus – ©Dubi Shapiro – Owner Operator of some of the best optics around!

Using a specialist retailer is like buying from a delicatessen rather than a supermarket, one has an intimate knowledge of what they sell, the other not so much. This can, too, be true of retail chains as the local staff are knowledgeable, and they also have a network of stores when you relocate.

If you are thinking of buying, take advantage of the modern trend of optics suppliers to go out in the field and show you their wares on your local reserve… it is definitely the way to see what suits you rather than just buying on reputation.

Most of the retailers listed supply worldwide, but you may need to add local tax when importing (e.g. Europeans may have to add VAT to US prices etc.) The mark-up of makers to retailers is often high, but almost all the top brands dictate the retail price leaving very narrow margins for discounters. This is done to keep ‘quality’ optics far more expensive than ‘cheap’ models. But, test everything out often the optical difference between inexpensive optics and the prestige brands is marginal – the difference may well be the after-sales service and guarantee length. I’d say ten years is the shortest acceptable guarantee, excepting trauma or fair wear and tear.