Thanks to all who responded. I have compiled suggestions and testimonials
below.
Jane Tillman
Austin
1. BH Photo and Video was recommended by several Texas birders.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/optics/ci/978/N/4294541872
· I always found their prices to be competitive, and their service
to be excellent â *Kingsville birder*
· Weâve been very happy with B&H out of New York. Free shipping, no
tax and they have very competitive pricing. Very reliable. *Birders T&C S*
· I have used B&H for many years both as a professional and amateur
photographer for my photographer needs and have been 100% satisfied with
the prices and service... If I need new sporting optics, this is where I
would
go without hesitation.
*Belton birder *
Hereâs a link to B&H and their Vortex selection:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclküt_brand_name-
vortex&ci10&fctüt_brand_name%7cvortex&N@83534123
2. Adorama was also given a positive review.
https://www.adorama.com/l/Binoculars-and-Scopes/Binoculars-and-Accessories/Binoculars
<https://www.adorama.com/l/Binoculars-and-Scopes/Binoculars-and-Accessories/Binoculars>
3. If you would like to keep your dollars within Texas, consider buying
your next binocular at Land, Sea, and Sky (aka Texas Nautical Repair) in
Houston. https://www.landseaskyco.com
· They are one of the top astronomy dealers in the country, and
stock a great selection of binoculars. They are the optics partner for
Houston Audubon, and support the High Island Spring Birding events. They
have been regularly appearing at the Galveston FeatherFest, and this past
year have been the primary optics seller at the HummerBird Festival in
Rockport, the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival, the whooping Crane
Celebration in Port Aransas, and most recently at the West TX Hummingbird
Festival in Fort Davis. Give them a call or check out their website - they
have a great staff. â *Corpus birder*
· Every scope and pair of binoculars I ever purchased were at Land
Sea and Sky. My Dad bought me a spotting scope there in 1964. My wife and I
bought two new pairs of binoculars there recently. It's been a quality and
reliable supplier for three generations. My grandfather introduced me to
the owner in the 60s and I met an apprentice I would know for 50 years. He
became the owner and recently sold the business to the current owners. I
like to buy local but mostly I want to buy the best from the best. I know
they will always stand by what they sell. *Kingswood area birder*
· I left my binoculars on my back porch. It rained! Land, Sea
and Air dried then out and fixed them up as good as new. Fair price.
*SW Houston birder*
· I bought my first binoculars at Land, Sea and Sky and they made
an excellent recommendation. They also fixed them when they got wet in my
kayak. They were very helpful letting me try out diffent binos. I bought my
2nd pair from Optics 4 Birding and used their binocular scorecard to make a
selection-also worked well. Incidentally-both pairs of binos are Celestron
8 x 42's which are not a huge investment but work well. *Birder JH*
4. Bass ProShop has very good prices and selections â *Houston birder*
5. Iâd look at the reviews, esp. Cornellâs, then contact the manufacturers
for a retail source, if they donât sell retail themselves. â *Birder FO*
6. I always recommend birdwatching.com-a website/store owned by a couple
who are always helpful and provide reviews/recommendations for each price
range on their website. You can also call them and talk with one of them!
They use groups of birders to do their testing. No sales tax for
Texans. *Birder
SW*
7*. *If you're ever in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, the birder-friendly
Alamo Inn sells a nice selection of mid-range-priced bins by Alpen,
Opticron, and Brunton; they also sell Swarovski for a little more... ;-)
They can ship optics as well;* Valley birders*
*8. *I bought my 2nd pair from Optics 4 Birding *http://www.optics4birding.com/
<http://www.optics4birding.com/>*and used their binocular scorecard to make
a selection-also worked well. Incidentally-both pairs of binos are
Celestron 8 x 42's which are not a huge investment but work well. *Birder
JH*
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