Try them before you buy them
Swarovski, Zeiss, Leica, Hawke and more, side by side at our Beulah Street shop, with someone who knows the difference.
- 4.9 on Google
- ✓ Authorised dealer: Swarovski, Zeiss, Leica, Opticron
- ✓ Part-exchange welcome
Try binoculars before you buy in Harrogate
Yes, you can. Come into our shop at 6 Beulah Street, Harrogate, and compare new and pre-owned binoculars from Swarovski, Zeiss, Leica, Opticron, Hawke and the other makers we stock, side by side, before you choose. Drop in Monday to Saturday, 9:30am to 5pm, or book a try-out and we'll have a shortlist ready for your budget and use.
Two pairs with the same numbers can look very different. Brightness, sharpness at the edges, how the focus wheel feels and how they sit in your hands only show when you look through them.
- Compare sizes and powers. Try 8x against 10x, and 32mm against 42mm, to see which view and weight suit you.
- New and pre-owned together. See whether a pre-owned premium pair beats a new mid-range one for the same money.
- Bring your glasses if you wear them, so you can check the eyecups and the full view with them on.
- Part-exchange welcome. Bring your old pair and put its value towards the new one.
Buying pre-owned? Read what to check when buying used binoculars.
What our customers choose
Best sellers at every budget
From a first pair for walks to the glass birders save up for. These are the models that leave our shop most often.
Shop by brand
The makers we stock
Buying guide
What do the numbers mean?
In 8x42, the 8 is the magnification and the 42 is the width of the front lens in millimetres. A bigger lens lets in more light, and more magnification means more reach and more shake.
8x42: the all-rounder
A wide, bright view that's easy to hold steady. The best first choice for birding and walking if you're not sure.
10x42: for distance
More reach across estuaries, moors and open country. The view is a little narrower and shows more hand shake.
Compact (25–32mm): to carry
Light enough to live in a coat pocket for travel, gigs and days out. Less bright at dusk than a 42mm.
Pre-owned
Premium optics, pre-owned
Checked and tested in our shop. Each listing shows its own warranty length.
Book a try-out
We'll have them ready for you
Tell us what you're after and when you'd like to visit. We'll set a few pairs aside so you can compare them without rushing.
6 Beulah Street, Harrogate HG1 1QQ
Monday–Saturday, 9:30–5 · 01423 538138
For the hide and the shoreline
Spotting scopes
Upgrade
Part-exchange
Trade in the binoculars, scope or camera you no longer use and put its value towards your new pair.
Get a part-exchange quoteQuestions
Choosing binoculars
Still unsure? Ask us anything, or just come in and look through a few pairs.
Can I try binoculars before I buy them in Harrogate?
Yes. Come into our shop at 6 Beulah Street, Monday to Saturday, 9:30am to 5pm, and compare pairs side by side. Book a try-out if you'd like us to have a shortlist ready for your budget and use.
Do I need to book to try binoculars?
No, you're welcome to drop in during opening hours. If you book, we'll have a shortlist ready for your budget and use, and you won't wait if we're busy.
What should I bring to a try-out?
Your glasses if you wear them, and an idea of what you'll mostly use the binoculars for and your rough budget. If you're part-exchanging, bring your old pair too.
8x or 10x magnification?
8x gives a wider, steadier and brighter view, which suits most birding and walking. 10x brings distant subjects closer but shows more shake. Trying both is the quickest way to decide.
Is pre-owned worth it?
Premium binoculars last for decades, so a checked pre-owned Swarovski, Zeiss or Leica is often better value than a new mid-range pair. Each listing shows its condition and warranty length.
Can I part-exchange my old binoculars?
Yes. Bring them in or send us details through our sell and part-exchange page for a quote.
Do you deliver?
Yes, we deliver across the UK by DHL Express. See our delivery page for details.
Open Mon–Sat, 9:30am–5pm
Real people, in a real shop
An independent Harrogate camera shop for over 60 years. Ask us anything, or come in and try it in your hands.
6 Beulah Street, Harrogate · Mon–Sat 9:30am–5pmGet directions
- 4.9 on GoogleFrom 137 reviews by real customers.Read the reviews
- Every used item testedChecked and tested in our Harrogate shop, with a warranty on every item.Shop used kit
- Part-exchange welcomePut your old kit towards something new, or sell it to us outright.Get a quote
- Order by 2pm, with you next working dayIn-stock orders go out the same day by insured DHL Express for next-working-day delivery (£5.99 UK), or collect free from the shop.Delivery details