aircraft spotting. want some binoculars

[ranj]

I have a keen interest in civil aviation and would like to know if there are handy binoculars available to watch planes flying at a really high altitude from my loft room, say FL350.

 

I am looking for binoculars that is strong enough to spot and recognize a plane type and airline flying in clear sky when it is passing over my house.

 

When I watch planes crossing in clear blue sky, I wonder what airline could it be.

The model and price etc of bincoulars will be very helpful. I dont want to spend too much as its only an interest and i'm just curious of the sort of aircraft passing over my house.

 

Usually aircraft passing is at a very high altitude, say between 30 -- 40 thousand feet.

 

Any suggestions or help will be appreciated.

 

Thanks

[tech_guy]

Here you go...

[ranj]

Thanks, I have no ideas of what binoculars to get. I dont want to spend too much, budget would be approx £100, could i get some decent ones for this?

[tech_guy]

You're looking at the max mag for your money and a tripod for stability - trying to identify aircraft handheld is going to be difficult even if you have steady hands.

 

I use a spotting scope and I love it. It only cost about £149.

[john]

Have a look at this - Binocular articles

 

He has written a book on them and its a very good seller, he was my geography teacher at school so knows a thing or two about them and the outside world etc

[laserblazer]

I'd agree that a spotting scope is the way to go. Aldi had one on offer recently.

 

This won't break the bank http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_8&products_id=105302

Edited June 7, 2009 by laserblazer

[Jobos]

With something like this I would recommend trying them before you buy. I recently bought a pair of binoculars from JM Optics Home - JM Optics Ltd. - Binocular and Scope Specialists who were exhibiting at a local show. I spent some time trying the different models and it was surprising how the quality varied between models of the same spec.

[Hacksawbob]

I believe there is software that tracks a planes flight path in real time, good enough to narrow it down to ones in your area.

[laserblazer]

Have you got a radio scanner so you can listen to them?