Review: RSPB Puffin Jr 8x21 Binoculars For Children Aged 7-12 Years Old
14 October 2023
By Isla Hamilton
By Isla Hamilton
The RSPB's new Puffin Jr 8x21 binoculars landed on our desk this week and we were keen to get them into young hands and tested.
So, £25 for a pair of 'quality' bins. A spelling mistake, surely? But, no - indeed they are. Pricing aside, and with help from my 7 year-old daughter, here's what we think.
What's in the box?
The view:
The Puffin Jr's offered a sensational view for a young person to enjoy with sharp images and colours being powered by 8x magnification through 21mm lenses. Even in fairly poor, October morning light - it was pretty easy to pick out smaller wildlife such as blue tits and robins and the finer details of these cracking, little garden birds. The Puffin Jr's come with fold down eyecups, which like 'adult' binoculars, make them suitable for children who wear glasses and those who do not - clearly, the Puffin's have been well thought out and design has been a priority here.
Focus, images and handling:
Super light and easy to hold, the Puffin Jr's have exceptional build quality with a lightweight body especially designed for smaller hands and faces. They have a grown-up feel to them and they are definitely not toys. The focusing wheel is very responsive and easy-to-use for young fingers and my daughter was able to follow wildlife quite easily around the garden with smooth movement and ease. Identification and learning of wildlife details will no doubt be more fun and better when you're comfortable using a tool for the job.
Even with the wrist strap provided (let's face it - this won't be used that often) the Puffin Jr's will no doubt suffer wear and tear and be dropped all over the place, but the Puffin Jr's look fairly well equipped and robust enough to withstand a decent thrashing. And for 25 quid and a 1 year warranty provided as standard - no harm done.
Verdict:
As a starter kit for young wildlife watchers, the Puffin Jr's are superb value for money and pretty much, perfect.
★★★★★★★★ 8/10
Testing scores
📦 Buy now: shopping.rspb.org.uk
🏷 Price: £25.00
So, £25 for a pair of 'quality' bins. A spelling mistake, surely? But, no - indeed they are. Pricing aside, and with help from my 7 year-old daughter, here's what we think.
What's in the box?
- RSPB Puffin Jr 8x21 Binoculars in Blue Colour
- Soft Case
- Wrist Strap
- Microfibre Cloth
The view:
The Puffin Jr's offered a sensational view for a young person to enjoy with sharp images and colours being powered by 8x magnification through 21mm lenses. Even in fairly poor, October morning light - it was pretty easy to pick out smaller wildlife such as blue tits and robins and the finer details of these cracking, little garden birds. The Puffin Jr's come with fold down eyecups, which like 'adult' binoculars, make them suitable for children who wear glasses and those who do not - clearly, the Puffin's have been well thought out and design has been a priority here.
Focus, images and handling:
Super light and easy to hold, the Puffin Jr's have exceptional build quality with a lightweight body especially designed for smaller hands and faces. They have a grown-up feel to them and they are definitely not toys. The focusing wheel is very responsive and easy-to-use for young fingers and my daughter was able to follow wildlife quite easily around the garden with smooth movement and ease. Identification and learning of wildlife details will no doubt be more fun and better when you're comfortable using a tool for the job.
Even with the wrist strap provided (let's face it - this won't be used that often) the Puffin Jr's will no doubt suffer wear and tear and be dropped all over the place, but the Puffin Jr's look fairly well equipped and robust enough to withstand a decent thrashing. And for 25 quid and a 1 year warranty provided as standard - no harm done.
Verdict:
As a starter kit for young wildlife watchers, the Puffin Jr's are superb value for money and pretty much, perfect.
★★★★★★★★ 8/10
Testing scores
- Design: ★★★★★★★★ 8/10
- Performance: ★★★★★★★★ 8/10
- Durability: ★★★★★★★★ 8/10
- Weight: ★★★★★★★★★ 9/10
- Value: ★★★★★★★★★ 9/10
📦 Buy now: shopping.rspb.org.uk
🏷 Price: £25.00
📚 OTHER POPULAR STORIES TO READ:
Next article: Five essential tips when choosing a new nest box for your garden
Next article: SWAROVSKI OPTIK release light and compact ATC/STC spotting scopes
Next article: Five of our favourite springtime wildlife sights and sounds
Next article: Six of the best RSPB nature reserves to watch owls in the UK
Next article: The best nature reserves to head to in the cold weather
Next article: Endangered tansy beetle hides out at WWT Welney
Next article: Five essential tips when choosing a new nest box for your garden
Next article: SWAROVSKI OPTIK release light and compact ATC/STC spotting scopes
Next article: Five of our favourite springtime wildlife sights and sounds
Next article: Six of the best RSPB nature reserves to watch owls in the UK
Next article: The best nature reserves to head to in the cold weather
Next article: Endangered tansy beetle hides out at WWT Welney