South West Optics

South West Optics, a specialist nature observation optics shop in Torquay

South West Optics is a store based in Torquay, in the English county of Devon, dedicated to the sale of optical instruments and nature observation equipment. The company was founded in 1996 by Steve Rogers, a birdwatching enthusiast and optics specialist, according to its own presentation. Its catalogue is aimed at those who practise birdwatching and other field activities, and the physical shop offers in-person advice and the chance to try products before buying them.

Range of optical instruments

The shop's offering covers full-size, midsize and compact binoculars, including image-stabilised models and models with a built-in rangefinder. It also sells monoculars, travel and field spotting scopes, spotting scope bodies and modules, eyepieces and spotting scope cases. In the night vision and thermal section there are night vision binoculars, thermal binoculars, thermal monoculars and trail cameras. The company presents itself as a destination with a wide selection of binoculars and spotting scopes in the United Kingdom.

Tripods, accessories and field equipment

The catalogue includes tripods and monopods, carbon and aluminium legs, tripod heads and plates, as well as accessories such as four-way tilt heads, geared heads, ballheads, levelling bases, centre columns and phone adaptors. It also offers lens cleaning accessories, lens caps and rainguards, harnesses and backpacks, straps and bags. In the field of birdwatching, it has bird nesting boxes, and in photography, digiscoping systems. The range is completed by weather meters, batteries and portable power stations, as well as outdoor items such as insulated bottles and cups, soft and hard coolers, cargo boxes, buckets and accessories, tableware and clothing.

Brands stocked

The shop works with a wide range of brands in the optics and outdoor equipment sector, including Athlon, Delta Optics, Hawke Optics, HIKMICRO, Field Optics Research, Fujinon, German Precision Optics, Kowa, Leica, Leofoto, Manfrotto, Meopta, Nocpix, Numaxes, Opticron, Pixfra, Pulsar, Rix Optics, Spypoint, Swarovski Optik, WÜLF, Vanguard, Vortex Optics, YETI and Zeiss.

Used products and offers

South West Optics has a used items section that includes binoculars, spotting scopes, monoculars, night vision and thermal equipment, photography gear, tripods and used accessories. It also has a special offers section with advertised discounts of up to 75%, Swarovski offers, promotions on thermal equipment, bird boxes and bundle offers.

Purchasing services and customer care

The company offers free delivery on all orders over £100, financing through Klarna with deferred payment and a 60-day returns guarantee for optical products. The website states that customer service is provided by email or by requesting a call, and that the contact phone number is 01803 269 886. The published office hours are Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 16:00.

Location and contact

Phone: 01803 269 886 · Email: sales@swoptics.co.uk · Hours: Office Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM