Opinions on Binoculars -- Pentax/Nikon 8x42

[kokanee]

Hi all,

I am looking to get a pair of binoculars to use for birding.
I've read about the different features/measurements and think based on that I have narrowed it down to the ones below
(and of course cost...) Both are roof prism

Was just wondering if anyone has either of the following, or opinions on either of these models for birding use:

PENTAX 8X42 DCF HRC
vs
NIKON 8X42 DCF WP MONARCH

TIA,
Mar

[Pruss]

Hi there,

I notice that this post hasn't seen much traffic...

I was in the same place a few years back, and was looking at those same binoculars.  As you no doubt have heard binocular purchases are about getting the best optics you can at the max price you want to spend.  We ended up with the Vortex/Stokes Broadwings (8X42).  The Broadwing has since been replaced by the "Fury" series binoculars, but Broadwings can still be found for sale on-line.  

If you are still in the searching and researching stage then check this site out... http://www.optics4birding.com/ they have a great tool for comparing different brands and models of binoculars.  Shows you the relative specs and how they compare for up to four (five?) different models of binocs.  If you're comparing models at the same price range, it will really help you narrow the field.

Hope this helps,

Pruss

[Lloyd]

My wife uses $1800.00 Swarovski 8.5 X 42 binoculars whereas I use basic porro prism Orion 7 X 50 binos @ 299.99. To be honest, I like mine better. They're lighter and brighter and, obviously, less costly. I'm in my 60's so any power level over 7 will cause the image to shake. 8 and especially 10 power are out of the question for me. My advice is to try out a lot of different binoculars. My wife has to use a harness with her binoculars but I still hang mine around my neck...personal preference. Go for image quality, not so much the price. Good quality binoculars with the features you like will last you a lifetime.

[Brian Bailey]

Internet searches and reviews are great for getting ideas and learning what to look out for, but there's nothing better than comparing several different models side by side for yourself.  I can't tell you where the best places are in Toronto, but if you plan on going to Point Pelee anytime soon, Pelee Wings has an amazing range of binoculars and scopes that you can try.

I decided several years ago to upgrade to a better pair.  I went to Pelee Wings fully expecting to spend over (and possibly well over) $1000.  I came away with a $199 pair of Nikon "Action EX" porro prisms.  I know that to be a "serious" birder you "need" a pair of roof prisms, but nothing less than Swarovski ELs felt comfortable in my hands.  Sure the Swarovskis and a few of the other high end bins are noticeably better than mine, but not that much better that I was willing to pay more than 10 times as much.

I'm still very happy with my purchase.  The only disappointment is the pair I replaced was only a few years old and had cost almost as much.  I thought I'd done my homework that time, but I didn't have a good range of options to compare them to in the store.

Things to keep in mind when testing:
- take them outside - everything will look equally bad through a store window.
- compare both close and distant sharpness
- check the close focus distance
- how far do you have to turn the focus nob to go from closest to infinity?
- can you use them with gloves/mitts on?
- look for low light and shadow detail (most bins will look good in bright light)
- try them in the sun (some will look cloudy due to lens flare if the sun hits the objective (front) lens.)
- screw down eye cups are wonderful if the bins will be shared by eyeglass wearers and non eyeglass wearers
- Birds are more active on rainy days - waterproofness is a huge benefit

Finally, ask some other birders in the field if you can try looking through theirs.  That's real field testing.

BB

[Michael Tam]

I recently researched for a pair of binoculars with the criterion of 8x32, around 20 oz, field of view >390 ft, lock to lock around 1 to 1.5 turn, eye relief>15mm, price around $200. The list included Vortex spitfire, Celestron outlander Lx, Bushnell excursion. After talking with Tom at Pelee Wings, he recommended the Bushnell excursion EX 8x36 just released for $179. It has field of view of 426 ft. The optics is almost comparable to the old reliable Bushnell custom 7 which incidentally Pelee Wings still has some in stock. Being used to Zeiss, Leica and Swaroski full size binoculars, this seemed to be good value with a reasonable optics with exit pupil greater than that of 10x40, phase corrected roof prism coating, fully weather proof, open bridge design similar to that of Swaroski EL series. Please see link below:

http://www.bushnell.com/general/binocul ... eral%20Use
 
Now having used it for a while with my companion who is not a birder, it performs well against my old reliable Zeiss 10x40, but a lot lighter.  So it is out on more casual nature hikes while the photo gear takes up the other load!  Hope it may be helpful.

[kokanee]

Hi there,

I notice that this post hasn't seen much traffic...

I was in the same place a few years back, and was looking at those same binoculars. As you no doubt have heard binocular purchases are about getting the best optics you can at the max price you want to spend. We ended up with the Vortex/Stokes Broadwings (8X42). The Broadwing has since been replaced by the "Fury" series binoculars, but Broadwings can still be found for sale on-line.

If you are still in the searching and researching stage then check this site out... http://www.optics4birding.com/ they have a great tool for comparing different brands and models of binoculars. Shows you the relative specs and how they compare for up to four (five?) different models of binocs. If you're comparing models at the same price range, it will really help you narrow the field.

Hope this helps,

Pruss

Hi Pruss,

Thanks very much for giving my posting some traffic ;-)

I was just wondering, was there any specific reason you didn't go with the 2 that I was initially looking at? Or did it just turn out that Vortex performed better when you tested them, etc?

And thanks for the comparison site!!

Thanks,
Mar

[kokanee]

Hi Lloyd, Brian & Michael,

Thanks very much for all your input and advice, much appreciated!!
I wish I had known about Pelee Wings earlier this year when we had made a trip to Leamington,
though we had gone mainly for plants not birds, and I just started getting into birding more recently ...
I'll check them online and maybe hold out till the spring.

Thanks again,
Mar

[Pruss]

Hi back

We tried all four of the following Pentax, Monarchs, Vortex/Stokes and Eagle Optics Ranger SRTs in 8 X 42 in stores... Some of the local "Wild Birds Unlimited" stores carry the Vortex/Eagle Optics glasses, and Efston Science (up by Yorkdale Mall... wide selection of binocs but tend to lean towards astronomy... still worth calling to see if they have what you like in stock).  We went with the Vortex/Stokes Broadwings because the image quality appeared to be just THAT much better, and the price point was great.  

All of these glasses are good for the price range, I agree with some of the posts above, try them all out (outdoors! ... like the parking lot of the shop) and buy the pair that you like the best ... they're going to be your glasses afterall.

BTW - My wife birds with the Broadwings, I'm lugging a pair of Celestron 8X56's... heavy with not much short focus, but no-one can touch my image quality in low-light.

Hope that helps,

-- Pruss