Hi
am looking for advice on the best budget roof prism 8x32 bins. Avian Trekker and Bar & Stroud Sierra are appealing to me. Any thoughts?
thanks
That price translates into $160 US...at the moment.
My experience with 8x32 roofs at or below this price point...purchased at full price...is fairly limited. This is because of two issues. One, typically roof prism binoculars below this price point aren't phase coated. Without the phase-coating you are missing out on the potential for the best image a roof prism bin can generate. The image won't appear as sharp or as bright as a phase-coated model of similar design.
Two, I have found some very nice deals in the last year on 8x30-somethings when they become discontinued or demo units. These bins then do fall within your price range. Their "new" pricing wouldn't though. Probably the only one that I am aware of that would fit your criteria, and mine, would be the Promaster Infinite Elite 8x32...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Promaster-I...=item3cafa51d50
I have the same bin rebadged under another name and am very pleased with the size and overall optical performance for the price (wide field of view, reasonably bright and sharp image).
Now, there are a couple of roof prism models of the 8x42 configuration that are offered in this price range and that are phase coated. Keep in mind that two of them are as compact as many 8x32 models currently on the market.
Atlas Optics Radian ($130)
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binocula...-8x42-binocular
Swift Reliant ($115)
http://www.opticsplanet.net/swift-1...binoculars.html
Zen Ray Vista ($130)
http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/binoculars/vista8x42.html
I looked up both the models you mentioned. I would go with the Barr and Stroud because it is phase coated. It is strikingly similar to the Promaster Infinity model I referenced as well as the Dakota Elite 8x32 that I own...just a slightly narrower field of view.