In UK the Hawke Frontier PC 10x42 seems to be selling very cheaply, less than 100 GBP.... does anyone know it, or if it corresponds to a Zen Ray model? It is phase coated and nitrogen purged.
An old refrain, but I am looking for a cheap-ish replacement for my 1970s Zeiss jena Notarem 10 x 40 which has developed a rattling prism. At my age and level of bird-watching activity, there is no point in spending a lot. There seems good choice at sub-200GBP/$300, and I have been checking Leupold Cascades, Nikon Monarchs, Bushnell Legend Ultras, Vortex Diamondback. But on their current offers I am thinking to buy the older (ie non ED) Zen Ray ZRS (Summit) for 215 USD. Would be nice if there was a similar bin in the UK to save on postage. Any advice welcome! - for 30 years I have only looked through the old East German bins.
Passerby,
I think you came up with a very solid list of high performing, reliable optics to choose from. I have little experience with both the Diamondbacks and Cascades though I have tried them both in past years. I thought they were comparable and about the same optical performance level as the original Nikon Monarchs/Bushnell Legends (non-Ultra HD).
I have owned the Hawke Frontier EDs but not the non-ED model you are referencing. Judging my the listed specs and from comments I have seen on this forum they seem like a solid pair of binoculars..probably similar to the Vortex Diamondback.
The Legend Ultras are a good choice considering their wide field of view (especially with the 8x version) plus their use of ED glass in the objective. I do own the 8x42s and the image is bright, very sharp and has good contrast. I would have no problem recommending them.
The Zen Ray ZRS HDs are also an excellent buy. They utilize dielectric prism coating to provide a sharp, bright image. They also use an eyepiece design that focuses on providing a flat field with a relatively large sweet spot of image in focus and free of distortion. They are also a very good choice at this price point.
Thanks FrankD. Just comes down to cost among these, I guess. I am used to 10x so will stick with that (or a 9x), so thanks for confirmation on the Legends - which I can source in UK for about 320 USD. I can get the Zen Summit imported for 250 USD, with maybe another 40 USD in UK VAT payment! I would buy the Hawke Frontier PC just because it is retailed in UK and is heavily discounted, but I don't know quite what it is! I can find no review of it, and I don't know if it is an old pre-ED Frontier model, or a new entry level bin. FOV is 1000/113, close focus to 2 metres, nitrogen purged, phase coated, 713 gm. Buying in-country feels more secure in case of returns..... and the Zen has to be bought from the USA.