Hi everyone,
I just wanted to say this is a great site. I found it on my quest in finding new Binoculars.
What should I buy?
I am just finished my first year after my under graduate degree working on different bird jobs. I have the Talon 8x40 Storks series or Vortex. I don't really know what to call them anymore the labels have falling off. I use them for everything from point counts to hawk watching. Lets just say they have been through a lot.
I want a new pair but not know where to start. I have about 800 to spend. I have tried the best Leica, Swarovski, and Zeiss. All are great but out of my price range. I want a pair that will last but also take a beating.
I have thought about vortex new Razors, Bushnell Elite, or maybe Kowa BD.
I want something that is 8x40 or close to that.
My real problem is that I have not tried any of these. There isn't a store around that has any type of selection. So it's a blind buy.
Sorry long post. Any help and I would be thankful.
Welcome, unpronounceable but real birder,
According to almost everybody who has looked through them, the Zen-Ray 8x43 ED2 slays all within a factor of two of its price, being less than $500 if you grab the introductory offer, still easily within your budget even if you don't. They are new, and therefore with no reputation for longevity yet, but of all the reports on them I've seen, not a single one has been defective, and the guy who runs the company (specs binos for build in China and QCs them, as I understand it) is super responsive to customer issues of all kinds. I haven't used them myself, but they are the rage right now.
Ron
I would not pay more than $500 for any birding bino now unless it had some kind of ED glass objective lens. That said....
In porros, the venerable Swift 8.5x44mm ED model 820 is pretty much close to optically perfect for birding as you can get in a 40mm class binocular. However, it has some mechanical issues with the eyepieces and pop-up cups that some find too annoying to bear and at 850g it is not exactly svelt. I really like mine though.
As for roofs, BF's China-made darling of the moment is the Zen Ray ED2 series. By all reports it does seem to be a nice bino and the price is certainly right. The rep is taking a keen interest in customer support and seems VERY quick to respond to feedback and suggestions for improvements.
happy shopping,
Rick