I am a novice birder- most of the use is to watch the backyard from about 20-50 feet- other interest is to take them on hikes.. And of course to any sporting event, but not the intent of this purchase or post...
I have used 8x42 Bushnell Legends for the past several years and have come to be disappointed that I really cannot get a crisp- close view of a bird 30 feet away!! I really want to see the bird as if it were right in front of me- or at least without is being blurry!
I have been doing my research and trying to find some of the different bins locally so I can get a personal look at them. I looked at the 8x42 Vortex Talon and Equinox.. first thought was WOW- felt lighter than mine (they are nearly the same weight though) and much brighter and crisper.. Another store had Eagle Optic Rangers 8x42 and 10x42 and the 8x42 Vortex Viper.. all three nice- Viper seemed a bit brighter- my untrained eye couldn't really tell a difference in sharpness of the picture- didn't really know what to look at in the parking lot to gauge it..
Here are the questions, sorry for the delay..
- Is a 10x42 what I really should be looking for to get that up close view of my backyard birds?? (I have no problem holding the bins steady. )
- Should I just take my Legends with me when I go to the store and have an "ah ha" moment right there?
- Are the Viper 10x42 going to take care of my backyard and hiking needs? Or is there something I am overlooking and should I be looking somewhere else?
- Looking to stay under $500
I really appreciate your advice and I thank you in advance!!
Congratulations, you have hit on our primary dilemma, 8x vs. 10x. We may not have answers, but it is mostly a personal choice anyway.
Well,you have to look a little harder for 10x than 8x as the faults become, with time, more obvious. Like you have said, it is good to test the actual binocular you are going to use. If you like the Viper, go with it. We have endless arguments here about under 1000 dollar 10x models.
The reason Field and Stream picked the 10x
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4656
is that those people are hunters, and hunteres want 10x, sometimes up to 10x50. For your back yard 10x42 is fine, and the 8x42 Viper is also good, if you want 8x. But with 8x you may not have to pay even that much.
How about the 10x Viper and then a cheaper 8x36 Monarch? I always feel more secure with TWO POWERS. Good luck.
By the way, your 8x42 Legends may have gone bad. Don't give up on 8x due to them.