It has been my observation that BirdForum and BVD are the two best sources of binocular info on the internet. My personal uses of binoculars run the range from using them at work to watching butterflies to looking for bluebirds in my back yard to watching ships at the beach to...well, you get the idea.
I would appreciate some input on binocular choice. The 30mm or 32mm size seems to suit my size/weight requirements and 7x or 8x is about as much magnification as I can hold steady while standing. I can afford the Leica's, etcetera, but would be delighted to find a "great value" for less than $600.
My choices:
Nikon 8x32 SE - Everybody loves it, but I really need something better sealed.
Leica 8x32 - I used to have the BA version, but mine was purchased used and was not up to current standards. They're pricey, too.
Zeiss 8x30 ClassiC - I have found them for $600.
Zeiss 8x30 Conquest - I have found them for less than $400.
Pentax 8x32 SP - I have found them for less than $400.
Minox 8x32 ALT - Folks at BirdForum often poo-poo these as optically deficient.
Kahles 8x32 - Folks at BirdForum often poo-poo these as optically deficient, too, yet some defend them vigorously.
Nikon 8x32 LX and LXL - Held by most folks to be among the best, but heavy and pricey. Have seen LX refurbs for $600-$700.
Swarovski 8x30 SLC - Looked good to me and recommended by a local store, but I read internet stories that they break easily.
P.S. Last year I planted a nice butterfly bush in my back yard. Unfortunately, every time a butterfly landed on the bush, my dog, Muffin, tore off that branch. Alas, at the end of the summer, Muffin ripped the root ball completely out of the ground. :(
[QUOTE=engineer]
My choices:
Nikon 8x32 SE - Everybody loves it, but I really need something better sealed.
Leica 8x32 - I used to have the BA version, but mine was purchased used and was not up to current standards. They're pricey, too.
Zeiss 8x30 ClassiC - I have found them for $600.
Zeiss 8x30 Conquest - I have found them for less than $400.
Pentax 8x32 SP - I have found them for less than $400.
Minox 8x32 ALT - Folks at BirdForum often poo-poo these as optically deficient.
Kahles 8x32 - Folks at BirdForum often poo-poo these as optically deficient, too, yet some defend them vigorously.
Nikon 8x32 LX and LXL - Held by most folks to be among the best, but heavy and pricey. Have seen LX refurbs for $600-$700.
Swarovski 8x30 SLC - Looked good to me and recommended by a local store, but I read internet stories that they break easily.
[/QUOTE]
Dear Engineer,
I have a Zeiss Classic, but I would not recommend this obsolete glass because of its problems with flare. Additionally, it does not have internal focussing. The objectives move with the tube, but may be sealed with "o" rings, providing some sealing. Not everyone loves the SE, including me, so mine sits in the closet. I prefer the Leica BN to the SE.
You have provided one parameter, cost, in determing your compromises in purchasing a binocular, and have hinted at wanting a watertight binocular, which means a roof prism model. Other factors in seeking optimization might include whether you wear eyeglasses, desire a wide field and whether you observe much at twilight. I presume that you are not adverse to buying used equipment, which often stretches ones resources as does buying slightly obsolescent models.
On the Forum, there seems to be two accepted wisdoms. The first is that the binocular has to suit you and the second is that you have to try it yourself.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood
Thanks, Arthur
I do not wear glasses. I do like a wide field. To me, a wide field is akin to looking out a bay window.
Water resistant is good and waterproof is better. While I try to be careful with binoculars, I appreciate what we engineers call "a safety factor".
Yes, twilight viewing is important. My approach is to find two binoculars, one small and light (30mm or 32mm) and the other large (40mm, 42mm or 50mm). For most occasions the small, light pair would be used, with the large pair available when its size and weight would not encumber.
Nonetheless, I desire my 30/32mm pair to have better twilight performance than average for 30/32's.
I looked through Conquests, SLCnew's, even FL's earlier this week. All three seemed impressive. I'm embarrassed to admit that the Conquests were optically indistinguishable from the SLC's and FL's during my brief examination.
How do most birders rate the Pentax SP's and Conquests?