Paultricounty
Well-known member
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What's your most used binocular? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter William Lewis
- Start date
Same here!
Lately I've been using the Opticron Aurora 8X42 every time I go out sometimes paired with the Monarch HG 8X42. Those two are a pretty good comparison....
grackle314
Well-known member
Swarovski NL Pure 10x42 with forehead rest and harness.
Oregonian
Well-known member
My daily-use binoculars are Nikon Monarch 8x42. They focus quickly, and close, and have a big field. I also have nice Leupold Santiam 10X50's I use for very open situations, but for woodlands, I keep coming back to the Monarchs. The rubber armor is wearing out, and I'll have to send it in for repair soon, as I have before.
MiddleRiver
Well-known member
It's funny, the past couple of years i've burned through some bins in the search for 'best'. But as I age, our style of birding (almost always hiking 3-5mi., often in hills) means that I grab the best lightweight bins I own. Lately that's been 8x32FL's. The NV's and even the 8x40SFL's get left behind. The UV's sold... etc. I've been tempted by 32SF's but mixed reviews have turned me away and the 8x32UV's are 'out' just because of ER (specs wearer). I do count grams (I know some argue it's silly) and i've just ordered another 8x30SFL (wife took first pair) to revisit that possibility (nearly 100gm lighter than FL's). I've even started thinking about selling the NV, Retros, etc. as I don't really use them :-(
I agree! Mostly... A lighter binocular will do really ANYTHING a heavier binocular will do. I do make a few exceptions here and there. I have found that the RYUL harness helps with any size binocular(I know folks get tired of me with my RYUL harness comments). Funny how you get used to a LW 8X30/32 and then pick up a LW 8X42(25oz or so)that now feels like a BRICK.
Pinewood
New York correspondent
Hello Middle River,
About ten months ago, I purchased the Zeiss 8x32SF to replace my 8x32FL. Yes, it is larger than the FL but the ergonomics are fine. My only issue with the SF was blackouts, which I attributed to looking through my the dividing line of my bifocal glasses, but I quickly learned how to position the binocular and my eyes. YMMV, so always try binoculars and purchase from a vendor with a good returns policy.
In any case, the FL is an excellent glass and upgrading may not be worth your while.
Happy bird watching,
MiddleRiver
Well-known member
Thank you Arthur... SF's will remain on my radar. The FL's are superb (and tho I'm not terribly sensitive, they do have zero CA that I can detect). But saving a gram or two (or hundred) is admittedly an obsession, so I'll run 8x30SFL's through the paces and then decide. No question I'd miss the bombproof FL build and MIG is always nice.
Blackouts are a funny thing. I think the newer, large eyepiece and wider FOV bins are a def compromise. But as you point out, a little 'accomodation' and muscle memory can overcome any issues.
for me it's the Zeiss 10x 54 HT. granted, a good deal of my use is on the night sky, but one remarkable thing about these binoculars is that they carry like a pair of 10x 50's or even a heavy pair of 10x 42's. they are what i bring with me when 1 size must fit all. the rest of the time, it's either the HT's or a pair of Oberwerk SE 8x 32's which i like quite a lot, and are a little less expensive.
