-
Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.
Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
Best 8x32 Binocular ? opinions (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter breydon
- Start date
Torview
Well-known member
These "best" threads are always controversial and can get people defensive about "their" choice, however even though I don`t own one there seems no better model than the SV to me. It attains a very high performance, with criticism being mostly about (non) issues like focus feel and RB.
The nominees for roof are the Nikon EDG-II 8X32 and the Swaro EL SV 8X32. For porros, it is the Nikon EII 8X30, the Nikon SE 8X32 and the Swaro Habitcht 8X30. I have seen or own all but the Habitcht, which I have only read about.
My choices are the Nikon EDG-II 8X32 for a roof model due to the real issues of focus mechanism, stray light handling and rolling ball. My choice for a porro is the Nikon EII 8X30 due to it's wide FOV and immersive view.
When it comes to roof vs porro, I do not think one is better than the other. Each has it's enduring qualities.
My choices are the Nikon EDG-II 8X32 for a roof model due to the real issues of focus mechanism, stray light handling and rolling ball. My choice for a porro is the Nikon EII 8X30 due to it's wide FOV and immersive view.
When it comes to roof vs porro, I do not think one is better than the other. Each has it's enduring qualities.
Last edited:
It really does come down to the end user and personal preference...
I'm surprised to see an 8x30 referenced so many times as the best 8x32 porro. I do have one and it is pleasant performance in a pleasant package.
I'll confess that I see more chest thumping for the 8x32 Swaro EL SV than any of the other 8x32's, although I do see many of the others mentioned as the better 8x32. I do like the SV, but I gravitated to the Conquest HD. I'm not plugging it as the best, there are better glass out there, it is just what I gravitated to for the time being.
I'm thinking Leica will have a revamp of their 8x32 in the near future... and it will likely be the best.
CG
I'm surprised to see an 8x30 referenced so many times as the best 8x32 porro. I do have one and it is pleasant performance in a pleasant package.
I'll confess that I see more chest thumping for the 8x32 Swaro EL SV than any of the other 8x32's, although I do see many of the others mentioned as the better 8x32. I do like the SV, but I gravitated to the Conquest HD. I'm not plugging it as the best, there are better glass out there, it is just what I gravitated to for the time being.
I'm thinking Leica will have a revamp of their 8x32 in the near future... and it will likely be the best.
CG
The Conquest HD is one on my list but I want to have a look through a pair first. Also the Hawke 8x32 EDs
HighNorth
Well-known member
Toirealach
Well-known member
If you are looking to buy, just make sure you check out the Leica Ultravid 8x32HD and compare it with the other contenders...size, weight, handling,and of course great view.
For a price for a price :eek!:
Toirealach
Well-known member
Don't understand , please elaborate.
The problem with the Nikon ED Porro's is they are useless if you wear glasses and don't take to rough conditions, rain, altitude, etc. unless babied.
The Swarovski Habicht is tough to use if you wear glasses also.
The big four roofs by Leica, Nikon, Swarovski and Zeiss are great glass and give a superb level of performance, I could not pick one as the best so it comes down to individual preference, color saturation, resistance to CA and the way they handle.
All are more rugged than the porro's which may or may not be important.
If you don't have to worry about eye relief and ruggedness then the Nikon ED or the Habicht might work and the Nikon SE is a contender with much better eye relief.
In this class, personal preference and not some other persons evaluation count.
Art
The Swarovski Habicht is tough to use if you wear glasses also.
The big four roofs by Leica, Nikon, Swarovski and Zeiss are great glass and give a superb level of performance, I could not pick one as the best so it comes down to individual preference, color saturation, resistance to CA and the way they handle.
All are more rugged than the porro's which may or may not be important.
If you don't have to worry about eye relief and ruggedness then the Nikon ED or the Habicht might work and the Nikon SE is a contender with much better eye relief.
In this class, personal preference and not some other persons evaluation count.
Art
If everybody's facial contours and sight were the same there might be a consensus answer to an open-ended question like the one posed by OP.
Since this will never be the case a variation of the standard consensus advice we read every day here on this forum prevails: "Try every one you possibly can and pick the one you like the best. Your choice is as good as any one else."
Bob
Since this will never be the case a variation of the standard consensus advice we read every day here on this forum prevails: "Try every one you possibly can and pick the one you like the best. Your choice is as good as any one else."
Bob
WJC
Well-known member
Yes, "best" threads will always be hot topics, until questioners are able to ask realistic questions and understand that they are not going to get all they expect for $99.95.
From the ever-ethereal bino book:
1 WHICH IS BETTER?
When considering the purchase of a new binocular, or comparing binoculars with a friend, people invariably ask, “Which is better?” When this happens, a knowledgeable mentor can be at a loss for words, as the question calls for many answers—many more than the questioner had considered.
Still, the new binocular buff finds the phrase cropping up again, and again, with respect to aperture, magnification, prism type, anti-reflective coatings, type of focus mechanism, and more. The list may drag on as the observer tries to decide which features are most important to his or her viewing pleasure and which are being described accurately. Even so, without the potential buyer stating definite preferences—on which he or she usually has yet to decide—the answer is elusive.
The first thing one must decide is just what constitutes “good,” “better,” or “best.” Is it light grasp, aberration control, weight, glare suppression, color rendition, watertight integrity, near perfect collimation, or any one of many other considerations?
For example, two observers might ask if a certain binocular will provide a “good view” of Mount Rainier (It’s a Seattle thing). To the first observer, the question means, “Can I see mountain goats from my office on the 21st floor of the Columbia Center?” To the second it means, “Can I get a view of the mountain with at least 10 or so miles on either side?”
Both versions of “good” are valid and may represent the exact goal the observer has in mind. However, while one shopper has realistic expectations, the other expects a level of magnification and resolution that’s unrealistic for a handheld binocular.
In the course of preparing this entry I went to the BirdForum website and, looking at the first two pages of posts, saw the following titles:
* A couple of hundred bucks
* Binocular bargains?
* Any binocular recommendation for a beginner?
* Best at 10x at $300-$500?
* What is your favorite 8x42 binocular for less than $1,000?
* Binoculars for under $100
* What is the best roof prism and Porro prism binoculars for birding?
* Best modern medium $$ Porro choices today in 8x32?
* UK Binocular deals, special offers, and bargains
* Best overall 7x?
* Help me choose my first binocular
* Searching for a good 10x25
* And, eight more posts related to comparing this binocular to that binocular.
My computer is set up to allow 25 entries per screen. That means within the 50 posts shown on those two pages, 40% were to inquire, “Which is best.” Or possibly: “How does this compare with that?” Had I surveyed a hundred pages, I doubt the percentage would have changed much.
Do I suppose by pointing to this folly it will go away? No. Nor would I want it to. I hope only to convince questioners to let others have a better idea about their goals from the outset. It’s helpful when speaking with friends and critical when speaking with a binocular salesperson. “Which is the best … ,” is an enormous question. Yet, it shrinks to manageable when the questioner allows their counselor to know how, when, and under what conditions the instrument is to be used.
Too often, someone new to observing will take as gospel the review of a binocular written by a person enamored with only one or two facets of its construction or performance. This is not a valid gauge, as a binocular is a composite of many aspects of mechanical and optical performance. Basing desires on one or two, especially in lower quality instruments, can be a recipe for regret.
This is just as true concerning manufacturers or importers. :cat:
Bill
Have they got the Zeiss Victory SF 8x32 out already? I haven't seen anything.Easily the Zeiss Victory SF 8x32 and the Leica Ultravid HD Plus 8x32!
Last edited:
Great binoc's i know just saying what they cost they should be
Toirealach
Well-known member
I obviously misunderstood the "any price" part of your original post:smoke:
Pinewood
New York correspondent
Hello,
I am a very satisfied user of an 8x32, which I won't name, I will point out that a lot of bird watchers seem to demand two attributes of a binocular: close focussing [under two metres] and edge to edge sharpness over a wide field [say 7.5º or more]. Like Dr. Holger Merlitz, I find these requirements to be unnecessary and contribute mightily to both price and to ease of use.
If one wants a robust binocular, which is water proof, with close focussing, then a roof prism binocular would fit the bill. If one never goes over hill and dale, follows the easy path, can deal with slow focussing and watches birds in dry weather, the Porro binoculars mentioned might fill the bill.
Beyond that, there are a number of personal considerations, especially for those who wear specs. How you use a binocular is important. I read that some users of that Austrian brand have trouble with "rolling ball." As someone who never "pans" that probably does not affect me but a binocular, very highly regarded for astronomy and nautical use, provided such an odd field for terrestrial use, that I returned it.
All binoculars are compromises, starting with price point, I only recommend trying before buying.
Incidentally, you may find that there is no 8x32 suitable for bird watching before sunrise.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood :hi:
I am a very satisfied user of an 8x32, which I won't name, I will point out that a lot of bird watchers seem to demand two attributes of a binocular: close focussing [under two metres] and edge to edge sharpness over a wide field [say 7.5º or more]. Like Dr. Holger Merlitz, I find these requirements to be unnecessary and contribute mightily to both price and to ease of use.
If one wants a robust binocular, which is water proof, with close focussing, then a roof prism binocular would fit the bill. If one never goes over hill and dale, follows the easy path, can deal with slow focussing and watches birds in dry weather, the Porro binoculars mentioned might fill the bill.
Beyond that, there are a number of personal considerations, especially for those who wear specs. How you use a binocular is important. I read that some users of that Austrian brand have trouble with "rolling ball." As someone who never "pans" that probably does not affect me but a binocular, very highly regarded for astronomy and nautical use, provided such an odd field for terrestrial use, that I returned it.
All binoculars are compromises, starting with price point, I only recommend trying before buying.
Incidentally, you may find that there is no 8x32 suitable for bird watching before sunrise.
Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood :hi:
Last edited:
HighNorth
Well-known member
Ahem, there are NV goggles and thermals with 8x magnification and more, but the good ones are usually very expensive!