Hi all, so I've spent literally days researching this and think I have it narrowed down to two models - the Bushnell Nature View vs Nikon Sporter EX. I'll be using the bins primarily for birds but also game viewing in Africa hence I prefer the 10x rather than 8x. Trouble is I can't pick between the two online - truth be told I'm leaning slightly toward the bushnells who seem to have marginally better stats like field of view being 105 vs 98 on the nikons and sloghtly closer focusing (4.5m vs 5m) but I slightly prefer the look of the nikons...hence the dilemma. Any words of wisdom out there? I'm sticking to a budget though otherwise I'd be sorely tempted by the vanguard spirit or endeavour EDs. Any help or advice much appreciated!
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Best mid range 10x42, Bushnell or Nikon? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter johnnybzw
- Start date
Perry Grin
Well-known member
I happen to have looked through both of these bins at 10x (I assume you are referring to nature view roof prisms), though not side by side. I owned the bushnells for about 18 months and really liked them and regret part exing them - I wish I had kept them as a back up. The sporters I really didn't like, the build quality felt cheap in the hand and I had real problems with eye placement, but to be honest as a result of this I put them down pretty quickly and didn't give them longer that a couple of minutes. (Incidentally I have got the old sporters in 8x36 which are now my back up bins and I really like these!).
Purely subjective and as always it really is best to try them if you can. Hope it gives you something to think about.
Perry
Purely subjective and as always it really is best to try them if you can. Hope it gives you something to think about.
Perry
I (or we, they're my wife's) have a pair of the Nikon Trailblazer ATB 10x42. As far as I know they are the same binocular as the Sporter EX. They're not great. They do have a fair build quality and the mechanics and focusing work well, but they aren't the sharpest I've used, and I am including the cheapies I've had.
I would recommend that you buy some bins that are a PC version. (I'm not sure if this is phase corrected or phase coated, perhaps I've seen it noted both ways).
If you are buying new, go try some out. I would recommend you try some Opticron Discoveries amongst them.
Dave
I would recommend that you buy some bins that are a PC version. (I'm not sure if this is phase corrected or phase coated, perhaps I've seen it noted both ways).
If you are buying new, go try some out. I would recommend you try some Opticron Discoveries amongst them.
Dave
Stet
Well-known member
Haven't seen the Nikon's, but did have a chance to look through the Bushnell 10x42 NatureView roofs at a hawkwatch and was very impressed with them for the money. They are quite long but I think this helps produce the great view. Also remember them being a light bin too. Hope this helps a bit. On a side note, as a general rule of thumb in this price range, the porro prism's will give a better optical performance than a similiarly priced roof. Maybe someone's else could chime in on specific models.
John
John
NDhunter
Experienced observer
Johnny:
Nikon has introduced a new entry level roof binocular, the Prostaff 7. They have
been commented here on another thread. They may be the replacement for
the Sporter EX, in the US, (Trailblazer). The Prostaff 7 in 10x42 offers a wider
6 deg. FOV. I like mine, so check these out, I am thinking they are an improvement over the Sporter, although I have not tried the Sporter.
Good luck with your search.
Jerry
Giorgio
Porro bins are a bit like war, they are made by yo
You should search for some Opticron bins. As i see you're brit, it could be a wise choice for you.
You should also, have a look at the Opticron porros if you really search for some optical quality for a low price.
If you want cheap/good optics with wide field of view, have a look at the Nikon action Vii or Nikon action EX porros.
A porro prism at 100£ will beat out optically 90% of the 100£ roof prism ranges.
Even if i'm french you can trust me B
Keep us updated!
And welcome here.
You should also, have a look at the Opticron porros if you really search for some optical quality for a low price.
If you want cheap/good optics with wide field of view, have a look at the Nikon action Vii or Nikon action EX porros.
A porro prism at 100£ will beat out optically 90% of the 100£ roof prism ranges.
Even if i'm french you can trust me B
Keep us updated!
And welcome here.
black crow
Well-known member
I went to a sporting good store today and had the salesperson come outside with me with a pair of Prostaff 7 and Bushnell Legend HD. The Prostaff were about $60 less expensive. Basically the salesperson who actually knew something about binoculars (even uses Sightron bins) agreed with my assessment of them except for how they handled. He preferred the Bushnell's and I preferred the Prostaff.
The view at center was noticeably superior in the Bushnell. The Prostaff were a little sharper at the edges. The FOV was larger in the Bushnell, both were nice and bright but it was a sunny day. I actually had some trouble with partial blackouts in the Bushnell's and had to hold them carefully. The Prostaff didn't have any such issue.
My conclusion was I wouldn't buy either but if I had to leave with one it would have been the Bushnell due to the greater clarity of image. Neither were what I could call bad. In fact they were both pretty good in many ways and online you can find the Prostaff for even less $$. The $229 price on the Bushnell I haven't seen bettered anywhere in the internet.
The view at center was noticeably superior in the Bushnell. The Prostaff were a little sharper at the edges. The FOV was larger in the Bushnell, both were nice and bright but it was a sunny day. I actually had some trouble with partial blackouts in the Bushnell's and had to hold them carefully. The Prostaff didn't have any such issue.
My conclusion was I wouldn't buy either but if I had to leave with one it would have been the Bushnell due to the greater clarity of image. Neither were what I could call bad. In fact they were both pretty good in many ways and online you can find the Prostaff for even less $$. The $229 price on the Bushnell I haven't seen bettered anywhere in the internet.
