Best optics under $500 - Least CA / Most wow factor (1 Viewer)

[Torview]

Vixen foresta ?

http://www.amazon.com/Vixen-14502-Foresta-8x42-Binocular/dp/B001KW07LO

 

[perterra]

I prefer the view of the 8X42 Bushnell legacy WP over the Nikon Action EX

 

[coolhand68]

For another $100 you can be wowed by a set of Nikon EII 8x30. You can also find great optics in the Bushnell Elite ED and Pentax SP series in that price range. Steiner Wildlife Pro is another option.

 

[perterra]

For another $100 you can be wowed by a set of Nikon EII 8x30. You can also find great optics in the Bushnell Elite ED and Pentax SP series in that price range. Steiner Wildlife Pro is another option.

I dont think the E II is water proof?

 

[brocknroller]

I dont think the E II is water proof?

It is when you put it in a Zip Lock bag.

<B>

 

[pompadour]

- I dont think the E II is water proof?

It is when you put it in a Zip Lock bag.
<B>

Hi Brock, a certain well-known critic on Bf. has an even more effective method for certain models he describes. He lets them remain at the retailer's, doesn't touch them.

 

[Macfly]

How about the leupold bx-4?

 

[CSG]

I prefer the view of the 8X42 Bushnell legacy WP over the Nikon Action EX

I just did this comparison today (well, on 10x50's). Came to the same conclusion. I was *very* surprised to like the Bushnell's better. Brighter and crisper view to my eyes.

 

[perterra]

It is when you put it in a Zip Lock bag.

<B>

:-O You got a point

 

[perterra]

I just did this comparison today (well, on 10x50's). Came to the same conclusion. I was *very* surprised to like the Bushnell's better. Brighter and crisper view to my eyes.

$68 and change for the 8's at SWFA, I was thinking of getting some for the camper but after viewing they are going in the house. They are not a bad binocular.

 

[cassowary]

I don't think the E2's are lesser. FOV wise they are morer. Most prefer the EII for ease of view. The SE or E2's are the best binoculars in this price range though. Take your pick.

I have both; for me the SEs have a bigger sweet spot and are easier to use than the EIIs.
I did have the Porro Audubons 8.5 x 44 at one time - nice optics but the worst eyecup design I have ever seen
I have the 8x42 Monarchs - Nice bins

I haven't used the Nikon action but I'm sure they are probably much better than the bins I started off with which was a pair of chinnon (I think) 7-15x!

The law of diminishing return I think applies to binoculars. Also I think optically speaking you get more bang for your buck with porros rather than roofs

BTW A decent and 'real' FOV greatly helps woodland and jungle birding

 

[perterra]

The law of diminishing return I think applies to binoculars. Also I think optically speaking you get more bang for your buck with porros rather than roofs

I think it applies to binoculars more than just about anything these days. There are some impressive inexpensive binoculars coming off the line these days.

I have become a fan of inexpensive performance in most things these days.

 

[CSG]

$68 and change for the 8's at SWFA, I was thinking of getting some for the camper but after viewing they are going in the house. They are not a bad binocular.

I ended up ordering a pair of the 10x50's from Amazon Warehouse deals. As new for $74 with two day shipping.

 

[Dennis Mau]

I have both; for me the SEs have a bigger sweet spot and are easier to use than the EIIs.
I did have the Porro Audubons 8.5 x 44 at one time - nice optics but the worst eyecup design I have ever seen
I have the 8x42 Monarchs - Nice bins

I haven't used the Nikon action but I'm sure they are probably much better than the bins I started off with which was a pair of chinnon (I think) 7-15x!

The law of diminishing return I think applies to binoculars. Also I think optically speaking you get more bang for your buck with porros rather than roofs

BTW A decent and 'real' FOV greatly helps woodland and jungle birding

Interesting. You are the first person that said the SE's were easier to use than the EII's. I think the sweet spot is just as big on the EII's but it might seem smaller because the FOV is so much larger than the SE's. There is a ton of EII's for sale now on Ebay. Some guy is importing them from Japan. That is a good thing. Even at $600.00 they are one of the best values out there.

 

[Gijs van Ginkel]

Dear all,
Before everybody starts to go into an almost religious admiration for the Nikon 8x32 SE and the Nikon 8x30 EII:
- Nikon 8x32 SE: weight 619 g, FOV 131 m/1000 m. 83% of it is sharp and that is 109m/1000m, close focus 2,6 m, eyerelief 17,4 mm, light transmission at 550 nm (daylight vision) 88%, not waterproof, price 1279 euro, after sales service in the Netherlands: very bad.
- Nikon 8x30 EII: weight 569 g, FOV 154 m/1000m, 67% of it is sharp and that is 102m/1000m, close focus 2,1 m, eyerelief 13,8 mm, light transmission at 550 nm (daylight vision) 77,2%, not waterproof, price around 600 euro? after sales service in the Netherlands very bad
- Swarovski Habicht 8x30W, weight 546 g, FOV 136m/1000m, 73%of it is sharp and that i 99m/1000m, close focus 2,8 m, eyerelief 12 mm, light transmission at 550 nm (daylight vision) 95,9%, waterproof, price 820 euro. After sales service excellent
- Zeiss Conquest 8x32 HD, weight 643 g, FOV 140 m/1000m, 70% of it is sharp and that is 98m/1000m, close focus 1,6 m, eyerelief 16 mm, light transmission at 550 nm (daylight vision) 91,5%, waterproof, price 899 euro. After sales service very good
- Kite Lynx HD 8x30, weight 463 g, FOV 151m/1000m, 95% of it is sharp and that is 143m/1000m, close focus 1,3 m, eyerelief 15 mm, light transmission at 550 nm (daylight vision) 88,3%, waterproof, price 520 euro. After sales service excellent.
- Swarovski CL Pocket 8x25, weight 346 g, FOV 119 /1000, practically 100% of the FOV is sharp, close focus 2,25 m, eyerelief 17 mm, light transmission at 550 nm(daylight vision) 91%, waterproof, price 670 euro. After sales service excellent.

In a moment of mental confusion I bought a new Nikon 8x30 EII, investigated it and used it for a short while and then I knew I would never use it and i would use the beautiful Leica-Kern 8x30. I was tempted to also buy the Nikon 8x32 SE, since I liked the look of it so much, but fortunately I was saved in time.
Gijs

 

[bh46118]

The Opticron is sealed as tight as a roof prism. Individual focus Porros are the only design that will match them in that regard. If I'm wrong, someone please educate me.

From what I understand a porro will be my best option in this price range.

I am currently considering 3 of them:

Opticron HR WP
Swift Audubon ED
Nikon Action EX

Of these 3 the Opticron and the Audubon I'm assuming will have superior optics. I like the reviews I'm seeing of the Swift Audubon but I have concerns about the extent of it's waterproofing. If I need to go to a roof for better weatherproofing and durability I will. I've also read that there is little difference between the ED and non ED versions.

How would these 3 binoculars compare to each other? If there are any other solid competitors at this price point I would be interested.

 

[Theorist]

I have discovered two more options that might satisfy me in my price range.

Zen ED3
Theron ED-APO - New model coming

The Zen ED3 has semi-apo and the Theron was apo.

From what I have determined in my research a binocular utilizing apochromatic design should have superior CA control.

 

[Kammerdiner]

Interesting. You are the first person that said the SE's were easier to use than the EII's. I think the sweet spot is just as big on the EII's but it might seem smaller because the FOV is so much larger than the SE's. There is a ton of EII's for sale now on Ebay. Some guy is importing them from Japan. That is a good thing. Even at $600.00 they are one of the best values out there.

I priced the EII's on Amazon Japan a week or two ago: $392. Add Tenso's forwarding/shipping charge and I'll bet you could get a pair here to the states for under $450.

I used Tenso for a Nikon Fieldscope eyepiece and it worked great.

The EII's on Ebay are still in Tokyo, so they would have to be shipped from there, same as Tenso.

 

[james holdsworth]

Bushnell Elite is going for around $500.00

Probably as close to alpha for less than half the cost you will find.

 

[eitanaltman]

@ Theorist -- Don't discount those Leupold McKinley's I linked above. Probably the best roof at $500 or less you will find: http://www.samplelist.com/Leupold-10x42-BX-4-McKinley-HD-Binocular-DEMO-B-P65608.aspx

Basically a clone of the Zen-Ray Prime, but with Leupold QC and warranty. The advantage over the Zen-Ray ED3 will be the flat field oculars which provide edge-to-edge sharpness. The ED3 is a more traditional widefield design with some curvature and softening at the edges, although it does have excellent CA control.