Binocular help for my situation? 8x42 or 8x36 (1 Viewer)

[birdfeathers]

I live in New York City and am not a bird watcher at all. I found this forum doing a search for binoculars for my upcoming Alaskan cruise, where everyone says you need binoculars.

Aside from this vacation (to be used to spot whales and sea lions and other stuff), I will then most likely use my binoculars for concerts, stage shows, and sporting events.

I had my heart set out for the Nikon Monarch 8x42, but then someone mentioned that the field of view is too narrow for my uses. And then I was deciding on the 8x36, but I'm really not sure anymore. Can someone recommend a binocular for my use? I prefer lightweight and smaller size and under $250 if possible. I also wear glasses. Thanks.

 

[temmie]

I suppose you know about the Zen-ray 7*36? Would be perfect for your needs, but for the magnification it can feel a little more 'bulky' than the Nikon 8*36. The field of view is excellent, also very good when wearing glasses.
They are over your budget, however.
http://www.zen-ray.com/shop/binoculars/zened2/zened2-7x36.html

 

[birdfeathers]

The Zen-Rays are way way beyond my budget for my seldom use. I was looking into the much cheaper Nikon Eagleview Zoom 8-24 as well, but I'm not sure if it's good.

 

[etudiant]

Hi Birdfeathers,
Welcome to the forum,you've come to a good site.
As a New Yorker, you're spoiled for choice in optics, with good prices and a huge range of options offered .
Adorama, http://www.adorama.com at 42 W 18th St or B and H at 34th and 9th are good places to start.
Adorama has really good specials in the merchandise section of this forum and is responsive to inquiries.

You make it clear that after your cruise you plan to use these binoculars for shows and concerts etc.
That would suggest a smaller glass than an 8x42, which would honestly be a pain to shlep to a show and dinner.
Field of view is small for all binoculars, about 6 degrees for the 8x42 Monarch, rising to 8.5 degrees for the old Zeiss 7x42,
still perhaps the widest FoV offered in a top tier glass. So if you really like the Monarch, then just buy them, they are good binocs. Maybe look at the smaller 8x36 model, which has a 7 degree FoV. Do note that because the existing ATB range is being replaced by the new Monarch X series, the ATBs are currently deeply discounted, under $300.
Alaska is said to be very beautiful, hope you see lots of whales and animals and have a wonderful cruise.

 

[Howard220]

A number of "reliable" posters here seem to like these Zen-Ray 8x42's for $205. The site says they are waterproof. But they weigh 23.2 oz:

http://www.zen-ray.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_66&products_id=264


These at $130 could be nice at 17.3 oz, but the view will be dimmer during twilight. They are 8.5x and have a nice, wide field. I've tried these in a store and they are more than adequate:

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-raptor-8-5x32-binocular

 

[ceasar]

These may be ideal for you. Optically they are excellent. They are small enough to keep in a hand bag. They come in Basic Black or Ivory as shown. Weigh only 17 ounces. Can be used while wearing glasses. Have a very wide field of view which is good for concerts. Are waterproof and will be quite useful on a Cruise Vessel. And they cost under $100.00. Eagle Optics has a 30 day no fault return policy too.

Don't worry about the 6 power as opposed to the 8 power. The 6 power will be perfect for your overall interests. As an aside, the 6 x 30 format was the binocular of choice for the military in WW2 where lives depended on it.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/leupold/leupold-yosemite-6x30-porro-prism-binocular-natural

Have a great trip!

Bob

 

[birdfeathers]

I researched the zen-rays and was not interest in it due to weight and close price range to Nikon Monarch (I would prefer to pay the $30 difference for Nikon brand). I also took a look at the Leupold Yosemite 6x30 and seem to like the look. Would this be suitable for concert halls or broadway shows though since the twilight brightness is only 13?

So far, I am in between Leupold Yosemite 6x30 ($80) and Nikon Monarch 8x36 ($205). Given the 2 choices, which would you go for as both are compact, light, and stylish (yes, stylish is a determining factor for me too)? Will the 6x30 power should be good for shopping whales from the cruiseship? During my research, I also found the Leupold Katmai 6x32 that is even smaller and lighter than these 2 binoculars, but now we're going into $380 territory, so I better cross it off my list early.

 

[birdfeathers]

Do note that because the existing ATB range is being replaced by the new Monarch X series, the ATBs are currently deeply discounted, under $300.

Are they really being replaced? I thought the new Monarch III 8x42 was just released early 2010. Do you know if they have a new 8x36 compact size coming out?

 

[Howard220]

I researched the zen-rays and was not interest in it due to weight and close price range to Nikon Monarch (I would prefer to pay the $30 difference for Nikon brand). I also took a look at the Leupold Yosemite 6x30 and seem to like the look. Would this be suitable for concert halls or broadway shows though since the twilight brightness is only 13?

I think 6x would be much better than 8x for concert hall use. The view will be brighter, and they will be easier to keep steady. The actual field of view of a 6x, however, is often not much more than that in many 8x models. The 6x30 Yosemite is listed at 420 ft. @ 1000 yards, whereas the 8x30 model is listed at 393 ft. @ 1000 yards, which is almost as wide, yet the magnification is 33% greater. Many people here don't seem to care about the field of view of these things (and I do care), and all reviewers have said the 6x model is optically better than the 8's. And, as I wrote above, the view will be brighter. Always a tradeoff.... *sigh*

Howard

 

[ceasar]

I researched the zen-rays and was not interest in it due to weight and close price range to Nikon Monarch (I would prefer to pay the $30 difference for Nikon brand). I also took a look at the Leupold Yosemite 6x30 and seem to like the look. Would this be suitable for concert halls or broadway shows though since the twilight brightness is only 13?

....................

The Yosemite 6 x 30 should do very well in a concert hall. I have used a Leica 8 x 20 Trinovid in the back of a darkened hall and focused it on the Pianist and his hands while he was performing the pyrotechnics required in Saint-Saens' 5th Piano Concerto. I could see his hands very well. The 6 x 30 will be brighter I am sure.
Bob

 

[birdfeathers]

The Yosemite 6 x 30 should do very well in a concert hall. I have used a Leica 8 x 20 Trinovid in the back of a darkened hall and focused it on the Pianist and his hands while he was performing the pyrotechnics required in Saint-Saens' 5th Piano Concerto. I could see his hands very well. The 6 x 30 will be brighter I am sure.
Bob

Besides concert hall, do you think it's adequate for my Alaska cruise in spotting whales and eagles and wildlife? This was my primary reason for shopping for a binocular. Thanks.

Additionally, I haven't yet written off the Nikon 8x36 yet. Which would you choose? Thanks.

 

[lilcrazy2]

Birdfeathers

The Monarch III which recently came out is only available in 42mm and the only difference is that Nikon added a dielectric prism coating to increase brightness and contrast slightly. This was the quickest and cheapest fix they could come up with to compete with the competition, and is not available on the 36mm models.

If you are intent on an 8x36, then I would recommend you look at the Bushnell Excursion EX 8x 36 which is the optical equivalent of the 8x36 Monarch, has a much wider fov (426 vs 367), and is a little more stylish with an open bridge - and it sells for $138 at Adorama. For the money, you will be hard pressed to beat the optical quality and ease of use of the 6x30 or 8x30 Leupold Yosemite Porros which others have recommended.

The relative brightness you cited of 13 is a very subjective measurement. Due to differences in lens and prism coatings, a binoc with a smaller relative brightness can actually be much brighter than another binoc with a much larger RB rating. Most sporting events, concerts, and stage shows are usually very well lighted so even an 8x30 or 8x36 should be suitable, although the 6x30 will be slightly brighter.

In any event you need to go to one of the large stores and check some out as previously recommended.

tom

 

[Matt_RTH]

On a cruise I would not get anything less (or more) than an 8x. 7x is the "classic" seawatching magnification but 8x is very good on a stabilized cruise ship and will allow you to see more whales, dolphins, and yes, Birds The bald eagles are like pigeons in AK.

Great suggestions so far but also consider the 8x32 Vortex that CameralandNY has on sale right now. You will appreciate waterproof models on a cruise.

 

[ceasar]

The 8x will be better for Whale and Eagle watching. The Yosemite 8 x 30 is the same size and weight as the 6 x 30. It has a generous Field of View also but it is somewhat smaller than the 6 x 30. It will also perform well in a concert hall. the 8 x 36 models will be larger and heavier. And the 8 x 42 models will be even larger and heavier. Glass is heavy.
Bob