Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide 8x32 vs Nikon M7 vs Kowa BD32-8XD 8x32mm Prominar XD (2 Viewers)

[Cattleball]

I’m trying to pick between the three.

I can find the M7s consistently on EBay for $300-325.

The other two are on sale. Kowa’s are $280 at NYCameraland and the Leopold’s are $350 but with a very nice harness.

Let’s assume price of all three is close enough to not matter.

The M7 is well regarded for the price here. I don’t know anything about the Kowas except they are normally more expensive. I’ve seen a few comments that the Leupolds BX-4 are very good at retail price (close to $500) so they should be very good for $350. They are MIJ, as far as I can tell.

I don’t wear glasses. Eye relief isn’t a big concern. Optical clarity and weight are.

Thoughts? I appreciate any input.

 

[eitanaltman]

As is typical with this price point, it depends on which compromises you find acceptable.

If weight / compact size is top priority, the Kowa is quite a bit bulkier and heavier than the other two. It’s still fairly compact and light for an 8x32, but the Leupold and Nikon are on the extreme low end of size/weight for an 8x30/32.

The Kowa has the smallest FOV, which is probably the biggest knock on it (and according to the Allbinos review its even smaller than the spec, closer to 7.2 than 7.5 deg). The Monarch beats it by a full degree of FOV, it really has a huge FOV that is hard to match in the price class while still maintaining the level of optical quality.

On the flip side, while the FOV is smaller on the Kowa what is there is very well corrected, and the XD glass results in excellent control of color fringing, so you get a very clean and snappy view (although not as bright as more expensive models). It’s also very solidly built and sturdy.

The Nikon will be a bit brighter, and as noted has a much larger FOV and is noticeably smaller and lighter. The FOV won’t be as well corrected towards the edges, but since it’s so much larger the total usable sweet spot is fairly similar. The biggest knock on the Nikon is glare control, as it has curiously poor internal baffling which results in annoying crescent flares which veil the edges of the view, especially in overcast lighting where your eye pupil expands a bit so you are more likely to see the edge where the glare is.

I haven’t used the BX-4 Leupold. I used to have the BX-3 Mojave which had really excellent optics for the price. I’m sure the BX-4 is at least as good which means it should be competitive with the others. Leupold also is known for excellent customer service.

The best thing you could do is get your hands on some of your options and try them in the field. You don’t really know if you’ll like them until you use them. But all are very good binoculars for the price you are looking at.

 

[Royfinn]

I don’t wear glasses. Eye relief isn’t a big concern. Optical clarity and weight are.

Thoughts? I appreciate any input.

I have had M7 8x30 in hard use over a year and they are great for optical clarity and weight for users without glasses. There are glare issues and loose rubber armor, but I can live with them.

 

[fotbg]

I have the leupold bx-4 8x32 and the kowa bd II 6.5x32. No experience with M7.
Optically I find the bx-4 very good - CA is barely noticeable, good edge to edge sharpness and minimal distortion. Eye cups and focus wheel is not that smooth and a bit stiff. On the Kowa BD II, eye cups and focus are smoother and better build quality. I also find them brighter and better colour representation than the bx-4. The bx-4 has a slight greenish tinge to the overall view to my eyes which I don't see in the kowa. I actually prefer the views through the kowa overall despite the edges not being as sharp.

 

[18000bph]

I think the comparison is of the outgoing older Kowa BD and not the newly released BD II. I was interested in the original BD a while back and didn't find much for comparative reviews.

 

[Cattleball]

Thanks all. I ended up buying the Leupolds (on sale at Midway) since it was a pretty big discount that is unlikely to come around very often.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1019481820

I hope they are better than my Zeiss Terra 8x32s that I left in a rental car.

I don't have enough experience to do a proper review when I get them.

 

[18000bph]

I don't have enough experience to do a proper review when I get them.

Impressions from the perspective of a novice are just as interesting to read as a detailed technical review.

Enjoy the Leupolds. I have not tried them, but likely would have made the same choice if they had a 56mm IPD.