New birdwatcher having to decide on binoculars (1 Viewer)

[Naturebird]

Hello!

I have started birdwatching the last couple of months, and i have been using a cheap Vortex Diamondback HD 8x32, but im looking to upgrade to a better binocular. I have been looking at the Vortex Razor HD and the Zeiss Conquest, but cant really decide on what to get. Im also not decided on weather to go to 8x40 or 8x30, i like the smaller size and im not watching much in low light conditions.

Can anyone help me decide? Are there any better alternative than the Vortex and Zeiss? I looked at a couple of Hawke Frontier ED X that was a bit cheaper, but cant really tell if they are in the same class as the Razor HD and Zeiss Conquest. I have a budget of about 1000$

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum. I hope you enjoy your visits.

Hopefully someone will be able to help you soon. 🙂

 

[benjaminH]

Welcome !

I believe that in this price range there are no bad choices. I have only tried the Zeiss Conquest HD 10x42 : they are excellent. I'm sure that in both cases the optical qualities will give you satisfaction for birding.
In my opinion ergonomics are also frankly important : the pleasure of observing also comes through this : so if you can try, it is best. For example, I tried the Conquest HD, the Monarch HG and the Trinovid HD (10x42). I found the view excellent in all 3 cases : but one of 3 fit my face and hands perfectly, and I loved the feel of the focuser (in my case the Tinovid won). But I'm almost certain that each of these 3 binoculars would have made me happy.

Benjamin

 

[dalat]

8x30 or 32 is a very versatile size, so if you liked it, stick with it. Plenty of good options for your budget (good suggestions above). Ideally you try some and see which you like most.
If you are willing to go a bit above your budget, the Zeiss SFL is a great bin

 

[Maljunulo]

8x30 or 32 is a very versatile size, so if you liked it, stick with it. Plenty of good options for your budget (good suggestions above). Ideally you try some and see which you like most.

Very much this.

Look through as many as possible.

One (or more) will make you say “Wow!”

Buy that one.

Spend at the top of your budget, not the bottom. Good optics last for at least a lifetime, if not generations.

Good luck in your quest, and let us know how it’s going.

 

[VonMaunder]

I've recently purchased the Hawke Frontier 8X42 ED X and am very impressed, great warranty, with reported excellent service. I did a 5 minute comparison between them and the 8X42 NL Pure, call me a cretin but in terms of contrast, brightness and clarity, I saw little difference. Where the Pure excelled was in periphery, an incredible amount of room in those! I prefer the 10X of my default pair--Zeiss 10X40BTP but the Hawke do not disappoint. That said, if it's in the budget and the ergonomics work, cannot go too wrong with the Conquest!

 

[[email protected]]

I would recommend the Nikon MHG 8x42. The nice thing about it is the big 8.3 degree FOV and the fact that it is a 42mm, which gives you the advantages of a 42mm aperture like brightness and easy eye placement, but it only weighs as much as most 32mm binoculars at 24 oz.

The MHG's edges are a little soft, so it is not perfectly sharp to the edge like a Swarovski, but the fall off is gradual so not real noticeable. They are made in Japan also, so the build quality is very nice for a less than $1000 binocular.

The Vortex Viper HD 8x42 is nice, but it is made in China and has a smaller 7.8 degrees FOV and the Zeiss Conquest HD 8x42 is also a possibility, but it is heavier than the MHG and has a smaller FOV also at 7.4 degrees.

The Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 is about the same weight as the MHG, but again the FOV is smaller at 8 degrees, and you lose the advantages of the bigger 42mm aperture that the MHG has. The Zeiss Conquest HD is very sharp on-axis and bright, and that is what many people like about it.

 

[sudsdetailing]

Welcome aboard. Geco brand (reduced in price)receiving a lot of appreciation this week in the ‘new binocular bargains thread

 

[PatR]

The Geco Gold have a 7.1 degree FOV and are MIC, and the Nikon MHG 8x42 have an 8.3 degree FOV and are MIJ. I know which one I would buy.

Geco Binoculars Gold 8x42 black

GECO GOLD binoculars - The binoculars in the GECO Gold line belong to the absolute premium class. HD glass lens design combined with state-of-the-art multilayer coating ensure t...

www.optics-pro.com

The Geco Gold series of binoculars are Made in Japan, the same as the GPO HD series.

 

[delia todd]

Hi Naturebird and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators. I so agree with @benjaminH about trying them before buying, some bins, although there's nothing wrong with them, just don't suit your eyes or hands

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

 

[Naturebird]

Thanx for the answers, i will try to visit a store to try the binoculars out before i decide will update on progress!

 

[Uvd]

8x30 or 32 is a very versatile size, so if you liked it, stick with it. Plenty of good options for your budget (good suggestions above). Ideally you try some and see which you like most.
If you are willing to go a bit above your budget, the Zeiss SFL is a great bin

I’d agree with this - the best binocular is the one you have with you!

If you like 30/32, I’d suggest either stick there or - if you’re generally a daylight observer - even look at something like an Ultravid 8x20. All the (daylight) alphaness you could want, and always in your pocket.

FWIW, the Hawke aftersales has been amazing in my experience - way better than Leica (though I’ve only used the latter in relation to cameras, not bins).

 

[chill6x6]

Right now at the available prices, I would certainly go with the Conquest HD IF Sweden follows a similar pricing structure which would be from about $654 to $700 USD. I don't think you'll ever beat it. I've got the 10X42 and 8X32 and both have been excellent.

 

[Naturebird]

I tried out a Vortex Diamondback HD 8x32 today, they are of nice size to fit in a pocket of my jacket. The image quality wasn't great, i saw a couple of great spotted woodpecker in the canopy of a tree but they were dark and very low contrast in the binoculars.

I looked at the 8x32 Zeiss conquest, its about 950-1000$ here. Binoculars are a bit expensive in Sweden sadly. Don't want to under invest in my hobby, but don't want to spend money on something i don't need/use either After looking at the wood peckers i started thinking about getting a 8x42 to get more light in.

 

[Maljunulo]

"Letting more light in" is always a good idea, as long as you are willing to carry the additional weight around.

Only you can determine the point at which the improvement is no longer "worth" the extra money.

Spending less never gets you more, except a used top glass compared to a new second tier.

 

[Bill Atwood]

I tried out a Vortex Diamondback HD 8x32 today, they are of nice size to fit in a pocket of my jacket. The image quality wasn't great, i saw a couple of great spotted woodpecker in the canopy of a tree but they were dark and very low contrast in the binoculars.

I looked at the 8x32 Zeiss conques

The Dback 8x32s are the same bins that you said you were currently using.

 

[Naturebird]

Today i got a Vortex Viper HD 8x42 in the mail, i compared them against a 200$ budget binocular Meade Rainforest Pro 8x40. The Viper HD was a bit brighter, hard to say exactly how but its definitely more light in the image, 50%? I wasn't able to tell any difference in sharpness or the amount of detail between the two though, my eyes are probably not used to bino viewing.

Since the Viper HD is almost 600$ and the difference isnt that big, im not sure if im going to keep it, i might send it back and continue using a cheaper binocular.

Thanx for helping me

 

[Maljunulo]

I would choose the Vortex, sight unseen, and I have no experience with that brand.

They are well known, and have an excellent reputation.

Buy the best you can afford. A $200 binocular may not be a good long-term choice.

Just my opinion, and worth every penny you are paying for it.

 

[Naturebird]

When i did a comparison between spottingscopes in three different price categories(500,1000 and 2000usd), the difference in image quality was HUGE in comparisson to this, i probably just expected too much. Im sure the bino is fine!

 

[VonMaunder]

When i did a comparison between spottingscopes in three different price categories(500,1000 and 2000usd), the difference in image quality was HUGE in comparisson to this, i probably just expected too much. Im sure the bino is fine!

It really is bad form to suggest a lesser binocular will do the job!