Nikon Action EX 8x40 CF (1 Viewer)

[Phil Owen]

Can anybody recommend these??

Seem very good for the price.

Thanks

 

[etudiant]

Imo an outstanding entry level binocular, optically good and reasonably weather resistant in the EX version, at a bargain price.
Still is a bargain today, but have to admit the new wave of low cost Chinese binoculars is trimming their relative value.
Do note porros are more susceptible to miscollimation when bumped, so check out your purchase carefully before handing over your cash.

 

[Taylor Ellis]

I am also considering buying the Nikon action ex 8x40 for a close friend who is getting into birdwatching. I know that Eagle Optics and others highly recommend them, but I am also curious about the Nikon trailblazer 8x42 for a similar price, they are lighter. I can't find much info on the trailblazers here or elsewhere. Does anyone have an opinion on which has better optics? I know the trailblazer is a bit smaller and lighter than the action ex, but how is the view? Thanks in advance.

 

[brocknroller]

I am also considering buying the Nikon action ex 8x40 for a close friend who is getting into birdwatching. I know that Eagle Optics and others highly recommend them, but I am also curious about the Nikon trailblazer 8x42 for a similar price, they are lighter. I can't find much info on the trailblazers here or elsewhere. Does anyone have an opinion on which has better optics? I know the trailblazer is a bit smaller and lighter than the action ex, but how is the view? Thanks in advance.

Taylor,

I have tried the Nikon 8x40 EX, but not the Trailblazer. From the specs and price ($115), the Trailblazer does not appear to be phase coated.

Since this is your first post, I don't know how much know about binoculars, and there's no need to go into an in-depth explanation, but suffice it to say the lack of prism phase coating puts the Trailblazers at a disadvantage, because the images will not be as "crisp" or bright as the EX porro prism binoculars or more expensive phase coated roof prism binoculars such as the Nikon 8x42 Monarch (~$279).

Although there are some really cheap phase coated roofs coming out of China these days, the general rule of thumb is that you get more "bang for your buck" with a porro than you do a cheap roof, particularly one without phase coating like the Trailblazer.

The EX is very sharp on axis, it has wide field of view (8.2*), but that comes at the expense of some blurriness at the edges. However, for a beginner, it's hard to beat for the price. Very bright and the colors are vivid.

It's also waterproof like the Trailblazer, though roof prisms tend to be better sealed. So you probably wouldn't want to dunk the EX in a pond, but otherwise, it should hold up well and give a more pleasing view than the Trailblazer.

The only downside to the EX is its heavier weight: 30 oz. vs. 23.6 ounces for the Trailblazer.

If your "close friend" is a girl, she might find the weight and size a bit much for blazing trails, but fine for the backyard.

If they are too heavy, you might need to move up to Nikon 8x42 Monarch roof prism binoculars, which can be bought from Amazon for $224, which is a very good price.

The price dropped, because Nikon just came out with an upgrade to the Monarch.

The Monarch is even lighter than the Trailblazer at 21 oz., but you sacrifice some FOV (over 1/2 degree less than the Trailblazer) and 2 degrees less than the EX.

When you start out birding, generally, "wider is better". It makes it easier to find birds in bushes and trees.

But if the EX is too heavy for her/him, then go for the Monarch or another phase coated roof.

Or even a Leupold 6x30 Yosemite porro, which is even less expensive than the EX, and lighter and smaller for girl's hands. At 6x, it won't show as much detail as the 8xs, but it's easier to hold steady. Good for beginners.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/leupold-yosemite-6x30mm-black-binoculars-61165.html

 

[Martin Fagg]

Can anybody recommend these??

Seem very good for the price.

Thanks

Hi Phil and Taylor,

as everyone has said they are excellent bins for the price but I preferred the Bushnell Legend 8x42 porros to the Nikons. The choice was made on a very personal basis, that of eye-relief and ergonomics. I found the Bushnells fitted my hands and eyes better.
I haven't tried the two next to each other but I shouldn't think there's much difference optically. Very similar specs.

If you want an 8x40/42 porro and you find you don't like the Nikon, it could be worth trying the Bushnell.

Downside to both is the weight but I use a harness with the Bushnells and find it very comfortable indeed. I was surprised at how comfortable it is, in fact.

 

[Taylor Ellis]

Thanks, I am buying the 8x40 action ex. I actually own a pair of Monarch 8x42s myself and think they are great, but too expensive for me to buy another pair right now. The actions seem good at half the price. If I could afford them I'd buy nikon premiers and give away my monarchs... but I can't be walking around in the woods with $1000 binoculars, unfortunate things happen! Once I lost a pair of monarchs while doing a pre-dawn goshawk survey and never found them again. No warranty coverage for that of course. Thanks again for the advice!