Nikon Prostaff 7 (not 7S) versus Bushnell Excursion HD 8x42 (1 Viewer)

[vmehta1725]

I am leaning towards either buying Prostaff 7 8x42 or Bushnell Expedition HD 8x42. They have similar specifications except the FOV for Bushnell is 426ft and that for Nikon is 330 ft. Nikon is $141 and Bushnell is $115. My main purpose would these will be to bird watch, watch nature and use them on an upcoming safari to Africa. Which one should I purchase?

Your comments will help me make my decision.

Thanks.

 

[bartd]

I use Nikon's Prostaff 7 8x42's for my son's football games. The 8X gives me an excellent filed of view and they are incredibly bright even under the lights during night games. For my other outdoor activities I use the Monarch 7 10x42. I read reviews before I bought mine where they were rated ahead of bino's costing double and triple the price. If I was going to Africa I would go with the best bino's I could afford and that would be the monarch 7's.

 

[ceasar]

Whatever one you get be sure you get it early enough to vet it out thoroughly for a couple of weeks in order make sure everything is OK with it. You don't want to get to Africa and have the binocular break down on you. Here is where the more expensive Monarch 7 8x42s might be worth the cost. You can still use them for the next decade or so when you get back.

Bob

 

[perterra]

I'd probably buy the Nikon

 

[perseid28]

I'm not sure how much a safari to Africa costs, or if this is something you plan on doing again in your lifetime, but I think it might be in your best interest to buy something that you can be reasonably confident in. I agree with Bob that the Monarch 7s are worth a long look. Even with the Monarch 7 series, I had one sample that focused unevenly.

I've had 2 10x42 Eagle Optics Denali binoculars, which are in the same general price class as the Prostaffs, and each of these had little mechanical issues (one with uneven focusing, the other with slight misalignment). For me this wasn't a problem because Eagle Optics has outstanding service and it's easy to send them in and get them fixed. You wouldn't have that ability in Africa...

My recommendation is to at least go for the $300-400 class of binoculars (Zeiss Terra ED, Nikon Monarch 7, Eagle Optics Ranger ED) because they should be more mechanically sound and will provide a more pleasing image. Who knows, maybe with the improved resolution and contrast you'll even be able to identify some things you wouldn't otherwise be able to.

 

[trw]

I got a pair of Nikon Prostaff 7[10x] nearly 2 years ago and cannot fault them.
I use them almost daily now I'm retired and they are marvellous.
There was an initial problem with the magnification wheel.I took them back to Wilkinsons of Kendal and they returned them to Nikon.They were back 2 weeks later and have been trustworthy since.
Considering the use they get they are working just as well now as they were when they came back from Nikon.
I also have a Nikon scope which is remarkably resilient too.

 

[kflan22]

I'm guessing you meant the Excursion HD.

I've owned both the prostaff 7 & Excursion HD and I would take the prostaff over the Excursion.