Nikon prostaff 8x25 vs Bushnell 7x36 ex birder (1 Viewer)

[ccjden]

Hi, for a compact to carry along hiking, kayaking, birding, theater events ect.. does anyone have an opinion which might be a better choice?

 

[Alexis Powell]

The 7x26 is a wonderful bin, but I've never considered it a huge step up (except in field of view) from the Nikon 8x25, which is much cheaper. The latter, being waterproof, might be a better choice for kayaking.

--AP

 

[ccjden]

Thanks for the quick reply Alexis, I am pretty sure they are both waterproof, I am just wondering as far as sharpness of focus, which is better. I have sent back recently a Bushnell H2O 10x25 because I could not focus it to the sharpness I desired. I followed that up with a Steiner 10x26 Safari Pro, I thought it focused a little sharper,not quite where I would like it but I did not like the small focusing wheel at all, because the ridges on the wheel were so far apart it was hard to fine focus it. I decided to drop down to 7 or 8 strength for more field of view and compactness. I have the prostaff on back order but have recently discovered the ex birder and was wondering if I should get that instead.

 

[Alexis Powell]

Thanks for the quick reply Alexis, I am pretty sure they are both waterproof... I have the prostaff on back order but have recently discovered the ex birder and was wondering if I should get that instead.

Whoops! Your reply has brought my attention to the fact that I mistook your reference to the 7x36 ex birder as a reference to the 7x26 custom. I was thinking reverse porros all the way. I'd never consider a roof prism bin for the price of the 7x36 ex birder, so now my rec is for the reverse-porro Nikon all the way.

--AP

 

[ccjden]

Well I ended up canceling my order for the 8x25 pro staff's and ordered the Pentax 9x28mm DCF LV's instead for $156.99 shipped after some positive reviews. already have a pair of Pentax 10x50 DCF WP's that I am happy with, these compacts if they work out should be nice to carry around easily.

 

[ceasar]

Well I ended up canceling my order for the 8x25 pro staff's and ordered the Pentax 9x28mm DCF LV's instead for $156.99 shipped after some positive reviews. already have a pair of Pentax 10x50 DCF WP's that I am happy with, these compacts if they work out should be nice to carry around easily.[/QUOTE

They are a nice, solidly constructed, waterproof, lightweight, compact binocular, and a GREAT bargain at the price you paid! They have long eye relief and work well with glasses. Their Field of View is a bit narrow at 294' at 1000 yards but not to bad for a 9x with small objective lens'. I have one which my wife uses most of the time but I like using it too. It fits nicely into a jacket pocket, or a large pocket on a flannel shirt or in your car's glove compartment. :t:

It's too bad Pentax didn't make it a 7 x 28. It would have had a wider FOV and better depth of field, but I'm not complaining. I wish SOME company would make a 7 x 28 like it!

Bob

 

[ccjden]

Sound's good Bob, I am looking forward to viewing these Bins.