Nikon ProStaff 8x25 (1 Viewer)

[Backyard Sanctuary]

I am looking for an alternative to my 8x42 that I can carry with me at all times and share with my kids without the worry of them damaging my more expensive pair. The Nikon ProStaff 8x25 looks to fit the bill. Anyone here have experience with these? Pros/Cons/Alternatives?

 

[Alexis Powell]

I am looking for an alternative to my 8x42 that I can carry with me at all times and share with my kids without the worry of them damaging my more expensive pair. The Nikon ProStaff 8x25 looks to fit the bill. Anyone here have experience with these? Pros/Cons/Alternatives?

I think it's a good choice--good optics, fairly robust, reasonable price, and excellent warranty in the USA. The biggest challenge for kids/novice users with binoculars like these (i.e. reverse-porro compacts) is that compared to your 8x42 these require more exact eye placement, and they may have a narrower field of view.

--AP

 

[brocknroller]

The alternative is the Leupold 6x30 Yosemite Sam. The large exit pupil and lower power will be easier for kids to use. I don't know if they will survive if they fall down and go "boom," but for around $80 they can survive a trip to the North Pole!:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=98430

Brock

 

[Backyard Sanctuary]

The alternative is the Leupold 6x30 Yosemite Sam. The large exit pupil and lower power will be easier for kids to use. I don't know if they will survive if they fall down and go "boom," but for around $80 they can survive a trip to the North Pole!:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=98430

Brock

Thanks for the recommendation and link to the dicussion.

 

[lilcrazy2]

I am looking for an alternative to my 8x42 that I can carry with me at all times and share with my kids without the worry of them damaging my more expensive pair. The Nikon ProStaff 8x25 looks to fit the bill. Anyone here have experience with these? Pros/Cons/Alternatives?

The 8x25 Prostaffs have a favorable reputation from most of the members who have tried them. They are waterproof, 12.5 oz, 330 ft FOV, CF 9.2 ft and can be had for about $115.

The 8x25 Olympus Tracker PCI has slightly better optics than the Prostaff, but is not waterproof, 10 oz, 315 ft FOV, CF 8.2 ft and can be had for around $62.

The 6x30 Yosemite has always been recommended for kids due to its small IPD setting, and great optics, but it is a fairly large package and smaller kids can have some trouble handling them and working the focus knob. About $90

And then there is my favorite small roof prism bino - the discontinued Bushnell Excursion 8x28. Waterproof, Phase Coated, 15 oz, 417 ft FOV, CF 6 ft, 56mm IPD, Lifetime warranty. Great optics in a small package. Can be had on Ebay for $70. I posted some pics taken thru a colliminator of each barrel in post #24 of this thread:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=204856

Tom

 

[normjackson]

I guess best optically ought to be the porros. Most compact for greater "carry at all times ability" would be the roof prism model.
Mind you, as a kid I reckon the binocular I would've enjoyed the most is the Pentax Papilio.

 

[Backyard Sanctuary]

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies. I decided on the ProStaff and was able to get them online for $90. The Leopold looks interesting and I will probably buy 2 pair. That way the kids can have their own, not to mention keeping the peace.