Nikon Sporter 8x36 not that great! (1 Viewer)

[StarGazer]

I recently had the opportunity to test 2 brand new Nikon Sporters (8x36 model) and I must say that I'm now surprised at the good reviews this model has been given by others.
One of the two was clearly out of collimation and useless.
None of the binoculars were anywhere near being sharp,even in the center,and there was no sweet point where a crisp focus could be obtained.It was like going forth and back without never being able to reach it,simply because the best attainable focus was poor.
The overall picture was soft (yet comfortable I must admit),perhaps good enough for absolute beginners.
It's a pity because the glass is externally very well built,but as far as optical quality is concerned,it's a very,very average glass...

 

[Tero]

Well, it was an amazing new world for me, moving up to it from 12x25 Bushnells that came in a plastic package hanging on a hook. That was 2.5 years ago.

 

[Bill Atwood]

Right on Stargazer!

The Sporters I've seen were hunks o' junk. Even the outside.

 

[StarGazer]

Well, it was an amazing new world for me, moving up to it from 12x25 Bushnells that came in a plastic package hanging on a hook. That was 2.5 years ago.

I can understand that though.As first "real binoculars" they are ok.

 

[solentbirder]

I can understand that though.As first "real binoculars" they are ok.

At this price point there's a lot of variation in samples (and probably batches too). The pair I owned was very sharp in the centre and could easily show Jupiter as a clean disk and Saturn as a clean ellipse. I think sample variation will give widely different experiences of low cost binos. Increased quality control is a big factor in the cost of higher priced models.

 

[ksbird/foxranch]

The pair of 8x36 Sportsters we have are excellent. They are sharp in the middle and going somewhat softer on the edges. The collimation is perfect and all the features work fine. I don't use them much because I prefer porros. But we bought them for US$105 brand new about 8 months ago. They have held up being dropped a few times even in the snow. e bought them becaue they were rated waterproof nitro purged. At this price point we couldn't find a brighter roof prism bin for our visitors who like roofers. But I don't think Nikon puts much money into QC testing on an item like this. So you get what you get unfortunately. We have cheaper roofers like Quest 9x35s, Bushnell Banner 10x40s, Burris 8x32 and 10x32s which are excellent for an avergae price of US45, and a great deal on a Gander Mountain Guide 10x42 but in an 8x36 there was no 8x we'd consider buying in this price range except porros. Sorry it didn't work out for you.

At this price point there's a lot of variation in samples (and probably batches too). The pair I owned was very sharp in the centre and could easily show Jupiter as a clean disk and Saturn as a clean ellipse. I think sample variation will give widely different experiences of low cost binos. Increased quality control is a big factor in the cost of higher priced models.

 

[StarGazer]

I can understand that great variations occur from one sample to another,but I don't believe that this model will ever deserve to be called excellent (the second sample which I tested was not faulty in any manner,it's just the overall optical quality of the model that was not good enough).
$105 for them is really cheap but optically speaking it's nothing more than what those Nikons are worth.
Lucky you guys who don't need to spend £500 in a pair of binoculars to be pleased.

 

[solentbirder]

...Lucky you guys who don't need to spend £500 in a pair of binoculars to be pleased.

The fish aren't biting today

 

[Tero]

I guess I am keeping mine mostly as a spare. I have the equivalent Monarch. Will have to see which one lasts longer. On bright days they are similar but on cloudy days there is a big difference, due to the coated prisms on the Monarch. I can get a clear image out of either. For instance I can read license plate numbers at the same distance.

I have had 8x40 Nikon Actions for nearly as long. Long staring at close range, say 20 feet, gives me eye strain. In those situations I switch to any roof prism and have no problems. I suspect the distance apart of the lenses does not match my brain as well, or slight alignment problem. At greater distance, even 50 ft, they are OK.

 

[scampo]

I recently had the opportunity to test 2 brand new Nikon Sporters (8x36 model) and I must say that I'm now surprised at the good reviews this model has been given by others.
One of the two was clearly out of collimation and useless.
None of the binoculars were anywhere near being sharp,even in the center,and there was no sweet point where a crisp focus could be obtained.It was like going forth and back without never being able to reach it,simply because the best attainable focus was poor.
The overall picture was soft (yet comfortable I must admit),perhaps good enough for absolute beginners.
It's a pity because the glass is externally very well built,but as far as optical quality is concerned,it's a very,very average glass...

I'd say they were both faulty. Our pair was excellent for the price - somewhat less bright and contrasty than my Swaros, for sure, but still a good crisp image.

 

[riecket13]

Stargazer, i have to agree with you after using mine for a couple of months, they are really beginning to annoy me. If you're going to spend 100 bucks on a pair of nikon's, get the action 8x40s

 

[Gerry Hooper]

I bought a pair a year ago and am now having problems with them.
The focusing is spot on but they are not as bright as I remember, O.K. in bright sunshine but not on cloudy days.

 

[scampo]

I bought a pair a year ago and am now having problems with them.
The focusing is spot on but they are not as bright as I remember, O.K. in bright sunshine but not on cloudy days.

That sounds very unusual. It's as if the mirrors or coatings are failing - but they wouldn't all fail identically, you wouldn't think? How odd. I'd take them back to where you bought them and compare with another pair.

 

[RichC]

I've just ordered a pair of sporter 8x36 as I needed a new pair asap.
Prev. Bins were damaged during a flight and I wanted a pair to keep here in Germany, then I don't need to carry any with me when I go home.
I do not have a vast experience but will pop in the thoughts of a novice one I have tried them out.