Recommendation for mid-range binoculars for hiking (350-500EUR) (1 Viewer)

[train_spotter]

Hi all,

I am in the market for mid-range bins, looking for something under 500EUR as in the title. My use case is primarily for hiking, train spotting or looking from mountain vantage points, so I think 8x32 should be more than enough. I don't own any binoculars so I left a big range in my budget in case it makes sense to (for example) spend 50 EUR more for a better product than not.

I got a few suggestions from searching online:

• Opticron traveller bga ed 8x32 (~450 EUR)
• Opticron Explorer WA ED-R 8x32 (300 EUR)
• Nikon Monarch 7 8x30 (~410 EUR)
• Nikon P7 8x30 (220 EUR)
• KOWA BD II 8X32 XD (375 EUR)

I am based in Austria so potentially could try local/german brands but I am not actually very familiar with any (suggestions?). Additionally, I wear glasses but my vision is not terrible so can potentially remove them and adjust the focus accordingly.

Thanks!

 

[KC Foggin]

I'm just going to jump in here and wish you a warm welcome to you from the staff here at BirdForum.
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[train_spotter]

I'm just going to jump in here and wish you a warm welcome to you from the staff here at BirdForum.
We're glad you found us and please join in wherever you like

Thank you!

 

[William Lewis]

Hi Train spotter.

With your budget I'd think the opticron options are worth looking at. I've spent quite a bit of time using the traveller bga ed 8x32 and it's a decent quality binocular for the size although I'm not entirely convinced of its durability for hiking etc. Opticrons a great company, very good to deal with and good value.

If I were in the market for a first binocular and didn't need to use glasses as you suggest you may not for viewing I'd strongly recommend the Nikon aculon 7x35. I've had a fair bit of experience with them and can't praise them strongly enough for the price, there not compact but they are well built and give a very steady view with the 7x magnification. The resolution centre field is very very good, not much different from £1500+ sets and they have a wide field of view as well. The field of view is not well corrected - it gets blurry towards the edges but in use it's not intrusively bad during the day. They are rubber armoured so will take the odd knock.

The reason I'd suggest them when you have a much higher budget is that you may use them a lot or not so much so there isn't a large wasted investment if they live on a shelf. If you do use them though you can start to decide on the things you like and things you don't like about them and make an informed purchase of a higher end binocular based on experience.

Porro prism binoculars will generally give you more performance for less cost, especially at the lower end of the market, really great roof prism binoculars are quite expensive to make due to the coatings required on the prisms and glass elements to make them transmit more light - roof prisms always need more glass elements as they have a focusing lens that porro prisms do not need as the whole eye piece assembly moves, more high quality glass is always more expensive!

You may also want to take a look at pocket binoculars (8/7 x20/25) as they tend to be the cheapest ones from the best makes so they benefit from a lot of optical know how and technologies that have been developed for there premium offerings as well as being light and small, they do come with compromises though mainly in terms of light gathering - they won't be as good when it gets a bit dark, also they tend to have (although not always) a narrower field of view.

So a few things to consider, best thing as always is to go to a good optical retailer and just look through them but if that's not an option you can always start with the Nikon aculons and go from there!

Let us know how you get on.


Will

 

[LucaPCP]

For hiking/mountain biking I really like my Zeiss Terra 8x25, which are also in your price range. They have great sharpness and contrast, and are really quite similar to the acclaimed Zeiss Victory 8x25, except for a smaller angle of view, and slightly less transmission.
These however are lighter binoculars than your other options. I use them when weight is a factor.

 

[yarrellii]

I'm a huge fan of the 8x30/32 family that comprises some binoculars mentioned here like the Opticron Traveller 8x32 ED or the Monarch 7 8x30. I can recommend them and attest for their durability, especially the Opticron. I own other binoculars that I use more, so the Traveller are my hiking/climbing binoculars, also the ones on my bike handlebar bag. I personally find the performance of the Traveller really nice, seriously. The sharpness, crispness, contrast, transparency of the image is praiseworthy, especially if you take into consideration its size and weight. For me, as @train_spotter suggests, 8x30/32 is the ideal lightweight but competent allrounder. Yes, 8x25 are lighter and smaller, but in my case they represent a serious compromise in terms of ergonomics and usability.

Regarding the Nikon Aculon 7x35, while it is a model I've had and enjoyed I would not recommend it as a "hiking" model. First, they weight nearly 700 g and are way larger than a compact 8x30/32 roof, they're a pretty chunky binocular (a drawback of classic 35 Porro). Furthermore, they're not waterproof, which could be a bit limiting for outdoor use. They are very inexpensive and the value is great, but personally I don't think it matches the given requests. If I was to recommend a compact Porro for hiking, I'd give the Kowa YF 8x30 a go, it's a terrific device for the price. Yes, it's more expensive than the Nikon Aculon, but it's lighter, smaller, waterproof and surpasses the Nikon in some optical areas.

Now that there's a M7 series, it could be a good moment to look for a second hand Monarch 7 (the previous series) or some leftover stock at good price. I've had two Monarch 7 8x30 and one Traveller 8x32, all bought second hand and never payed more than 220 € for them, all in great shape.

A vote for the Traveller.

Edit: I forgot to mention the Vortex Diamondback HD 8x32. Extremely light and compact, very rugged, amazing warranty and a very attractive price, hard to go wrong with those!

 

[William Lewis]

I'm a huge fan of the 8x30/32 family that comprises some binoculars mentioned here like the Opticron Traveller 8x32 ED or the Monarch 7 8x30. I can recommend them and attest for their durability, especially the Opticron. I own other binoculars that I use more, so the Traveller are my hiking/climbing binoculars, also the ones on my bike handlebar bag. I personally find the performance of the Traveller really nice, seriously. The sharpness, crispness, contrast, transparency of the image is praiseworthy, especially if you take into consideration its size and weight. For me, as @train_spotter suggests, 8x30/32 is the ideal lightweight but competent allrounder. Yes, 8x25 are lighter and smaller, but in my case they represent a serious compromise in terms of ergonomics and usability.

Regarding the Nikon Aculon 7x35, while it is a model I've had and enjoyed I would not recommend it as a "hiking" model. First, they weight nearly 700 g and are way larger than a compact 8x30/32 roof, they're a pretty chunky binocular (a drawback of classic 35 Porro). Furthermore, they're not waterproof, which could be a bit limiting for outdoor use. They are very inexpensive and the value is great, but personally I don't think it matches the given requests. If I was to recommend a compact Porro for hiking, I'd give the Kowa YF 8x30 a go, it's a terrific device for the price. Yes, it's more expensive than the Nikon Aculon, but it's lighter, smaller, waterproof and surpasses the Nikon in some optical areas.

Now that there's a M7 series, it could be a good moment to look for a second hand Monarch 7 (the previous series) or some leftover stock at good price. I've had two Monarch 7 8x30 and one Traveller 8x32, all bought second hand and never payed more than 220 € for them, all in great shape.

A vote for the Traveller.

Edit: I forgot to mention the Vortex Diamondback HD 8x32. Extremely light and compact, very rugged, amazing warranty and a very attractive price, hard to go wrong with those!

Hi Yarelli.

I don't doubt the travellers are good it's just the copy we've had in the family for a few years has gone out of collimation twice with very light use, probably just be a bad copy though as yours seems to have faired well and opticron have been great at putting them straight again.

I just tend to think the aculons are a good starting off point, kowa yf's a decent call too, especially if the eye relief is as advertised.

Will

 

[yarrellii]

@William Lewis This is very interesting. While reading your experience with the Opticron 8x32 Traveller ED I couldn't help remembering a very similar exchange of experiences with the Opticron Discovery 8x32 WP PC that I had with another forum member some years ago, but this time it was me who had the "lemon". While my unit had serious problems and was also sent to Opticron for repair within warranty (and finally "crumbled down" and was render useless) his unit was a bike saddlebag bino, subjected to daily torture and apparently coped very will with that, so go figure. I guess with not-so-expensive optics there is the risk of a huge sample variation and some lemons do skip quality control. Regarding my 8x32 Traveller: I've tortured the thing to bits; I've climbed with it on my chest (I mean, literally climbing) banging it on rocks; last Summer I felt on my chest directly over the Traveller two times (and I'm 15 stones), drowned it... and it remains trustful and loyal. As a matter of fact, before getting the Traveller I had two units of the Nikon Monarch 7 8x30, and while they also performed greatly under stress, the rubber armour was way more telling about the life those binos had.

Regarding the eye relief on the Aculon. This is also interesting, because the 7x35 Nikon Action EX is one of my favourite budget binoculars, its main fault being its size and weight, so I got the 7x35 Aculon and found the view to be very similar to the Action EX, but there was something weird with eye relief. I don't wear spectacles, but even so I found the ER to be very shallow, to the point that the oculars fogged all the time due to my eyes being so close, and my lashes nearly touched the ocular lens. The Kowa YF is more "modern" in that sense, i. e. the design seems to match the usability of contemporary roofs.

 

[Paultricounty]

Welcome to the BF Trainspotter ,

Id second the opinions here with the Nikon Monarch 7, great glass at the price point, especially if you can find old stock. As stated the newer M7 would also be excellent but most likely not much of an improvement that you’ll notice for the extra bucks.

The vortex Diamondback in 42mm (or 32) is one of the best binoculars you’ll find for $200 , and one of the smallest 42’s. Id also take a step up and look at the Vipers , which are in your price range, great glass here. The nice thing about vortex if you had any issues, is one phone call and they’ll send you another one by that afternoon😆. As a beginner I’d stay away from the porro prisms for multiple reasons.

Opticron is good glass and a lot of members here like them, but im one that had collimation issues with three of them. Also keep in mind that none of these binoculars suggested here are made in Germany, they’re all made in China, so if that bothers you (to me it should🤫) you’d need to look elsewhere if buying new. If buying used them most of the money is not going to China.

Another good consideration is throw another $100 to the budget and find a nice used highend mid grade , in the Nikon MHG, Leica Trinovid HD and Zeiss conquest, these are all phenomenal optics and excellent build quality, will last a long time and of course none are made in China.

Good luck, let us what you get.

Paul

 

[Maljunulo]

I wear glasses but my vision is not terrible so can potentially remove them and adjust the focus accordingly.

Thanks!

That all depends on why you wear glasses.

I think that if you have reasonable refractive error you can compensate with the instrument‘s focus adjustment.

If you have significant astigmatism, there is no way a stock binocular can compensate that I am aware of.

 

[Rg548]

Another good consideration is throw another $100 to the budget and find a nice used highend mid grade , in the Nikon MHG, Leica Trinovid HD and Zeiss conquest, these are all phenomenal optics and excellent build quality, will last a long time and of course none are made in China.

Great advice.... and it's the way I'd go.
Especially Conquests.... if you are using them up mountains... they are built like tanks and can take a slightly rougher life (but always take care of any optics!!)

 

[lilcrazy2]

The vortex Diamondback in 42mm (or 32) is one of the best binoculars you’ll find for $200 , and one of the smallest 42’s. Id also take a step up and look at the Vipers , which are in your price range, great glass here. The nice thing about vortex if you had any issues, is one phone call and they’ll send you another one by that afternoon😆. As a beginner I’d stay away from the porro prisms for multiple reasons.

Paul
I have noticed you have also made this claim in previous threads about Vortex sending out replacement binos after a phone call, and presumably before sending the defective ones back or filling out any claim forms. I always wondered what company in their right mind would do such a thing, based on a mere phone call.
A couple of weeks back from the auction site I purchased a pair of 10x42 Viper HD w/case advertised as mint condition and only used several times for $225. I received them and they were mint and perfectly fine EXCEPT the left eyecup would not raise up no matter how hard I twisted or pulled. So, all I needed was the left eyecup replaced/repaired. I called Vortex and for the hell of it, and to get them checked out good or replaced, I told them I felt they were out of collimation, I couldn't achieve focus in the right barrel, the left barrel appeared much dimmer than the right one, and oh yeah by the way the left eyecup is frozen.
They were very nice and told me they would email me a service request form to fill out and send in with the binos, and also sent a prepaid shipping label.
I mailed them 9/28 and on 9/30 Voetex emailed me saying they had received the binos and said "Your expert technician will see to it that the optic you receive in return is performing exactly as it should before making its way back to you. On average, it takes approximately 1-3 weeks, not including shipping times."

Yesterday I received an email from them that said "Great news! Your optic is good to go, and on its way back to you. Along with your optic, we’ve included notes from our repair technicians on their inspection and follow up. Below, you will find your order's shipping and associated tracking information:" Expected delivery date to me is this coming Wednesday.
I assume from their comments, that I will be receiving the same pair back with the left eyecup replaced and them telling me they could find nothing else wrong with the bino. Which is fine by me since I only bought them to audition against 7 other 10x42's I have as my new 10x porch bin.

This is exactly how I have always felt that Vortex's VIP warranty would work.
Tom

 

[Dennis Mau]

Buy these Cabella's Euro Instinct 8x32 for $550 in the bird Forum classified and then contact Leica and snag a pair of Leica Ultravid 10x42 eye cups for $6.00 and buy the rain guard I have linked below for $10.00, and you will have a pair of 8x32 binoculars that are very close to the alphas and better than most binoculars even at the $1500 price point. IMO they have superior optics to the high end mid-grades like the Zeiss Conquest HD, Nikon MHG or Leica Trinovid because they have much better contrast similar to alpha's. Let me tell you a secret. Don't tell everybody! Meostars have VERY good glass. The whole Meostar line is comparable to the alphas for a lot less money because they are made in the Czech Republic. When I had the Zeiss SFL 8x40 I compared it to the Meopta Meostar B1 Plus 8x32 and I assumed the Zeiss would be a lot better, but it wasn't. Actually, the little Meostar seemed like it had a bigger AFOV. I have the Swarovski NL 8x32, and it is a little better than the Meostar because it has a slightly bigger FOV and sharper edges, but to be honest the difference isn't huge. The problem with the Meostar 8x32 is it has small eye cups, which will cause you to have black-outs unless you, fix them by installing the Leica Ultravid 10x42 eye cups over them. Once you do that, they are superb. It changes the whole character of the binocular. You can then use them on the first click stop without getting black-outs. The little Meostars are also very compact and light.

https://www.birdforum.net/threads/cabelas-meopta-meostar-euro-hd-8x32.417791/#post-4388433

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SQ7DS7N?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

The easy DIY eyecup mod for the Meostar 32mm you’ve been waiting for!

So like many, I love the optics of the 8x32 Meostar, and I love the ergonomics too EXCEPT for those blasted teeny weeny eyecups. I also happen to love Leica Ultravid eyecups, and as I posted last year in this thread I discovered the rubber part of the UV eyecup is not adhered on, but rather...

www.birdforum.net

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[Paultricounty]

Paul
I have noticed you have also made this claim in previous threads about Vortex sending out replacement binos after a phone call, and presumably before sending the defective ones back or filling out any claim forms. I always wondered what company in their right mind would do such a thing, based on a mere phone call.
A couple of weeks back from the auction site I purchased a pair of 10x42 Viper HD w/case advertised as mint condition and only used several times for $225. I received them and they were mint and perfectly fine EXCEPT the left eyecup would not raise up no matter how hard I twisted or pulled. So, all I needed was the left eyecup replaced/repaired. I called Vortex and for the hell of it, and to get them checked out good or replaced, I told them I felt they were out of collimation, I couldn't achieve focus in the right barrel, the left barrel appeared much dimmer than the right one, and oh yeah by the way the left eyecup is frozen.
They were very nice and told me they would email me a service request form to fill out and send in with the binos, and also sent a prepaid shipping label.
I mailed them 9/28 and on 9/30 Voetex emailed me saying they had received the binos and said "Your expert technician will see to it that the optic you receive in return is performing exactly as it should before making its way back to you. On average, it takes approximately 1-3 weeks, not including shipping times."

Yesterday I received an email from them that said "Great news! Your optic is good to go, and on its way back to you. Along with your optic, we’ve included notes from our repair technicians on their inspection and follow up. Below, you will find your order's shipping and associated tracking information:" Expected delivery date to me is this coming Wednesday.
I assume from their comments, that I will be receiving the same pair back with the left eyecup replaced and them telling me they could find nothing else wrong with the bino. Which is fine by me since I only bought them to audition against 7 other 10x42's I have as my new 10x porch bin.

This is exactly how I have always felt that Vortex's VIP warranty would work.
Tom

I’m glad you read my posts. Other than my attempt at humor for the suggestion , the replacement will show up by late afternoon, it was an exaggeration considering how good Vortex has been to me and a handful of people in my sphere. It’s a shame that the quality control is not up to the customer service level, but then what should we expect from cheap entry level Chinese binos.

I had three returns ,two binoculars and a scope. First Diamondback I had purchased a few days prior from from Field and Stream, a brick and mortar in my area. The focuser was sticky with slip, made a call got a rep on the phone, I told him I want them checked out because the dealer didn’t have any more in stock get another one. He said email him the sales receipt. An hour later he called me back and apologized to me and informed me that he’s sending out another one by the end of the day, with a return label to send the defective pair back. I believe that was on a Tuesday, I received the new binoculars, with a vortex cap and a cleaning kit on Friday.

Second pair of binoculars was a crossfire, similar situation different defect, they emailed me a form to fill out, I had problems submitting it on the website, so I called them and they did it over the phone. They emailed me a label to send back the old ones. The following morning I got an email from Vortex with a tracking number. Two days later when I was bringing the other binoculars to the post office a new cross fire was on my door step. Third item viper PST Gen II for an AR rifle , $800, variable magnification dial was way too tight even with the optional lever. One phone call, rep helped fill out the form on the phone and emailed me a label. I was told when they receive the defective item back they will ship out a new one. The day after I dropped it off at post office, I got an email with a tracking number for the replacement .

So my experience of purchasing brand new items, from authorized dealers may vary from someone buying a used beat up pair of their bottom end product line. Maybe that’s a factor , I don’t know. Maybe they like me better🤣.

Lets see what shows up at your door.

Paul

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[lilcrazy2]

Paul
I read everyones post.

I’m glad you read my posts.

So my experience of purchasing brand new items, from authorized dealers may vary from someone buying a used beat up pair of their bottom end product line. Maybe that’s a factor , I don’t know. Maybe they like me better🤣.

Lets see what shows up at your door.

Paul

Paul
I read everyones post's, not just yours. I wasn't attacking you, but after reading several threads with the same comment, I did not want anyone thinking your experience was typical. I was merely relaying what my latest experience was, and I'm sure what would be typical for most. Same experience I have had with Vortex for the last 12 years. And no, I don't think they like you better

And after buying and selling binos, including many dozens of alphas, over the last 12 years, I don't think I would describe mint condition as "used and beat up" I also wouldn't describe the Vipers as "their bottom end product line" but instead would attach that label to the Crossfire and Diamondback lines that you seem to have bought.

I expect the same mint condition pair I sent to them to show up at my door on Wednesday with the left eyecup replaced.

But, I will always agree with your assessments of the EDG ll's and EL SV's.

Tom

 

[Dennis Mau]

Once I bought a MIC Vortex Razor 10x42, and it was defective. The two barrels would never come into focus properly. I returned the binoculars to the vendor and received a refund, but I also emailed Vortex complaining about the lack of QC on their binoculars now that they had transferred production to China. They responded by sending me a free pair of MIJ Vortex Razor 10x42 binoculars, which were fine, but I ended up selling them anyway. Vortex usually just sends you a new pair of binoculars, unless the repair is a very simple one.

 

[Paultricounty]

Paul
I read everyones post.

Paul
I read everyones post's, not just yours. I wasn't attacking you, but after reading several threads with the same comment, I did not want anyone thinking your experience was typical. I was merely relaying what my latest experience was, and I'm sure what would be typical for most. Same experience I have had with Vortex for the last 12 years. And no, I don't think they like you better

And here I thought I was special . And why don’t you think they might like me better🤣
I don’t know how typical it was either, just seemed to be like how I described it was typical for me and a few others. You didn’t want anybody to think my experience was typical , why because your wasn’t . Not sure how to unpack that. If some people are getting better service than others I’m not sure why, I could speculate, but that is only speculation.

And after buying and selling binos, including many dozens of alphas, over the last 12 years, I don't think I would describe mint condition as "used and beat up" I also wouldn't describe the Vipers as "their bottom end product line" but instead would attach that label to the Crossfire and Diamondback lines that you seem to have bought.

I may have rushed through your post, my opoligies if I misstated what condition you said the binos were In when you got them, as well as which model . Your absolutely right about the two bins I aquired are their cheap entry level product and possibly should expect quality control to be less than the mid grade line. I was trying to make the point that they may make a few more concessions for new buyers of new products, again I don’t know. Whole reason I brought it up and added my opinion was to describe the customer service and the customer service I witnessed first and second hand.

I expect the same mint condition pair I sent to them to show up at my door on Wednesday with the left eyecup replaced.

Sounds like they’re going to to give you some good customer service even if they don’t give you a new pair. Let’s us know how it goes.

Paul

But, I will always agree with your assessments of the EDG ll's and EL SV's.

Tom

 

[Paultricounty]

Once I bought a MIC Vortex Razor 10x42, and it was defective. The two barrels would never come into focus properly. I returned the binoculars to the vendor and received a refund, but I also emailed Vortex complaining about the lack of QC on their binoculars now that they had transferred production to China. They responded by sending me a free pair of MIJ Vortex Razor 10x42 binoculars, which were fine, but I ended up selling them anyway. Vortex usually just sends you a new pair of binoculars, unless the repair is a very simple one.

Did you sell them because of glare 🤪.

I agree with you , the China quality, or lack thereof connection has been lowering standards. But that customer service is surprisingly good.

 

[Dennis Mau]

The Vortex Razors are pretty good glass for the money. I think that Vortex probably makes a lot of profit on them having them MIC, and that is why they can afford to send you a new pair every time you have a problem with them. They are kind of a disposable binocular. it is hard to beat their warranty though because if you drop them in a river or off a cliff they will send you a new pair. They are without a doubt not the quality of a Swarovski or Leica though. That is pretty obvious. They are what they are.

 

[train_spotter]

Hi all,

I actually went for a little pricier option and picked up the Meopta AIR 8x42's for 600EUR. I think normally they are closer to 1k, but I found a local shop which had them on discount. So far am loving them!