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Top Porro Prism Bins? (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Quak
- Start date
Sterngucker
Well-known member
There's only one company left that makes premier quality 'real' binoculars: Swarovski with the Habicht line consisting of an 8x30, a 7x42 and a 10x40. The latter two are available in both green rubber armor and black leather, the former only in the black leather these days.
Steiner also still makes porros, which are of good quality, but are very utilitarian and aimed at the milititary/law enforcement market with civilian versions. They also have some good to very good marine porros.
After that there is the Fujinon Polaris line. After that maybe the Nikon AEs. After these the term quality becomes debatable, such as Nikon Aculon and stuff like Barska.
Oh, and Kowa and Opticron make some fairly good ones.
Caveat: This is only MVHO and I am almost certain the real knowledgeable folks will be along in one hot minute.
Good luck in your search.
Steiner also still makes porros, which are of good quality, but are very utilitarian and aimed at the milititary/law enforcement market with civilian versions. They also have some good to very good marine porros.
After that there is the Fujinon Polaris line. After that maybe the Nikon AEs. After these the term quality becomes debatable, such as Nikon Aculon and stuff like Barska.
Oh, and Kowa and Opticron make some fairly good ones.
Caveat: This is only MVHO and I am almost certain the real knowledgeable folks will be along in one hot minute.
Good luck in your search.
My Opticron Adventurer T WP 6.5 x 32 are pretty good. Whether the other models in the range are as good, others may be able to advise.
As already mentioned here, the Habicht by Swarovski is a striking example in all respects of the modern top-level porro binoculars. I would consider buying these binoculars with a year of release after 2009, since after 2009 all Habicht have the most modern optics coatings. I've never owned an 8x30. I have a 10x40W 2010 model year, and I really like it. This binoculars is still relevant in all respects. I consider the color reproduction of this binoculars to be a reference, and 96% of the light transmission will give a head start to any modern binoculars. In addition, it is significantly lighter than most modern 10x40 (42), and its classic design feels very good in the hands. In my opinion, it is easier to hold it steady in comparison with non-porro binoculars. Try it out and maybe you'll like 10x instead of 8x.
Foss
Well-known member
To Quak: A bit more information will help narrow the field. Full-sized (ie 7x50), mid, or compact? Center focus? Do you wear glasses? Price considerations? Good luck,
Jack
Full size preferred...don’t wear glasses. Price is a non factor but ultimately I’d like to get 2. A primary and a pair to keep in the truck so I’d like to keep one pair under $350 or so.
Focus doesn’t really matter...I’ll be using them primarily for birding and wildlife observation with a bias towards waterfowl
Focus doesn’t really matter...I’ll be using them primarily for birding and wildlife observation with a bias towards waterfowl
Sterngucker
Well-known member
You can say that again.
Pinewood
New York correspondent
Hello Binastro,
Yes, but there are some caveats. The eye relief is just about usable for wearers of eyeglasse. It is not the most robust binocular but it is not delicate. I have read one complaint that the FOV is too wide. As always, it is a good idea to try before you buy.
I think that would have to spend much more for a roof prism binocular, if one existed, to perform as well.
In my case, I did replace it with a Zeiss 8x32 FL, which was around three times the price.
Stay safe,
Arthur
PYRTLE
Old Berkshire Boy
Nikon E II ? A short light shower "maybe" okay but using them for say an hour in constant rain would probably result in internal fogging and subsequent problems associated even if they seemingly dry out. I haven't heard of Acumen binos.
JerryLogan
Well-known member
Just a quick note. The 7x42 Habicht is noted for its narrow field of view - often compared to looking through a straw. The 8x30 has a much wider view. At 1000 meters the view is 114 meters for the 7x, but 136 for the 8x. Without glasses, the 7x shows 6.5 degrees, the 8x 7.8 degrees. Apparent angle of view is 46 degrees for the 7x and 60 degrees for the 8x.
Most people find the 8x view much more agreeable and user friendly but, as always, your mileage may vary.
Jerry
It should be mentioned though that the other top contenders beside the Nikon E2 series in the form of the Swaro Habicht series have even less eye relief and are not usable with glasses for sure. As for a too wide field of view in binoculars - for me is no such thing.
As for robustness, porros in general are a bit easier to knock out of collimation than roofs... more so if they don't have thick rubber armor as some Habichts or the cheap Kowa YF have...
But on the other hand I lent my SE to a good friend of our host on some estancia in the Esteros del Ibera wetlands in Argentina and to my horror it fell off the dash of the jeep to the floor with a loud bang halfway through the tour...
I feared for the worst but kept my mouth shut... but it was used for the rest of the excursion w/o complaints and when I got it back, there was no trace and collimation was without fault.
Joachim
