Bushnell v vortex or alternatives

[Greysands boy]

Hi ,

I am just about ready to spend some hard saved cash on upgrading my Bushnell 8x42 Natureview Porros (Excellent starter bins),

I think i have narrowed it down to 2 Either Bushnell Elite e2 8x42 or vortex vipers 8 x42 i can get both models shipped from the states for about £250.
Anyone out there got any opinions (Or alternative suggestions or good second hand ones you want to sell) on this I may be able to stretch to £350.00 pounds if the right model was out there.

I where specs so eyerelief is a factor.

Cheers

Darryl

[paddyluke]

hi darryl,
the vortex vipers are around £250 in the UK so no need to have them shipped from the States,

andrew.

[P H]

Hi Darryl, try these links there's a few been tested here.

http://www.minoxuk.co.uk/

http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/2007roundup/chart_main_extended.html

Paul.

[Alexis Powell]

I think i have narrowed it down to 2 Either Bushnell Elite e2 8x42 or vortex vipers 8 x42

You can read my comments on both in post #9 in this thread http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=102373

--AP

[J. Moore]

I think i have narrowed it down to 2 Either Bushnell Elite e2 8x42 or vortex vipers 8 x42 i can get both models shipped from the states for about £250.
Anyone out there got any opinions (Or alternative suggestions or good second hand ones you want to sell) on this I may be able to stretch to £350.00 pounds if the right model was out there.

I where specs so eyerelief is a factor.

Hi Darryl,

I have the 8 x 42 vipers and really like them. They are very bright and give you a sharp, crisp picture with neutral but vibrant colors. They have excellent eye relief and are very light and compact for a full-sized binocular. Different people have different tastes, but every published review I have read of them has been very enthusiastic. One optics site rated them the best binocular buy in any price class. (see here: http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/binocularpicks.html). Eagle Optics, one of the most highly regarded American optics dealers, list them as their "staff pick" for birding binoculars in this price range. (http://www.eagleoptics.com/buying_guide.asp?cid=4).

Here is a favorable review comparing them to the much more expensive Bushnell Elite 8 X 43 (the author is a vortex employee, but I have found him to be quite neutral in his recommendations): http://www.birddigiscoping.com/2006/11/vortex-viper-binocular-review.html

Also, Field & Stream, a venerated American outdoors Magazine, recently ranked the 10 x 42 version the best midpriced binoculars out there.

Finally, they are slightly lighter and have a somewhat wider field of view than the Bushnell binoculars you are considering.

Hope this helps,
Jim