Nikon, Swaro 8x32 or others?

[Sollas]

Hello bonnie laddies and lassies. Just joined and need a wee bit of advice.

Currently have Opticron 8x42HR which are getting abit old to put it mildly. I'm a fairly avid nature and bird watcher and am considering splashing out on some kit....the question however is which one! Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides demand some decent gear.

Have thought about Nikon 8x32SE but no-one in central scotland stocks them or wants to, not quite sure why particularly since everyone speaks so highly of them. Still available though according to Nikon UK.

Tried Swar 8x32 EL recently, truly fantastic but are they really worth over a grand!!?

Befuddled!

[John Russell]

Wouldn't you need night vision glasses in Shetland at this time of year? ;-)
Seriously though, I think 7x42s or 8x42s would give you a brighter and more comfortable view than 8x32s.
Try to get a look at Meopta B1s in these sizes. IMHO they are right up there with the premium makes but more reasonably priced.

John

[Kevin Purcell]

Wasn't a fellow Scot extolling the virtues of the Hawke Frontier ED 8x43 recently when looking at Mull in the mid-afternoon?

They should be on your list. Under £300.

[Sancho]

Welcome, Solas....the Swaro EL 8x32 can be got now for less than a grand (sterling, that is....). In fact, I bet if you wait till after Christmas you´ll get it for even less. It is a beautiful bino, nothing feels (IMHO) quite as comfortable in the hand and it´s a great one-hand glass. Check out the reviews, there´s another thread here someplace on a round-up of the best binos of 2008 and the Swaro EL 8x32 is rated tops (mind you there are many competing opinions out there). I also have the Nikon EII 8x30 (still available from some on-line outlets in England). The FOV is even a bit wider, just a shade brighter, and the view (at least in the centre) is a tiny bit sharper, but they´re traditional-style porros and not waterproof. Still, I´ve never had any problems with them in Wicklow, and I´m sure it´s every bit as drizzly here as in Scotland....an added advantage is that they cost about 270 sterling. Best of Luck and let us know how you jump.

[Tero]

Not a big 7x fan, but try those for the Shetlands. Very few 7x42 models available. Some lesser brands carry pretty good 7x50 marine binoculars.

[Sollas]

Thanks John, Meopta B1's... never heard of them but will check them out for sure. Not sure about the 7x though. 8.5x42 EL's are also unbelievable but was thinking of something a bit smaller with wider field of view.

I keep wondering if £1000 pound roofs are really worth it over say 8x32SE's for £400.00

Also my pound is shrinking as I write, we appear to be gettin a doin (scots term) from the euro and the dollar, not funny!!

[Kevin Purcell]

I keep wondering if £1000 pound roofs are really worth it over say 8x32SE's for £400.00

It all depends how you are with the relative ergonomics (grip which is easier with the roofs); the lack of waterproofing in the SE (you live in a dry bit of Scotland, eh? ;) ), and the occasional problems people have with blackouts (I get it sometimes in my "picky" right eye if the SE's IPD is too narrow) and the fold down rubber eyecups (stock up now!).

Of course if Nikon had decided to make a "modern" porro with waterproofing and twist-up eyecups on an SE we wouldn't be having this discussion.

You like wide FOV, sharp, contrasty ... try the Hawke Frontier ED 8x43 (seriously ;) ).

Aside from stray light control it has a very similar view to the Euro 3 and Nikon SE: a fraction less sharp than the SE (I just tried compared them here!) for a hundred and a bit less.

The RSPB HD might be another one to look at too. Another Chinese ODMed ED glass for £500 that gets similarly good reviews with a "closed hinge" design.

So there are other options. But if you really want an SE ... go for it. You can resell it if you don't get along with it.
There will probably be more of these over the next year.

[John M Robinson]

Hello bonnie laddies and lassies. Just joined and need a wee bit of advice.

Currently have Opticron 8x42HR which are getting abit old to put it mildly. I'm a fairly avid nature and bird watcher and am considering splashing out on some kit....the question however is which one! Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides demand some decent gear.

Have thought about Nikon 8x32SE but no-one in central scotland stocks them or wants to, not quite sure why particularly since everyone speaks so highly of them. Still available though according to Nikon UK.

Tried Swar 8x32 EL recently, truly fantastic but are they really worth over a grand!!?

Befuddled!

I just went through the same exercise as I wanted a good 8x32 to back up my relatively heavy 8x42 Ultravid. I considered, then ruled out the 8x32SE as I wanted a bomb-proof, go anywhere, anytime bino, even though I own a 10x42 SE which is fantastic.

I compared an 8x32 Trinovid BN, Ultravid BR and 8x32 Swaro EL. They were all good but optically the EL was the clear winner to my eye. The Ultravid actually matched it optically but I had to hold it just right to avoid partial black-outs. The little Trinovid was just as sharp as the other two and clearly a little less bright, but the view was easier than the Ultravid for some reason. If the price was close, or I was rich enough for cost to be no object, I would have picked the ELs, but for $700.00 less than the Trinovid, the BN was a no-brainer.

[Sollas]

My main concern with the 8x32 SE's is this black-out issue. I dont wear glasses and have fairly good eyesight, so far!!. I take it the short eye relief somehow causes this. Does anyone know under what circumstances this blackout problem occurs.

They seem to be an obvious choice but I wouldn't like to take the chance without trying them first. None of the dealers round here stock them.

[ThoLa]

...

They seem to be an obvious choice but I wouldn't like to take the chance without trying them first. None of the dealers round here stock them.

have you tried to find them on Amazon UK ?
They have a return/refund policy I guess.

Tom

[dogfish]

The Kowa XD 8x33, due next year (don't know when), has the potential to be the best in this class if the quality of the XD44 bins is maintained.

Sean

[Pileatus]

My main concern with the 8x32 SE's is this black-out issue. I dont wear glasses and have fairly good eyesight, so far!!. I take it the short eye relief somehow causes this. Does anyone know under what circumstances this blackout problem occurs.

They seem to be an obvious choice but I wouldn't like to take the chance without trying them first. None of the dealers round here stock them.

Blackout
http://birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=666977&postcount=22

[Sollas]

Hi John,

"As it is, many of us who use the SE have learned to automatically position the binocular, making blackouts a distant memory." ??

Can you explain what this means. The cups are not that deep on this bin so I reckon your eyes must sit in the normal position on the cup, any further back and you lose field of view...or am I misreading the thread.

cheers
Gerry

[Sollas]

Yes, can get them on Amazon...but almost £600.00. Not exactly a bargain

[Pileatus]

Hi John,

"As it is, many of us who use the SE have learned to automatically position the binocular, making blackouts a distant memory." ??

Can you explain what this means. The cups are not that deep on this bin so I reckon your eyes must sit in the normal position on the cup, any further back and you lose field of view...or am I misreading the thread.

cheers
Gerry
Gerry,

I wear eyeglasses and keep the eyecups folded down.

John

[Sollas]

Thanks Dogfish,

I think Kowa quality in general is excellent. I have 613 scope which is still fantastic after 15 years.

Where did you hear about the XD 8x33's

[dogfish]

There's a thread on this forum with links to Kowa info

Sean

[teamgs]

Hi Sollas,
I never experience the blackout, unless I really try.

I would definitely see if you can find someone with the SE's to let you take a look. Maybe someone on this site is located near you.

No doubt the EL's are excellent bins. I preferred the SE's, but then I was comparing a 10x42EL to the 8x32SE.

Regards,

Gary

[Dave H]

Wasn't a fellow Scot extolling the virtues of the Hawke Frontier ED 8x43 recently when looking at Mull in the mid-afternoon?

They should be on your list. Under £300.

Indeed he was!

Highly recommended for £270, bearing in mind the credit crunch!

Happy to answer any questions.

Dave

[Sollas]

Hi Dave,

Does that mean you have a pair to sell? where are the Hawke's made? Don't see too much of them up this way?
Where would you buy bins up here? Black and Lizars always seem to have a reasonable range but no place to view them. Vane farm near me have a pretty poor selection.

[Kevin Purcell]

Sollas: try a search for Hawke in the forum and you'll find the threads related to them: reviews and other commentary.

Hawkes are made in China.

Hawkes sell them online (as well as in some stores) with a 30 day try and return period. They're £270 new.

I doubt DaveH is selling his Hawkes just yet. ;)