Search Begins For Birding Binoculars

[Backyard Birder]

I am back into birding after a short (32 year) break and need to get two new pairs of binoculars to replace the 14yr old Bushnell's I got at Best Buy for $75. They still work but barely.

I'm looking for something that my wife and I can use for just about everything (with birding the overriding use) so I'm thinking that 8x42's would be a good size. My budget is $300 or less per pair. They will need some eye relief as my wife wears glasses. I've seen some good reviews on the Monarchs and Eagle Optics Rangers. What others should I be adding to my list of candidates?

[Matt_RTH]

There are a lot of models out there, even at price points that would allow both of you to have a pair. 8x42 is an exceptional all around size. It's bright, reasonably easy to carry and there are many to choose from. Another very popular format is 8x32. More compact, lighter, and can perform very well. Doing a little math, if you're in the 40+ club, you may benefit from larger exit pupil binoculars due ones eyes beginning to dilate less with age. This mainly affects low light viewing, such as bad weather, early and late in the day.

I can really only comment on what I have used. I use the Pentax 8x32 SP primarily and it's really enjoyable. I have the EO Ranger in 8x32 format and these are known to be a bit dim. This is confirmed comparing my EO 8x32 to my Pentax 8x32. It's not much dimmer but it is perceivable. 8x42 would be a different story.

I was deciding between Pentax and Monarchs and the Pentax' won for me by a good margin.

I've been to Atlanta many times and I know they have the Bass Pro out there. I'd highly recommend you go to one and try out as many as you can. They won't have all the models but they'll have the big ones. They'll also have house brand roof prism models with phase coating.

Best of luck.

[Steve C]

At that price range my advice is to go to CameralandNY and get two Vortex Fury binoculars off the demo list. They are better in my experience than the Monarch. Vortex has a top line service and warranty, so no worries if the binocular was not bought new. Many if not all of the CameralandNY demos will still be in the sealed box. Good binocular and they will fit your price, plus they have really good eye relief. It probably won't take but one or two posts for somebody to tell you to spend way more than your budget. Not bad advice certainly, just expensive. CameralandNY will let you return merchandise if you aren't satisfied and they are really good to deal with.

[Backyard Birder]

Thanks for the feedback!

Matt_RTH -The heads up on Bass Proshops is a good idea. There is one not too far away. I think I'll take a trip up there if for anything just to be able to try out a few different ones.

Steve C- I had not come across the Vortex so thanks. I'll do a little research on them and CamralandNY sounds like a good option. What is it about them that makes you like them better than the Monarch?

Based on the little research I've done so far 8x42 seems to be the right size. Like I said, we will be birding primarily with some very light sports and astronomy use.

[Steve C]

http://magblog.audubon.org/taxonomy/term/9

Here's a review of the Fury. I prefer them over my Monarch because the image is brighter and sharper and they have a better depth of field.

[Backyard Birder]

Ok, I've begun to put a list together based on replies here and some more research. Here's what I have so far (all are 8x42)

Nikon Monarch $220-$240
Vortex Diamondback $199-$249
Stokes Talon $199-$239
Bushnell Excursion EX $180

Vortex Fury $389 ($289 demo)
Eagle Optics Ranger SRT $329
Minox BV 8x42 BR $289
Pentax DCF HRc $259
Celestron Noble $250

My current thought process is to get one "really good" pair and one "pretty good" pair. Right now I am leaning towards the Vortex Fury for the high end and the Monarch or Diamondback/Talon for the low end. My guess is anything we get will be a lot better than our current pair. That would leave a bit for me to add to my spotting scope fund. If our budget opens up we could possibly get two "really good" at the high end of the range but that is unlikely right now. I figure if we want to upgrade in the future I can always Ebay them to help fund the new bins.

Am I missing any candidates here? The main criteria is good eye relief, waterproof, and a wide field if at all possible.

[Tero]

We really have not much info on the bigger Furys. They look pretty good on specs, but are they much better than the already fair to good Diamondbacks?

[Backyard Birder]

We really have not much info on the bigger Furys. They look pretty good on specs, but are they much better than the already fair to good Diamondbacks?

What might you suggest instead of the Fury's? Do you have any experience with any of the others I listed? It sounds like the Diamondback/Talon is a good lower priced choice however.

[Tero]

I don't see any real losers there as far as optics go. But suggest you stick to Bushnell Excursion, not Excursion EX. Some quality control issues there and Kevin claimed chromatic aberration...colors separate on dark and light oobejects.

[Kevin Purcell]

I saw CA in the Excursion EX not in the "regular" Excursion so the optics must be a little different (at least in the 36mm version).

The Vortex Diamondback/Talon and the Bushnell Excursion are all made at the same OEM with the same optics. Warranty is a bit better for the Vortex. And you might be able to find the Vortex in demos or discounted. These all good starter bins.

I also like the Pentax HS 8x36. Better view that the above collection by just a little bit with nice ergonomics. Very nice balanced performance (e.g. good stray light perforamce that usually goes out the window at low prices)If you check the bargain bins thread you will find them on buydig.com for $99 to $119 (the price has been bouncing around) in camo rather than the usual $180 to $200.

The Fury's get good reviews too (spending more does help!).

And yes if you plan on going birding together get two pairs! You can't bird with a shared bin.

[Steve C]

Get your wife the ones she likes first. Then get yourself some. I'd not advise that you get one lesser and one higher quality binocular unless you want to always pack the lesser glass when you are out with your wife and the binoculars.

See Kevin Purcells "Binocular Bargains" thread here. The last entry is a place that is selling the Promaster Infinity Elite ELX ED for $400. You will not get better optics at that price, period. They have been reviewed extensively here, so a little searching not too far back will get you all of the information on them, or the very similar Hawke Frontier ED, that you need. That puts you to $800 fo a pair. Somewhat more than you want, but you BOTH will have a fine set of optics. Those binoculars are a little on the large size.

The Furys are noticeably better than the Monarch, the Diamondback/Talon, or the Excursion. If you don't want to get two Promasters, get two Fury's. The Fury comes in 6.5 and 8x32 if you want a bit smaller size.

[Kevin Purcell]

And not to forget the up and coming (but no one has seen them yet so we can't be sure) Orion ULX 8x42 ED Binoculars which appear to be another of the same Chinese ED bins.

http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=binocular_standard/~pcategory=binoculars/~product_id=09256

They're priced at $270. They look very similar to the Hawke and Promaster but that's probably because all of these bins use the same magnesium alloy open-bridge enclosure. But they also have optical specs identical to the Hawke. We'll see if the interior is the same when someone tries them out.

See the "Looks Familiar" thread for more comments.

So they might be one to add to the list when they ship in mid-December.

[Steve C]

Maybe that's (coming competition) why the Promaster is down in price on your other post? The only things I see are 1- Limited one year warranty and 2- no mention of the Repellamax coating. Here I thought the competition would be aimed at the higher tier binoculars, looks like they (Chinese OEM) are taking a shot at the $300 class as well. If the image is the same, that's a deal for sure.

[Backyard Birder]

Those Promasters look very good but they are out of our range for now. But the Orions would be doable, assuming they are decent. $300 or so/pair is the upper limit budgetwise.

After some more reasoned thought |:D| , I do agree that the boss(wife) deserves the same or better quality than me. Now it comes down to how much we really want to spend.

On the lower end of things, how do the Diamondbacks compare to the Monarchs? It seems like the Vortex are built a bit better and if the quality is there they seem like a great choice for the $200 range. On the higher end, the new Orions could be "it" if they are as good as described. If not, then the Fury would fit.

So many choices...

[Tero]

The Monarchs are in all respects acceptable, except the eye cups tend to go in easily. The Diamondbacks have slightly better build, optics is similar, maybe a bit brighter in Monarchs.

The Furys may be a bit more solid than these two, but have not seen the optics. I have been generally happy with Vortex external parts. I only have one Vortex now.