Help pick binoculars for my sister, b-in-law, and kids in South Africa

[orbitaljump]

My sister had a pair of Optolyth 8x30 porros that were fantastic, but one side went fungus on her. Im looking into getting them worked on...but she needs some replacements...ASAP.

They have a pair of

7x35 Fuji Meibos
8x25 Nikon Sportstar III 8.2 degrees FOV
8x30 Japanese classic porro with no coatings (oldest son is using age 9)

Kids are aged 2, 7, 9

She really liked the light weight and smallness of the Optolyth 8x30s (about 15 oz.s IIRC. The Optolyth had great optics too.


Im thinking

Leupold Yosemite 8x30
Bushnell Excursion 8x28
Nikon Monarch 8x36

and another pair of Nikon 8x25 Sportstar III 8.2 degrees.

Perhaps a Pentax 8x24 UCF WR?

Or I tried some Nikon ATB 8x25 reverse porros today, and they seemed pretty good.

Or maybe some Pentax Papillos 6.5x21?


What say you?

Trying to keep costs down as well.

[teamgs]

Greetings,
I like my wife's Yosemite 8x30's a lot. They seem almost as sharp as my 8x32 Nikon SE's in the middle, although the sweet spot is smaller on the Yosemite. I also liked the view of the 6x30 Yosemite's as well, but my wife seemed to like the 8x32 better, so that's what she got! :D

The price is excellent, and the smaller IP distance makes them good for most children as well.

Regarsd,

Gary

[Tero]

The Bushnell Excursion 8x32 regular..not EX...will give more full bino feel than 8x28, and does not cost much more. The 8x28 will work too.

[orbitaljump]

What do you think about the Monarch 8x36? If Im going to get a 20 oz bino, I think the Monarchs would be better than the Bushnell Excursion 8x32....no? Bigger exit pupil and objectives for brightness at the same weight....but less aparent fov. Plus the Monarch 8x42 seem to have a good reputation. I had some 8x36 Sporters that I liked but they lacked a bit....and the focus wheel/knob had some play. The Monarchs are lighter with better coatings and made in Japan as opposed to China for the Sporters.

[orbitaljump]

Also Vortex Hurricane 8x28 vs Fury 8x28 vs Bushnell Excursion 8x28?

I looked through and handled some 8x32 Vortex Fury's today and was impressed....but that may be out of my price range.

[Tero]

Um, not the Hurricane. The others OK.

I am not a fan of 8x36 Monarchs. 8x42 OK, both made in China. Typically you pay 500 and up for anything made in Japan. Some Fujinons once in a while for less.
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=93430

[orbitaljump]

Monarchs made in China?

Fascinating.

[Tero]

Yes, the label Nikon Japan is confusing. Another label says Made in China, at least the last 4 years.

But even all the parts for Leupolds are made in China, also some Europeans. Assembly in a another country allows "made in.." sticker for that country.

[orbitaljump]

I dont know much about roofs...dont have much experience with them. Weight is a primary concern.

I thought the Monarchs were highly regarded. How about some help on the cheaper roof prism front.

[orbitaljump]

The Yosemite 8x30 is a lock. Id like to get a decent roof as well, on the lighter weight side.

[Tero]

I have looked at the 8x36 Monarch from time to time, but Pentax 8x32 SP beats it for a flatter more even view. There may be some 8x36 Pentax models worth looking at. Search the Pentax section. Some are on sale.

these
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4168
on sale but returnable

[orbitaljump]

Those got considerable larger and weigh more.....but thanks for the suggestion.

[Kevin Purcell]

The Yosemite 8x30 is a lock. Id like to get a decent roof as well, on the lighter weight side.


Leupold Katmai 6x32 or 8x32 (the former gets better reviews

Made in Japan, I think. For under $300.

Regarding the "Made in Japan" there the Leupold Cascade porros are Made in Japan (IIRC FrankD's comments) for $230. So you don't have to go to $500 for Japanese bins. But more and more of them (especially newer bins) are now Made in China.

That said Chinese bins are very good these days. My Pentax HS 8x36 are Chinese though it took me two days to notice the made in china on the Pentax aluminum label not on a piece of sticky plastic! They seem proud enough to use the same style of labeling as their Japanese versions. And they feel very "Japanese" especially in the strap and case (they're thicker than the usual cheap Chinese nylon). I was amused as I though they were Japanese ... they "looked" Japanese to me.

And the Pentax HS 8x36 is another one to add to your list. Perhaps a little heavier than you wish (low 20 ounces) though it feels lighter for some odd reason. On sale for $99 to $120 (see the links on the Binocular Bargains thread). Normally $180. I feel it's one of the best roofs below $200 - the nicest balance of features.

[orbitaljump]

Whats the AFOV on the Pentax 8x36 HS?

[orbitaljump]

Looking for a pic of the eyepiece lens.

[orbitaljump]

Im drifting back to the Monarch 8x36.

[Kevin Purcell]

Whats the AFOV on the Pentax 8x36 HS?

Using the usual approximation for a 6.5 degree FOV the AFOV is 52 degrees.

But the narrow FOV is what helps its performance: a wide FOV makes suppressing stray light a lot more difficult. Everything in a bin is a compromise.

IMHO making decision based on the AFOV is not a good idea. FOV I can understand. And of course if you fix the magnification then FOV and AFOV scale together.

But if you really like AFOV go for 10x ;)

[orbitaljump]

Well, FOV is important too. Ill take a wider FOV with edge dropoff over a tight FOV sharp to the edge.

The 8x36 Monarchs seem to have a decent FOV and AFOV. 367ft and 56 degrees.

[Tero]

If I had Monarchs 8x36 and Yosemite 8x30 to pick from, I would go for the Yosemite. Very cute too.

[Steve C]

The Monarchs are just OK binoculars. I have one in 8x42. They are not as good as the Vortex Fury, which is where I would go, were I in your shoes looking for a decent roof without breaking the bank. CameralandNY has demos right now. The Fury is brighter, the resolution is a tad better, and the FOV is better than the Monarch. The x32 Fury has exceptional fov, 445' @ 6.5x (I have one of these, and like it a lot) and 414' @ 8x. They are $239/demo at Cameraland.

The Yosemite choice can't be faulted. It is the stand out choice for youngsters or for anyone needing narrower than average IPD.

[orbitaljump]

What do you think about Papillos for a kids bino?

[Tero]

Well, they seem fairly rugged. In fact most reverse porros are almost unbreakable. Here is a pretty good one.
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4833

I still have a 9x Nikon, hardly use it, I use 8x32s even on short trips, and 8x28s are my pocket size in winter.

[orbitaljump]

I handled some 8x32 Vortex Fury's the other day at Sportsmans Warehouse. I liked them, very nice. The highest priced Chinese bino on the extensive rack. I definitely liked the views and solid feel/build(particularly the focus wheel) these had over the Nikon Monarch 8x36.....but the Monarchs were lighter with bigger objectives....its all a compromise.

[Kevin Purcell]

What do you think about Papillos for a kids bino?

I think the Papilo's could make rather good kids bins.

Someone here commented a long time ago that kids (especially younger (elementary/primary school age) look to look at close things as well as distance things. And by close we mean "portable microscope" close.

Only down side if toughness and lack of waterproofing. Though I agree with Tero's comments of reverse porros with internal focussing being pretty tough in general these are a little different. They move the objectives to focus on both along the axis and tilt (or move) them relative to the axis (to "toe in" for close up views). So they have largish objects moving in two dimensions which gives more ways to fail ... which I suspect might contribute to the comments of "miscollimation out of the box" I've seen.

The Yosemites would be tougher but not as good at close focus.

Awaiting a pair to play with ...

[orbitaljump]

Maybe some Nikon 7x35E or Swift Ultralite 7x42 or Swift Audubon 8.5x44 804Rs....instead of spending $200 plus on a roof?

Id like to get them a roof though. I think my sister would like a roof prism bino. Another plus for the Nikon Monarch 8x36...its a name she can recognize and might appreciate more for that simple foolish reason.

[Alexis Powell]

Someone here commented a long time ago that kids (especially younger (elementary/primary school age) look to look at close things as well as distance things. And by close we mean "portable microscope" close.

That might have been me.

Only down side [of the Papilios is] toughness and lack of waterproofing.

Actually, I think the biggest potential issue w/the Papilios, almost all other reverse-porro compacts, and nearly all single-hinged roofs when kids are concerned is the minimum interpupillary distance. These binoculars have a 56 mm minimum and are thus not suitable for most young kids. IPD increases with age but there is so much individual variation that to be sure that such a bino will work for a particular child you should measure their IPD. Actually, to be safe, one should do the same for adults, especially women. I know three adult women whose IDPs are under 54 mm.

--AP

[orbitaljump]

Papillos off the gift list.

Im thinking of maybe going with 3 8x25 Nikon Sportstar 8x25 8.2 degree for the kids....so they wont fight....everyone will have one exactly the same kind.

They already have one that I gave them, I have one I am willing to part with, and I can pick up another.

On occassion the kids can use the Yosemites and whatever else I end up getting for my sis.

Bushnell Excursion 8x28 vs Nikon Monarch 8x36 by the numbers....

Bushnell wins...15 oz vs 19 oz
Bushnell wins...417ft fov vs 367 ft fov
Bushnell wins...4.4x4.5 vs 4.9x5.1
Bushnell wins....58 degree afov vs 56 degree afov
Bushnell wins...Rubber Armor vs Not

Nikon wins...28mm obj vs 36mm obj
Nikon wins....3.5mm exit pupil vs 4.5 mm exit pupil
Nikon wins....15mm eye relief vs 17mm eye relief

Tie....Phase coated vs Phase coated
Tie....Multi coated vs Multi coated
Tie....Water Proof/Nit vs Waterproof Nitrogen purged

[Kevin Purcell]

Bushnell wins...417ft fov vs 367 ft fov
Bushnell wins....58 degree afov vs 56 degree afov


Where did you get the AFOV numbers from?

Using the usual approximation (that over-estimates AFOV) this should be 64 degrees vs 56 degrees which you would notice (unlike the 58 vs 56 you mention).

Beware that in their product literature Nikon is using the "correct" method for calculating AFOV which would come up with a smaller number than 56 degrees. Not sure if Bushnell is doing that too.

You need to know to compare Apple's to Apple though as they're both 8x then it just scales as the FOV (8.0 degrees vs 7.0 degrees).

The advantage of the smaller FOV is it reduces issues with stray light (it would be nice to see someone try this by comparing these two bins "close" (20 degrees or so) to a low sun ;) ).

[orbitaljump]

Nikon from Nikon website....Bushnell from Bushnell Excursioni 8x28 first impressioin thread....

FOV 417 ft./1000 yds or 7.9 degrees

AFOV is roughly (actually less than) 63 degrees (i.e. FOV * magnification or 7.9 * 8)

or more accurately AFOV is 58.1 degrees

2 * arctan(8 * tan(7.9 * 0.0174532925 / 2)) in degrees
2 * arctan(8 * tan(417 / 52.5 * 0.0174532925 / 2)) in degrees

You can copy and paste that last bit of text into Google and Google calculator will do the calculation for you if you want to fiddle about with the FOV and the magnification.

The simple approximation is close enough to within 5 degrees ;)

[orbitaljump]

Yeah not much differnce between 56 and 58 and I dont really care about Rubber Armor....and the difference between 15mm and 17mm doesnt really do much for me in the eye relief department either.

That leaves Bushnell with SIZE, WEIGHT, and FOV advantage.....and Nikon with OBJECTIVE SIZE and EXIT PUPIL(which are closely related) advantage.

[Tero]

I have the Excursion 8x28 in hand. The smallest ipd is some 55-57mm, where my Nikon Prostaff 9x25 reverse porro is 54mm. The Nikon Sportstar will be even less as it is double hinged.

[orbitaljump]

The Bushnells also have the all important PRICE advantage!

by at least a 2 to 1 margin or more like 3 to 1.

[Alexis Powell]

The smallest ipd ... Nikon Prostaff 9x25 reverse porro is 54mm.

Are you sure? Nikon lists it as 56 mm and I've found their IPD specs accurate in the past. I haven't seen a Nikon reverse porro with a sub 56 mm IPD since the Sprint models (now discontinued; they went down to 54 mm).

--AP

[Kevin Purcell]

Nikon from Nikon website....Bushnell from Bushnell Excursioni 8x28 first impressioin thread....

That's what I mean about comparing like for like: both should be the approximate calculation or the accurate calculation to compare them.

Though this does show that even Nikon can't be consistent in how they do it. No wonder we're confused ;)

[orbitaljump]

I might keep the Excursion for myself to replace the 8x25 Sportstars, which Ill give for the children to use. Then send Monarch 8x36 and Yosemite 8x30 as well, and call it a day. The 2 year old is still a bit young.

[orbitaljump]

That's what I mean about comparing like for like: both should be the approximate calculation or the accurate calculation to compare them.

Though this does show that even Nikon can't be consistent in how they do it. No wonder we're confused ;)

So I plugged in 367 in the formula and got 52 degrees for the Nikon Monarch 8x36.



I dont like that. That is a significant differnce from 58 degrees.

[orbitaljump]

Are EO Ranger PC 8x32s going for $179 again this year?

[orbitaljump]

Im souring on the Monarch 8x36 somewhat.


Any good less expensive roofs in 8x32 with 400ft +/- fovs?

[Steve C]

Dude! You're going to drive yourself nuts. Personally I'd still get the 8x32 Fury. They are only 2oz heavier than the 8x36 Monarch and the fov is nearly a full degree wider. I doubt the eye will ever know there is any difference in the objective size.

However since you ask, and I have seen them at Sportsmans Warehouse, look at the Alpen Apex 8x32. The Sportsman's Warehouse I was at still had some Bushnell Legend 8x32, which are discontinued. The only difference was the color of the rubber armor, green for the Alpen and Black for the Legend. Specs, ergonomics and image are identical. ALpen price was $239.

You will provide some useful binoculars with your current choices of Yosemite and Monarch, so get it done and stop worrying so much. Just wish your sister and family Merry Christmas.

[Tero]

Go for the Fury, what the heck.

[orbitaljump]

Maybe a Browning 8x32 or a Nikon Sporter 8x36?

[Tero]

Well, see, this is the point where you pick one. Your order it from the favorite place on line. You send it back. then you order another one. This way you get to try them all. ;)

No more advice.

[Kevin Purcell]

Maybe a Browning 8x32 or a Nikon Sporter 8x36?

Two very different classes of bin ... if ou don't like the Monarch you won't like the Sporter! It doesn't have PC either.

Brownings are very difficult to find.

Celestron Noble 8x32 if you can find one for around $200. Buydig.com had some a while back.

[orbitaljump]

Would you say the Celestron Noble, Browning, and Bushnell Legend are on par with each other and the Nikon Monarch?

[Tero]

Yes, all in the same ballpark. The EO SRT and Celestron Noble are the same, I think.

[orbitaljump]

One more question, where does the Bushnell Excursion 8x32 fit into that group? Is the Bushnell Excursion 8x32 better than say the Nikon Sporter 8x36(which I have experience with). I liked the Sporter but the optics were a bit lacking compared to my quality old Japanese porros and the backlash on the focus was irritating.

[orbitaljump]

I think Im back to the Nikon Monarch 8x36. Those should be fine, I think.

Nikon Monarch 8x36
Leupold Yosemite 8x30
Nikon Sportstar 8x25 8.2 degree

to go with

Fuji Meibo 7x35
Nikon Sportstar 8x25 8.2 degree

I think Ill confiscate the Japanese 8x30 that I previously gave them for their oldest son to use. They have collectors value.

And Ill get a Bushnell Excursion 8x28 or a Custom 7x26 for myself. :)

That should do them nicely....for now. I think they will be thrilled.

[orbitaljump]

I think Ill got to Bass Pro Shop in Savannah GA and hand pick a Monarch 8x36 with a holiday discount or sale. Rummage up a good one without any glaring faults.

Do they come in

Black
Camo
Sage/Olive

[Tero]

I have seen Monarchs in camo.

If you want the best for under 200, porros are the best in optics, usually not the most comfortable.

[orbitaljump]

Yeah, I would get them a Swift Audubon or a Nikon 7x35E or some such....but they are getting the Yosemites and already have a pretty good pair in the 7x35 Fuji Meibos.

I think my sister will like the roofs, especially these lightweight Monarchs.

[alan_rymer]

If you can still get the Browning or Smith & Wesson 8x32 over there at a cheaper price than the Monarch 8x36, they are seriously nice bins.

[orbitaljump]

Thanks for the tip.

[orbitaljump]

What about the Brunton Epoch with wider fields at 8x32?

[Steve C]

The Brunton Epoch is either offered at a 21mm size or a 43mm size, and is quite a bit more expensive than anything else you've turned up. The Eterna comes in more sizes, including 8x32. It is a good binocular, but heavier than other 32mm. The Echo, if that's what you mean, is a non phase corrected binocular. I'd have no problen with the optics in the Eterna, FWIW.

[orbitaljump]

The Echo is what I meant. Brunton likes E words.

[Tero]

The Echo was OK for its time. Brunton has not kept up. The top end may be good, but nothing unusual.

[orbitaljump]

I remember not liking the "Emerald Fire" coatings or whatever they were called on the LiteTech 8x25s that I had.

Any comments on the Emerald Frie coatings? Was that just a marketing gimick or were they contrast enhancing or some such? Do the Eternas and Epochs have them?

[Tero]

Color is just a sales gimmick, something to identify. The color is picked from the thickness of coatings
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-166.html

[orbitaljump]

I pretty up on coating technology. The heavy green tint seemed to be more of a gimmicky type bright "Ruby Coating," than a variation of coating reflection colors.

[orbitaljump]

I dont know what to do.

Now Im thinking Pentax 8x32 DCF SP or Kowa BD 8x32.

[Tero]

I think the SP is a good package of relaxed viewing and reasonable shapness for the non expert customer you have in mind. They will use it 10 years and never complain.

The Kowa will be very similar.

Order one of those, then send back and get the other if you do not like it. But you will hardly tell a difference.

I once ordered the same 8x42 in two brands, sent both back. The second I almost kept, but we are supposed to be in a recession, so I exchanged it for a needed tripod.

[orbitaljump]

Is the aparent fov the nearly the same on the Pentax and Kowa?

[orbitaljump]

I picked up the Pentax 8x32 DCF SP.

Can you tell me about them?

[Tero]

i do not know in degrees
Pentax
Field of View 393 ft./1000 yds.
Eye Relief 17mm
Close Focus 4.9 ft.
Weight 23.2 oz.

Kowa 394ft

The Pentax will be a rather flat field, not much pincushion or barrel distortion. Very slight distortion at the very edge. They are as sharp as most in the 300-500 dollar range. There may be some model that is slightly better, but I have a hard time telling at 8x. And at 8x32 especially. Some 8x42s will be a tiny bit sharper.

[orbitaljump]

Would you say the Pentax 8x32 SP is a better binocular than the Nikon Monarch 8x36? If so in what respects?

[orbitaljump]

Im thinking

Magnesium alloy frame
Aspheric lenses
Tougher armoring

I remember thinking the 8x36 Monarch I looked at...that its focus knob was really light and not liking the action on it.

Is the sweet spot bigger on the Pentax on average than the Monarch?

[Tero]

Yes, all SP and also ED vs all Monarchs. I have the 10x here, and the 8x were similar.

[JohnJos]

orbitaljump,

I have the Pentax 8x32 DCF SP. I also have the Browning 8x32. I also have the Kowa BD 8x32, although it is in for repair at the moment. Here are a few quick comparisons.

I believe the Pentax and the Browning may be the same bin underneath. They share many of the same properties and appear to me to be essentially identical except for the rubber armoring. Both are nearly identical in size & weight, close focus, field of view, eye relief & exit pupil. Both focus near to far counterclockwise (which I consider 'backwards' from most bins). The focuser behaves and feels the same, a bit tight and becomes tighter as the temperature drops. The view is effectively the same to me. The hinge looks identical in each. I see no difference in the coatings just based on visual inspection.

That being said, I like both but I may like the Brownings more because of their ergonomics. I hate the depressed thumb areas on the Pentax bins and the eyecups just don't feel quite right. Both perform optically very well though. Very pleased with the view. Clear, crisp & bright.

I only had the Kowas a short time before I had to send them in for repair to fix a faulty eyecup that tended to collapse during use. I should have them back late next week (none too pleased with Kowa's customer service). Much lighter than the previous two 8x32 bins; otherwise again nearly identical specs. But the hinge is indeed different. And, while focus wheel also is 'backwards', it is smoother and quite easy to use. I don't recall it tightening up in the cold but I may not have used it in colder temps. The view is on par or maybe slightly better than the Browning & Pentax 8x32s. I did compare the Browning to the Kowa for flare because that is the one negative the Brownings have been noted for. The Kowa did do a better job at controlling lens flare although I'm not really bothered by it when using the Browning.

I'll keep the Browning. One of the other two will probably be sold once I get more time to compare the Kowa vs. the Pentax SP. I got good deals on all three but the best deal on the Brownings which cost me half or less of the purchase price of the other two. Unfortunately the Brownings are no longer available based upon a recent Internet search (gone the way of the Nikon EIIs which I also haven't been able to track down but would buy without hesitation if I found a pair for sale in either 8X or 10X at a decent price).

I'll report back to this thread once I get the Kowas back and do a bit more testing on them.

Anyway, that's my non-expert comments on these three 8x32 bins.

[orbitaljump]

Thanks a bunch John! I wish the Brownings were discontinued this year instead of last!

[orbitaljump]

One more thing JohnJos, is the aparent fov the same on all of the 3 you have there?

[JohnJos]

Yes on the Browning & Pentax. Never did a direct comparison with the Kowa so I'll have to get back to you with that data once I get them back from Kowa.

[Steve C]

orbitaljump

This is a work both ends to the middle, non direct comparison, but FWIW, here it is. The binoculars marketed by both Smith & Wesson and Browning were essentially Bushnell Legends with a different label. I have had a Browning 8x32 and an 8x32 Legend side by side and there was absolutely no discernible diference in any aspect of the image that I could determine. On another occasion I have had the Alpen Apex 8x32 and Bushnell Legend 8x32 side by side. Again, as far as the eye can tell there is no difference in any aspect of the image. The Alpen looks (and feels) exactly like a Legend with forest green armour. So, since the S&W, Browning, and Bushnell 8x32 are discontinued, the Alpen remains an option. Most Sportsmans Warehouse are Alpen dealers. If I remember correctly, you referenced looking at binoculars in one of their stores, so actually looking at one may be an option, depending on the state of the inventory at the store nearest you. Also the fov of all of these is 393-396', so apparrent fov will be the same. The Kowa is right in the same mix. The SW had the Alpen at $239. Not the deal that was there on the Brownings and S&W's for sure but a decent price for a decent binocular.

[JohnJos]

Steve, thanks for that information. Unfortunately there is not SW on the East Coast closer to me than Pittsburgh. They are available online for about the same price. Even Amazon sells them for about $250.

[orbitaljump]

Thanks for the info.

I havent seen the Smith and Wesson, but I dont like the Bushnell Legend thick rubber armor(so I wouldnt like the Alpin Apex). The Brownings look sweet though with the diamond shaped groves on the diopter adjusting eypiece and the center focus...without all that ribbed rubber armoring.

Lets face it, Im not starving for good optics...thus I can afford to be vain.

I picked up the Pentax for $240. Maybe the lighter Kowas were the way to go. Wish I could pick up Brownings for $120 and be done with it.

If I dont like the Pentax or Kowas, Ill probably get another porro for them. I just thought they would like a roof prism style bino.

[Tero]

No, you did good with Pentax. Good price too. Very solid product.

[orbitaljump]

Thanks for your patience and help Tero.

Im still curious about the Kowas though.

Would you say the Pentax 8x32 SP is on par with the Minox BD 8x32?

[Tero]

I'm also curious about the Kowas. They do have some different technology. But not having a Kowa scope has kept me off them.

There was a bit of an interest in Minox here among the members, not much is heard these days.

[orbitaljump]

Seems I missed out on the Eagle Optics closeouts on the Fuji CD series last year as well.

$190-$230 for the 7x,8x,10x 42mm CD.

Wow!

[Tero]

I had the 10x to check out. I did not like them. The 10x Nikon Actions are more natural. I thinkalso the depth of filed was poor, needed a lot of focusing. The 7x would have been OK.

[orbitaljump]

Apparently I missed teh Pentax DCF WP 8x32 $50 sale too!

[Tero]

Well, looks like only one deal for now
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4168
check them out. Send back if worse than Monarch. I bet they are Monarch level.

[orbitaljump]

Well, I ended up at Kowa, Pentax SP, Browning in 32mm, and Monarch in 36mm.

Im still thinking I should have gone with the lighter weight Kowa or Monarch....Browning at $120 would have trumped all the other considerations though.

I considered getting them a Swift 804R or Nikon 7x35E or 8x30E2...but I think they will like the compact roof better. Me, Im a porro man.


Id like to find a 8x32 Pentax WP for a good price, though.

[Kevin Purcell]

Id like to find a 8x32 Pentax WP for a good price, though.

So I probably shouldn't tell you about the $50 new old stock 8x32 Pentax WP at Eagle Optics back in October ;)

I didn't notice his orbitals post above ... this was rather rubbing salt in the wound.

[orbitaljump]

Bastard!

:d

Let me know if you would like to sell them at a considerable profit.

[wsurfa]

When I was in SA at the beginning of the year I was looking for some cheap binocs to take to the Kruger. I ended up getting CPC ranger 10x42 for ZAR850 (50% off) and tbh couldn't tell much difference between them and some of the ones costing 5x the price.

To be fair this was under very good light conditions, but when using them around dawn & dusk in the kruger they performed very well. I've not seen them outside of SA though

http://godigital.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1

[orbitaljump]

Final tally,

Pentax 8x32 SP, Leupold Yosemite 8x30, Bushnell Legacy 8x24 Reverse Porro, 2x Nikon Sportstar 8x25 8.2 degree. $420.

I picked up the Legacy just to throw in.....my sister might prefer them to the others sometimes for the weight and size around her neck. Give her some options to learn what she likes in a binocular. They will also have 2 pairs of loaners for friends....The Fuji Meibo 7x35 and the Bushnell Legacy 8x24.

My guess is shell like the overall view of the Leupolds best. The Sizing and WaterProofness of the Pentax 8x32. And the weight of the Bushnells.

[orbitaljump]

Ive had the Pentax for a week and didnt know it. LOL!

Ill check them out tommorrow and report.

[orbitaljump]

Early impressions.

The ergonomics of the Pentax 8x32 are fantastic. Depth of field stinks compared to the Swift Audubon 8.5x44 and some Japanese 7x35s I had for comparison. Contrast is very good, on par with the Optolyth 10x40s...maybe just a tad better than the Audubons.

DoF issue isnt to my liking. I think my sister will love them.

Perhaps I should have gone with the Monarch 8x36 for her though. [shrugs]

[Tero]

No, the Monarch is not better, DOF about same I would guess. I never liked the 36mm versions, I went to orher brands for 32mm at that point.

Try 42mm, see if this mysterious dof, that only depends on power, is better. ;)

[orbitaljump]

Try 42mm, see if this mysterious dof, that only depends on power, is better. --- Tero

LOL!

I remember I didnt like the focus knob on the Nikon Minarch 8x36.

She's getting the Pentax.