final choice

[the_handy_andy]

I think I have spent enough time looking, I now just want to get something. Can I have your thoughts on buying one the following? Please

Vortex Diamondback 09'
7x36, WT = 664g, CF = 1.8m, FOV = 8 deg, ER = 21mm, PC, £139

8x42, 714g. 1.37m, 8 deg, 18mm, PC, £155

9x36, 640g, 2m, 7 deg, 15.7mm, PC, £149

10x42 690g, 1.52m, 6.6 deg, 16mm, PC, £149

Opticron Countryman
8x42, 630, 2.9m, 6.2 deg, 19mm, PC & OASIS, £170

Opticron Discovery
8x42 Mg, 628g, 2m, 7 deg, 20mm, PC, £120

RSPB WPG
8.5x42, 731g, 1.8m, 7.6 deg, 17.1mm, PC, £170

Viking Vistron
8x42, 650g, 2m, 7 deg, 20mm, Ag coated prisms, £125

Weight wise I would go for an Opticron.

Close focus wise I would go for the 8x42 DB

I am not so sure about the field of view (or more correctly the angle of view) so advice is welcome........all of the above are a lot wider than what I currently use (which are nothing more than cheapies, which I will still use because of their higher magnification)

At some point in the future I may need to start wearing my glasses a lot more than I do now, so eye relief has to be given some thought..

Prism coatings wise I am leaning towards the Countryman as they have a reflective coating as well as being PC.

Price wise it would be a toss up between the 3 cheapest. One question though.......how would a reflective prism coating (Vistron) measure up to PC prisms (Discovery and DB 7x)

I've only been able to try the Vistron and the RSPB, both of which I felt were OK for me. At the time I tried them the RSPB had a slight advantage on price and a slight advantage on image (they were very similar for brightness) but the Vistrons had a slight advantage on handling (I prfered the click stop dioptre adjustment over the plasticy feeling locking system on the RSPB).

Thanks
Andrew

[the_handy_andy]

Examples of my cheapies

I have two 12x32 from Aldi (yes I can hear the laughing from here) cosmetically similar....one has aFOV of 84m the other is 76m!!!

Some zoom bins also from Aldi (yes I can still hear you)

and a pair of 16x50s.....which actually aren't too bad....angle of view isn't good at 3.5 deg....but hey they are ok for looking at the moon

so anything has got to be better

[dipped]

But what about these, £129.49 delivered for Olympus 10x42 EXWP I roof prisms from digitalrev.com?

See my post in Binocular bargains thread post #426

Or you could wait a bit longer and try out most things at the birdfair if you can get there.

Nev

[FrankD]

I only have experience with the Diamondbacks and previous version of the 8x42 at that. Based on Steve C's previous comments about the 7x36 I would probably opt for the upgraded 8x42 first followed by the 7x36. The field of view is wider on the 8x42 plus you still have phase coating and the upgrade FMC lenses.

[the_handy_andy]

But what about these, £129.49 delivered for Olympus 10x42 EXWP I roof prisms from digitalrev.com?

See my post in Binocular bargains thread post #426

Or you could wait a bit longer and try out most things at the birdfair if you can get there.

Nev

I can't get to Birdfair (also £10 + petrol.....I couldn't spend as much on the bins).......and I don't quite trust Digitalrev's small print (also I don't trust their calculations as import duty into the EU in calculated on the item cost PLUS delivery costs......their calculations are on item cost alone so I am not prepared to take the risk.......If I was going to buy overseas I would be going for the Pentax 8x36 DCF HS camo from B&H........but from what I have read they are 'splashpoof' rather than waterproof).

Thanks for your response though Nev

Andrew

[FrankD]

Andrew,

I don't know if you have any interest or not but the Pentax HS was discontinued and replaced by a newer, but entirely similar model, that is waterproof to the usual JIS standard. Now if I could just remember the name.

[Tero]

The 8x42 Diamondback or a similar Opticron would be an OK start. Get phase coating.

[dustyview]

If I had to start over from zero, and I wanted one all-purpose binocular, I'd get the best 8x40-44 roof I could afford (roof because of the slightly smaller footprint). However, a better choice, IMO would be a sharp, bright 10x porro and a more compact 7x or 8x. The two focal lengths together will cover a lot of territory (distant scanning for game or shorebirds w/ the 10x and a comfortable everyday binocular with the 7-8x that you can easily hold steady in extended use and travel with).

[the_handy_andy]

I've bitten the bullet and gone for the Countryman....I will probably do a review

[dipped]

I think you've made a wise choice. Jap. made, look very similar to the Viking GR binocular which has good optics and are back in stock at Minsmere (8x32 model only also Jap. made). The focussing/dioptre adjustment looks identical and if I remember correctly the dioptre works on the LEFT eyepiece, though it may be different on the Opticron.

Nev

[pete_gamby]

@dipped: The dioptre adjustment on the Countryman range is on the focus wheel - there's a pull up knurled wheel which pops back down to "lock" the adjustment. Your comparison to the Viking GR is a fair one in terms of cosmetic design but its not the same product (note too that the GR comes in a 45mm variant whereas Opticron's is 42mm).

Cheers, Pete

[dipped]

@dipped: The dioptre adjustment on the Countryman range is on the focus wheel - there's a pull up knurled wheel which pops back down to "lock" the adjustment.
Cheers, Pete

Pete, yes just like the Viking GR.

Does the Countryman dioptre operate the Left eyepiece?

I did notice the different specs in the Countryman range.

Nev

[pete_gamby]

Ooops. Mis-read your post - sorry! Yes, it works on the left eyepiece.

More haste, less speed :-)