Bins advice.

[MLoyko]

Hello all,

I can to you guys for advice on a new pair of binoculars. Right now I have a pair I bought at the local Sports Authority called "Nikon action". They are 8x40 and then it says 8.2 degrees? I'm not really up on all the technical stuff so.

What I am looking for is a new pair because I accidentally left them out in the rain and now one side is constantly blurry despite the fact my dad took them apart and got out the water.

What I really want is a decent pair that will show decent detail/color/ and be a decently clear/crisp image. The only problem is a I don't have a lot of money to spend but my birthday is tomorrow so I think my parents would help me buy a pair. MY price range for now I am assuming is around 100-150 dollars, but I could probably go a little higher and def a little lower, but I'm tired of settling for equipment that is just ok so I'm willing to spend some.


Thank you for your time,
Matt

[Howard220]

My first question is: Did you like your 8x40's? If so, why not a replacement of the same?If not, what would you prefer in a binocular that that one didn't offer? Lighter weight? Smaller? Better optics? Higher or lower magnification? Happy birthday. :)

[MLoyko]

I guess I did like them, maybe I don't know too much about binoculars...is 8 x 40 good? Sorry if these are stupid questions. I liked the ones I have except the "image quality" could have been a little better...either I wasn't too good at it or I couldn't get them completely focused sometimes.

Being to nit-picky? And thank you :t:

Any other suggestions?

[kristoffer]

You need a pair that is watertight and gasfilled imo. There are alot of good roofs out nowadays. How much money do you have? Zen-Ray got a few very good options options depending on your budget. They will give you an immense image for a low price.
Can you afford em, buy these. (They will arrive late august). http://www.zen-ray.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_66&products_id=250

If your budget is a bit lower, i recommend these. You have to order them though, so you cant try them out. But they are really good, both of them, for the price.

http://www.zen-ray.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_66&products_id=194

[Howard220]

This Nikon, the Action Extreme 8x40 for $130, should be one of much better optical quality than the Action ($70) you have, and has very similar specs in terms of size, field of view, and how close it will focus (16.4 feet). It's heavier, though. If you can deal with the extra weight, these might suit you well:

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/nikon/nikon-action-extreme-8x40-atb-binocular

I am sure others in this forum will chime in with their favorites and will confuse the heck out of you. ;)

[Howard220]

You need a pair that is watertight and gasfilled imo. There are alot of good roofs out nowadays. How much money do you have?

He said $100 - $150. That won't buy him any decent roof prism binoculars.

Going back to the specs page, the Action Extremes are allegedly waterproof and fogproof, so that takes care of that little issue. ;)

[kristoffer]

He said $100 - $150. That won't buy him any decent roof prism binoculars.

Sorry, didnt see that. It buys him second hand summits and alot of other good roofs. (second hand).

[Howard220]

Yeah, you're right about that. I figured that, since tomorrow's his birthday, he's not going to want to spend a lot of time hunting for a good used pair.

[kristoffer]

It is really an investment, a $200 roof second hand on the internet is so much better then a $100 bin bought in a store over disk I can´t even explain. If you intend to bird the next few years, really try to lend or save for decent one. You will have to suffer with a bad one for long. And enjoy a good just as long :)

[MLoyko]

Thank you both for your help, I'll have to think about it but I do intend to bird for years in the future so maybe a more expensive one would work out. I'll have to think it over...again thanks for your time,.

[Alexis Powell]

I recommend saving your money until you can afford one of the nice budget (under $500) roof-prism binos from Zen Ray or Vortex. In the mean time, send your binos to Nikon--they'll repair them for $20 under Nikon's no-fault sports optics warranty (no proof of purchase or anything is needed, just $20, a description of the prob, and your return address). The address to send them is as follows:

Nikon Sport Optics Service Center
841 Apollo Street
Suite 100
El Segundo, CA 90245-4721

If you must have something new now, I agree that a porro model such as the Nikon 8x42 Action Extreme ATB or Leupold Yosemite 8x30 would be the way to go. But better to save your money 'til you can spend more on something that will truly satisfy.

--AP

[FrankD]

Matt,

I think I can help you. You don't frequent this part of BF as much as I do or you might know I am a bit of an optics nut. I have a pair of 8x42 internal focus Leupold Cascade porro that I would be willing to sell you for the price range you are interested in.

I think you would be surprised at the optical performance and handling for the price. Send me an email or drop me a PM and we can discuss it further if you like.

**For those of you wondering why I am offering a pair of my bins instead of just suggesting models, etc... Matt and I live fairly close and have exchanged emails over a variety of birding issues so.....

;)

[MLoyko]

Thanks Frank and Alexis....Let me think Frank then I'll get back to ya. Pitty seeing Leaser like that eh?

[ceasar]

Matt,
Happy birthday!:clap:

See my PM.

Bob

[MLoyko]

Thanks Bob,

I did already

-Matt

[FrankD]

Nice catch Bob. Happy birthday Matt.

...and, yes, Leaser does look sad. You should have seen it about a week ago though when we had all that rain. It actually filled up to about 1/4 full. Plenty of shorebirds and waterfowl around. It should be interesting if we get decent rain this fall for the migration.

[MLoyko]

Nice catch Bob. Happy birthday Matt.

...and, yes, Leaser does look sad. You should have seen it about a week ago though when we had all that rain. It actually filled up to about 1/4 full. Plenty of shorebirds and waterfowl around. It should be interesting if we get decent rain this fall for the migration.

Thanks Frank.

I was up there before the rain:"( next time it rains real good I may have to make a run up there.