Replace my lost B&L 8X24 Legacy with what?

[cullulloo]

After 14 years of hard work my B&L 8/24 have gone missing.

Loved these glasses, particularly the weight/quality of Optic/price relationship.

The only complaint was the the eyecups had a folded eyeglass rubber which tore every 4 years or so along the fold.

Replacement suggestions for my B&L most gratefully accepted.

Thanks

[kristoffer]

What is your budget? I found that the trinovids 8x20 are excellent value for the money for £260. I prefer them to the Vipers, definitely.

[ceasar]

Bausch & Lomb is now Bushnell. Try these: http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/bushnell/bushnell-legend-8x26-reverse-porro-prism-binocular

Or these:http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/bushnell/bushnell-elite-7x26-custom-compact-binocular

Bob

[cullulloo]

Thanks for your quick reply



What I liked most about my B&L's was their versatility and portability.

I should probably describe what I need in more detail.

I wish to use them as multi purpose glasses.

Yesterday we were looking over the straights of Juan De Fuca and I wanted to see the names on the freighters.

Monday we are on a eco tour up the w side of Vancouver Island. God knows what we'll use them for there.

Two days ago we wanted to see an eagle perched on a dead tree out the window of our house, at a distance of about 1K.

The glasses I need must be compact (wife also insists and loved the small B&L, the only one's she would use).

I've been looking hard at the Papilio's and just read your latest posting. I love their innovative quality, size and price, and I have a hunch that the larger size one's might just be the ticket.

They seem to get seem to get poor ratings from folks who would be using them exclusively for birding but I don't know if any compact meet their needs.
The large pap's also seem to suffer in quality from the smaller ones but I think for my needs their added versatility might be worth it.

If needed I can spend up to about $250 but the radical papilios really have my attention.

Your thoughts would be appreciated

[Alexis Powell]

I love the Papilio, and if you're a dedicated butterflier you'll likely love them too, but if you rarely look at objects closer than 6-8 feet than I think you'd be better off with one of the other good reverse-porros, like the Bushnell 7x26, or one of the 8x25 models from Nikon, Pentax, or another brand. The Papilios are bulky and not very bright. You could also get waterproofing if you went with something else, which might be a consideration.

--AP

[ceasar]

Alexis is right. The Papilio's are not the best choice for distance viewing and they will be quite dim in heavy overcast and twilight conditions, especially the larger size 8.5 x 21.

I have the Bushnell 7 x 26. It is really a first class binocular with excellent optics. It is arguably the best Reverse Porro Prism on the market. It has a comfortably wide field of view too. And you won't notice the 1x drop in magnification from your old one.

Another good one you should consider is the Nikon Pro Staff 8 x 25 ATB. You can examine it's credentials on the Eagle Optic website. It costs about $135.00.

Both of these binoculars will meet your requirements. Eagle Optics has a no fault 30 day right of return if you don't like them.

Cordially,
Bob

[jaymoynihan]

...The Papilio's are not the best choice for distance viewing ....I have the Bushnell 7 x 26. It is really a first class binocular with excellent optics. It is arguably the best Reverse Porro Prism on the market. It has a comfortably wide field of view too. ...


Agree on both counts, having both. Except, I would say the Bushnell 7x26 Elite (formally Bausch & Lomb 7x26 Audubon Custom), is the best compact, period (optically). I think this because of my own comparisons, and if you check the reviews (BVD, Cornell, etc) you will see this opinion is widely held. It also has a close focus of just under 7 feet. It goes for $240-260, new USD.

For full size, i tend german makes, Nikon SE etc. But for a compact, this is the one.

[Tero]

I have almost given up on a search for comapcts. Sure I still have some around, but I never use them much other than the cheap 8x25 a little.

Just go to a store and see what seems OK in hand. Lots of 8x32s available these days.

If I was stuck with just pair of reverse porros, it would be these
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/vortex/vortex-vanquish-8x26-binocular

[cullulloo]

Thanks to all for your help with my lost binocular problem.

I've settled on the Nikon Prostaff as my replacement.

I note that most suggestions favor the 8X25 because of the handling capabilities, i,e, the 9X doesn't feel as good.

The 9,10,and 12 are, however, only marginally heavier than the 8 and just about the same price. Doesn't this work in their favor?

Am wondering if you could give some thought to these competing values and give me some guidelines meeting my previous mentioned criteria.

thanks

[ceasar]

For general purpose viewing like you describe the 8x is the best. It has a wider field of view and a larger Exit Pupil. It will be easier to use. Stay away from the 10x and 12x. Their fields of view are much narrower than the other 2 making your object of view harder to locate along with increasing the "hand shaking" factor. You will likely have to brace yourself against something to get the best performance from them.
Bob

[Tero]

I had the 9x25 Prostaff. They were a bit dim in winter. And there really was no detail I could see at 9x better. I got slightly more detail with 8x32 roofs.

[spyglass2]

The smaller, lighter and more powerful the glass, the harder it is to hold steady. For that reason, I'd wholeheartedly recommend the 7x26 Elite Custom. I just got a new one from Bushnell as a replacement for an older polycarb body Custom that they couldn't get the tilt collimation right and it's a dandy. It now has a much more substantial feel with a metal body covered entirely by a finely textured light rubber armor, popup eyecups and a very small lever on the rt diopter for adjustment that stays put (a weakness of the old model). The optics are very fine indeed, tho I've always wished for an 8* fov and 28mm obj's in this glass. Before ya get the Nikon (which, by the way, is no slouch), find a store that has one you can try....you'll be impressed.

[Steve C]

I cast another vote for the 7x26 Bushnell Custom. Great optics.

[cullulloo]

Here's the surprise of the day.

On my last day of renting a home in Victoria for three weeks, and two weeks after I lost my binoculars, I found them the day we were to leave.

Here's the surprise, the binoculars weren't the B&L Legacy but (i believe) the B&L Audubon Custom 7X26.

There are no identifying marks on the glasses except for the name Bausch and Lomb on the rubber case . I have the binocular's original black case and it has National Audubon Society name and a picture of a Heron (wife's identification) in silver on the case. The center wheel use to have something on it I believe, but has long since worn off


Fortunately, there are still photo's of the B&L custom on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Bausch-Lomb-Custom-Compact-Binocular/dp/B00005AXHY.)

The photos of the Legacy originally looked very similar to my binoculars, but on closer inspection the center wheel on the Compact is thinner than the Legacy, supporting my new identification.

I can send a photo of my binoculars to add data to my identification query if anyone is interested in pursuing this question.

I've learned a great deal from this conversation and I'm thankful to all who have participated.

thanks

[ceasar]

The picture of the B&L shown in the link above looks just like my Bushnell 7 x 26 Custom except that the logo on the left prism housing is vertical instead of horizontal and the right prism housing has a small circular medallion of a raptor with the words "Bushnell Custom Series" around the perimeter. My guess is that it is the same binocular but with a different logo. The eyecups should be interchangeable and Bushnell should still have replacements.
Bob

[Tero]

Well, now you will have to get the Bushnell customs next time you lose them. ;)