Help me narrow it down please

[jtm2808]

Hey, I'm new to this forum and was looking for some help narrowing down a few bino options I've been considering after studying these forums . I'm looking for a great value for around $300 ($350 max). A big problem I'm having however, is that while I really want to try them all and pick the favorite, the only ones I will be able to locally find will be the nikons and the wind rivers.
All comments and suggestions on these models are much appreciated

Thanks, J.T.

Nikon Monarch ATS 8x42 ($250)
Swift HHS 828 ($320)
Celestron Noble 8x42 ($270)
Wind River Katmai 8x (possibly) ($330)
any others i'm missing ?????

[Otto McDiesel]

Hey, I'm new to this forum and was looking for some help narrowing down a few bino options I've been considering after studying these forums . I'm looking for a great value for around $300 ($350 max). A big problem I'm having however, is that while I really want to try them all and pick the favorite, the only ones I will be able to locally find will be the nikons and the wind rivers.
All comments and suggestions on these models are much appreciated

Thanks, J.T.

Nikon Monarch ATS 8x42 ($250)
Swift HHS 828 ($320)
Celestron Noble 8x42 ($270)
Wind River Katmai 8x (possibly) ($330)
any others i'm missing ?????


That is a tough one!
I would go for the Swift, they are bright and good quality optics and seem the better of your list. However, the Monarch and the Leupold are not bad, and offer you the advantage of going to the store and trying several samples and picking the best of them.
Either way, quality control and variations from one sample to another are present at this price level. So, to cope with that, try before you buy.
The differences among the models on your list are small, so don't stress out.

[solentbirder]

I agree with what Otto says. I'd also go for the Swift if I had to choose from your list.

[FrankD]

I have not yet tried the Swift model but have read a variety of encouraging comments about them. Out of the others I would give the 2nd place vote for the Monarchs as I am very attracted to their image quality. They offer good resolution with very good color rendition in my opinion. Plus, their overall size and weight is just about ideal for my hands.

I had also owned the Katmai 8x32s for a time. Their size is really a wonder in comparison to other 8x32 mm offerings on the market. They are really almost compact-sized. However, I did not feel that the resolution was as good as some of the other models I tried in this price range. I am unsure if it is a major issue but I did see they use BK-7 as opposed to Bak-4 prisms.

Others in this price range and lower would include the Pentax XP 8x33s and possibly 8x32 SPs depending on where you buy them from. Pentax HS, Bushnell Legend, Excursion and possibly the Carson XM series.

[Chris Oates]

I agree with what Otto says. I'd also go for the Swift if I had to choose from your list.

Me too - I've just bought the Swifts.
Perfect for use with glasses, very large image circle, nice & bright.
Went to a starling roost (again) tonite and was able to comfortably identify birds flushed out by the starlings as they took over a reed marsh.
I sometimes get blue chromatic abberation around back lit black birds which ,interestingly, my brother cannot see and doesn't bother me.
These are the first bins I've owned that give me a little 'thrill' when using them.

[Pinewood]

Would you consider a Porro binocular, the Nikon 8x30SE? It should be well within your budget. To be sure, it is not waterproof, but the optics are very good, especially if you like a wide field of view.

Later, I should have written the Nikon 8x30 EII, above. The 8x32 SE is out of your budget. My regrets.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood

[Otto McDiesel]

Would you consider a Porro binocular, the Nikon 8x30SE? It should be well within your budget. To be sure, it is not waterproof, but the optics are very good, especially if you like a wide field of view.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood

The 8x30 EII or the 8x32 SE will blow any $300 roof prism out and far...

[Pinewood]

See my correction above in post #6.

Arthur Pinewood

[jtm2808]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have been leaning toward the roofs because of the water proofing. I sure wish I knew of some local Swift dealers. May just have to go with some monarchs though. Would it be too much of a gamble to order up some online? They sure would be cheaper than local dealers.
I hear the try b/f you buy though

Thanks


J.T.

[Chris Oates]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have been leaning toward the roofs because of the water proofing. I sure wish I knew of some local Swift dealers. May just have to go with some monarchs though. Would it be too much of a gamble to order up some online? They sure would be cheaper than local dealers.
I hear the try b/f you buy though

Thanks


J.T.

I buy everything online and got my Swifts from
Warehousexpress (http://www.warehouseexpress.com/index.cfm?binsandscopes/binoculars/swift.html?cd=200511014#audo)

[Pileatus]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have been leaning toward the roofs because of the water proofing. I sure wish I knew of some local Swift dealers. May just have to go with some monarchs though. Would it be too much of a gamble to order up some online? They sure would be cheaper than local dealers.
I hear the try b/f you buy though

Thanks

J.T.

Read
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Publications/LivingBird/winter2005/Age_Binos.html

and pay close attention to what they say about the Nikon 8X42 Monarch. Others have made the similar comments. It is a very popular bin and I see more and more of them in the field and it may be the best value in its price range. The Monarch has plenty of eye relief, a wide IPD range, and a No-Fault warranty that guarantees you'll have a working bin for life!

Eagle Optics is a great place to purchase online with the best return policy on the net. Give them a call and get their opinion. If you order from EO, ask them to personally check the bin prior to shipment.

Good luck!

John

PS
The Swift 828 RP was reviewed as number 9 under the $500-$1000 category. The list price of $629 is not the actual selling price.

[justin2992]

$350 shipped for these Zeiss 8x30 Conquest binos. They were rated #6 in the Top Affordable Catagory of the Cornell Review.

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/411382434

[ceasar]

I would give consideration to Otto and Pinewoods recommendation of the Nikon 8 x 30 E2's. I use them and I don't think you can get a better bin for under $300.00. I did alot of research before I bought them. Check their ratings on betterviewdesired.com. The only bins rated higher were nikon's SE's.
Bob

[FrankD]

If you can get those Zeiss Conquests for $350 from a reputable dealer (I have no experience with the one posted) then I would jump on it. They typically sell for $500 or a bit more at most of the normal outlets. Image qualiity is excellent in my opinion. Not as good color or contrast as the $1000 models nor as wide of a field of view but definitely a step up from the other bins in the $300-$400 price range (roofs at least and with the possible exception of the Monarchs).

[ehrodz]

I was in your position with a similar list a few months ago except my list included Bushnell Legends and not the Swifts. I bought a pair of 8x42 Monarchs from Eagle Optics and was very pleased with my choice. A month later I wanted to buy a different pair for my wife. I ordered a pair of Legends from Eagle Optics but they were not anywhwere close to the Monarchs in clarity. After a couple of weeks I returned the Legends and ordered another pair of Monarchs. My wife is very pleased with them.

Eagle Optics accepts returns within 30 days question free. Its a pleasure to deal with them.

[xenophobe]

$350 for those Conquests with a Zeiss Lens Care Kit is a great deal. I just checked my wholesale price from one of my main distributors and they want $440 for them. I do know that another distributor had them heavily discounted, but don't remember the pricing.

[Eduardo]

I went with the Nikon Monarch's 8 x 42. I live in the tropics and water-proofing and ruggedness as well as optical quality was essential. The image is surprisingly crisp for binoculars in this price range and they handle nicely.
I think having the 42 objective ensures that the brightness is acceptable compared to some highly priced 8 x 30s. Field of view is quite acceptable but not as big as my old Zeiss 8 x 30. I couldn't buy and compare off the shelf so I gambled and purchased mail order and someone brought them down for me. Nothing wrong with my pair and I'm glad I ddin't spend more, they're not a big come down from those top-dollar 8 x 30's I wanted. My price was US$260 plus tax and shipping to West coast of USA, total US$290 from Amazon. The price in the UK is Pounds Sterling 299.00.