Seeking opinions on the Audubon Equinox HP 8x42

[vjack]

I'm just starting to get into birding, bought my first ID books, and now I'd like to get a binocular. I've read up on EagleOptics and looked through this forum. I am considering the Audubon Equinox HP 8x42 as a decent first binocular. I know there are more expensive options, but I'd rather spend my money on camera equipment.

Are there better choices than the Equinox HP in the under $300 range I should consider instead? Unfortunately, it is unlikely that I'll be able to find anything to try before buying.

[pduxon]

I'm just starting to get into birding, bought my first ID books, and now I'd like to get a binocular. I've read up on EagleOptics and looked through this forum. I am considering the Audubon Equinox HP 8x42 as a decent first binocular. I know there are more expensive options, but I'd rather spend my money on camera equipment.

Are there better choices than the Equinox HP in the under $300 range I should consider instead? Unfortunately, it is unlikely that I'll be able to find anything to try before buying.

some good comments in the recent Birder's World and were well reviewed in Birdwatching. Never looked through a pair............

[Otto McDiesel]

Are there better choices than the Equinox HP in the under $300 range I should consider instead? Unfortunately, it is unlikely that I'll be able to find anything to try before buying.

I would say that Swift HHS 8.5x44 is a better choice. I've seen both the HP and the non-HP Equinox, and i did not like them.

[vjack]

It looks like the Nikon Monarch is another one I should probably consider.

[Otto McDiesel]

It looks like the Nikon Monarch is another one I should probably consider.

Yep, and you can find the Monarch anywhere (dogs have them dangling on their tails nowadays), so an added advantage is that you can go in a store and try them.

[elkcub]

At the <$300 price point I completely agree with Otto. The Swift 828 HHS Audubon is a great little binocular that's hard to beat. Quite nice.

[FrankD]

Throw another vote in for the Monarchs. I have not tried the Equinox models but would say that the Monarchs are one of the better bins at that price point.

On a somewhat related note, has anyone tried the Carson XM series of bins? I believe they are also at that price point and I occasionally see some praise for them on other optics related forums.

[Jaeger70]

I had an opportunity to test the Audubon 8x42 HP last weekend and came away quite impressed. They aren't perfect, and they're not on par with the lot of 'uberglass' available (noone should expect a $250 glass to match a $1500 glass), but they would satisfy many avid birders needs in my opinion.

What I liked:

Relatively flat field
Bright
Sharp, but not quite as sharp as the high-end efforts from Leica, Nikon & Zeiss. I find that sharpness, or lack thereof, is the most obvious factor that separates the high-end glass from mid-priced glass.
Excellent ergonomics
Price (around $250). In this price range you get approximately 90% of the performance of the aforementioned expensive bins.

What I disliked:

Diopter adjustment lacks a click-stop mechanism to ensure that it stays put
'Blackout effect' was very noticeable - this is most likely due to the long eye relief (~19mm).

I might be going out on a limb here, but I think the optics in the Audubons are the same as the Eagle Optics Rangers. I know repairs must be sent to the Eagle Optics store in Wisconsin. If the Audubons are the same, they're a steal - they're $100 less than the Rangers.

I echo the other voices here by emphasizing the need to try a number of bins out for yourself. In this price range, check out the Bushnell Legends, Celestron Nobles, Nikon Monarchs and Swift Audubons. However, for $250 I don't think one can go wrong with the Audubons 8x42HPs.

[ceasar]

I have a friend from Seattle who visited me recently. He brought his Nikon Monarch 10 x's with him. He thinks they are the best thing since sliced bread was invented. He took them to the Penn State/Wisconsin game and watched EVERY play with them. I tried them out at Hawk Mt, and I gotta admit that they are a pretty fine glass. Not as good as my Nikon 10 x 35 E2's but that is to be expected.

Bob