Looking for some 8x binoculars.

[SouthTXBirder]

hi,

I decided to give up on getting some 12X to go along with my 10x. So can anyone recommend a pair of binoculars for me that meet these qualifications: 8X, roof prism, field of view of at least 350ft @1000yds, good at low light conditions, close close of less than 10 ft. and around $150.

thanks

[Tero]

`You will need to check them out in person. For that price, there will be some deficiencies, and you will have to decide what to live with. You can browse the Bushnell and Vortex models here, but I have to warn that the cheapest ones are really poor. Try 8x42. If you search the net you might find Nikon Monarch 8x42 for around 250.
http://www.eagleoptics.com/

[SouthTXBirder]

thanks

[SouthTXBirder]

okay, what are my options if I go with porro prisms, but I am looking for small porros (small in dimensions)

[SouthTXBirder]

i have read good things about Nikon 8x40 Action Extreme ATB Waterproof Ultra Wide View

[Macaoidh]

i have read good things about Nikon 8x40 Action Extreme ATB Waterproof Ultra Wide View

Consider the new Leupold green ring Yosemites. The good - 8x, small, light, great FOV, OK eye relief, good depth of field, and waterproof. Very bright for a 30mm objective, but it is a 30mm objective. This would not be my first choice for primarily low light conditions binocular. It is, however, very sharp, a nice size, and only $110 delivered.

The $150 mark is tough, especially in a roof. I started out with the same budget as you, and expanded my thoughts (budget), settled on the Nikon Monarch 8x42, and have been very happy with my decision (see my long drawn out thread if you would like more on my "journey").

Oh, and the 8x40 action extremes have gotten some pretty good reviews, but they are not small, and not light. But for the price, most seem to like the optics. You can probably find those locally to take a look through.

Best,
Christopher

[Tero]

i have read good things about Nikon 8x40 Action Extreme ATB Waterproof Ultra Wide View
They are pretty good. They especially work well with glasses. But I got tired of the rough edge on the retractable eye cups and hardly use them now. I have 8x32 roof prism with almost the same fov. It has its own problems, but is comfortable overall. Mine are Eagle Optics. The Bushnells might be worth a look, but I think they are a bit less sharp. Nevertheless phase coated. Idid not see them but a related model.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-excursion-8x32-binocular-240832.html
or
http://www.opticsplanet.net/bushnell-8x42-excursion.html

[SouthTXBirder]

Yosmites sound good but I looked them up on OpticsPlanet and only found the Yosemite 6X and I think I would prefer an 8X.( Maybe I was not looking hard enough) The Monarch 8X42 are on my short list, but probably out of my budget right now. Honestly, the Bushnell excursion 8x42 (along with the Bushnell H2O 8x42) were on the top of my list mainly because my lack of funds (poor graduate student) right now. In a year I will have a higher paying job be able to afford more expensive binos.

[Macaoidh]

Yosmites sound good but I looked them up on OpticsPlanet and only found the Yosemite 6X and I think I would prefer an 8X.( Maybe I was not looking hard enough)

Look at eagleoptics.com. They have both, have a good price (and free shipping), and have a fantastic return policy.

[SouthTXBirder]

What do you guys think about Audubon 8x42 Raptor? I tried out the Aububon 8x40 family binoculars (at my local bird sanctuary) and they are brighter and about the same FOV as my Bushnell H2O 10x42 and were very lightweight for my girlfriend.The Raptors look like the same model but waterproof and nitrogen filled. Your opinions wanted.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/audubon-8x42-raptor-binoculars-8800.html

[Robert / Seattle]

Consider the new Leupold green ring Yosemites. The good - 8x, small, light, great FOV, OK eye relief, good depth of field, and waterproof. Very bright for a 30mm objective, but it is a 30mm objective. This would not be my first choice for primarily low light conditions binocular. It is, however, very sharp, a nice size, and only $110 delivered.

The $150 mark is tough, especially in a roof. I started out with the same budget as you, and expanded my thoughts (budget), settled on the Nikon Monarch 8x42, and have been very happy with my decision (see my long drawn out thread if you would like more on my "journey").

Oh, and the 8x40 action extremes have gotten some pretty good reviews, but they are not small, and not light. But for the price, most seem to like the optics. You can probably find those locally to take a look through.

Best,
Christopher


Interesting. Didn't you just relate a seriously disappointing experience with the Yosemites in another post? Sloppy focus, too much flare -- turned them in for another make and model?

[Macaoidh]

Interesting. Didn't you just relate a seriously disappointing experience with the Yosemites in another post? Sloppy focus, too much flare -- turned them in for another make and model?

Yes,Yes, and yes.

Yes, the focus on mine was sloppy, but considering the 6x30s in town I tried did not have as much slop, and everyone else on here seems happy with the focus wheel, I'd be likely to chalk it up to my sample - though that's no guarantee. I'd ask Eagle optics if they would look at a pair before they sent them out to make sure there was very little slop in that particular set.

Yes, there is flare/glare/ghosting of images. It's $110.

Yes, I did return my pair, but I did also say that I would seriously consider them for a backup pair for myself if they had them in town and I could check out that particular pair.

Yes, I did like nearly everything better in the Monarch 8x42s I chose, but, honestly, I couldn't find anything better in the sub-$150 range (small porro or roof). I was willing to spend more and got a pair that I liked better, BUT, I spent twice as much as the top end of his budget.

I did reference my post that went through my exhaustive process, but my post above does stand as my best recommendation - within the criteria that he mentioned.

Best,
Christopher

[Robert / Seattle]

Yes,Yes, and yes.

Yes, the focus on mine was sloppy, but considering the 6x30s in town I tried did not have as much slop, and everyone else on here seems happy with the focus wheel, I'd be likely to chalk it up to my sample - though that's no guarantee. I'd ask Eagle optics if they would look at a pair before they sent them out to make sure there was very little slop in that particular set.

Yes, there is flare/glare/ghosting of images. It's $110.

Yes, I did return my pair, but I did also say that I would seriously consider them for a backup pair for myself if they had them in town and I could check out that particular pair.

Yes, I did like nearly everything better in the Monarch 8x42s I chose, but, honestly, I couldn't find anything better in the sub-$150 range (small porro or roof). I was willing to spend more and got a pair that I liked better, BUT, I spent twice as much as the top end of his budget.

I did reference my post that went through my exhaustive process, but my post above does stand as my best recommendation - within the criteria that he mentioned.

Best,
Christopher

Fair enough! We all know there's so much minutia in these optics discussions to consider that any and all criteria are raised, and then raised again. No worries.

[Macaoidh]

Fair enough! We all know there's so much minutia in these optics discussions to consider that any and all criteria are raised, and then raised again. No worries.

No worries indeed! I also appreciate all your input on my recent selection process. I love that, in this forum, we can get a lot of great hands on experience and opinions on nearly any binocular out there.

Best,
Christopher

[falcondude]

hi,

I decided to give up on getting some 12X to go along with my 10x. So can anyone recommend a pair of binoculars for me that meet these qualifications: 8X, roof prism, field of view of at least 350ft @1000yds, good at low light conditions, close close of less than 10 ft. and around $150.

thanks

I have a pair of Zen-Ray SUMMIT 10x42 for 3 weeks now and absolutely love it. I will assume their 8x42 will be equally good.

By looking at their spec,

roofprism,
phase coating
8x
tethered lens caps
FOV @1000yards: 388ft
close focus: 6 ft
price: $157.99

they also have 8OFF coupon on their website http://www.zen-ray.com/store

My experience with their product and their service has been great. I think it is the best bargain I have seen for the high quality binoculars.

[SouthTXBirder]

Thank you for the recommendations, I have narrowed my list to the Vortex Diamondbacks 8x42 , the Stokes Talon 8x42 and the Vortex Vanquish 8x26 due to their price, good reviews(for the Talon) and wide FOV for all three.

[SouthTXBirder]

Okay, I am so tired of researching binos. I became almost obsessed with reading reviews and comparing binos. I finally decided to purchase from Eagle Optics so if I do not like either of the binos then I will return them. I ordered Stokes Talon 10x42 and the Bushnell Excursion 8x32. For my budget and preferences, these will do.

[falcondude]

Okay, I am so tired of researching binos. I became almost obsessed with reading reviews and comparing binos. I finally decided to purchase from Eagle Optics so if I do not like either of the binos then I will return them. I ordered Stokes Talon 10x42 and the Bushnell Excursion 8x32. For my budget and preferences, these will do.

Do you plan to keep both of them, or just one of them after evaluation?

[Tero]

We will be interested in the Excursions, your take on those.
I do not quite know how Consumer Reports got to like them. They are probably pretty average for the price.

[SouthTXBirder]

I plan to keep both of them, one for me and the other for my girlfriend. Yeah, I am trying to keep my expectations low because they are both roofs and I know that I could have got some great porros for my budget, but I just don't like the feel and size of porros.

[Tero]

Don't worry, porros have prisms too, and even they distort a bit.