[newfie ghost]

Cast your votes for the binoculars that deliver the highest quality image for the lowest amount of money. The glass that surprised you when you looked through it and discovered the "low" price.

For me the Nikon travelite 8x25- small field of view and glare issues, but flat and sharp. Second is the Bushnell ultra HD- wow lot of glass for the money. Going up the scale viper Hd- nice buid and feel plus impressive optics. At the top of the scale the meopta meostar- looks and feel like an slc and optics to boot.

What are your picks for the best performance/price ratio?

I didn't include zen ray, SE, or Habicht because I haven't seen them yet.

[bh46118]

As much as I've harped about them on here I'm sure it would come as no surprise that my choice would be the Minox 10x Porro at $180. The 6.5X32 Fury is also outstanding for $130.

Bruce

[FrankD]

Sightron SII series

Vixen Foresta porros

Zen Ray ED3s

...in ascending price order.

Can't forget the out of production Nikon 7x35 wide field model. Simply excellent performance in so many areas. For the $40-$80 they typIcally sell for on the bay they are a steal.

[NDhunter]

Nikon 8x25 Travellite is a great choice. Reverse porro.
Leupold 6x30 Yosemite. Porro, great view.
Nikon 8x32 SE. Great value, competes with the very best. Another porro.

It seems I am mentioning only porros and ones I own.

Jerry

[jaymoynihan]

Originally Posted by newfie ghost

Cast your votes for the binoculars that deliver the highest quality image for the lowest amount of money.

In current production

Porro:

Leupold Yosemite BX-1 8x32. It is actually kind of a shock when you use them the first time. Not good in cold weather (focus gets gummy-to cannot turn at close to zero F.) Not impressive physically, but optically VERY good.
Price new ranges from $69 - $120. The no-brainer choice for the bino-on-the-counter-to-check-the-bird-feeder pair.

Roof

Vortex Viper 8x32 HD, The one that showed me that Vortex/EO had really "come of age". High rez/contrast, excellent build/ergonomics. Perhaps the best "all-around" (3' close focus) glass out there right now for the amatuer naturalist-daytime user.
Price new ranges from $500-$560.

[Alexis Powell]

To answer this question, I am limiting myself to bins with optical performance that is completely satisfying (Thus, their cost is limited to their price. Unsatisfying bins lead to further purchases, so they are more costly). Given this criterion, the standout is the Nikon 8x30 EII of ~5+ years ago, which is to say that model when it routinely sold for ~$240 in the USA. Nothing stands out for me in the current market. Maybe the Bushnell 8x42 Legend Ultra HD, which is a better birding bin all around, but I don't find it optically as satisfying as the EII. Probably the Nikon 8x32 SE would be my contemporary pick, but given its much higher cost, it doesn't impress like the EII did as the cheapest bin with completely satisfying optics.

--AP

[denco@comcast.n]

Originally Posted by newfie ghost

Cast your votes for the binoculars that deliver the highest quality image for the lowest amount of money. The glass that surprised you when you looked through it and discovered the "low" price.

For me the Nikon travelite 8x25- small field of view and glare issues, but flat and sharp. Second is the Bushnell ultra HD- wow lot of glass for the money. Going up the scale viper Hd- nice buid and feel plus impressive optics. At the top of the scale the meopta meostar- looks and feel like an slc and optics to boot.

What are your picks for the best performance/price ratio?

I didn't include zen ray, SE, or Habicht because I haven't seen them yet.

1) Nikon Monarch 8x42
2) Sightron Blue Sky II 8x32
3) Nikon 8x30 EII
4) Nikon 8x32 SE(Champion of price/performance ratio and best optics in the world)

[steve@37n84w]

Opticron 8x32 SR GA, well built Japanese porro with a view very similar to a 8x30 EII.

[ceasar]

The Nikon 8 x 30 EII I purchased new around the year 2000 for $235.00.

Bob

[BruceH]

One that I do not have (because I already have something similar) but is an excellent binocular is the Bushnell Elite ED (not the E2) 10X42. I've recently seen it new for just a few bucks over $400 and have seen it under $400 this year. One possible downside for some is a somewhat smaller view of field.

The best performance to price that I own is a recently aquired Sightron II Blue Sky 8X42 on closeout for $112 delivered. Downsides are an unusable focus in very cold weather and for some a warm color cast. The view is great and will compare to binoculars costing many more dolllars.

[Veracocha]

This is an easy one. Hawke Frontier ED 10 x 43, £200.

[Alexis Powell]

Originally Posted by steve@37n84w

Opticron 8x32 SR GA, well built Japanese porro with a view very similar to a 8x30 EII.

I had forgotten about that model. What's the best way for folks in the USA to get it?

--AP

[Brigadier]

An easy one for me, too: Nikon 8x30 EII. A stunning view for not too much money. I've been using mine since 2000.

http://www.cliftoncameras.co.uk/Niko..._II_Binoculars
http://www.bristolcameras.co.uk/p-ni...s-8x30-eii.htm
http://www.procamerashop.co.uk/produ...noculars_38230

[Torview]

Opticron Oregon 8x32 LE WP, I have`nt seen any other bin, roof or porro, that can do all this does for typically £75.

IMO the finest value buying new binocular ever.

http://www.uttingsoutdoors.co.uk/Pro...oculars-30447/

[Raptor 01]

Originally Posted by Veracocha

This is an easy one. Hawke Frontier ED 10 x 43, £200.

Where can these be bought for £200.00 ?

Geoff.

[bh46118]

That rules my choices out. I'm cheap enough that I always buy things when the price bottoms out.

Bruce

Originally Posted by jaymoynihan

In current production

[ibramr]

Perhaps a demo-priced Zeiss 8x32 Victory FL. I trust that you can get it in the US indistinguishable from new (with warranty) for $1200. Superb optics and excellent in both function and form. Enjoy in good health.

[newfie ghost]

Originally Posted by NDhunter

Nikon 8x25 Travellite is a great choice. Reverse porro.
Leupold 6x30 Yosemite. Porro, great view.
Nikon 8x32 SE. Great value, competes with the very best. Another porro.

It seems I am mentioning only porros and ones I own.

Jerry

I hear the 6x30 leup is very nice. I need to try one. Kowa now has a similar looking model as well.

[dipped]

Originally Posted by Torview

Opticron Oregon 8x32 LE WP, I have`nt seen any other bin, roof or porro, that can do all this does for typically £75.

IMO the finest value buying new binocular ever.

http://www.uttingsoutdoors.co.uk/Pro...oculars-30447/

And they focus which way to infinity?

[Torview]

Originally Posted by dipped

And they focus which way to infinity?

99% certain its clockwise, 3 friends use them, I`m always gobsmacked.

I was at my local dealer a few years ago, he sells Opticron and Hawke, the Hawke rep was there, he admitted they were unbelievable at the £99 list price.

[looksharp65]

Originally Posted by Torview

99% certain its clockwise, 3 friends use them, I`m always gobsmacked.

I was at my local dealer a few years ago, he sells Opticron and Hawke, the Hawke rep was there, he admitted they were unbelievable at the £99 list price.

Unfortunately, I believe they are anticlockwise. I have talked to an Opticron rep and he said all of their products were anticlockwise.

[stuart C smith]

for me, my nikon 7x35 w.f. and nikon 8x35 w.f. oldies. plus a pair of 7x35 ultra wide angle vespers.

[Veracocha]

Originally Posted by Raptor 01

Where can these be bought for £200.00 ?

Geoff.

Geoff, LCE (various). MK I. I have had two at £200. Sherwoods do the 8/10x36 for £210.

[steve@37n84w]

Originally Posted by Alexis Powell

I had forgotten about that model. What's the best way for folks in the USA to get it?

--AP

I purchased mine from Clifton Cameras UK, very nice folks to deal with.

Steve

[normjackson]

Originally Posted by looksharp65

Unfortunately, I believe they are anticlockwise. I have talked to an Opticron rep and he said all of their products were anticlockwise.

Funnily enough the only Opticron model I have access to atm focuses clockwise to infinity. Mind you that is a now discontinued Japanese made MCF compact.

Case here made for SR.GA 8x32 :
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=70919
Unfortunately for some, eye relief more like Nikon EII than Superior E. Given that it hasn't transferred to the Opticron USA site I wonder if it is about to or has already stopped being made? The other two which don't seem to have made it across are the Verano BGA PC Oasis (superseded by Verana BGA HD?) and Traveller BGA (superseded by Traveller BGA MG?).