£300 8x32s? (1 Viewer)

Firstly.... this is my first posting on bird forums and feel I ought to tip my hat..... hello!!

Me? Well I've been a long time informal birder and nature lover, however I've only just discovered this place - whilst searching the net for some new bins! Hope someone here can advise and guide me as to what would suit my needs and budget.

I've sort of narrowed down two (maybe three) pairs of bins that interest me. Firstly the Kowa BD 8X32 at around £330, and secondly the Opticron Imagic BGA SE again 8x32 and similarly priced. I like the positive (generally) remarks I've read about them thus far but would greatly appreciate comments from the obviously very knowledgable folks here about these two models. They would be for general nature observation and I don't wear glasses.

Thrown into the mix though I have read much about the wonderful view that the Nikon SE 8x32 porros give. £100 more than I'd like to spend ....but I could stretch if they warranted it. Ordinarilly I don't use binoculars in the rain so the lack of waterproofing with the Nikons wouldn't be an issue..however,... next year I'm spending 3 weeks on a Carribbean cruise and worry a little about how humidity would affect the Nikons. Would this be an issue do you think?

Alternatively, do you have something you would recommend over and above my choices?

And finally the more I look at bino's here and elsewhere and read about them, well lets just say I feel an expensive hobby moment coming on.....oh dear...

Thanks one and all.

though the 8x32 is getting more popular, it is not always easy to find models to look at. the Pentax SP 8x32 can be found for as little as 330 dollars here.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Pentax+SP+8x32&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=
Not sure of the prices in the UK.

The Kowa is probably pretty good if you can check it out.

Hi Richard,

I have just bought a pair of the 8x32 Imagics for £330 inc delivery from South West Optics in Truro (- great service by the way). If you buy a pair and return the receipt to Opticron by 5/9 they will send you a free 2.5x UTA which retails at £99.00! I bought the Imagics as back ups to a pair of 7x42 SLCs and have to say that although not quite as sharp as the Swarovski's they are very close. They also have an excellent 8 degree field of view, which almost matches the SLCs. They look to be very well made, are waterproof to 3 metres and have a 30 year warranty. I think that they are an excellent buy for the money.

Paul

Another one to consider are the RSPB BG.PC 8x32s.

Not quite the brand kudos I guess, but i tried them recently at the BirdFair, and was really impressed with build quality, brightness and field of view.

The Minox BL 8x32 BR would be another model to consider, they cost around £220 and are a very competent little binoc and very well spoken of on this forum...however if I was buying a budget 8x32 tomorrow I'd probably dig just a little bit deeper for the Opticron imagic SE's if only for their superior field of view. I haven't handled the latest SE model but did recently try out the previous 8x32 model and was very impressed....had I had a spare £299 floating around in my pocket I would have walked away with them without a second thought!!!!

Good luck which ever you choose!!

Matt

Agree with Matt, remember though that although optically superb the Nikon SE is a porro prism rather than a roof prism ( does make a difference in many ways ) and is not nitrogen purged so unlikely to be classed as waterproof. Also very difficult to get hold of as they are being , if not already, discontinued I understand.

The others also have very good close focus

Get along to your nearest optics specialist and try before you buy...its so so personal on how it feels / fits / and functions....good luck

Being a bit of a porro fan, I suggest you also have a look at the Nikon 8x30 EII, (289 quid at Warehouse Express), and of course there is always the Swaro 8x32 Habicht which Sherwoods have for 390.

I had chance to look through an Opticron Imagic BGA SE 8x42 recently which although was pretty nice, I could not really get on with it due to the very wide and hard eyecups. I expect the 8x32 is much the same, so as always, try before you buy!!

Good luck!
Gary

Thanks to all who have replied to this thread so far. Unfortunately I live in a fairly remote location and as I'm not going for £1000 glass these are going to be just a recommendation/gut feeling internet purchase.. I won't be devoting whole days to driving around comparing various £300 models. Sorry if that sounds a bit lazy!

So far I'm erring towards the Opticrons. Good value with a free 2.5x UTA (and a comprehensive cleaning kit at Sherwoods).

Other tremendous bargains that I've unearthed today are Pentax DCF SP 8x32 at a very low £239... I've looked here and other places and no-one says bad things about them - some rate them better than Nikon Monarchs??

The RSPB £299 BG.PC 8x32s mentioned above can be had for as little as £259 too.

Tomorrow I may venture to Ace Optics in Bath. It's the only dealership thats relatively close and has the Nikon SE in stock as well as the EII at £429 and £259 respectively. Sadly most other models they stock are a bit too high end for me. What about the humidity thing with these though?

All this has the makings of (eventually) getting several different models at some time or other..|8.|

These sound pretty good. Skip the Monarch 8x36 if you can find any of these. Monarchs are OK, not poor, but in the long run...

RichardF said:

The RSPB £299 BG.PC 8x32s mentioned above can be had for as little as £259 too.

Click to expand...

It's not on the same level as the Imagic.

Michael

PYRTLE said:

and is not nitrogen purged so unlikely to be classed as waterproof.

Click to expand...

...They are also likely to fog internally.

The Opticron Imagic BGA SE 8x32s will focus down to 1.5 metres and you can focus on your shoes. This makes them ideal for general wildlife viewing if you have an interest in dragonfiles, butterflies moths etc

Pentax SP are super binos. I have the 10x42s and think very highly of them. I dont know much about the Opticron models, but among the rest, the SPs are the best of the lot... about the only binos I'd pick ahead of them in this price range are the Minox 8x32BDs - another superb pair and probably a little sharper than the SPs, even (plus a 410' field of view...).

Vandit

Hello all. An Update.

Well, I made a decision and this morning my Imagic 8X32 arrived. Just after 4 o'clock now and I've been playing with them since midday. I am hugely impressed to say the least. The view is big (140m) and bright and clear. It's quite overcast here today but viewing a dull grey lamp post against the sky I can detect no CA as yet. I can see good detail in the rust on the post too. To the naked eye the post is almost a black silhouette. The picture itself is pretty uniform across the board though the outer 2% does blurr somewhat. This is negligable and does not ruin the view experience though.

The focus wheel is really nice to use and is very smooth in operation. Things really "snap" into view and the depth of field seems to me to be huge. It also "just" about manages to focus on my shoes so these will be good for butterfly and insect viewing also. Construction generally feels really solid and I sense I'll not be needing the 30yr guarantee (fingers crossed). They fit nicely in my quite smallish hands (for man). The rubber armour is pleasant to hold and grippy.

I was a little apprehensive about buying without trying but my fears have been allayed. I put these to my eyes and and am blown away by the sight before me. When that happens it's got to be good. £330 and I still have a 2.5x teleconvertor thing coming too (£89 rrp but free with this bin - for another 4 days). These are a keeper and have not left me wanting any more. Utter bargain.

Happy birding everyone and thanks all above who helped me decide on a great pair of bins.