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Nikon Trailblazer - opinions? (1 Viewer)

S

Sancho

Well-known member
Europe
Hi, a friend has an old pair of these Nikon IF 8x30 binos. They look not unlike a pair of military issue Henstoldts, very rugged and tank-like.
http://reviews.cnet.com/optics/nikon-trailblazer-atb-7892/1707-6504_7-30232778.html
Nice Nikon view, possibly a bit dark compared to binos with modern coatings. Does anyone know anything about them, i.e. were they military-issue, and are they still considered "good" binos? At the time they were bought, they were more expensive than Swaro SLC 8x30.
 
I had a pair years ago. My pair wasn't phase-coated, and the image quality wasn't really up to scratch. Pretty dim, not really sharp. They were not military issue as far as I know, even though they're pretty rugged.

I sold mine after a few months - they just weren't good enough optically.

Hermann
 
Thanks Hermann! I had a try of my friend's pair, I'd never seen IF binos before and didn't like that feature. It would make them pretty useless for birding. However, as he's a hunter and needs rugged binos, they might be right for him to keep. His pair are missing the eyecups, though.
 
Sancho
I have seen a couple of pairs of these sold on ebay USA since the beginning of the year for $150- $200, but they have always been advertised as a "safari" model.
 
Thanks lilcrazy! I suppose he could contact Nikon and see if he can get replacement eyecups. I advised him to make a DIY pair from old bicycle inner-tube. Not pretty, but functional.
 
The other popular configuration in roofs for this IF rubber armor/mil/safari design was/is the 7x40.

Docter still sells their 7x40 EDF for over $1K (no it doesn't have ED glass, though it should at that price):

http://swfa.com/Docter-7x40-EDF-Binocular-P48804.aspx

Holger reviewed three versions of this design:

http://www.holgermerlitz.de/ior7x40.html

This makes a nice compliment to the bin:

http://www.amazon.com/SAFARI-PITH-HELMET-Quality-khaki/dp/B002YC12S6/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&qlEnable=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1308540099&sr=1-1

Happy Tiger Hunting!

Bungalow Bill
 
brocknroller said:
The other popular configuration in roofs for this IF rubber armor/mil/safari design was/is the 7x40.

Docter still sells their 7x40 EDF for over $1K (no it doesn't have ED glass, though it should at that price l
Click to expand...

That particular binocular is a different kettle of fish altogether. Overbuilt like no other binocular I know of, with pretty decent optics. The original version was designed and produced by Carl Zeiss Jena with all the military addons. The version Docter makes has got a more neutral image, the Zeiss Jena is a bit too yellow for my liking. Optically not quite up to scratch, but quite a bit better than the Nikon 8x30 Safari (yes, that's what it was called).

If I were to get a pair that I expect would survive an atomic war, the 7x40 EDF is the one I'd get.

Hermann
 
Hermann said:
That particular binocular is a different kettle of fish altogether. Overbuilt like no other binocular I know of, with pretty decent optics. The original version was designed and produced by Carl Zeiss Jena with all the military addons. The version Docter makes has got a more neutral image, the Zeiss Jena is a bit too yellow for my liking. Optically not quite up to scratch, but quite a bit better than the Nikon 8x30 Safari (yes, that's what it was called).

If I were to get a pair that I expect would survive an atomic war, the 7x40 EDF is the one I'd get.

Hermann
Click to expand...

Why is it not "up to scratch"? Is it also not phase-coated?

As long as it doesn't have a Tritium illuminated reticle (which I don't think it does) like the Serbian-made NVA DF 7x40 clone, otherwise you will still be irradiated after the war is over! (porro version, optically, no back scratching needed)

http://www.holgermerlitz.de/rd7x40.html

Brock
 
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Found this English translation of the description. No mention of phase coatings. Would they actually make a $1,000+ binocular w/OUT phase coatings when even under $200 Pentax binoculars are phase coated?! Makes no sense. Okay, they are uber robust, but the optics are first and foremost.

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p2595_Docter-7x40-B-GA-Dachkantglas.html

And I found Zeiss' counterpart to the Nikon 8x30 Safari (this one's phase-coated):

http://www.adorama.com/ZS830BGAIS.html?utm_term=Other&utm_medium=Shopping%20Site&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=dealtime

And here's a review. The reviewer thinks the optics are top notch (heirloom quality).

http://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/reviews-zeiss-special-binoculars-8x30-b-ga-i-f-safari-review-19726.html

Holy Cow! This return policy was made for Dennis (45 days!):

http://binocularspecialists.com/product-zeiss-special-purpose-8x30-b-ga-i.f.-safari-52-35-14-binoculars_77.html
 
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I have a Nikon Camo 8x30 Trailblazer and it looks a lot like that 8x30 Zeiss Safari, both would probably be around a long time after the EII is in two pieces.
 
brocknroller said:
Why is it not "up to scratch"? Is it also not phase-coated?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure about the latest version Docter makes. The Zeiss Jena didn't have phase-coatings. The Docters I had a look at were sharp, but the image quality wasn't quite as good as what you'd expect of a top-class roof nowadays. Useable, but not excellent.

brocknroller said:
As long as it doesn't have a Tritium illuminated reticle (which I don't think it does) like the Serbian-made NVA DF 7x40 clone, otherwise you will still be irradiated after the war is over! (porro version, optically, no back scratching needed)
Click to expand...

Some of the Zeiss Jena military versions had Tritium illuminated reticles. As long as you didn't open the binoculars and swallowed the Tritium capsule you were alright. The Docter doesn't have a Tritium illuminated reticle.

Hermann
 
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