-
Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.
Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
Nikon 7 x42 EDG - any users out there? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter popeye67
- Start date
Hi I'm seriously considering getting myself a pair of Nikon 7 x 42 EDG binoculars. Are there any users out there who can give me an objective opinion based on use? Thanks
Paul,
I haven't seen any reviews on the Nikon 7x42 EDG II. AFAIK the EDG II binoculars have the same optics the original Nikon EDG I had which was introduced in 2008 and which was sold only in North America. The EDG II, which was sold in Europe at a later date replaced the EDG I. It has a new body style which has a single hinge and a harder exterior covering.
The EDG I was an double-hinged open frame binocular with a soft exterior covering which bubbled and came loose. I owned a 10x32 EDG I since 2010 and I returned to to Nikon in 2014 because the covering on it was bubbling and coming loose. Nikon replaced the entire binocular for me with a new 10x32 EDG II at no cost to me. As far as I can see there is no difference between the 2 versions optically.
Below are 2 reviews from Bird Forum on the Nikon 7x42 EDG I. You might find them helpful.
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=132472&highlight=nikon+7x42+EDG
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=116087
Bob
Last edited:
Hi I'm seriously considering getting myself a pair of Nikon 7 x 42 EDG binoculars. Are there any users out there who can give me an objective opinion based on use? Thanks
Paul,
There is a comprehensive review of the Nikon 7x42 EDG II in the review section:
http://www.birdforum.net/reviews/showproduct.php/product/385/cat/9
I have one and wholeheartedly agree with Peter Kitchener's findings.
I tested most of the available high end 7x42's and I bought the Nikon which I also think is the best of the Nikon EDG series.
Stan
PS This thread is also informative and includes a reference to my solution to the click stop setting problem if you wear glasses in post #34:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=276898&highlight=stanbo
Last edited:
John Frink
Well-known member
Nikon 7x42 EDG vs. others
Hi Paul -
I like my Nikon 7x42 EDG binoculars very much indeed. I've compared them to the Zeiss 7x42B/GAT (Classic), Zeiss 7x42 Victory TFL, Leica 7x42BN Ultra, Leica 7x42BR Ultravid (non-HD), and Swarovski 7x42SLC, and in my opinion they are as good as any of the others in the bunch. Each instrument has its own unique characteristics, and some users may prefer one over another depending on their preference for a wider field or flatter field or lighter weight or longer eye relief, for example, but it's my personal belief that you can't go wrong with the 7x42 EDG.
Hope this helps.
John
Hi I'm seriously considering getting myself a pair of Nikon 7 x 42 EDG binoculars. Are there any users out there who can give me an objective opinion based on use? Thanks
Hi Paul -
I like my Nikon 7x42 EDG binoculars very much indeed. I've compared them to the Zeiss 7x42B/GAT (Classic), Zeiss 7x42 Victory TFL, Leica 7x42BN Ultra, Leica 7x42BR Ultravid (non-HD), and Swarovski 7x42SLC, and in my opinion they are as good as any of the others in the bunch. Each instrument has its own unique characteristics, and some users may prefer one over another depending on their preference for a wider field or flatter field or lighter weight or longer eye relief, for example, but it's my personal belief that you can't go wrong with the 7x42 EDG.
Hope this helps.
John
peter kitchener
Well-known member
Paul
Stan has sent you the link to my review of the EDG II.
After nearly three years I'm still delighted with these; they are the best birding bins I've ever owned.
I have previously mentioned the poor spacing of the detents and Stan has referred to his solution, which I use.
The close focus of about 2.1 metres may not be close enough if you want to watch insects too.
Like some other users, the central hinge became loose after about 24 months of heavy use. I sent them back to Nikon (postage prepaid by Nikon) and they were returned within 3 weeks.
Other than these three minor issues, I cannot fault the EDGs; the optics are brilliant.
My own experience of Nikon after-sales has been excellent (with the EDG hinge and a 9 year old pair of HGs). See
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=2707646#post2707646
Peter
Stan has sent you the link to my review of the EDG II.
After nearly three years I'm still delighted with these; they are the best birding bins I've ever owned.
I have previously mentioned the poor spacing of the detents and Stan has referred to his solution, which I use.
The close focus of about 2.1 metres may not be close enough if you want to watch insects too.
Like some other users, the central hinge became loose after about 24 months of heavy use. I sent them back to Nikon (postage prepaid by Nikon) and they were returned within 3 weeks.
Other than these three minor issues, I cannot fault the EDGs; the optics are brilliant.
My own experience of Nikon after-sales has been excellent (with the EDG hinge and a 9 year old pair of HGs). See
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=2707646#post2707646
Peter
coolhand68
Well-known member
I have a pair and they compare favorably to the Leica 7x42 Ultravid plus. They are equal in terms of color saturation and FOV, resolution and sharpness right up there. They have an advantage in eye relief and only give up the slightest advantage in brightness. You can score a nice pair of refurbed for a bargain on ebay. My only gripe was the inferior objective caps.
