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Not another which one... (£200-ish limit) (1 Viewer)

M

Mooli

New member
Hi all. New here, but I'm sure these type of threads have been done to death. I am looking for bins for "general" use (walking/cycling and back garden). Having looked briefly, I think 8x bins will be best for me, but am not sure. I would also like something that may be able to be used in lower light (as I walk/cycle in the evenings with ample opportunity for spotting something), but not too huge, though I'm not concerned by weight. In fact, I find heavier bins easier to hold steady.
I'm not expecting superb results at this pricepoint. But could you point me in the direction of another thread that may help or please offer some suggestions I can try out at a retailer? Many thanks.
P.S. Not a glasses wearer.
 
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Mooli said:
Hi all. New here, but I'm sure these type of threads have been done to death. I am looking for bins for "general" use (walking/cycling and back garden). Having looked briefly, I think 8x bins will be best for me, but am not sure. I would also like something that may be able to be used in lower light (as I walk/cycle in the evenings with ample opportunity for spotting something), but not too huge, though I'm not concerned by weight. In fact, I find heavier bins easier to hold steady.
I'm not expecting superb results at this pricepoint. But could you point me in the direction of another thread that may help or please offer some suggestions I can try out at a retailer? Many thanks.
P.S. Not a glasses wearer.
Click to expand...

Nikon Monarchs 8x42.
 
Welcome Mooli, a wealth of knowledge in this forum so I'm sure you'll get what you're looking for. You are on the envelope (price-wise) of some excellent binoculars out there. I'll concentrate on the Hawke Frontier ED's as that's where my money has gone on the last six biono purchases.

I was fortunate enough to get a new set from LCE for £199 and saw a set on here recently for the same figure. Image wise they are up there with the best, browse through these pages and you will see that the general concensus is that they represent outstanding value for money. You will not be dissapointed.
 
This is one that caught my eye recently. I haven't tried them yet but i lie the spec.

Pentax 8x42 DCF HRC

Angle of view
7.5
Field of View at 1000m
131m
Eye Relief
21mm
Close focus
2.5m
Eye-Distance Adjustment Range
54 - 76mm
Eyepiece Rings
4 stop helicoid type
Weight
670g
Product Code
62553

Can be had for a bit over £200.
 
I just found the DCF CS 8x42 which seems to be an updated version of the DCF HRc.

Not sure in what way it is different. Spec is almost identical. I guess the coating have been improved.
 
bushnell nature view 8x42 porro prism got a pair 3 years ago best ive had were £130 you can get them for about £100 now,nice weight to hold
 
Loads to choose from! Given that you´ll be cycling as well as walking, I assume you want something fairly light. Do you need waterproof/nitrogen purged binos, and do you need long eye-relief (i.e. do you wear glasses, in which case you´ll need binos with which you can see the whole Field of View with the eyecups retracted)?
Opticron make a range of binos at this price point that would easily suit.
Consider, as well as those mentioned in previous posts, the Zen-Ray ED in 7x36 or 8x43.
I think you´re right to go for 8x, far more versatile. The ultimate advice is always "try before you buy", because a lot will depend on personal taste, but if you can´t, try to buy from an online dealer that has a no-questions returns policy.
Also browse the "classifieds" section of this forum for second-hand binoculars - BF members typically "baby" their binos, and you could get "as new" excellent binos at a very good price.
For example, here´s a UK-based BF member offering a pair of Nikon Monarch 8x36 at 155 sterling:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=185560
 
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I think either the Nikon Monarch 8x42 or the Hawke Frontier 8x43 would be good choices both normally over your budget. About £215 and £290 respectively if you shop around (check the classified). I personally think the Nikon has the better ergonomics and build and the Hawke has the better glass. The Bushnell Ultra HD is also worth a look but I found the pin cushion too pronounced for my liking, but you might find it fine. I've not seen the Pentax.

They can be found at a couple of camera shops in Cambridge if you can't get to specialist retailer.

David
 
Martin Fagg said:
I just found the DCF CS 8x42 which seems to be an updated version of the DCF HRc.

Not sure in what way it is different. Spec is almost identical. I guess the coating have been improved.
Click to expand...

The old HRc is a rather old bin. Was it waterproof or just weather resistant (that seems to be a trend in the updates)?

I've seen mixed reviews (did it get phase coating at some point in its life?) but this user is happy enough

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=157104

It may be that the CS is the updated version of the HRc like the NV was an updated HS.
 
Kevin Purcell said:
The old HRc is a rather old bin. Was it waterproof or just weather resistant (that seems to be a trend in the updates)?

I've seen mixed reviews (did it get phase coating at some point in its life?) but this user is happy enough

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=157104

It may be that the CS is the updated version of the HRc like the NV was an updated HS.
Click to expand...

From what I can make out, the DCF HRc was phase-coated but it was not trumpeted much in the marketing blurb.
The DCF CS is phase-coated too.

The specs are so much the same that I think the CS must be an upgraded HRc. Don't you think?
 
Thank you all for the swift replies.

Veracocha, from a look at other threads, I see there are many people who hold the Hawke Frontiers in high regard, as you say. *I have had a look for them and can't see the ED version (8x43?) for anywhere near the £200 mark (all around the £300 mark). *In which LCE branch did you buy them? *Was it very recently?

Dennis, I am having the same problem locating the 8x42 Nikon Monarchs for similar money. *I notice you are in the US. *Would you recommend shipping some from there to the UK and do Nikon warranties for binoculars work internationally, as their camera ones do?

I also saw a thread regarding some interesting looking Minox bins BV BR or something similar. *Are these worth a look? *Though I can't find anywhere nearby (to Ely/Cambridge) where I can try them.
 
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Mooli said:
Thank you both for the swift replies.

Veracocha, from a look at other threads, I see there are many people who hold the Hawke Frontiers in high regard, as you say. *I have had a look for them and can't see the ED version (8x43?) for anywhere near the £200 mark (all around the £300 mark). *In which LCE branch did you buy them? *Was it very recently?

Dennis, I am having the same problem locating the 8x42 Nikon Monarchs for similar money. *I notice you are in the US. *Would you recommend shipping some from there to the UK and do Nikon warranties for binoculars work internationally, as their camera ones do?

I also saw a thread regarding some interesting looking Minox bins BV BR or something similar. *Are these worth a look? *Though I can't find anywhere nearby (to Ely/Cambridge) where I can try them.
Click to expand...

I was lucky to get them from LCE Worcester, I recall they had a single pair left and this was at before christmas. There was a set here for £200 the other day. Worth ringing around and looking on e-bay, they do crop up. In fact there's a set on there now at £230 with a best offer opportunity.
 
Sancho, unlike most of the cycling community, I'm not worried about weight (so long as they'll fit in the side pocket of my pack. I have tried 8x42 Opticron Imagic bins (sadly way over my budget) and like the size (and they fit). I assume a bigger objective is better for darker days, so have decided against smaller objectives, unless someone can correct my assumption. And I am lucky enough not to wear glasses, so eye relief should not be a problem.

Martin, the Pentax bins sound very interesting. I will try to look at some.

I will try to get to a specialist soon. But I would like a list before I go.

(Not sure where the asterisks above came from - probably an artefact of using my phone to add these two comments - sorry)
 
Mooli, I have ordered a pair of Pentax DCF CS 8x42s.I'll let you know what they're like. I should get them early next week. The free 8x21s should be coming with them.

Another one that I have an eye on is the Vortex Fury 6.5x32. Very wide field of view and huge depth of field, I believe. They wil be excellent in woods and undergrowth for searching out small mobile passerines.

How do you feel about going as low as 6.5x magnification though? I use 7x bins mostly so the drop doesn't seem so drastic to me.
 
Mooli, you mentioned Minox BV BRs. I don't know them but have tried Minox BF 8x42 BRs in a shop briefly. Very sharp in the centre but quality falls off quite a lot at the edges. Small but heavy at about 800g I think. Can be found for only £150.
 
Martin, being mostly in the wide open spaces of the fens, I think the greater magnification may come in handy for me. But I may be wrong, as I am quite new to this game. If I could afford a couple of pairs though, they do sound interesting (especially with the large depth of field). I should probably stop talking like that though, or else I'll persuade myself into buying a whole selection of new glass!
As for the Minox bins, the weight doesn't concern me (I actually find it easier to hold them steady - no idea why). But the softness might. I'll try to find somewhere to check them out.
I have checked out the Nikon Monarchs though. Nice size and I like the handling too. I also couldn't complain about the view - bright and sharp and I think they could be a goer (not as bright as the Hawkes i found at the same time though - and I am tempted by them, if I can find them at the right price).
 
If you don't have a scope (yet) then 8x is the way to go. I like lower mag but I almost always have a scope with me.

My dad has Monarchs. They're nice but I find the fov too small. Only 6.3*. I like 7.5* minimum but will go down to 7* at a push.
fov is very dependant on how the e/r works for you though so I have tried bins with narrow fov and found them more comfortable than wider ones.

You can read as many specs as you like but you never really know until you try the bins out.
Can you get over to CleySpy here in Norfolk or is it too far from you. They have so many bins to test. They must have the widest selection anywhere near where you live. You need to spend a few hours in there to fully appreciate their selection. Great place with very good staff. Knowledgeable and helpful.
 
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