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Nikon EDG 7x42 (1 Viewer)

jsmorytko

Member
Anyone here tried the 7x42 EDG?

Apparently the soon-to-be-replaced closed bridge model is still available in the USA (@ ~$1750) but non-USA buyers may have the new open bridge model available to them. Any comparisons to Zeiss 7x42 FL would be interesting too.
 
Anyone here tried the 7x42 EDG?

Apparently the soon-to-be-replaced closed bridge model is still available in the USA (@ ~$1750) but non-USA buyers may have the new open bridge model available to them. Any comparisons to Zeiss 7x42 FL would be interesting too.

A review here:

http://birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=132472&highlight=nikon+7x42+EDG
There was criticism in some posts here about the Nikon Focus Wheel slipping into the "lock" position and then "spinning." If it was a problem, it has been fixed. I have not experienced that problem with my 10 x 32 EDG and I have been using it hard for nearly 3 months now. In fact, I like the focus wheel and it's diopter adjustment mechanism very much.

It was also mentioned that the Objective Covers fall off. They do; but only on the now discontinued North American version which has an open frame double hinge set up much like the Swarovski EL. This problem has been resolved with the new version of the EDG which dispenses with the open frame. There also have been complaints of this very same problem with the EL's. You can find them on reviews of the EL's at Eagle Optics web site.

And Peter Dunne has a review at Cape May Bird Observatory web site.

http://featheredgeoptics.com/productreviews_nikonedg.htm

Bob
 
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I want to check this bin out. I tried the Zeiss 7x42FL and loved the clarity, brightness and huge FOV but it was just too cold a color cast for my taste. And most of my collection are Zeiss. But this had an almost blue green look to it.

My Nikon Monarch has a really nice warm cast to it so I'm thinking the 7x42 should be much warmer than the Zeiss.
 
The field-of-view on the 7x42s are 417 feet at 1000 yards which is incredible. I used the 7x42 EDGs for over a year and found them to be great in the field. The focus wheel problem has been a progressive fix with Nikon constantly tightening down the tension as each shipment arrives. The new EDGs should really be okay with this spec.

Best,
Mike Freiberg
Nikon's Birding Market Specialist
 
The field-of-view on the 7x42s are 417 feet at 1000 yards which is incredible. I used the 7x42 EDGs for over a year and found them to be great in the field. The focus wheel problem has been a progressive fix with Nikon constantly tightening down the tension as each shipment arrives. The new EDGs should really be okay with this spec.

Best,
Mike Freiberg
Nikon's Birding Market Specialist

Yes no problem at all with the focus wheel on the new EDG :king:
 
7x42 EDG

The field-of-view on the 7x42s are 417 feet at 1000 yards which is incredible. I used the 7x42 EDGs for over a year and found them to be great in the field. The focus wheel problem has been a progressive fix with Nikon constantly tightening down the tension as each shipment arrives. The new EDGs should really be okay with this spec.

Best,
Mike Freiberg
Nikon's Birding Market Specialist

I appreciate you're response Mike :eat:

Any insight as to when I might actually be able to try/buy a pair in the USA? We're well into "fall" ... :C
 
Yes no problem at all with the focus wheel on the new EDG :king:

I had some problems with the focus wheel on the 8x42 EDG. The wheel got a lot stiffer after 30 min in my freezer. After a few days of usage, I also noticed a significant gap in the focus wheel. These things were some of the reasons that I chose the Swarovski 8x42 HD instead. The focus wheel of the Swarovski binoculars were not affected nearly as much of the visit in my freezer as the EDG did. The focuser of the EDG ranges from unbelievably silky to noticeably stiff depending on the temperature! At least on the copy I had access to..
 
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Kingfisher, what do you mean by gap in the focus wheel? Do you mean backlash in the focusing mechanism, or is the focus wheel not staying down?

I haven't subject my 8x32 dual-hinge EDG to the freezer test. I have been using it in 30-50*F weather (0-10*C) this week. The focus wheel does stiffen up a little bit compared to indoor temperature, but a lot less pronounced than the Nikon SE. I'm less precise with the focusing when I have gloves on anyway, so, at least now, the stiffening is probably keeping me from overshooting the focus too often, especially with the fairly fast wheel. Even when it's stiff, the wheel is still very smooth like the Nikon SE's. Hopefully it will continue to be smooth and not too stiff when it get really cold.
 
I've used my 10 x 32 EDG a lot over the last 3 months without any hint of "backlash." It is very smooth and perhaps a slight bit stiffer than my 2 LX Ls.

Bob
 
I had some problems with the focus wheel on the 8x42 EDG. The wheel got a lot stiffer after 30 min in my freezer. After a few days of usage, I also noticed a significant gap in the focus wheel. These things were some of the reasons that I chose the Swarovski 8x42 HD instead. The focus wheel of the Swarovski binoculars were not affected nearly as much of the visit in my freezer as the EDG did. The focuser of the EDG ranges from unbelievably silky to noticeably stiff depending on the temperature! At least on the copy I had access to..

Kingfisher:
I do want to reply after seeing your post. I think some here should hear
from someone who has used the Nikon EDG for some time, rather than
just a quick look.
I have had the 10x42 EDG, for over a year, and have used it in subfreezing weather, and find the focuser in typical Nikon fashion, smooth as they come.
It may slow a bit, but no backlash whatsoever.
I own and have owned the Swarovski, and I do find backlash, but not enough
to bother me.
I find it a bit odd of your experience. Since you seem to have chosen the
Swaro. I wish you well. But as far I am concerned the Nikon focuser is a very strong point, and compares better than most top makes.

Jerry
 
Kingfisher:
I do want to reply after seeing your post. I think some here should hear
from someone who has used the Nikon EDG for some time, rather than
just a quick look.
I have had the 10x42 EDG, for over a year, and have used it in subfreezing weather, and find the focuser in typical Nikon fashion, smooth as they come.
It may slow a bit, but no backlash whatsoever.
I own and have owned the Swarovski, and I do find backlash, but not enough
to bother me.
I find it a bit odd of your experience. Since you seem to have chosen the
Swaro. I wish you well. But as far I am concerned the Nikon focuser is a very strong point, and compares better than most top makes.

Jerry

I had more than a quick look, because I used it everyday for about a month! Yes, I chose the Swarovski..but despite that I actually liked the EDG better. It may sound strange, but I think over time I will probably feel that I made the right choice after all. This because the Swarro was sharper, had higher contrast, was clearer and brighter, had better field-of-view and some other important things. The Nikon EDG was sharp, but the Swarro was still noticeably sharper. In my test the Nikon EDG got higher points for the focus mechanism than the Swarro. But remember..that was before the "freezer-test".

I'm not saying that all Nikon EDG binoculars have backlash in the focusing mechanism, but my copy had it - and became significantly stiff after a while in the freezer.
 
I had more than a quick look, because I used it everyday for about a month! Yes, I chose the Swarovski..but despite that I actually liked the EDG better. It may sound strange, but I think over time I will probably feel that I made the right choice after all. This because the Swarro was sharper, had higher contrast, was clearer and brighter, had better field-of-view and some other important things. The Nikon EDG was sharp, but the Swarro was still noticeably sharper. In my test the Nikon EDG got higher points for the focus mechanism than the Swarro. But remember..that was before the "freezer-test".

I'm not saying that all Nikon EDG binoculars have backlash in the focusing mechanism, but my copy had it - and became significantly stiff after a while in the freezer.

Does it get that cold in the south of Sweden? Couldn't you carry them under your coat when you take them out in winter?
Bob
 
I just did the freezer test. After 30 minutes in the 1*F (-17.5*C) freezer, my sample of the EDG's focuser stiffened very noticeably, but no worse than my 8x32 SE at 32*F (0*C). Of course it was still very smooth in the usual Nikon fashion. It was a chore to use the SE focuser in the coldest days last winter (about 5*F maybe), but still manageable. With the EDG's much wider focus wheel and grippier wheel cover, I don't foresee a problem with the EDG's focuser this winter, unless some problem like the backlash that Kingfisher experienced with his sample develops.
 
I just did the freezer test. After 30 minutes in the 1*F (-17.5*C) freezer, my sample of the EDG's focuser stiffened very noticeably, but no worse than my 8x32 SE at 32*F (0*C). Of course it was still very smooth in the usual Nikon fashion. It was a chore to use the SE focuser in the coldest days last winter (about 5*F maybe), but still manageable. With the EDG's much wider focus wheel and grippier wheel cover, I don't foresee a problem with the EDG's focuser this winter, unless some problem like the backlash that Kingfisher experienced with his sample develops.

I agree with you completely! The 8x32 SE becomes slower and more difficult to focus than the EDG at low temperatures. The EDG is still manageable in cold climates, but the span between silky and stiff depending on the temperature was too big for me actually. For me it was a huge disappointment because my main reason to buy a new pair of binoculars was the slow focusing mechanism of the Nikon 8x32 SE at low temperatures. I really did not expect that the EDG would feel much different after half an hour in the freezer, but it did. Like night and day, in my opinion!
 
I wonder if the focuser for the Nikon LX (HG) stiffens up as much as the EDG in cold weather?

Kingfisher, I understand why you chose the Swarovski over the EDG. When you stand that kind of money on optics, you want it to be without any significant shortcomings. Cold weather performance is a major consideration for my bins, too. If the EDG I got were as expensive as any of the top bins from the big three, I would have a hard time to decide whether to work with the EDG's stiff focus in cold weather, or to have a less smooth but more consistent focuser. But at the discounted price of the "old" EDG in the US, it's a no-brainer for me. I'm keeping it. Given the pricing in Europe, however, I think you probably made the right choice. I'm sure the Swarovski will serve you well and bring you many hours of enjoyment. If and when you decide to upgrade down the road, a 10 year old Swarovski will probably sell for much more than a 10 year old Nikon.
 
I know...I am still waiting to get my new EDG. Fall is gone and I am still naked with no EDG. 2011 should be a better year for EDG. Let me know if there is anything else I can do!

Cheers,
Mike
 
To all,

I have never noticed the focus wheel stiffen on the EDG or Premier. I have been a northern boy all my life and never had this issue. I am curious as to how much it stiffens if that is even possible to explain?

Thanks,
Mike Freiberg
Nikon Birding market Specialist
 
Late this summer I bought the EDG 7x42's (Eagle Optics' last pair, actually), a pair of Zeiss Victory 7x42's, and Leica Ultravid 7x42's. I compared them side-by-side for about two weeks, and wound up keeping the Nikons. The reasons were largely utilitarian. All three were optically excellent, with the Zeiss having maybe a tiny advantage in sharpness. But only the Nikons felt right in my hands -- perfectly balanced and easy to focus quickly. I was able to find and isolate birds more quickly, and that was my bottom line.

I had been using Nikon Premier LXL 8x42's for several years, and have become so accustomed to them that I never have to think about what it is I'm doing (finding a distant bird, a close one, scanning brush). The EDG model is much the same, although the slightly different field-of-view makes the process a little less intuitive (so far). Both Nikon models have focusing mechanisms that are far smoother than the Leica, which I found balky and slow. And the placement of the wheel is better for my hands than the Zeiss's, which is placed too closely to the face and makes the binocs front-heavy.

The Nikons focus slightly more slowly in very cold weather (I'm in southern Michigan) -- as you might expect for a mechanism lubricated with grease -- but I've never had a problem adjusting to this, particularly since winter conditions make birding otherwise much easier (no leaves!), and the birds in winter are usually less active (no warblers). Even in winter, I think the Nikon focusing is smoother and quicker than the Leica in warm weather.

I think any differences in quality between these high-end optics is far outweighed by the considerations noted above. If you can't easily handle the binoculars you use every day, if they don't fit your hands, if they focus too slowly, if something about them makes using them a chore rather than a pleasure, they're not good -- even if everyone tells you they're the best. Only you can decide what's right for you.
 
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