[BinoBoy]

Originally Posted by bh46118

I've been wanting a good quality 12X. The opinions on these are mixed.

Bruce


www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/fujinon/fujinon-hb-12x60-binocular

That's a great price, Bruce. Unfortunately, what I've heard is that the Fujinon HB 10x60 are fantastic, but the 12x60 isn't that impressive. You could always return them if you aren't satisfied, I suppose.

Mark

[brocknroller]

Originally Posted by steve@37n84w

Frank

I really like binos with field flattener lenses such as my 7x50 Prostar, 10x50 FMTR SX, and one of my roofs (7x42 EDG) for astronomy use; however, for terrestrial use (birding/hunting) I don't think it such a big issue.

It will be interesting to see how well Zeiss does with their new Victorys since they evidently decided to forgo the current field flattener lenses in vogue among the Alphas.

Steve

There are many binoculars with VG to excellent edges that don't employ field flatteners, with both wide and moderate FsOV: 8x and 10x EII, 7x35 E, EL WBs, SLCneu, Jap.-made 8x36 Sporter I, Pentax 8x36 NV, Jap.-made 8x42 Ultraview, Celestron 10x50 Nova, Docter 8x56 Nobilem, and I could add many others if I took the time to think of them. Add your own to the list.

Zeiss has propagated the idea that you can't have your cake and eat it too, which is a boldface lie. You can have a sharp centerfield and good edges, and you can do that w/out field flatteners.

Also, the SE and EDG both show that you can not only have your cake and eat it too, but you can even add field flatteners to the design and still maintain a proper balance of distortion.

Field flatteners do not automatically mean a trade off of "rolling ball". It just takes more finesse to make a bin with field flatteners that's useable by the masses including "rolling ballers". Nikon wasn't willing to do that with the HGL/Premier, but it was with the EDG. Swaro wasn't willing to do that with the SV EL. But it can be done.

If this "fad" continues, I hope other optic makers will take the SE and EDG as examples to follow rather than the Premier and SV EL.

===========
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[Ireneibm]

Originally Posted by chartwell99

Why - these things aren't even phase coated!

And how did you determine that before posting such nonsense?

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by DHB

Frank- find a deal on the Sightron Blue Sky 8x32....

Originally Posted by chartwell99

Why - these things aren't even phase coated!

From the Sightron II BL 8X32 Key Features section of the Sightron website:


BAK-4 Prism
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All SII binocular lenses and our SIIILR binocular lenses are complimented with a special BAK-4 phase coated prism, to provide the ultimate performance at a reasonable price.

[stereotruckdriver]

Originally Posted by BruceH

From the Sightron II BL 8X32 Key Features section of the Sightron website:


BAK-4 Prism
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All SII binocular lenses and our SIIILR binocular lenses are complimented with a special BAK-4 phase coated prism, to provide the ultimate performance at a reasonable price.

Yes, they are indeed phase coated! I had a pr. Long before all the hubub!!! Sold them to another forum member! I would have spoken up about the issue long ago if they weren't! Nice little piece, don't think i rate them as highly as others but, still very respectable considering the going rate! Bryce...

[NDhunter]

Originally Posted by stereotruckdriver

Yes, they are indeed phase coated! I had a pr. Long before all the hubub!!! Sold them to another forum member! I would have spoken up about the issue long ago if they weren't! Nice little piece, don't think i rate them as highly as others but, still very respectable considering the going rate! Bryce...

Bryce:

Good to see you are posting again. How are you getting along?
You are a very good resource and many appreciate that.

Jerry

[bh46118]

Hi Mark

When I found out the angled eyecups don't fold over, I decided not to get them.

Bruce

Originally Posted by BinoBoy

That's a great price, Bruce. Unfortunately, what I've heard is that the Fujinon HB 10x60 are fantastic, but the 12x60 isn't that impressive. You could always return them if you aren't satisfied, I suppose.

Mark

[Nixterdemus]

The Fuji HB 12x60 at 56oz could always be used to condition muscles, spotting skills & eye/hand coordination in tuning up for the heavy 8/10x42 offerings.

Your mantra could be, Taut for '12.

Minnie Pearl used to say that ugly was only skin deep, so let's skin 'em. I wonder how much of the 56 heft lies in the rubber armour?

Five* seems to be a good 12x FOV for a 60mm I suppose; dependent on the view.

As a sidenote I see these described as Hunter/mil-spec style. Is this due to the weight/silver prisms/lack of field flatteners/all or none of the previous stabs in the dark? Were they the HB15x60 I would be more inclined to pull the trigger, yet here I appear to suffer from target acquisition. Granted these are older discontinued models, yet the price dangled is quite fetching.

[stereotruckdriver]

Originally Posted by NDhunter

Bryce:

Good to see you are posting again. How are you getting along?
You are a very good resource and many appreciate that.

Jerry

Getting better every day Jerry, thank you. Bryce...

[lilcrazy2]

There is a super deal on the bay for several new boxed pairs of 10x42 Bushnell Legend Ultra HD's at $150 shipped - a great deal on a very nice ED glass bino!


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bushnell-Leg...item4844e891a5

[BruceH]

Looks like the seller initially messed up.

I saw the $149.99 price last night, but the price was changed this morning to $269.95. History shows 1 of 5 was sold at the $149.99 price. Somebody got a great deal if the seller honors the price.

[newfie ghost]

8x32el at $1349 at eagle optics. Wow they are really dropping the price on these before the sv comes out. Note this is a demo though.

[dipped]

Ok something something this side of the pond. 10x42 roof prisms,waterproof. Er unbranded. At least we all know of Argos.

These used to be about £50 I think. Could be worth a punt at just £17 inc postage even just for the car/conservatory etc. Yes it would be better if they were 8x42's... Get good reviews from non birders. See them here

[stereotruckdriver]

2011 Swarovski 8x32 el new in box $1050.00 shipped over on 24hr campfire in the classified's. That one won't last long.

[stereotruckdriver]

Originally Posted by stereotruckdriver

2011 Swarovski 8x32 el new in box $1050.00 shipped over on 24hr campfire in the classified's. That one won't last long.

Knew it wouldn't last!

[FrankD]

Just glancing through Amazon Warehouse Deals this morning and found the following...

Meopta Meostar 12x50

http://www.amazon.com/Meopta-Optics-...6146475&sr=1-9

$760

Regular price was over $1100 if I remember correctly.


Kruger Caldera 8x42


http://www.amazon.com/Kruger-Caldera...146507&sr=1-46

$224

Regular price was $350-ish.

Nikon ProStaff 7 8x42

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-8x42-Pro...146595&sr=1-80

$140

Original price around $200 but I now see them listed around $150 a few places.


...and last and probably least...a little 8x25 Konus model that just looked interesting with the open bridge design. No phase-coating from what I can gather...sadly.

http://www.amazon.com/Konus-2360-Sup...46677&sr=1-164
$52

[BruceH]

Nikon EDG I 10X32

New/Demo
$999 US Clearance price

Sportsman's Warehouse
19205 N. 27th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85027-5034

Telephone: (623)516-1400
GPS : N 33 39.678 W 112 06.963

I was at the Sportsman's Warehouse store Sunday afternoon and noticed these with a red clearance price tag. They are in the same display case with the Swarovski and Zeiss. I took a very quick look through them and did not notice any obvious issues. I do not know if this is the only one left and I did not see any other EDG models on display.

Sportsman's Warehouse is like a smaller Cabela's with about 33 stores around the US. They do have a website for orders, but it does not show any Nikon EDG products. I did not ask if an individual store will ship a phone order.

Here is a link to the Sportsman's Warehouse home page:

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/

Here is the Nikon page for the EDG I 10X32

http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/Prod...EDG-10x32.html

From what I read on this forum, the EDG I and EDG II are the same optically, but with a different housing. The current Nikon promoted sale price on the EDG II 10X32 is $1,900, normally $2,400.

[ceasar]

That clearance price of $999.00 originally included with it a Nikon DSLR Camera Kit. And the binocular was new and not a Demo. That is what I got when I purchased my 10 x 32 in the summer of 2010 when the sale started. I still have the binocular but sold the camera. It's the best binocular deal I ever made and it is an absolutely great binocular!

See if the camera deal still applies at Sportsman's Warehouse.

Bob

[NDhunter]

Originally Posted by ceasar

That clearance price of $999.00 originally included with it a Nikon DSLR Camera Kit. And the binocular was new and not a Demo. That is what I got when I purchased my 10 x 32 in the summer of 2010 when the sale started. I still have the binocular but sold the camera. It's the best binocular deal I ever made and it is an absolutely great binocular!

See if the camera deal still applies at Sportsman's Warehouse.

Bob

Bob:

I suppose you know that great deal does not still apply, with camera, so do you think the Nikon EDG at that price still applies?
It may very well be a nice bargain even without the camera.

I think it still applies, there is not another 10x32 Alpha binocular available at that price.

Jerry

[ceasar]

Originally Posted by NDhunter

Bob:

I suppose you know that great deal does not still apply, with camera, so do you think the Nikon EDG at that price still applies?
It may very well be a nice bargain even without the camera.

I think it still applies, there is not another 10x32 Alpha binocular available at that price.

Jerry

Jerry,

I don't think it is possible to get a 10 x 32 anywhere near as good as these original Nikon EDGs at any price near $999.00! Anybody who has been looking for an Alpha 10 x 32 but can't afford to pay $1800.00 and upwards should snap this up!

Bob

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by ceasar

...........

See if the camera deal still applies at Sportsman's Warehouse.

Bob

For those unfamiliar with the free camera deal, it was a mail-in promotion sponsored by Nikon, requiring the purchase of various EDG products by 10-31-2010. So, the camera promotion does not apply to the unit currently being sold by Sportsman's Warehouse. I suspect it may be just coincidence that Sportsman's Warehouse used the same $999 price. That was a tremendous deal, even better than the current $500 promotion for the EDG II. Bob, you did get a great deal!

Here is the original offer showing the details .....

http://images1.opticsplanet.com/pdf/...o-form-pdf.pdf

REMINDER:

Somewhat related, the Nikon USA Spring Migration EDG II $500 off promotion ends in a couple of days ..... May 10th, 2012.

Here is the link to the current Spring Migration promotion ......

http://www.nikonpromo.com/spring_migration.php

[ceasar]

Here is an interesting little porro in the latest Cabelas Fathers Day Catalog.

It has the Cabelas name: An 8 x 30 Waterproof, (with "nitrogen processing") porro prism. It weighs 16 ounces and has a 387' FOV. An equivalent 10 x 30 with 288 FOV is also available. They are FMC with Bak-4 prisms and twist up rubber eyecups. Neck strap and soft case. 4.5" high.

On sale now for $49.99 and $69.99 respectively. $30.00 off the list price.

I've ordered the 8 x 30 as a gift from my sons to myself. They are students and can't afford to get me an 8 x 32 Habicht but I appreciate this gesture on their part!

I will report on it as soon as I get it and compare it to my Nikon 8 x 30 EII.

Bob

[stereotruckdriver]

Originally Posted by ceasar

Here is an interesting little porro in the latest Cabelas Fathers Day Catalog.

It has the Cabelas name: An 8 x 30 Waterproof, (with "nitrogen processing") porro prism. It weighs 16 ounces and has a 387' FOV. An equivalent 10 x 30 with 288 FOV is also available. They are FMC with Bak-4 prisms and twist up rubber eyecups. Neck strap and soft case. 4.5" high.

On sale now for $49.99 and $69.99 respectively. $30.00 off the list price.

I've ordered the 8 x 30 as a gift from my sons to myself. They are students and can't afford to get me an 8 x 32 Habicht but I appreciate this gesture on their part!

I will report on it as soon as I get it and compare it to my Nikon 8 x 30 EII.

Bob

Bob, I almost bought those as well! They look like the Kruger Kalihari? I think Steve C. Commented they weren't very good, thats why i held off. Bryce...

[FrankD]

Bob,

I noticed them awhile back when they were first introduced. I haven't been out to Cabelas recently but may make a trip.

Bryce,

I don't remember seeing Steve's post on them but would appreciate it if you could point out the link. Will try to do a search for them.

[stereotruckdriver]

Originally Posted by FrankD

Bob,

I noticed them awhile back when they were first introduced. I haven't been out to Cabelas recently but may make a trip.

Bryce,

I don't remember seeing Steve's post on them but would appreciate it if you could point out the link. Will try to do a search for them.

Frank it was a comment he made about the Krugers, i will see if i can find it? The reason is the cabelas bino specs wise is identical and they look very similiar? I could be wrong!!! :-) Bryce...