[newfielander]

Hey I'm from one of the most beauitful provinces of Canada, I do alot of binocular using,but I still need a bit of advice.
I broke my Oberwerk 15 X 70 binoculars last fall,, and now I soon need a new pair , I loved the Oberwerks but they weren't water proof, I use them for hunting, yes they are big , but thats what i like because i use alot of high mountian tops and set them on a stump or big rock and view the valley below. Now if there was a set of smaller binoculars that is just as good as the big Oberwerks that i use, than I'd be quite happy with that as well.
Thats why I need someone's opinion on the two sets that I have chosen,
http://www.binoculars.com/binoculars...binoculars.cfm or
http://www.garrettoptical.com/Produc...&Show=TechSpec
I want a set of binoculars that is center focus,water proof, fog proof, has a FOV of atleast 220, and is atleast 15X. And in a price range of 300.00 or less. I've used all kinds of binoculars and 15 power is great for what I need them for, once I get into bigger powers I loose FOV and once I go smaller MAGNIFICATION , I cant see in detail good enough to please me, the high power saves alot of walking!!
If anyone has ANY suggestion at all please let me know!!!!!
Thanks Newfielander.

[rivergazer]

I'm not much on high power binoculars, so can't help you there, but FYI .... both of the links you put up took me to "page not found".

[rivergazer]

One thought though ..... I find a monopod much preferable to a stump or rock

marty

[newfielander]

Hi rivergazer, thanks for letting me know about the links not opening for you, if you dont mind can you give it a try again and give me your opinion? Concerning a monopod, thats a greta idea but remember its just another piece of gear you have to pack and when you climb the high mountians, for me anyway I try to go as light as possible Thanks newfielander

[mooreorless]

Hi New, Here it a link to CN, I hope it helps.
You might of already saw this and I was going to put another link but realized you might of have already read it considering you were the OP. If I remember right you like wide field views in the higher power binocular.
Regards,Steve

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea...b=5&o=all&vc=1

[rivergazer]

Tried the links, and yup, they work now.

[mooreorless]

New I think you have seen these, but you never know.
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=62132

[newfielander]

Mooreless, these are what I dream of but I say I have to decide betweenthe wife or Minox 15x58,haha.
Love to find a set of used ones. 300.00 or less is my budget.

[Steve C]

Originally Posted by newfielander

300.00 or less is my budget.

Then my advice is to get a porro binocular. I would personally have nothing to do with an inexpensive roof prism like the Echo in 15x. The lower power Echos I have looked at did not impress me much. I'd say look at the Nikon Action EX or Pentax WP porro, whichever suits your fancy.

Look at the binocular bargains thread. One of the last posts there gave an e-bay auction site for a decent looking Magellan 12x50 porros for a stupid cheap price. Evidently several available at the price.

[mooreorless]

I agree with Steve C this 12x50 at this cheap price would work until you found your dream big binocular.
Regards,Steve

[shaocaholica]

Nikon 16x50 Action Extremes are half your budget but might be big as with all porros if size is critical to your application.

[newfielander]

Shaocaholica, 16 x 50's i like but it has a low FOV compared to the 15 x 70's. And Steve C the Garrett's I mentioned is porro's arent they?
When you all take into consideration that I really thought the Oberwerks were good, my choice of Garrett's 15 x 70's CF WP, is it a wise choice or will they end up been a step down from the Oberwerks? So whats the best choice everyone if all I had to pick from was the Nikons mentioned or the Garretts for my type of use? Both are WP and CF. Nikons FOV is 200 and the Garrett's is 226 but the Nikons are 16x and the Garretts are 15x. In low light [ex] evening or morning at a long distance which would perform the best?
I just need to know what to buy, I cant believe its been such a big decision.
I need an answer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Steve C]

Originally Posted by newfielander

Steve C the Garrett's I mentioned is porro's arent they?...

Yes the Garrets are porro prisms. I initially tried to edit my initial response to indicate that the Garret would be my choice of the two you linked, but I lost connection and the post didn't change, and I didn't look back here until now.

[CLRobles]

newfielander, how much time do you have in your search for new bins???? And how dead set are you in your price point?
The only reason I ask is there are many "deals" to be had on used optics that are of Alpha quality if one is patient and has the time to find a good deal!
In the past year I have purchased a Docter Optic 15x60 Nobilem for $450 and a Nikon SE 12x50 for $483.... These are two of the best "big eyes" ever and will last a life time with a warranty to back it! I think if you could bend your purchase price by just a bit and be a little patient you could end up with a world class bin that will last you a life time!

FYI - A Docter 15x60 with a $500 price tag on ebay about a month ago never sold and never had a bid.... I think you might be able to reach this sell and get your self a much better deal?

[newfielander]

CLRobles, thanks for your advice, but I need them by Sept.The Docter 15x60 is what i love to have.But I guess time is running out for me now.And thanks Steve C for your advice, do ya think they will be better than the Oberwerks when it comes to clear viewing and preformance?

[Steve C]

Originally Posted by newfielander

And thanks Steve C for your advice, do ya think they will be better than the Oberwerks when it comes to clear viewing and preformance?

Sorry Newfielander, I have no idea how they might compare.

[kristoffer]

15x without IS? Sounds really hard to use.

[andrej 4153]

In germany you have to pay about 700-750 Euro for a new 15x60 docter. It seems to be a very nice bino.The weight is about 55 ounces. FOV 72m. 236 Feet.

[KorHaan]

Originally Posted by kristoffer

15x without IS? Sounds really hard to use.

My thoughts exactly.
Been following this thread and to me it screams Canon 15x50 IS from the start. 79m/1000m FOV, 42 oz, all weather bins.

The price tag may rule them out, though. But Image Stabilization makes a big difference when using high power bins.

Regards, Ronald

[newfielander]

kristoffer, like I said on the beginning, using a rock or stump as a stablizer, it works perfect.

[CLRobles]

Originally Posted by newfielander

kristoffer, like I said on the beginning, using a rock or stump as a stablizer, it works perfect.

Like you I have used 15x60's and 12x50's here in the west for ages... I have used both the Swaros and the Docters and would never want a IS bin! But I will say that I have always used a tripod with them unless it was just a very quick, braced hold. But never for extended views. As far as a bin in your price range I would go with the Nikon 16x50 if you are dead set on this power range. The field may be a bit narrower but the clarity of the optics will more than make up for it!

[newfielander]

CLRobles, so your saying the 16x50 over the 15x70's?
How sure are you that the clarity will be alot better? I hope your right cause they are a little more power and alot smaller. But I hope for example in the early morning and late evening, they will be as good atleast as my old Oberwerks were!!! If not, than I'll be soooooooooo disappointed!!!
Thats why I want to make sure what I'm doing. Thanks for your help!!

[Howard220]

Originally Posted by newfielander

Hey I'm from one of the most beauitful provinces of Canada, I do alot of binocular using,but I still need a bit of advice.
I broke my Oberwerk 15 X 70 binoculars last fall,, and now I soon need a new pair , I loved the Oberwerks but they weren't water proof, I use them for hunting, yes they are big , but thats what i like because i use alot of high mountian tops and set them on a stump or big rock and view the valley below. Now if there was a set of smaller binoculars that is just as good as the big Oberwerks that i use, than I'd be quite happy with that as well.

These are the ones Edz touts highly:

http://www.bigbinoculars.com/ultra70.htm

They're waterproof. They weigh 5 lbs, though; the $150 15x70 version is 3 lbs. I have the latter, and like them a lot (once they're aligned!).

[ronh]

Newfie,
A couple of years ago I was looking for a similar bino, but for astronomy, and tried the IF version of the waterproof 15x70 Garrett that you linked in your first post.

I thought the mechanics and construction was quite good for the money. The eye relief was comfortable, and the wide field of view was sufficiently sharp all across to make a pleasing view. For the size of bino, daytime color errors were fairly well controlled as well.
Collimation was spot on, coatings looked dark and even, and I thought it was a very comfortable bino to look through, and lightweight for the size.

It wasn't so great at splitting double stars as I would have liked, however. Also, although this is a harsh test, when I looked at a very bright light at night, I could see faint ghost images around the main images, like there might have been some kind of back and forth reflections going on in the prisms, possibly. I don't really know if that was related to the bit of image softness on double stars.

I ended up sending the Garrett back, no questions asked, and getting a $600 Fujinon, a heavy IF binocular. It is better, but still not perfect, and due to its worse color error than the Garrett, I wouldn't really recommend it for daytime use.

I think the waterproof, center focus Garrett might be the ticket, with the money you want to spend. It really wasn't bad at all. I would wonder about its ruggedness though, probably don't want to slam it around too much!
Ron

[newfielander]

ronh, thanks for your input in my quest in finding the right binoculars,..........................what do I do!!!!!!!!! Nikon's 16x50 or Garrett 15x70!!!
Howard220, the utra's look good , but I know they are IF.Thats no good to me.
Thanks though.