[shaocaholica]

Which classic or modern 8x30s stand out for any reason whether its pure performance or compactness or uniqueness or value, etc, etc.

[ceasar]

If you are talking "budget" you would be hard pressed to find a better budget priced 8 x 30 porro than the Leupold Yosemite. It's very compact too. About $110.00 incl shipping from Eagle. Excellent performance too.

[FrankD]

Yes, the Yosemite was my first thought too.

Truth be told there aren't many current 8x30 porros on the market that I am aware of. The newer 8.5x32 Eagle Optics Raven and Vortex Raptor are the only other two that spring to mind.

In terms of "Classics" you would be hard pressed to ignore either the Nikon 8x30 E2 or the 8x32 SE. The E2 was more of a greater value considering it was about half to 1/3rd the price of the SE. Still the SE could be considered a value if you compare it to what it competes against optically.

[Steve C]

A while back, from simple curiosity, I bought a couple of Carl Zeiss Jena Jenoptems 8x30. They have a pretty decent image and a very nice wide fov and reside in a nice compact package. However, while they are certainly usable images (the fully multi coated one more so than the coated version) the Jenoptem is not nearly as bright, sharp or as clear as the Yosemite.

[SPARTACVS]

There's also the Bushnell natureview 8x30 reverse porro.

Steiner also has a few 8x30 porro.

[Tero]

8x30 reverse porros seem to get to be a big lumpy thing to hold. 8x25 and 8x26 are OK. I would prefer regular porro for 8x30.

[SPARTACVS]

Originally Posted by Tero

8x30 reverse porros seem to get to be a big lumpy thing to hold. 8x25 and 8x26 are OK. I would prefer regular porro for 8x30.

We are selling the Bushnell 8x30 reverse porro and I have no problem handeling them. In fact, they are very comfortable. Image quality is good but I haven't compared to the Leupold yosemite.

What I wonder is what are the advantages of normal porro over the reverse. Better 3D percetion?

[shaocaholica]

How do the Yosemites compare to the Vortex Raptor/EO Raven? They seem like almost the same OEM design. I want to like them but they seem to lack FOV compared to the wider classics.

[APSmith]

Nikon EII 8x30! A case can be made that it offers the best view ever. Sold for ~$300 a few years back. If you find one, buy it, and then you will have a new hobby, that is - trying to find a better view, at almost any price.

[Steve C]

Originally Posted by shaocaholica

How do the Yosemites compare to the Vortex Raptor/EO Raven? They seem like almost the same OEM design. I want to like them but they seem to lack FOV compared to the wider classics.

The Raven/Raptor look identical to the Yosemite except that they are a little bit longer, just enough to accommodate the 32mm lens I suppose. My 6.5 Raven is I think, a better binocular. It is a bit brighter and the extra .5x magnification is just enough the make the image look just noticeably larger.

Those wide classics will have pretty bad curvature and edge distortion and lousy eye relief. Start putting that kind of 9-11* fov's in some of the classic at $100 or so and your image would likely go to pot.

Personally I think if wide angle (past 8.5* more or less) was compatable with quality image (at a price we could afford), we'd have them available today.

[rivergazer]

I'm interested in the 8.5x Raptor/Raven, as well. I know they've been talked about here, but I see the eye relief spec is only 14mm; that sounds a little low for eyeglassers like me. Does anyone have a comment?

marty

[shaocaholica]

ER isn't an issue for me which is why I love my classics so much.

Steve, when you say your Raven is a "better binocular", what are you referring against?

[Steve C]

As compared to the Yosemite.

[ceasar]

Originally Posted by APSmith

Nikon EII 8x30! A case can be made that it offers the best view ever. Sold for ~$300 a few years back. If you find one, buy it, and then you will have a new hobby, that is - trying to find a better view, at almost any price.

I'll 2nd that! One of the easiest binoculars to use I ever tried. I can point instinctively with it and be on target. The 8.8 degree FOV probably helps out. Their price was usually around $250.00 when they were available. I hear they are still sold in Japan. This forum has loads of posts on them.
Bob

[shaocaholica]

I'd love to get an EII but I can't seem to find any for sale in the US new or used.

[Fireform]

I agree with AP: the Nikon EII is the alpha and omega of this discussion.

[Kevin Purcell]

Originally Posted by rivergazer

I'm interested in the 8.5x Raptor/Raven, as well. I know they've been talked about here, but I see the eye relief spec is only 14mm; that sounds a little low for eyeglassers like me. Does anyone have a comment?

Originally Posted by Steve C

As compared to the Yosemite.

I speculated before that the Raven/Raptor very similar design to the Yosemites but with slightly larger lens are slightly large (same f number). I also speculated they have the same prisms/eyepieces (given the ERs).

The 6x Yosemite have lots of ER (a little too much for a myope like me ... the the eyecup stays mostly where you place it!).

The 8x Yosemite with 14mm is about the lower limit for me but usable by eyeglass wearers.

The main problem for "serious" use for me if a stray light issue the Yosemites have (and the Raven/Raptor too? Not see than). There is a path into the top prism from "below the horizon and to the sides" which makes itself clear when you look up into tree tops (and the stray path is now pointing at the horizon and above.

The thread is here but I don't see my stray light comments. Did I do those in email, Steve? Do you recall the results?

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=145663