[iraqbabbler]

Hi folks,
A friend of mine has converted to birdwatching , and he's asked me for advice on bins that won't break the bank .. So I thought Nikon Monarchs at first, but then I noticed the Trailblazer line.
So, apart from the close focus distance, are there major differences between those to lines in terms of quality or durability ?

Thanks

[L.Wilson]

I also consider to buy a nikon trailblazer bins 8*25, price seems acceptable but have no ideal about its quality and durability. any comments?

[Tero]

Should be fairly durable. Not spectacular optics. A 8x40 porro would be a better investment. See 5 reviews
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binocular...-atb-binocular

[mikefreiberg]

I would have to respectfully disagree with Tero on this one. Porro prisms are notoriously less durable than roof prisms. Also, porros are much heavier. It is for these reasons optics companies have taken many of their porro prism binoculars off the line and created more roof prisms. The Monarch line is far better optically than the trailblazer, but the trailblazer is lighter as well. I have personally tested the waterproofness and the durability. You can bang them around. Also, Nikon covers you with a great 25-year no-fault policy and lifetime manufacturer's warranty as well. Let me know if you have specific questions and you can email me at mfreiberg@nikonrep.com if you are interested in a discount directly from Nikon.

http://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com...archATB-26.htm

Best,
Mike Freiberg
Nikon's Birding Market Specialist

[Tero]

But we are in a budget low end here. The low end roofs are mostly cr*p. So the optics on porros will far outclass porros here. Plus you still get a good 5 years out of porros as long as they are not dropped.

[mikefreiberg]

I would encourage anyone to look for Monarch reviews online (there are many), because those reviews will confirm the durability of the Monarchs in particular. Other questions?

Best,
Mike Freiberg
Nikon's Birding Market Specialist

[JanPB]

Originally Posted by mikefreiberg

I would have to respectfully disagree with Tero on this one. Porro prisms are notoriously less durable than roof prisms. Also, porros are much heavier. It is for these reasons optics companies have taken many of their porro prism binoculars off the line and created more roof prisms.

Call me cynical but I suspect the real reason for pushing roofs over porros is simply because they provide higher profit margins. It's a bit like glycerin in soap: why is it removed from soap? Beacuse if it is subsequently put into fancy cosmetics, the same glycerin will make more money.

Porros have plenty of non-issue glycerin: prism phase coating, prism dielectric coating, prism roof visible in strong highlights, etc. Can't make money off non-issues. Put those in a roof and you've got profitable marketing keywords.

I'm oversimplifying for rhetorical effect but not by much.

[Tero]

Plus Nikon still sells porros. But they do not feel like marketing them.

[ceasar]

Originally Posted by JanPB

Call me cynical but I suspect the real reason for pushing roofs over porros is simply because they provide higher profit margins. It's a bit like glycerin in soap: why is it removed from soap? Beacuse if it is subsequently put into fancy cosmetics, the same glycerin will make more money.

Porros have plenty of non-issue glycerin: prism phase coating, prism dielectric coating, prism roof visible in strong highlights, etc. Can't make money off non-issues. Put those in a roof and you've got profitable marketing keywords.

I'm oversimplifying for rhetorical effect but not by much.

Go into the big chain sporting good stores in malls. More people leave with inexpensive porro's from them than expensive roof prisms I'll bet!

[David Swain]

In another thread Mike wrote:

"Yeah, the SE is a great piece of glass for sure. It is still available, but it is a special order item from any Nikon Premier dealer. The EDG glass really does equal the quality, but includes far improved depth-of-focus. Edge to edge clarity is second to none, ED glass corrects chromatic aberration, and the colors are true. I would say that glass is the closest Nikon has come to matching the SE. Give it a shot when you get the chance."

This is not Mike's fault, of course, but you can hear the echo of corporate meetings where the managers discuss how they can get people to stop praising and ordering SEs. It is a testimony to the SE (and for that matter, the E IIs) that people will trade off the lack of amenities for excellence in view. Yes, without even seeing one (and I have yet to see a single birder with one) I bet the EDG 8x32s are wonderful, but is the cost justified? Nikon has never marketed their porros properly--one can only wonder why.

[mikefreiberg]

David,

Yes, I guess it would be hard to check one out if they are not available!) LOL! I have the privilege of traveling to many bird festivals in the USA and I tend to see a few people at each show with the SE's. Unfortunately, porro's have lost out in popularity in this country! I know Nikon is always evolving, but I can't imagine anyone really complaining about a product being so popular. However, that being said I could be wrong!)

Happy Holidays!

Best,
Mike Freiberg
Nikon's Birding Market Specialist

[maximme]

Originally Posted by mikefreiberg

I would have to respectfully disagree with Tero on this one. Porro prisms are notoriously less durable than roof prisms. Also, porros are much heavier. It is for these reasons optics companies have taken many of their porro prism binoculars off the line and created more roof prisms. The Monarch line is far better optically than the trailblazer, but the trailblazer is lighter as well. I have personally tested the waterproofness and the durability. You can bang them around. Also, Nikon covers you with a great 25-year no-fault policy and lifetime manufacturer's warranty as well. Let me know if you have specific questions and you can email me at mfreiberg@nikonrep.com if you are interested in a discount directly from Nikon.

http://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com...archATB-26.htm

Best,
Mike Freiberg
Nikon's Birding Market Specialist

Thanks Mike for being at this forum.
Its great to see any maker with active participation in ANY forum.


I got to test the Nikon Travelite and Monarch as well as quick comparision with a Leica.

Without any doubt, the Monarch is the best value Bino around and its popularity is a testament to that.
The Leica is great but the price is a big gap from the Monarch while the image quality is not that big a gap.

But for me, I settled for the Travelite V which is just half of Monarch price
but it works for me as I needed a no frills-spot-them bino for bird photography. I don't observe the birds with the bino, just enough to spot where they are is good enough for me.

The Travelite price and compactness fits my need exactly

but what I didn't like about the Travelite is that it tend to show
"fog" when pointed to the brighter part of the sky.
Its not directly at the sun or something like that, but against
a brighter side of the sky, the white ring around the image
shows.

[mikefreiberg]

Originally Posted by David Swain

In another thread Mike wrote:

"Yeah, the SE is a great piece of glass for sure. It is still available, but it is a special order item from any Nikon Premier dealer. The EDG glass really does equal the quality, but includes far improved depth-of-focus. Edge to edge clarity is second to none, ED glass corrects chromatic aberration, and the colors are true. I would say that glass is the closest Nikon has come to matching the SE. Give it a shot when you get the chance."

This is not Mike's fault, of course, but you can hear the echo of corporate meetings where the managers discuss how they can get people to stop praising and ordering SEs. It is a testimony to the SE (and for that matter, the E IIs) that people will trade off the lack of amenities for excellence in view. Yes, without even seeing one (and I have yet to see a single birder with one) I bet the EDG 8x32s are wonderful, but is the cost justified? Nikon has never marketed their porros properly--one can only wonder why.

David,

Good point made. However, I assure you that the SE is rarely discussed. In fact, I can't recall the last conversation I had with management about this binocular. I will only push products I would use in the field and that fit birders.

Best,
Mike Freiberg
Nikon Birding Market Specialist

[mikefreiberg]

Originally Posted by maximme

Thanks Mike for being at this forum.
Its great to see any maker with active participation in ANY forum.


I got to test the Nikon Travelite and Monarch as well as quick comparision with a Leica.

Without any doubt, the Monarch is the best value Bino around and its popularity is a testament to that.
The Leica is great but the price is a big gap from the Monarch while the image quality is not that big a gap.

But for me, I settled for the Travelite V which is just half of Monarch price
but it works for me as I needed a no frills-spot-them bino for bird photography. I don't observe the birds with the bino, just enough to spot where they are is good enough for me.

The Travelite price and compactness fits my need exactly

but what I didn't like about the Travelite is that it tend to show
"fog" when pointed to the brighter part of the sky.
Its not directly at the sun or something like that, but against
a brighter side of the sky, the white ring around the image
shows.

Thanks for the comment here. I love being a part of this forum and am really here to help not sell directly. There are always many misconceptions about optics in general and while I do not have all the answers, I may be able to help clear up a few things.

The travelites are great, but I do know/agree with what you are referring to. We have a great item being introduced this summer that will blow away the low price points, so keep your eyes open.

Best,
Mike Freiberg
Nikon Birding Market Specialist

[Cleme]

Originally Posted by Tero

But we are in a budget low end here. The low end roofs are mostly cr*p. So the optics on porros will far outclass porros here. Plus you still get a good 5 years out of porros as long as they are not dropped.

I've bought a 10-year-old 10X35 EII in mint condition and I would expect to still be using them in 10 or 20 years time... Perhaps I don't treat my stuff badly enough!

PS My girlfriend has the Trailblazer/Sporter, just to show we have no bias. She loves them!