[brocknroller]

£400=$256.42 My, how the Almighty Dollar has fallen.

Most of the "entry level price" roofs I've tried have been full sized models. Some pretty good for the price like the Vortex 8x42 Fury.

As close as I've gotten to midsized at this price point is the Pentax 8x36 NV, which is within your budget. It's lightweight, but it's not small - 6" long! As long as most full sized roofs. Longer than some.

But you pay another kind of price when playing "Honey I Shrank the Bins".

All the 8x32 roofs that I have tried with the exception of the 8x32 EL have two things in common - they all showed a shallow perception of depth and an image that is more 2-D than 3-D.

I wouldn't recommend any of them for that reason. Also, the larger FOV usually comes at the expense of field curvature (fuzzy edges) at this price point.

If I were going to buy an 8x32/30, I'd go for a porro. More "crown for the pound" than £400 roofs, and you don't lose nearly as much depth perception and 3-D effect. To me this important, because it helps birds "pop out" from their background environment, and it's easier on my eyes because it means less fuss focusing.

I haven't tried the Leupold 8x30 Yosemite, but thought the 6x30 model was good for its price point. If the 8x is as good quality, that would be the best bang for your buck. You could buy two! Since sample variation runs rampart at this price point, that might be a good idea.

Here's a thread on this model:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=74014&page=3

If you buy a midsized porro within your budget and like it, in the future you might want to double your investment and buy better quality optics for twice the price, maybe a Nikon 8x32 SE or a 8x30 EII.

Note that neither the SE or EII are waterproof if that's a major concern.

Brock

[Perry Grin]

Originally Posted by mayoayo

There is a pair of hawke 8x36 ED for sale in this forum for 180 pounds...This model and brand have already a solid reputation,at least in this forum!..They are a variant brand of the same binocular,(ED glass, open bridge ) sold in the USA,by ZEN and EO,even Vortex has similar models (at a higher price)...I have owned the 8x43 and 7x36 ZEN versions and they are SUPER NICE...for 180 pounds ,they are a a great pair..I doubt any of the pairs you mentioned at double the price are better than this binoculars..including the Minox HG...by the way ,Is the Minox the old (japan)or new (Germany) versions?..If Its the German made model,it is a fair price,and worth the money ,because it will keep a good resale value,if you decide that you dont want them

Thanks for the plug!

Still for sale by the way....

Perry

[Stonesy66]

Brock, i appreciate what you say about a good pair of porro's against a similarly priced set of roofs. However i do prefer the compactness of the roof design and think thats the way i'll be going. Incidentally how do they produce superior porro's for the money, it is something that I have wondered about.
On another note, I've visited the RSPB shop at Carsington Water today and tried a number of different pairs, I was particularly impressed with the RSPB HD 8x32, I even compared them with the Leica Ultravid 8x32 and struggled to see a real difference especially considering that they are three times the price.
The list of candidates is getting longer and I will have to set a day aside when i can compare them.

Cheers Stonesy.

[lilcrazy2]

Originally Posted by brocknroller

£400=$256.42 My, how the Almighty Dollar has fallen. Brock

Brock
I think you have your currency calculator backwards as 1 pound equals 1.56 $$

[mosschops]

I'm not sure if you have your new bins yet but heres my 2p's worth:
Minox 8x33 HG MIG - I agree with the other poster about its slow performance. I sold mine due to the fussy focusing and for some reason couldn't get the diopter adjustment spot on. They are very good but not a birders binocular.
Meopta Meopro - Too narrow FOV, not as good as the Meostar which would be the best if you can find a used pair, they are very very good. Sharp and a wide FOV of 138m
Vortex Viper - very good build and sharpness, good in the hand but only 122m FOV if i'm not mistaken
Opticron Imagic/verano - well worth a try, good birders bins.
Nikon HGL 8x32 now available for £550 if you shop around. Over your budget but ace optics but heavy and bulky.

Jason

[flossiepip]

Originally Posted by Stonesy66

Brock, i appreciate what you say about a good pair of porro's against a similarly priced set of roofs. However i do prefer the compactness of the roof design and think thats the way i'll be going. Incidentally how do they produce superior porro's for the money, it is something that I have wondered about.
On another note, I've visited the RSPB shop at Carsington Water today and tried a number of different pairs, I was particularly impressed with the RSPB HD 8x32, I even compared them with the Leica Ultravid 8x32 and struggled to see a real difference especially considering that they are three times the price.
The list of candidates is getting longer and I will have to set a day aside when i can compare them.

Cheers Stonesy.

Is there a RSPB shop at Carsington now? Dont remember that but miss Carsington though! For what its worth I have a Vortex 8x32 and can recommend it. My pick would be the Viper.

[SEOW]

On the Viper's FOV: the 8x42 does have a rather paltry 122m, but the 8x32 Stonesy66 was considering has abt. 133m- not stunningly expansive, but pretty good.