[kabsetz]

I'm a bit surprised that the SE fan club did not jump on this yet, but in the wow-factor thread, Gijs slipped the words " ... price of the new SE II's ..."

So, did a quick search. Found this: http://www.optics-trade.eu/shop/en/s...-standard.html

Nitrogen-purged and waterproof. From the pictures, good old trusty fold-down rubber eyecups. Quick look at the specs suggests optics are the same formula as before, but of course it is possible that glass types and/or coatings would be upgraded. Gijs, perhaps you know a bit more about them?

Anyway, could not resist the temptation to set the ball rolling again.

- Kimmo

[Gijs van Ginkel]

Kimmo,
Nitrogen purged and waterproof? I can believe that of the 10x70 and the 18x70, but the other models? If I will ever get one for an investigation of their performance, (but that will in The Netherlands probably be more difficult than arranging a holiday camp on Antarctica), I will drop the models in a bucket filled with water to see whether this is really true.
I have no doubt about the optical performance however, since that is allright with the Nikon models I have investigated.
Gijs

[kabsetz]

Gijs,

The texts in the link in my post #1 talk about nitrogen-filling and state "Yes" for waterproof. That's all I know.

- Kimmo

[Binastro]

Looking at the site, the 3 SE MK II models are all listed as roof prism binoculars.
What also seems strange is the high price of the 10 x 35 EII. This is 3 times the price they were about 7 years ago. Mind you they were on offer then, and Nikons are sometimes on offer especially the Nikon Actions.

[henry link]

Unfortunately, I think the information on this page is simply mistaken. Notice that the EII models are also described as waterproof and nitrogen filled.

[ronh]

Awww, MAN!?!? They could at least have mistakenly said it had Fluorite objectives.

[kabsetz]

Yep, the page is not very well put together, and the info may very well be mistaken. However, just to keep speculation alive until more reliable information is available, what would be the point of having "SE II" at all if nothing has changed?

Kimmo

[NDhunter]

Originally Posted by kabsetz

Yep, the page is not very well put together, and the info may very well be mistaken. However, just to keep speculation alive until more reliable information is available, what would be the point of having "SE II" at all if nothing has changed?

Kimmo

Kimmo:

You have brought up a subject to wake the porro-maniacs. I have to admit I appreciate the SE's, I own all 3.
This seller mentioned is in the EU, and maybe someone would
want to ask them for any insight. The pictures, are of the SE, and
are not changed at all. It may take some further investigation.

It may be just an inexperienced advertising layout where someone, liked to add the "II", to the SE's like the E II.

It is easy to make the SE into the SE II.

I was able to accomplish it in 2 keystrokes.

Jerry

[jan van daalen]

To put this Nikomania miscommunication to a higher level, I asked our Nikon importer about the availability and price of the 8x32 SEII and the 8x30 EII (so Gijs could test them for transmission specs etc) and got (a week later) the message back that the model 8x30EII did not excist at all or was discontinued because it did not show up on his screen when he touched the buttons.......
I wish you motivated personall!

Jan

[brocknroller]

Well, I nearly crapped my pants when I saw that the new "SE II" is WP and FP! After 17 years, Nikon finally updated the SE line to match that of the WP/FP Habicht? I mean, with all the pent up demand for porros these days, it would figure Nikon would finally update them.

Or it could have been my many posts to Mike, asking him to pass on my request for the SE II with WP/FP to HQ. Not that I personally care that much about WP/FP, but since the lack of WP/FP is often birders' main objection to buying the SE and the main reason why most buyers purchase them as "reference standards" rather than for day in, day out birding, I figured making them WP/FP would obviate that gripe and also increase sales for the company, and most importantly, keep the SEs in production rather than them becoming relics in Fan Tao's Binocular Museum.

I don't know how the Slovenians always get early notice on the latest changes in Nikon sports optics. Weren't they also the first to announce the Monarch 7 earlier this year?

A Slovenian BF member did recently say that Nikons were very popular Eastern Europe, unlike Western Europe where they are apparently scarcer than hen's teeth.

If a Nikon SE II does exist, it would quite shocking. The fact that they also have the EII listed as being WP/FP pretty much cinches it that the ad copy is in error. Nikon doesn't think there's enough interest in this model to even sell it in the US, but they redesigned it for the world market with WP/FP? Not very likely.

In the US, Nikon now calls the SEs, "SE Premier". They love to give different designations to the same bins sold in Europe, so perhaps "SE II" is what they are calling them now in Europe since they are now made with Eco-Glass. If so, that's a bit misleading but so was calling the LXL "Premier" when it's actually the same bin.

Well, the urge has passed now, turns out the crap was not in my pants but in the ads.

Brock

[jan van daalen]

The SE just came in from Nikon so Gijs can/may strip/test it . Just costed far over the 900,00 euro incl. VAT.
I rest my case.
Jan

[ceasar]

As of this date, neither Eagle Optics or Camera Land has any Nikon SEs in stock. Of course, these are 2 of the major binocular dealers in the USA. Perhaps B&H or Adorama has them?

Bob

[James Bean]

I see in this week's 'Amateur Photographer' magazine (w/e Saturday 12/01/2013) the Nikon SE 8x32 is reduced from £578 to £349, a saving of £229, at Cameraworld London and also at their Chelmsford (Essex) shop, while stocks last.

[NDhunter]

Originally Posted by James Bean

I see in this week's 'Amateur Photographer' magazine (w/e Saturday 12/01/2013) the Nikon SE 8x32 is reduced from £578 to £349, a saving of £229, at Cameraworld London and also at their Chelmsford (Essex) shop, while stocks last.

If that is the case, jump on it. I would be surprised if it is for more than
the one they have stocked. In the US, they are now $639. at the best.

If gone, see if you can order one at that price if available.

Jerry

[Binastro]

Cameraworld had only one in the west end branch, which sold before I had a chance although I was not sure I wanted it anyway.
I was actually pleased it had sold, saved me money.
I was told Nikon only offered them the one 8 x 32 SE as part of their Winter Sale promotion.
Cameraworld sells a lot of Nikon cameras often refurbished at good prices. They don't sell many binoculars.
I suspect Nikon makes certain binoculars in batches and drip feeds them as they feel fit.
This is probably not uncommon with other specialist items from other makers.
The real world of commerce is not the idealised place some here wish to have.
If you keep your eyes peeled eventually you will find nearly everything.
In this modern consumer world people seem to think everything should instantly be available, it isn't.
We have far too much choice, there must be upwards of 2,000 different new build binoculars available, which is frankly ridiculous and very wasteful.

[ceasar]

Originally Posted by Binastro

Cameraworld had only one in the west end branch, which sold before I had a chance although I was not sure I wanted it anyway.
I was actually pleased it had sold, saved me money.
I was told Nikon only offered them the one 8 x 32 SE as part of their Winter Sale promotion.
Cameraworld sells a lot of Nikon cameras often refurbished at good prices. They don't sell many binoculars.
I suspect Nikon makes certain binoculars in batches and drip feeds them as they feel fit.
This is probably not uncommon with other specialist items from other makers.
The real world of commerce is not the idealised place some here wish to have.
If you keep your eyes peeled eventually you will find nearly everything.
In this modern consumer world people seem to think everything should instantly be available, it isn't.
We have far too much choice, there must be upwards of 2,000 different new build binoculars available, which is frankly ridiculous and very wasteful.

Since you bring up the "real world of commerce" can I ask: What else would (or should?) these binocular companies manufacture and how would it affect their workers and profit margins?

Bob

[Troubador]

Originally Posted by Binastro

Cameraworld had only one in the west end branch, which sold before I had a chance although I was not sure I wanted it anyway.
I was actually pleased it had sold, saved me money.
I was told Nikon only offered them the one 8 x 32 SE as part of their Winter Sale promotion.
Cameraworld sells a lot of Nikon cameras often refurbished at good prices. They don't sell many binoculars.
I suspect Nikon makes certain binoculars in batches and drip feeds them as they feel fit.
This is probably not uncommon with other specialist items from other makers.
The real world of commerce is not the idealised place some here wish to have.
If you keep your eyes peeled eventually you will find nearly everything.
In this modern consumer world people seem to think everything should instantly be available, it isn't.
We have far too much choice, there must be upwards of 2,000 different new build binoculars available, which is frankly ridiculous and very wasteful.

Binastro

You are on dangerous ground here! Who is going to decide which and how many bins is sensible for us?

Speaker at Public Meeting: "Come the revolution we will all wear bowler hats and drive Rolls-Royces".

Puzzled onlooker:"But I don't want to wear a bowler hat or drive a Rolls-Royce".

Speaker:"Come the revolution you will do as you are bloody well told!"

Lee

[Binastro]

What bothers me is the dumping of binoculars, in many cases no quality control and half of the cheap binoculars being unfit for use and sold to unwitting customers.
The false advertising.
Badge engineering on an epic scale.
Magazine tests that are supposedly tests but actually mean very little, done to poor standards and with a view not to harm advertising revenue.

Now this dumping has driven other manufacturers and whole countries optical industries to the wall.
You may say this is fair commerce.
I say it is not.
In such instances I would have gone for protectionism although you may disagree.
I am of course mainly discussing the Chinese way of doing things.
I don't like it or accept it, as I don't accept chemically polluted milk or toxic lead paint in toys or electrical equipment that can be unsafe in huge numbers.

You may say buyer beware, but there used to be some ethics in business at least in Britain.
A handshake was all that was required.
And actually a long time ago I was involved in large scale Chinese imports to Britain with the China export people and a hand shake or a word was all that was needed.
In a sector of the Chinese goods market we had sole European rights for decades,
and our word on both sides was our bond.
But I have seen this fair form of business decay, and yes I don't like it because I have known much better.
And no we don't need 2,000 different binocular models.