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Binocular Suggestions Please (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter w.travis
- Start date
Kevin Purcell
Well-known member
Vortex Diamondback 8x42 $200 (or less e.g CameralandNY.com demos)
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4819
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexdiamondback8x42
Wide FOV, nice image, good eye relief, good close focus, OK size and weight, decent handling. It's a good roof starter bin.
Search the forums for diamondback reviews and comments.
If you are willing to go with 8x32 the Celestron Ultima DX (a porro) has a better image than the Diamondback with wide FOV and excellent eye relief. For $80 or $90. Perhaps the best bin for under $300. See Eagle Optics or check the Bargain Bins thread. Spend the rest of field guides or gas.
I'll leave other to suggest $100 8x42 porros.
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4819
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexdiamondback8x42
Wide FOV, nice image, good eye relief, good close focus, OK size and weight, decent handling. It's a good roof starter bin.
Search the forums for diamondback reviews and comments.
If you are willing to go with 8x32 the Celestron Ultima DX (a porro) has a better image than the Diamondback with wide FOV and excellent eye relief. For $80 or $90. Perhaps the best bin for under $300. See Eagle Optics or check the Bargain Bins thread. Spend the rest of field guides or gas.
I'll leave other to suggest $100 8x42 porros.
Last edited:
Kevin Purcell
Well-known member
I don't have one yet (in the process of getting an 8x30!) mainly because they're not going to be great for me with their lesser ER (I suspect). I just added some comments to the Budget bins thread.
I've not tried the Leupold Cascades 8x42. The FOV is not as wide as I'd like but I'd suspect they're fine.
Another possibility if you don't wear eyeglasses is the Swift 820. A very nice porro that you could get for $280 or $290 (see the Binocular Bargains thread). That would keep you happy for a while.
And don't write down the Celestron. Most of the weight is in glass (oversized prisms for the non-vingetted wide FOV). It's an excellent bin.
The one thing I do recommend is to try some bins i you can. Stores. Other birders. All should help and give you a feel for the market and how they handle.
I've not tried the Leupold Cascades 8x42. The FOV is not as wide as I'd like but I'd suspect they're fine.
Another possibility if you don't wear eyeglasses is the Swift 820. A very nice porro that you could get for $280 or $290 (see the Binocular Bargains thread). That would keep you happy for a while.
And don't write down the Celestron. Most of the weight is in glass (oversized prisms for the non-vingetted wide FOV). It's an excellent bin.
The one thing I do recommend is to try some bins i you can. Stores. Other birders. All should help and give you a feel for the market and how they handle.
Tero
Retired
The Swift is probably a good deal. I am still able to hold 10x, but the 8.5x may satisfy many users in their power needs. It is also pretty sharp.
Many of us old timers here have yet to try owning a 8.5x Swift roof or porro.
I looked at a Swarovski 10x roof today ...borrowed one, and it was actually so well made, it was easier to hold than any 10x I have.
But start off with 8x or 8.5x.
Many of us old timers here have yet to try owning a 8.5x Swift roof or porro.
I looked at a Swarovski 10x roof today ...borrowed one, and it was actually so well made, it was easier to hold than any 10x I have.
But start off with 8x or 8.5x.
