Docter 8x32, any opinions/experience? (1 Viewer)

[philip140]

Hi everyone!

I've been lurking in the shadows for some time now and I thought I'd join as I'm looking for some advice on choosing the right compact binocular.

I have some full size porro prism Minox binoculars that are truly great in my mind but I'm looking for something more compact to carry in the glove compartment or my back pack when out on a hike.

One in particular that caught my eye was a pair of Docter 8x32 roof prism binoculars with aspherical lenses.
Production was apparently around the early nineties and they are no longer produced.
So bearing in mind the pair in the shop is at least 20 years old if not more, is it worth the £150 they are asking? (was £300)
After a quick look through...

Pros: Compact, high quality, clear to the edges, rubber armoured, diopter adjustment in the centre, made in Germany, contoured eye cups.

Cons: Weighs over a pound! over 20 years old, slight yellowish hue to the image, not much by the way of reviews online, did I mention it weighs over a pound?

So, can anybody give me any advice on this optic, or does anybody have any experience with it?

Review: http://www.betterviewdesired.com/Docter-aspherical-Roof-Prisms.php

From the website: http://www.holgermerlitz.de/docter_leaflets/Docter8x32BGAFront_s.jpg

http://www.holgermerlitz.de/docter_leaflets/Docter8x32BGABack_s.jpg

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Phil

 

[SteveTS]

I guess it's only worth it to you if you pay it !

But a current 8x32 roof, budget £150.00 to chuck in the car ?

I would look for the Viking MD 8x32, many retailers are holding very slow moving stock.

 

[FrankD]

Up until very recently the average weight for most decent 8x32s was in the 21-22 oz range. So you said they weigh over a pound (16oz). That really isn't heavy for an 8x32. The lightest 8x32s on the market weigh just under 14 oz with more options in the 17-19 oz range.

Would the Opticron Discovery fit into your budget range? It is one of the two under 14 oz. maybe the Opticron Iregon 4? I believe it is around 18 oz.

 

[chartwell99]

Hi everyone!

I've been lurking in the shadows for some time now and I thought I'd join as I'm looking for some advice on choosing the right compact binocular.

I have some full size porro prism Minox binoculars that are truly great in my mind but I'm looking for something more compact to carry in the glove compartment or my back pack when out on a hike.

One in particular that caught my eye was a pair of Docter 8x32 roof prism binoculars with aspherical lenses.
Production was apparently around the early nineties and they are no longer produced.
So bearing in mind the pair in the shop is at least 20 years old if not more, is it worth the £150 they are asking? (was £300)
After a quick look through...

Pros: Compact, high quality, clear to the edges, rubber armoured, diopter adjustment in the centre, made in Germany, contoured eye cups.

Cons: Weighs over a pound! over 20 years old, slight yellowish hue to the image, not much by the way of reviews online, did I mention it weighs over a pound?

So, can anybody give me any advice on this optic, or does anybody have any experience with it?

Review: http://www.betterviewdesired.com/Docter-aspherical-Roof-Prisms.php

From the website: http://www.holgermerlitz.de/docter_leaflets/Docter8x32BGAFront_s.jpg

http://www.holgermerlitz.de/docter_leaflets/Docter8x32BGABack_s.jpg

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Phil

The optics are not phase coated and consequently lack the crisp images of current production binoculars. Mechanics are derived from the Zeiss Jena Notarem binocular which were notoriously trouble-prone. Unless I had a collector's interest, I would take a pass.

 

[philip140]

Excellent advice guys, I think I'll take a look at something more modern. Thanks for the tip chartwell, I'll give these a wide birth then!

Phil

 

[momotych]

I've had such a binos, 3..4 eyars ago and sold. Not bad in all, but they had TOO much yellowish hue for me. And the rubber armour smelt displeasingly.
Sightron SII 8x32 BlueSky is way better. IMO.