New binoculars (1 Viewer)

[Rufus1401]

My 7x50 Soviet pair suffered a bang and damage (non repairable) so I am now looking for a new pair. So far the Hawke 8x56, GPO 8x56, and Fujinon 7x50 FMTR SX and possibly Nikon 7x50 Tropical/ProStar (although I have read that the Fujinon are better) are the front runners. I will be using them for low light and night time viewing as well as daytime. Anything over £1000 is pushing it on the finances. Opinions are welcome.

 

[Binocollector]

Fujinon FMTR 7x50 is lovely but I have to admit, my "Noblex" (Made in China) Inception 7x50 is not far behind. The Fujinon is of better build quality but the optics are not that different. The Fujinon has better eye relief than the Nikon Prostar 7x50 but according to some owners the Prostar is better optically. Also slightly more expensive. In Germany the difference is about 300€. The Fujinon 7x50 can he had for around 700, the Nikon SP 7x50 is around 1,000€.
If you don't need glasses while using them, I think I would maybe go for the Nikon SP 7x50.
For daytime use an 8x56 with center focus might be the better choice. I have the Kite Cervus HD 8x56 which is more than likely the same bino as the GPO 8x56. It is quite nice, very bright, very long eye relief. No field flatteners like the Fujinon and Nikon however, in case field curvature bothers you. It's not that bad however.
The 8x56 is definitely the better allrounder with the center focus.

 

[Conndomat]

My opinion is that I would not use binoculars with IF. during the day.
The glass has a good depth of field, but you sometimes have to "crank it up", I find that cumbersome, especially when bird watching.

A Conquest 8x56 might be in your budget, or a used Victory FL 8x56 or 7x42?!

Andreas

 

[Richard D]

I paid around £900 for a store ex-demo 7x50 SLC neu which would be within your budget - not easy to find but they do crop up. I wouldn't recommend the pre-neu SLCs, but the neu version (look for green body with black centre)are lovely binoculars.

 

[Rg548]

Habicht 7x42
Superb optics and brightness, against small 'ish' field of view.

 

[dwatsonbirder]

Perhaps of interest? (Apologies for the shameless plug).

 

[JohnX]

I have no idea about the other bino's that the OP is interested in,but I bought Hawke recently not least because of their amazing warranty!

 

[Rufus1401]

I had pre-ordered the Fujinons, but strikes and rail engineering work meant that my binocular money had to go on taxi fare for work. Found a good deal on a pair of CZJ Dekarems. Waiting for them to arrive.

 

[janry]

7x50 7.3