Hi! I'm in the US and been a birder for a couple decades now. I'm looking to upgrade from my current Bushnell legend L series, which are very good for the price, but I feel I could do better? Maybe just an upgrade itch talking.
The prime targets for me are the Opticron Aurora VHD and Monarch HG 10x42s. I've read great things about both, but theres no way to test the Opticrons here, unless I buy and return.
In terms of my priorities, I want a wide FOV and AFOV, well controlled CA and no glare(sensitive to this), and as good a view through my high power glasses as without glasses. I also like a flat field and perfect sharpness out to at least 80% of the field, great contrast and color.
In the binoculars I see frequently mentioned here, there seem to be a few winners, and that left me very confused.
1. Monarch HG, I liked them and seemed a safe choice with good wide views.
2. Aurora VHD, not as many users as the Monarchs, and not sure about warranty in the US now, but potentially even better than the HG in the sweet spot?
3. Zeiss Conquest HD: looked good but I preferred the wider feeling view and weight of the HG. I've read about more CA issues too, but the store demo obviously didn't help.
So I think in this budget it mainly came to these two, with prices hovering around $850 new (mhg) and $800 used ($1000 new) for the Auroras.
The other option of course is to hold out and get either used SWLs or SFLs, by adding nearly $500, which is a lot. I'm not sure how different the quality will be... Haven't had a chance to look through either of those.
Any pointers or help would be appreciated! This will be my first serious binocular upgrade so I want to think it through before jumping the gun.
Thanks!
The prime targets for me are the Opticron Aurora VHD and Monarch HG 10x42s. I've read great things about both, but theres no way to test the Opticrons here, unless I buy and return.
In terms of my priorities, I want a wide FOV and AFOV, well controlled CA and no glare(sensitive to this), and as good a view through my high power glasses as without glasses. I also like a flat field and perfect sharpness out to at least 80% of the field, great contrast and color.
In the binoculars I see frequently mentioned here, there seem to be a few winners, and that left me very confused.
1. Monarch HG, I liked them and seemed a safe choice with good wide views.
2. Aurora VHD, not as many users as the Monarchs, and not sure about warranty in the US now, but potentially even better than the HG in the sweet spot?
3. Zeiss Conquest HD: looked good but I preferred the wider feeling view and weight of the HG. I've read about more CA issues too, but the store demo obviously didn't help.
So I think in this budget it mainly came to these two, with prices hovering around $850 new (mhg) and $800 used ($1000 new) for the Auroras.
The other option of course is to hold out and get either used SWLs or SFLs, by adding nearly $500, which is a lot. I'm not sure how different the quality will be... Haven't had a chance to look through either of those.
Any pointers or help would be appreciated! This will be my first serious binocular upgrade so I want to think it through before jumping the gun.
Thanks!