kkokkolis
Περίεργο&#
Hello again.
Two weeks ago I asked here about a binocular in the 600 euros range. I finally bought the Canon 12x36 and I am very pleased. But it leaves me wishing also for a rugged, light and small binocular, something like 8x32. I want it for travels, hikes, maybe even EDC, between the Pentax Papilio 6.5x21 and the Canon 12x36. It is going to be used for everything, general use so to speak. So I want big FOV, bulletproof construction, light weight, small form, big, quick and precise focuser and the best optical quality I can get for my money. I like AFOV >60 degrees, 66 would be my optimum.
This is what I have now.
I am not a real birder, although I love to look at birds. So it doesn't have to be Alpha but it has to be quite good. I live in Greece, so have in mind the financial situation and the fact that I can find Zeiss locally (we have a representative) but not Leica, Swarovski and the high grade Nikons. But I might buy from classifieds if I find a good deal. Price range 400-850 euros.
So I am thinking about a 8x32. Here is the local store, which has also Vixen, Celestron and Kowa, apart from Zeiss.
Options are the Zeiss Terra 8x32 ED, Kowa 8x32 DCF and Zeiss Conquest 8x32 HD.
The Terra isn't available locally yet, but I might order from the Lufthansa shop or Asrtoshop. It is the cheapest and I already have the 8x42 and I am very pleased with it. Some first lights say that the 8x32 is even better, if so this will be welcomed. The Terra boosted my recent binocular frenzy after all.
The Kowa is priced in the middle and it is readily available. But if I would buy Kowa I would want the XD Prominar which is available in 10x32 only. Since I have the 8x42 maybe I could try a 10x32? 3mm exit pupil is nice on my Canon 12x36 with the IS but I'm not sure how easy it would be to handhold these. But in Astroshop they have the 8x32 Prominar XD at 400 euros, half the price of the Conquest and same with the Terra.
The Conquest has overall the best reviews everywhere. That is intriguing for me. I would like to taste (almost?) Alpha without stealing money from my kids' education budget. It isn't available to test, they'll have to order it and it might take a month or so. It costs 850 euros but in Amazon.de 650 (too good to be true?). Recently a member here was displeased and that puzzled me a bit.
If I say I am pleased with the Terra, what would I want more?
More AFOV
Flatter field and less aberrations at the edges, wider sweet spot
Brighter optics (the 8x42 is bright but since we are going at 32 beeing brighter would be welcomed)
Whatever comes with made in Germany vs made in China
After market value is irrelevant, I intend to keep them and pass them to my kids.
So what to do? Go for Conquest or Terra? And is the Kowa better than the Terra or not? And what about the Nikon Monarch 7 8x30?
Two weeks ago I asked here about a binocular in the 600 euros range. I finally bought the Canon 12x36 and I am very pleased. But it leaves me wishing also for a rugged, light and small binocular, something like 8x32. I want it for travels, hikes, maybe even EDC, between the Pentax Papilio 6.5x21 and the Canon 12x36. It is going to be used for everything, general use so to speak. So I want big FOV, bulletproof construction, light weight, small form, big, quick and precise focuser and the best optical quality I can get for my money. I like AFOV >60 degrees, 66 would be my optimum.
This is what I have now.
I am not a real birder, although I love to look at birds. So it doesn't have to be Alpha but it has to be quite good. I live in Greece, so have in mind the financial situation and the fact that I can find Zeiss locally (we have a representative) but not Leica, Swarovski and the high grade Nikons. But I might buy from classifieds if I find a good deal. Price range 400-850 euros.
So I am thinking about a 8x32. Here is the local store, which has also Vixen, Celestron and Kowa, apart from Zeiss.
Options are the Zeiss Terra 8x32 ED, Kowa 8x32 DCF and Zeiss Conquest 8x32 HD.
The Terra isn't available locally yet, but I might order from the Lufthansa shop or Asrtoshop. It is the cheapest and I already have the 8x42 and I am very pleased with it. Some first lights say that the 8x32 is even better, if so this will be welcomed. The Terra boosted my recent binocular frenzy after all.
The Kowa is priced in the middle and it is readily available. But if I would buy Kowa I would want the XD Prominar which is available in 10x32 only. Since I have the 8x42 maybe I could try a 10x32? 3mm exit pupil is nice on my Canon 12x36 with the IS but I'm not sure how easy it would be to handhold these. But in Astroshop they have the 8x32 Prominar XD at 400 euros, half the price of the Conquest and same with the Terra.
The Conquest has overall the best reviews everywhere. That is intriguing for me. I would like to taste (almost?) Alpha without stealing money from my kids' education budget. It isn't available to test, they'll have to order it and it might take a month or so. It costs 850 euros but in Amazon.de 650 (too good to be true?). Recently a member here was displeased and that puzzled me a bit.
If I say I am pleased with the Terra, what would I want more?
More AFOV
Flatter field and less aberrations at the edges, wider sweet spot
Brighter optics (the 8x42 is bright but since we are going at 32 beeing brighter would be welcomed)
Whatever comes with made in Germany vs made in China
After market value is irrelevant, I intend to keep them and pass them to my kids.
So what to do? Go for Conquest or Terra? And is the Kowa better than the Terra or not? And what about the Nikon Monarch 7 8x30?
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