IMO I still feel the EDG's I had were less bright than some of the other alpha's I have compared them too and especially to a high transmission porro like the Habicht. It could be mine were new old stock because I purchased them off Ebay from Japanese sellers. I just highly doubt that Nikon would upgrade the coatings on the EDG when they won't even fix the objective covers that have been loose forever. I think dim or dark is probably the wrong word to use. The EDG is not really dark it is just less bright and I believe two or three other members agreed with me even though Tobias changed his opinion after sampling a newer pair. They could be that way for a reason because there are always tradeoff's in the design of binoculars. Perhaps for better contrast or some other reason. In other areas like glare control they are exceptional. All binoculars even alpha's have their strong and weak points. The 8x32 SV is weak in glare control but It is still one of my favorite binoculars overall. You have to choose the binocular that checks the biggest percentage of your boxes. None will check all your boxes. Kind of like picking a wife!. It is easy to see why the EDG is "dead" in the marketplace. It is because of Nikon's lousy customer service and support. If I am going to pay $2K for a pair of binoculars I want superior customer service and support like Swarovski gives you and most people do. That is why you don't see ANY birder's carrying EDG's and the majority are carrying Swaro's. I want a company that will send me a new objective cover when I lose one in the field without having to send my binoculars in for repair. I want a company that is concerned that the objective covers fit correctly on my binocular so they don't fall off in the field. I have had Swarovski send me replacement eye cups for my Habicht, cases, straps and even binocular harness's at no charge. The only reason I bought the EDG's I did was because I got them for 1/2 price and I wanted to try them. Personally, I would never pay full retail for an EDG but I would a Swarovski or Zeiss. I would still buy a mid-priced Nikon like the M7, MHG, or EII because they are a good value but as far as I am concerned Nikon is not competitive in the alpha market. Obviously Nikon thinks so to because they have withdrawn the EDG from the market.
Patudo
"but - to my eyes anyway - not as bright. I'm sure the light transmission figures are in the same ball park as the other top makers, so this may be due to Nikon favouring the red spectrum or (as has been commented upon) Swarovski for instance not baffling their binoculars to the same degree. "
Canip
"Separately, I have several times compared the EDG 7x42 with two other top 7x42s, the Zeiss FL and the Leica HD Plus (no detailed tests, just brief side by side reviews). And there, I got the clear impression that the EDG lacks the brightness of either the Victory or the Ultravid.
Otherwise, the image is everything you could wish for, but in terms of image brightness, the 7x EDG in my eyes is a clear number 3 behind its two competitors. The difference isn‘t huge, but a certain „lack of brilliance“ struck me each time."
James Holdsworth
"In my brief usage of the EDG 10X42, I disliked the distinct warm [reddish] colour bias."
Ultimately one has to ask one's self "Who cares what "X". "Y" or "Z" likes about the "Color bias" or "Brightness" of a binocular?
It is purely a subjective opinion.
Pay no attention to it and decide what binocular you like by trying them yourself; choose one accordingly and don't look back. Your opinion is as good as anybody else! :king:
Bob
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