10x42 SE CF

10x42 SE CF

Magnification: 10 x Objective diameter: 42 mm Prisms: high-index BAK-4 Chassis: Magnesium alloy Body: Rubber armed Angular field of view: 6� apparent FOV: 60.0� FOV at 1000 m: 105 m Exit pupil: 4.2 mm Brightness: 17.6 Eye relief: 17.4 mm Closest focussing: 5.0 m Length x Width: 157 mm x 192 mm Weight: 710 gram Content and images originally posted by jebir

Reviews

Doug Greenberg's review

Very few birders seeking top-flight binoculars consider porro prism models anymore, as just about all of the premium instruments are now of the highly sophisticated roof prism type. However, Nikon has shown that amazing optical performance is possible from porros, and at a very attractive price.

As someone who always has preferred the feel of porro prism binoculars in my hands, I have found the Nikon SE's to be a joy to handle. They are reasonably lightweight (about 25 oz.) and are covered with an easy-grip material. What is outstanding about this model, however, is the quality of the view through those "superior eyepieces." The image is bright and sharp, edge to edge, with no chromatic aberration whatsoever. Investment in these glasses pays dividends every time one looks at a bird.

The only downside of these binoculars is that birders who encounter a lot of wet weather or who are planning to use the binoculars a lot in the humid tropics might prefer a model with waterproofing. Traditionally it's been just about impossible to make porro prism binoculars waterproof, and Nikon does not claim that the SE's will survive any kind of major drenching or dunking. However, I will say that I have used them in the rain and they have not suffered any disastrous consequences for my having done so.

Some birders also will prefer a model that focuses more closely than the 16 feet or so of which these binoculars are capable.

Still, the main purpose of binoculars is to achieve a clear, sharp view of distant objects, and in terms of this task these binocs are amazing performers. To get this kind of performance from a roof prism model one would have to spend several hundred dollars more than the $799 for which the SE's are typically selling these days. These are wonderful binoculars and a bargain, to boot.

Pros

• Superb optical performance
• good handling characteristics

Cons

• Not waterproof

Gregory Sargean's review

I will second everything said above. These have displaced my Swarovski 8x30m habichts as my everyday binocular.

Pros

• The view

Cons

• Eye cups and lens covers

pajarito's review

I bought my 10X42's a long time ago, to replace another pair of Nikons that I still have and still use. The 10X42's have proven to be very durable (overall), staying in allignmebt in spite of having been dropped on a couple of occasions, having travelled in luggage, and having been handled somewhat "casually" over the years. Every time I decide to "upgrade" I make the mistake of taking the Nikons with me for comparison's sake - and it has been impossible to justify the major cash outlay that would be required to improve on the optics of these fine binoculars. Over the years the finish has gotten a bit scuffed, and the protein rubber armor seems to be getting loose. The eye cups have started to tear from being folded and unfolded - I am a "marginal glasses-wearer" and so I probably fiddle with the eyecups more than most people. But they have remained very bright, very color-neutral, and very, very sharp. They have been subjected to minor dust storms in South Africa without getting clogged up, they have suffered through -40C weather in Canada and remained functional, and they have survived the indignity of being wiped off with every fabric known to man. The main difficulties are that these binoculars are NOT waterproof - so watch out for that - the minimal focus is a bit on the long side at 15 to 16 feet - and Nikon service is abysmal at least here in Canada. All that said I would still highly recommend these binoculars - especially if you can pick up a pair second-hand from someone silly enough to part with them.

Pros

• clarity
• overall durability

Cons

• no close focus
• not waterproof
• poor service from Nikon