EDG (II) 7x42

Nice review, the EDG is a great binocular, and you have told it well.

Over the last 50 years I have owned 6.5, 7, 8, 8.5 and 10 magnification binoculars, from a wide variety of manufacturers, including Zeiss and Swarovski. After owning Zeiss 10x40s I switched to Zeiss Dialyt 7x42s and loved the bright, crisp image, wide field of view and great depth of field. I never missed the higher magnification and owned the 7x42s for about 15 years. However, I became frustrated with the poor close focus of the 7x42s and eventually settled on the Nikon 8x32 HG (the model before the L) with close focusing down to about 1.8 metres. These have been my principal birding and insect bins for the last 8 years.

In recent years I have struggled somewhat with the Nikon 8x32HGs in woodland in poor light and thought it was time to consider alternatives. Initially, I looked at several different 8x32s, including Zeiss (Conquest HDs and Victory FLs) and the Nikon EDGs. As a specs wearer, I thought the Swarovski SVs the best of the 8x32s.

I then compared the Swarovski SV 8x32s with the Zeiss 8x42 FL and Nikon EDG 8x42. Optically, all were impressive, but I thought the EDGs had the edge and I preferred their ergonomics, particularly the focusing wheel. Despite the extra weight, I found the EDGs as easy to handle as the SVs and also preferred them over the rather bulbous FLs.

Finally, I spent two days comparing two EDG models; the 8x42 and the 7x42. Both were equally bright, but I preferred the 7x42 with its wider FOV and greater depth of field. Although I could resolve more detail with the 8x42 under ideal viewing conditions (when both the bird and I were stationary), I found it much easier to follow a moving bird, particularly in woodland, with the 7x42. I spent a third day birding with the 7x42 at wetland and coastal marshes and never missed the extra magnification of the 8x32s. (I use a scope regularly in this situation)



Nikon 7x42 EDG2 and some comparisons with the Nikon 8x32 HG:
These are subjective comments, not based on objective testing.

The image is sharp across the whole field. It is brighter and more neutral than the slightly orange 8x32. Excellent flat field.

The FOV (8 degrees) is greater than the 8x32 (7.8 degrees) with a higher eye relief (22mm v 17mm). This results in much easier eye placement, particularly with specs, and it is easier for your eyes to roam around the field of view.
However, I find the eye relief is actually a little too much, even when wearing specs. For me, the eye cups need to be raised by about 3mm but the first detent is at about 8mm which is too high to obtain the full FOV. (An elastic band beneath the eyecups keeps them in the correct position!)

Distortion and peripheral chromatic aberration are minimal. (Ive never seen rolling ball in any binoculars)

Close focusing is about 2.1metres; significantly better than the 3 metres quoted by Nikon.

Others have criticised the EDGs for excessive flare; I have to say that I have found the flare to be minimal and significantly better than the 8x32s.

Focusing is smooth with the large ribbed central focusing wheel (far better than the demo Swarovski SVs and Zeiss FLs I tried). I prefer the dioptre adjustment to be on the right eye-piece; on the EDG it lies beneath the central wheel. It is fiddly to raise the central wheel without altering the focus, but once set the dioptre adjustment doesnt slip.

The neck strap is wide and comfortable and the length is adjustable with a clip. However, I like a short strap with the bins quite high on my chest; when adjusted to its very shortest length it is just short enough for me (although there is a surplus length of strap that needs trimming). At its longest length there is a risk that male birders may cause themselves a painful injury; who needs a strap this long?

I have replaced Nikons rather awkward tight fitting rainguard with an old Zeiss, looser fitting rainguard.

Conclusion:
Sharp image across the whole wide field of view. Long eye relief and great depth of field.

UPDATE (24.05.2013)
After 6 months use, almost daily, in a wide variety of habitats and weather, I am still delighted with them. In addition to the "plus" points mentioned above, these bins hang comfortably around my neck and sit flat on my chest without "digging in". I can happily "wear" them all day, despite the extra weight compared with my 8x32s.

My only real criticism is the poor spacing of the detents (as mentioned above); on a pair of bins at this price it should not be necessary to use hair braid bands to keep the eyecups in the correct position! However, I still rate the bins as 10