Vote for the best "looking" binocular (1 Viewer)

newfie ghost · May 25, 2012

Forget about optics, rolling ball and focusers, resolution, edge sharpness, color for once.

What do you think is the best externally looking binocular?

I have trouble picking one so here's my list

Leica trinovid in green- like a tank

Habicht 8x30 porro- old school clean

Others?

Wow look at this ugly duckling:

http://www.optics.arizona.edu/antiques/telescope/Catalogue/B34/B34.htm

Kammerdiner · May 25, 2012

This one gets my vote. Super clean design. Not available yet though:

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/vortex/vortex-razor-hd-8x42-binocular-2

PS: Newfie that Goerz gets my vote too for ugliest ever!

FrankD · May 25, 2012

Two models immediately come to mind. I like the looks of the Weaver Grandslam 8x32 and the one Bushnell Elite model. Both look classy.

BruceH · May 25, 2012

Roof Prism

Frank .... You are a man of exquisite taste when it comes to your selection of the Bushnell Elite dual hinge! The whole dual hinge line is well done, but it looks the best in the 43mm series.

They have that understated European styling that gives a class look. I like how they used the two shades of gray/charcoal color to off-set each other. The lines and the color just flow into one another. The styling fits in with the physical properties. The balance and feel of the 43mm series is as good as any binocular I've had. The 12.5 is not too shabby either.

A most excellent nomination for a roof prism! :t:

EDIT:

Thought I should add that for whatever reason, Bushnell thought it would be a good idea to change the covering of the 43mm series for the last year of production (approx 2009). They added grip pads and finger bars. I do not know why because there was no problem gripping with the prior covers. I think it cluttered up the original design (which already had thumb indents for Brock!). I added a picture of the revised version so you can decide if it hurt the looks.

Pictured: Bushnell Elite 12.5X50 and a 10X43; the 2nd version with new covers

David Swain · May 25, 2012

Definitely the Birkenstock of binoculars, the Nikon 8x30 EII.

BruceH · May 25, 2012

Porro Prism

My porro nomination is the Bushnell Custom.

I really think there has to be a distinction between the roof prism and the porro prism binoculars since there is such a difference in the style.

Not to offend Brock or Frank, but due to the nature of the Porro prism, I have not found many that I would call good looking. Seems most manufacturers never go past the practical aspects of the design even though some do a great job of displaying that classic style.

The long gone Bushnell Custom took porro styling to the next level. It was offered in the 1960's and I believe came in a 7X35 and a 9X36. It actually looks somewhat like a roof to me. Besides great styling, it was an excellent binocular for that period. It still offers a great view, both optically and physically.

Here is a Bushnell Custom 9X36 after 40 years of use.

newfie ghost · May 25, 2012

Wow looks great for 40! The design is very modern looking too.

BruceH said:
My porro nomination is the Bushnell Custom.

I really think there has to be a distinction between the roof prism and the porro prism binoculars since there is such a difference in the style.

Not to offend Brock or Frank, but due to the nature of the Porro prism, I have not found many that I would call good looking. Seems most manufacturers never go past the practical aspects of the design even though some do a great job of displaying that classic style.

The long gone Bushnell Custom took porro styling to the next level. It was offered in the 1960's and I believe came in a 7X35 and a 9X36. It actually looks somewhat like a roof to me. Besides great styling, it was an excellent binocular for that period. It still offers a great view, both optically and physically.

Here is a Bushnell Custom 9X36 after 40 years of use.

newfie ghost · May 25, 2012

David Swain said:
Definitely the Birkenstock of binoculars, the Nikon 8x30 EII.

How do you folks get your hands on the forbidden fruit (at least in the US)?

newfie ghost · May 25, 2012

FrankD said:
Two models immediately come to mind. I like the looks of the Weaver Grandslam 8x32 and the one Bushnell Elite model. Both look classy.

That Weaver looks freaky- almost like neoprene. I agree the Elite is very nice

jaymoynihan · May 25, 2012

newfie ghost said:
Leica trinovid in green- like a tank

Habicht 8x30 porro-

I have to agree on those two. :t:

I would have to add the 8x30, 7x42, and 10x40 Zeiss Diaylts, BGATP, aka Classics.

BrightIdea · May 25, 2012

The bushnell elites have a nice balance of simplicity and classy accoutrment (sp!?)

I fancy the simple elegance of the theron LT 8x32 (shown on the right)

and there is certainly something about the Nikon SE 8x32 that speaks CLASS.

The much much lauded SIGHTRON can turn heads for opposite reasons...

David Swain · May 25, 2012

newfie ghost said:
How do you folks get your hands on the forbidden fruit (at least in the US)?

A few years ago a stash of new old-stock EIIs and SEs showed up at a dealer, so I nabbed one. There are probably still some out there being used, or for sale here and there on *bay, but I suspect many are gathering dust.

My local Audubon shop told me they used to sell "lots of those" 10 years ago, yet I have yet to see another one in the field.

I think they have a certain modernist elegance. Now those Weavers, those are post-modern!

David

stereotruckdriver · May 25, 2012

Ditto on the Zeiss classics! Though the trinnies always appealed to me my vote is for the Swarovski slc's, old style armor! The 8x30 slc & 7x30's just have that look that appeals to me! Nothing fancy excellent armor to touch smooth lines, they just feel and look right!

vop · May 25, 2012

Roofs: Leica Ultravids and the original Swarovski 42 EL's!

Porros: Nikon EII 8x30 and Swift 804 Audubon

FrankD · May 25, 2012

BrightIdea said:
The much much lauded SIGHTRON can turn heads for opposite reasons...

That is unless you prefer to watch the Sci-fi channel in the evenings.

BrightIdea · May 25, 2012

FrankD said:
That is unless you prefer to watch the Sci-fi channel in the evenings.

There's certainly some motivation for that.

ceasar · May 25, 2012

Leica Ultravid BL.

http://us.leica-camera.com/sport_optics/ultravid_binoculars/ultravid_42_bl/

Go first class!

stephen b · May 25, 2012

stereotruckdriver said:
....my vote is for the Swarovski slc's, old style armor! The 8x30 slc & 7x30's just have that look that appeals to me! Nothing fancy excellent armor to touch smooth lines, they just feel and look right!

Agreed- those mid to late '90s and early 2000's SLC's just exude class and appeal. It's as if they look back at you and say- "Yeah, I'm Sexy and I know it"

I love my 7x30 SLC (1999)

FrankD · May 25, 2012

BrightIdea said:
There's certainly some motivation for that.

Ouch! I would love to see a Sightron in her hands!8-P

BruceH · May 25, 2012

BrightIdea said:
......................

I fancy the simple elegance of the theron LT 8x32 (shown on the right)
.........................

The much much lauded SIGHTRON can turn heads for opposite reasons...

Excellent nomination on the Theron Wapiti LT 32mm! It is a very clean design with nice lines along with understated shades of grey. The much more cluttered design of the Sightron can be an "acquired taste". :eat:

The styling differences between the two is much more apparent than what appears in the picture.

Vote for the best "looking" binocular (1 Viewer)

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Avatar: Harris Hawk

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Avatar: Harris Hawk

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Corvus brachyrhynchos watcher

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Avatar: Harris Hawk

Attachments

Similar threads

Users who are viewing this thread