The Binocular Journal (2 Viewers)

bluespiderweb said:

Now, for a completetly different tac, I have been using my Nikon 10x42 Aculons again for spotting out the bedroom picture window, and what I can say is that they deliver big time, compared to some others I have, and immediately-no fooling around with focus, etc., they still give me what I want quickly, and without fuss-a very sharp view in the central portion where most viewing is done. There's not a lot more you can ask, unless you want to spend bigger money to get there. Porros are definitely the poor man's Alpha binocular, and I don't say that lightly, nor without good reason. The Aculons are not waterproof, but hey, if you're not going out in bad weather, then these are the ticket to a great view! Nikon is doing something very right there, but the eye relief is limited for eyeglass wearers, that is the only caveat that I can advise against them. But some may work even with eyeglasses, so given liberal return policies now, just try and see if they work for you, without a lot of bother. Most companies will give you 30 days to decide, or at least 30 days to return in some cases, if they don't suit you. Not a bad deal, either way. Just buy US warrantied products (from the US) (or UK if you are there), and look for positive feedback for your seller-never hurts, and only helps when buying online!

I really don't know why it is, just that it is, and the Aculons perform way well above their price range. If anyone is looking for a budget binocular that just gives much more than you can imagine, it is the Aculon Porros by Nikon. At least the 10x42's, for sure from my experience. I have a 7x35 tucked away, but haven't used it much, and a 16x50 too, but the same-not used much yet, though each is great, and a cracking bargain at the price offered on B&Hphoto.com at least when I bought then a few years back, but I decided to keep them both for their performance/price ratio. Though I imagine the price increases would be minor by now, and they would still offer great views for the money.

Sure you can spend more, and get more performance, but you need to ask yourself, how much more do I need, after I see these in action? Try them, and see for yourself. If you want more performance-more brightness, more sharpness across the field of view-or whatever (CA control?), then you will have to pay for it. And not all the time will you get your money's worth back for the money you spend in excess of the Aculons, or a similarly priced Porro that is slightly more giving in response. Yes, they are bit bulky, but I can deal with that-they are not that heavy either.

Check them out, if you haven't already, even if they seem below you-you might be surprised, though I do not know how much variance in quality control there is-but something you each need to address yourselves by trial and use, first of all. Nikon seems to have hit something good here-and I'm not just saying it to say something! Believe me, there is so much more to say comparing others, but if you are searching for a binocular that doesn't cost much and delivers much more, then you need to try these first, I think.

Unless you wear glasses, or have a weight limit, or....what excuse you can to not try these-so either try them in the store, or order a pair-they are certainly bargain offerings among binoculars, that many of you really can use and enjoy.

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I feel the same way about porros now also. They are just as valuable to me as the roof prism binocular and it's really true in my eye also, they are the poor mans alpha. I completely ignored them for years because they weren't modern roof prisms but once you turned me on to the EII I saw what I had been missing. I've been itching to get back to them ever since I used the 8x30 the other night for stargazing. My friend Ayla is coming again this week for another hike and some birdwatching. I'm going to take her to the pond in the morning and I'll take my new EL and I'll strap the Kowa Genesis on her. In the afternoon for a hike she can use the 8x30 EII and I'll take the 10x35 EII. I tested her out last time with the Sightrons and she handled them fine and got what I told her about using them and was careful so I'm ready to upgrade her. In fact I have a pair of Celestron Trailseeker 10x32 I'm going to gift her at the end of our day.

So I've heard very good things about the Aculons. How do they compare to the EIIs? I know they cost less and I'll bet they don't have the close focus of the EIIs. Likely not as sharp. It's strange to me that Nikon doesn't push the EIIs over here and that we got so engrossed by the roofs that the porros mostly dropped off the radar. Not for me anymore. One day I may find a Nikon SE. I'd love to compare it to the Leica and Swaro and see who rises to the top.

So I just got back from the pond and there was a big ol snake about three ft long on the trail and I almost stepped on him. It's the biggest snake I've seen since my days with the rattlers in eastern Oregon. Oh yeah and there was some birds there also lol.

black crow said:

So I've heard very good things about the Aculons. How do they compare to the EIIs? I know they cost less and I'll bet they don't have the close focus of the EIIs. Likely not as sharp. It's strange to me that Nikon doesn't push the EIIs over here and that we got so engrossed by the roofs that the porros mostly dropped off the radar. Not for me anymore. One day I may find a Nikon SE. I'd love to compare it to the Leica and Swaro and see who rises to the top.

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Hey, BC:

Most people who buy SEs are the type to take really good care of their gear. Thus, if you can get a good deal on eBay, you may have a NEW “ALPHA” at a good used “beta” price. Will you notice an appreciable difference between it and your EII? Probably not. But remember, bino forums thrive on bragging rights. Are there better binoculars? Undoubtedly. But, computer plots see much more than the observer who has to live with reality. Would I notice the difference? I lived in a world of the best Zeiss, Leica, Swarovski, Kowa, etc. ... and viewed through each several times a day. But, the Nikon SE won out because it was at the point where the best Optical and Mechanical Quality crossed the line of the most practical price.

Enjoy what you have until YOU see a reason to change. :cat:

Bill

WJC said:

Hey, BC

Enjoy what you have until YOU see a reason to change. :cat:

Bill

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Sound advice Bill.

Lee

I enjoy trying new binoculars like many of you here. I keep what I like and use them often. I'd love to try a pair of SEs because I like the feel and look of a very good porro now and they look like a dream. I'd like to try a pair in 10x42 if I remember correctly. I'll bet those are spectacular. In the end I'll sell or gift what I don't use. I'm gifting a pair in the next couple of days because of the upgrading I've done. That's fun, to turn someone else on to the excitement.

I can't understand why binocular use is not way more popular than it is. Many people don't even know the basics about binocular use. I was talking to a woman the other day who was excitingly telling me about her new binoculars and how special they were because you could adjust for each eye. So for years she hadn't known they all basically have that feature and she'd been very disappointed by what she'd been able to see in previous pairs. Wow was all I could think. I congratulated her on her great find. My sister had the same exact issue and I finally took her out with her binos and did a tutorial and now she uses them. She lived with a Swaro user for 40 years and never knew that about binoculars. I find that beyond comprehension. I mean what kind of communication did they have going on lol. Since I knew them both I know the answer to that question.

black crow said:

I was talking to a woman the other day who was excitingly telling me about her new binoculars and how special they were because you could adjust for each eye.

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You can lay that at the feet of the importer.

Not only did Steiner start all that “auto focus” garbage, then they came along to promote THEIR binoculars which had individual eye “adjustments,” that rational people know as FOCUS MECHANISMS. Then, people who slept through 7th through 11th-grade science bought into the fraud. :cat:

And so it goes.

Bill

black crow said:

So I've heard very good things about the Aculons. How do they compare to the EIIs? I know they cost less and I'll bet they don't have the close focus of the EIIs. Likely not as sharp. It's strange to me that Nikon doesn't push the EIIs over here and that we got so engrossed by the roofs that the porros mostly dropped off the radar. Not for me anymore. One day I may find a Nikon SE. I'd love to compare it to the Leica and Swaro and see who rises to the top....

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I wasn't sure exactly why I like the Aculons, specifically the 10x42 that I use often at home for looking out. At your suggestion, I compared it to my 10x35 Nikon EII. Sharpness-the same from what I can tell, which is very sharp in the center view. EII's are wider in field of view, with probably a larger sweet spot too-not a great judge of that because I usually just focus on the center anyway. But I did look, and it did seem true the EII's have the edge there.

Of course the Aculons are heavier, with all that rubber armor, but not excessive, and early morning after I get up, I could hold them steadier than the light EII's. What really surprised me was how the Aculons seemed to be more saturated in color than the EII's, maybe for more up to date coatings? They are a different color from the EII's. Or maybe it's because the Aculons are a bit darker, and appear more saturated (which means to me, slightly more contrast), I don't know. Eye relief, again, is shorter on the Aculons though. So, they aren't alpha's, but your sure do get your money's worth and then some from the Aculons in a great view, no matter how you look at it, if you don't mind the larger/heavier package.

I doubt BC that you would love them, given your exposure to the higher end models lately, but for others who need to keep expenses down, you can do yourself a favor and check them out sometime, especially if you can compare them side to side with other Aculons and other makes at the same time, for your own eyes. It doesn't mean you (collective you, not BC) would think the same either, from what my eyes tell me! But they should be on your to look through list if you are able.

I haven't compared them to my SE's though, but I don't think I want to either! ; )

You have the SEs? You told me in another post you didn't have alpha's. Now I know better. You have at least two IMO and I'm taking everything you say with a big shake of salt from here on out.3

I had no idea the Aculon's were that good. I guess I must own them and I hope you're right. If the Aculons turn out to be better than your SEs I'll be glad to take them (SEs) off your hands at a fair price. I'd do that for you in a minute out of friendship.

Hmm, seems my reply disappeared! Did I offend or never send? Sure, salt away-you should be suspicious of anything written here! lol

I don't consider the SE's alphas, though maybe that's unfair of me. They certainly can compete in performance, other than not being waterproof (but splashproof-Nikon speak), though, I would say.

No, I'm not going there-but I know the Aculons can't beat the SE's, except they might be close in center field sharpness, certainly not the edges.

You're the guy-thank you, friend!

Well I find it amazing that a $60 binocular could be close at center to the SE. I'm going to have to find out now. You must be getting a kickback from Nikon. lol

What more does an alpha need than superior optics and a solid build quality for the main part? I don't think cost should be an important consideration in determining alpha status. Then it just becomes elitist muck imo. This might be a good subject for a thread of it's own because I'd be curious to hear what constitutes an alpha and if it's far from my idea of what that term means. Maybe "alpha" doesn't really have a solid definition and it's all in the heart and mind of the beholder.

black crow said:

...Maybe "alpha" doesn't really have a solid definition and it's all in the heart and mind of the beholder.

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Agreed! :t: B

Ted

I think you're right. I just now added the 7x35 Aculon to my group of "alpha" bins. With a gift card from Amazon they cost me $38. Now that's my kind of alpha!

black crow said:

Well I find it amazing that a $60 binocular could be close at center to the SE. I'm going to have to find out now. You must be getting a kickback from Nikon. lol

What more does an alpha need than superior optics and a solid build quality for the main part? I don't think cost should be an important consideration in determining alpha status. Then it just becomes elitist muck imo. This might be a good subject for a thread of it's own because I'd be curious to hear what constitutes an alpha and if it's far from my idea of what that term means. Maybe "alpha" doesn't really have a solid definition and it's all in the heart and mind of the beholder.

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Yeah, an undercover Nikon narc! ; ) If I plant the seeds of change at the rate of 15 web posts a month favoring their Aculons, I get a free T shirt that says, Got Aculon? Only it doesn't come in my size, so I just do it now to be a contrarian and to start the revolution back to Porros! The future is here, Viva la Porro!

PS If they're not as sharp as I said, then send them back and tell them you want the good ones, not the ones that slipped through QC! ; ) I hope they are that and more for you, and they would make a great gift for someone just starting out.

I got a free Nikon tee shirt too. I reviewed the EII on their website and chided them for discontinuing it and not putting up the specs (the anniversary model) like they do all their other binoculars for sale so the general public won't know how well it stacks up against their others. lol I'll bet they never post it but I'll get the tee shirt anyway.

What a day of wildlife viewing!!! I took the Swarovski EL 8x32 out for a hike which I usually don't do. I wanted to see how it performed in the deep dark green of the pine forest as opposed to open country birding. Boy did we see some stuff.

This starts off on a sad note as we came upon a large Raven with a broken wing. It was still in good shape so it must be recent. It couldn't get off the ground. I had no way to really help it out there so I left it to it's fate which is likely death. We got close to him. He was talking to himself in a low voice and looking under leaves for whatever he could find to eat. Such a beautiful animal to see so close up. As we continued down this narrow trail within about a 1/4 mile my little dog Nina set off a racket which she seldom does. I stopped to calm her and right then about 25 yards away something large took off from the brush. I couldn't see it but stopped and then moving very slowly scanned the area up ahead. Then about 50 yards away I saw him. A large black bear. We were up wind and it was breezy so he couldn't smell us. Nina couldn't see him and so had stopped barking. I had bear spray so was not too concerned. I actually moved a few yards towards him to get an unobstructed view and looked him right in the eye with the ELs. What a beautiful sight. Big healthy guy with a beautiful rich black coat. One of the biggest I've seen here. He couldn't quite make me out as I wear camo when hiking. He knew I was there but couldn't see or smell me. He swayed his head back and forth trying to smell me. Finally he grabbed a tree and stood up as if to go up it but it wasn't and easy tree to climb and thought better of it and came back down on all fours and slowly moved away a few yard and then turned and started towards us. I'd been watching him closely for over five minutes and so figured it was a good time to move off away from him.

Went off on a side trail to a higher elevation towards Hitt Rd and then back down on what I call Strawberry Hill which is an open hillside where I often go see birds. Right when we got there a couple of dozen (seriously) Western Tanagers flew into the low bushes and started feeding. They were all around us. I got very close to one and what a beautiful sight that was. I didn't move for many minutes and off to my right I heard a gobble and in walks a huge Tom Turkey maybe 30 yards away. I could only see his head and neck so I moved off ahead of him on another little path and a couple of minutes later he walked right back to us and this time I got a really close view of him full on. Very big ol Tom. Those were just the highlights of a great morning hike.

You know I've come to the conclusion it's futile to try and pick a best alpha binocular. Every one of mine can under the right conditions give the best view and convince me for a moment that it's my best. Just isn't true however. This Swaro can give astonishingly crisp and beautiful views under the right conditions while at other times looking a little pale and washed out. For instance looking into a white sky that is bright. The EIIs seem to handle those conditions better and give better views. I keep trying to pick a complete favorite but I'm always getting fooled. I think right now the EII and the Ultravid vie for doing the best under varied conditions but when the conditions are right the Swaro seems to have the most beautiful crisp view. Tomorrow I'll likely change my story.
This I can say. I love them all and am glad to own them.

Today I was going to take out the Nikon EII 10x35 but as I was carrying a load for a longer hike I decided at the last minute to take out the lighter and smaller Ultravid 10x32.

There I've mentioned binoculars so I can talk about what I saw now. . I took to the "Fell on Knee" trail which is my second favorite here and that goes along a very steep mountain side in some very large and tall pine forest. It's very dark and cool even on hot summer days and the sun shafts in giving it a beautiful and somber cathedral like feel. It's a great place to go to be quiet and alone but I was with Sunny and Nina my two favorite beings, who just happen to be dogs. Walking along the trail is a very steep drop down to the valley and the town of Ashland a mile or more below. You can see some of it through the trees at times. Just below the trail where I was a small gorge ran perpendicular to the trail and at first glance it looked like there was snow on some small trees in there. That made no sense because it's hot now. I put the binoculars on it and saw the most gorgeous Dogwood trees in full flower.

There were several dozen of all sizes and just and a little further on some of them came up to and went above the trail. The most beautiful white flowers about the size of your hand. In that dark green forest and with the sun lighting some of them up electric it was absolutely beautiful. As for birds I saw many Stellar Jays, two Winter Wren and one Hermit Warbler, a bird I've never seen here before. About a half mile further on and climbing steeply up now I came upon a man in full yellow firemans jumpsuit. They were just starting a controlled burn further up and he said I could just make it through if I hurried and he'd escort me if I liked. I declined because I wasn't in a hurry mode but I did have a very nice chat with Chris and we talked about how beautiful the Dogwoods looked and he told me of a new trail I can try at a later date. At that point we turned around and headed back for town and I got to walk along the beautiful Dogwoods one more time.

And with this journal report fine folk I will bid you farewell for now. I've come to the point where I'm in need of a break from BF. I realized on my hike that I have accomplished my goals in returning and am leaving with what I feel are the top of the heap optics in the category I was wanting. 30-35 mm.

Since returning I have added the following bins.

Swarovski 8x32 EL
Leica Ultravid 10x32
Kowa Genesis 8x33
Nikon EII 8x30
Nikon EII 10x35

My work is done and all that is left is to go out and use them. I've greatly enjoyed your company as I accomplished my quest but must admit that it's been a struggle for me here. I haven't been able to be fully myself and must admit now I've been holding back. At this point I can't emotionally take it anymore. I can't be at a forum where no can or does swear.8-P

Happy trails to one and all. I may return at some date in the future but for now it's good bye. Thanks for the memories. :t:B

black crow said:

And with this journal report fine folk I will bid you farewell for now. I've come to the point where I'm in need of a break from BF. I realized on my hike that I have accomplished my goals in returning and am leaving with what I feel are the top of the heap optics in the category I was wanting. 30-35 mm.

Since returning I have added the following bins.

Swarovski 8x32 EL
Leica Ultravid 10x32
Kowa Genesis 8x33
Nikon EII 8x30
Nikon EII 10x35

My work is done and all that is left is to go out and use them. I've greatly enjoyed your company as I accomplished my quest but must admit that it's been a struggle for me here. I haven't been able to be fully myself and must admit now I've been holding back. At this point I can't emotionally take it anymore. I can't be at a forum where no can or does swear.8-P

Happy trails to one and all. I may return at some date in the future but for now it's good bye. Thanks for the memories. :t:B

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John,

I thought for sure you'd be getting the Nikon WX 10X50 IFs next...just when you're getting to know somebody, surprise, surprise... :-C :-O

Hopefully you'll pop-in again soon and impart dreamy images of your many fine birding and excursion adventures for us to enjoy.

Be safe, be happy and remember, Seeing Is Believing! :t:

Ted

Well BC what you really obtained after being on the forum was not five good bins, but five great glass. Enjoy your self and when you come back show some more pics of your travels (carry a small digital camera and take as many pics as you can).Oh, I forgot to ask you, do you keep a journal, if so keep writing, if not, keep writing.

Take care,

Andy W.

Good luck, happy trails, cool water, tumbling tumbleweeds to ya!

black crow said:

Today I was going to take out the Nikon EII 10x35 but as I was carrying a load for a longer hike I decided at the last minute to take out the lighter and smaller Ultravid 10x32.

There I've mentioned binoculars so I can talk about what I saw now. . I took to the "Fell on Knee" trail which is my second favorite here and that goes along a very steep mountain side in some very large and tall pine forest. It's very dark and cool even on hot summer days and the sun shafts in giving it a beautiful and somber cathedral like feel. It's a great place to go to be quiet and alone but I was with Sunny and Nina my two favorite beings, who just happen to be dogs. Walking along the trail is a very steep drop down to the valley and the town of Ashland a mile or more below. You can see some of it through the trees at times. Just below the trail where I was a small gorge ran perpendicular to the trail and at first glance it looked like there was snow on some small trees in there. That made no sense because it's hot now. I put the binoculars on it and saw the most gorgeous Dogwood trees in full flower.

There were several dozen of all sizes and just and a little further on some of them came up to and went above the trail. The most beautiful white flowers about the size of your hand. In that dark green forest and with the sun lighting some of them up electric it was absolutely beautiful. As for birds I saw many Stellar Jays, two Winter Wren and one Hermit Warbler, a bird I've never seen here before. About a half mile further on and climbing steeply up now I came upon a man in full yellow firemans jumpsuit. They were just starting a controlled burn further up and he said I could just make it through if I hurried and he'd escort me if I liked. I declined because I wasn't in a hurry mode but I did have a very nice chat with Chris and we talked about how beautiful the Dogwoods looked and he told me of a new trail I can try at a later date. At that point we turned around and headed back for town and I got to walk along the beautiful Dogwoods one more time.

And with this journal report fine folk I will bid you farewell for now. I've come to the point where I'm in need of a break from BF. I realized on my hike that I have accomplished my goals in returning and am leaving with what I feel are the top of the heap optics in the category I was wanting. 30-35 mm.

Since returning I have added the following bins.

Swarovski 8x32 EL
Leica Ultravid 10x32
Kowa Genesis 8x33
Nikon EII 8x30
Nikon EII 10x35

My work is done and all that is left is to go out and use them. I've greatly enjoyed your company as I accomplished my quest but must admit that it's been a struggle for me here. I haven't been able to be fully myself and must admit now I've been holding back. At this point I can't emotionally take it anymore. I can't be at a forum where no can or does swear.8-P

Happy trails to one and all. I may return at some date in the future but for now it's good bye. Thanks for the memories. :t:B

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Well, that's really a shame, BC, because you really brought a lot to the forum, and I'll miss you. Especially the very creative Binocular Journal of yours! Finally, something creative was penned and it was from you! Hearing about other peoples journeys with their binoculars, and not having to discuss nuts and bolts to the nth degree.

I mean, how much can you really say about the BSII in a million responses that couln't be said in one page?!

Too bad, but I get it-sometimes it's better to walk away for a while and take a break from some of this.

Take it easy, be well, and have a blast! You will be missed, friend! You SOB (sons of binoculars), you did it, you escaped!!! Here's to ya! B :flyaway:

Birding a bit with 10x...

I was fortunate to purchase a used Nikon EDG 10x42 a few weeks ago, however I've only had limited opportunity to use them. A few days ago I left work early and went birding in the early evening at one of my regular and favorite spots, the Vallevista Staging Area, which is an access trail to the watershed around the San Leandro reservoir, a few miles from where I live.

It was a warm evening with some clouds, mainly in the east, making a dark sky with foreground in warm light. I did a small loop trail, and then an out and back trail. It was not terribly birdy, but rewarding nonetheless.. First off, the effect of 10x over 8x is noticeable in different ways. I tracked swallows zipping over the reservoir, as well as some raptors, and found I could see more detail of them in flight than I'm accustomed to, helping me analyze. These are the first 10x binoculars I've ever owned long enough to use multiple times, though I have tried a few pairs out in the last year. The 10x42 EDG has the eye relief and narrow enough IPD to fit me quite comfortably. The focus on this particular unit is a bit stiff to my taste, and apparently was adjusted that way by request of one of the previous owners for astro use. Not so great for close range, cranking the focus, chasing birds in the foliage, but it still does the job, and the rest of the time, I don't notice it.

I thought I would be hampered by either the narrower field of view, or shakiness, or something, but it doesn't seem to play a big role. Instead, I'm just enjoying a lot more feather detail on the close up birds, and can pull in more distant birds for a good view, and am surprised when I lift the binoculars from my eyes, to see how small the target actually is.. 10x is really a nice magnification. I was able to scan the reservoir at one point from an elevated position, and could pick out several pairs of wood ducks, as well as a black-crowned night heron, lurking in the reeds, its red eye visible, even from a fair distance.

I was walking back to the parking lot through a few hundred yards of trees just before sunset, and heard some squawking that did not resemble any birds I knew, so ventured off trail into a clearing bordered by Oaks and some Eucalyptus. On a low, horizontal Oak tree branch there was a Great-horned Owl feeding 2 chicks. It would be hard to call them chicks because they appeared bigger than the parent, I think because they were molting into their adult feathers, so were about 50% covered in downy fluff, which made them look 'big'... The parent owl glared at me, but kept tearing off chunks of the rodent in its claws and giving the bits to the chicks. I kept my distance, shot a few photos, and then just watched them go at it through the binoculars. The funniest thing was when one of the chicks got hold of the aft end of the rat and started swallowing it through a series of convulsive jerks, which I watched with fascination, as a long, textured tail slowly disappeared down the owl's gullet. The Nikons delivered every detail of that culinary feast in impeccable fashion.

I enjoyed the walk and the binoculars so much, that I lingered in the parking lot looking at landscape and light through the bins, catching views of Starlings that were nesting in a snag, as well as some Acorn Woodpeckers that occupy several pines. The sun was low, and cloud shadows were moving over the hills as I packed up. It resembled a Grant Wood painting, but it was the real deal.

-Bill

Hey Bill, great write-up and outing, it seems for you! I like 10x too a lot-yes, it can show you more detail if you're steady enough. Most times, that's what I will use, unless I know I'm going to be in the woods. I can't wait to test my 7x42's there, but haven't gotten out for a good walk for a bit now. Glad your EDG's are giving you an excellent and new perspective in your viewing and that you found a 10x you like using.

Nice pictures too! It seems you found the magic hour of last light that I like so much, when everything keeps changing and highlighting as the sun goes lower.

I had to look up the artist-didn't remember who he was, but thanks for reminding me-and I saw some of his paintings that I don't remember seeing before too. I see what you mean-your mountain there looks very like his idyllic scenes. He has a different way of seeing too-maybe he was using bins all along! ; )

Very nice shot and discovery of the Great Horned owls! Good thing they are noisy at feeding time, or you might not have seen them! I saw the lichen and moss on that branch too, Lee!

Thanks for a nice walk around with you Bill, that was fun! :t: