Amazing resources here but I'm still unable to finalize my decision. I know this question get's asked all the time but I would greatly appreciate any opinions/feedback on the specific glass I'm considering and viable alternatives. I'm not too hard core in this realm, but I want to get something that I'm not going to regret every time I pick them up.
I am looking for a pair of bins primarily for travel + occasional birding and hiking. Something small enough to throw in a carry-on, shoulder bag or coat pocket and tough enough to take some abuse. Decent, but not precious I'm sure I would LOVE a pair of Ultravids or Zeiss FL's but I'm just not there at this time.
My benchmark pair are Pentax DCF-WP 8x32's that I got the wife many years ago and borrow when she allows. I find that pair to be a good size, easy to use, quite bright and sharp with no glaring problems. Everytime somebody uses these binos for the first time they remark on how nice they are. Pentax hasn't made these for years but if folks think these can't be beat, I may just track down a used pair.
Ideally I would like the new pair to be as small or smaller than the Pentaxs with comparable performance. Wide field of view and quick-smooth action are important to me.
I had a pair of Theron Wapiti LT 8x32's that were OK, but when given the choice I would always grab the Pentaxs instead. The 1"+ additional length made the difference of taking them with or not on more than one occasion. For better or worse, they were recently lifted from my unlocked car so I have an excuse to upgrade.
Here are some bins I'm considering.
Opticron Oregon 4 LE WP 8x32 - 2013 Cornell Lab Top Pick - The size looks great and I've found many favorable reviews but what is the sacrifice? Any idea how these would compare to the Pentax?
Zen Ray ZRS HD 8x32 - These tick all of my boxes, considering a fairly devoted Zen Ray following I'm surprised there are not more raving reviews.
Celestron Nature 8x32 - Also well liked by Cornell Lab - for some reason I'm not particularly excited about them.
Nikon Monarch 7 8x30 - Is the internal reflection issue on these resolved? Are they worth the $100+ premium? Currently there is $80 instant saving on them - is this Nikon trying to liquidate stock on defective units with the internal reflection or is it a great deal?
Braun Trekking 8x32 - these look really good on paper (so small!) but I can only find one real world review. Not widely available in the US, but there is an Amazon seller that indicates stock.
Here's a spreadsheet with relevant specs of those and some more options and benchmarks.
Again, I appreciate any feedback/suggestions/questions.
May everything you peer at be farther than it appears.
-kg
I am looking for a pair of bins primarily for travel + occasional birding and hiking. Something small enough to throw in a carry-on, shoulder bag or coat pocket and tough enough to take some abuse. Decent, but not precious I'm sure I would LOVE a pair of Ultravids or Zeiss FL's but I'm just not there at this time.
My benchmark pair are Pentax DCF-WP 8x32's that I got the wife many years ago and borrow when she allows. I find that pair to be a good size, easy to use, quite bright and sharp with no glaring problems. Everytime somebody uses these binos for the first time they remark on how nice they are. Pentax hasn't made these for years but if folks think these can't be beat, I may just track down a used pair.
Ideally I would like the new pair to be as small or smaller than the Pentaxs with comparable performance. Wide field of view and quick-smooth action are important to me.
I had a pair of Theron Wapiti LT 8x32's that were OK, but when given the choice I would always grab the Pentaxs instead. The 1"+ additional length made the difference of taking them with or not on more than one occasion. For better or worse, they were recently lifted from my unlocked car so I have an excuse to upgrade.
Here are some bins I'm considering.
Opticron Oregon 4 LE WP 8x32 - 2013 Cornell Lab Top Pick - The size looks great and I've found many favorable reviews but what is the sacrifice? Any idea how these would compare to the Pentax?
Zen Ray ZRS HD 8x32 - These tick all of my boxes, considering a fairly devoted Zen Ray following I'm surprised there are not more raving reviews.
Celestron Nature 8x32 - Also well liked by Cornell Lab - for some reason I'm not particularly excited about them.
Nikon Monarch 7 8x30 - Is the internal reflection issue on these resolved? Are they worth the $100+ premium? Currently there is $80 instant saving on them - is this Nikon trying to liquidate stock on defective units with the internal reflection or is it a great deal?
Braun Trekking 8x32 - these look really good on paper (so small!) but I can only find one real world review. Not widely available in the US, but there is an Amazon seller that indicates stock.
Here's a spreadsheet with relevant specs of those and some more options and benchmarks.
Again, I appreciate any feedback/suggestions/questions.
May everything you peer at be farther than it appears.
-kg
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