Walter David
Walter David
Hello. I will be making a purchase in the next few weeks. My budget is $250.00 and my use will be for of day time and casual astronomical star gazing. I have a telescope for more prolonged outings and deeper sky views.
So I narrowed down to a few models; the Minox BD 10x44 BP which seems to be a real steel-deal at Camera Land NY and the the Bushnell HD Legend which gets great reviews. I also found a lot of great reviews on the ZEN RAY Summit so I am considering the Zen Ray too. I know the Minox's field of view is pretty narrow like the Pentax 10x50 WP, but if the optics are the best of the bunch, I am willing to accept it. (ie compromise)
I'll probably be buying whatever I choose from Camera Land. They sell all of the above models that I am looking at so I feel I will get objective advice. I called them yesterday and the person I talked to was very nice, knowledgeable and spent a few minutes with me on the phone. As a result of the conversation, I was steered towards the Minox.
From what I've read about the Minox BD 10x44, everyone who has had experience with it says that they have very good optics for day time use, and great build quality ergonomics, etc. However, the there are conflicting opinions regarding the Minox for astronomical use and makes me hesitate in buying them. I get the impression that the Minox is not designed for astronomical use? One person describes spikes coming off of bright objects such as Jupiter? Since I will want a binocular for dual use-both daytime and night time this would be a deal breaker for me. (I hate returning / exchanging..etc..).
If the night time use is not the best with this otherwise fine binocular, I guess my choice will be narrowed to the Bushnell or the Zen Ray.
So I really am interested in anyone's opinion on the two of these. The Minox seem to be used by less people than the other two.
Thanks in advance for any input and experience you may have on any of these.
So I narrowed down to a few models; the Minox BD 10x44 BP which seems to be a real steel-deal at Camera Land NY and the the Bushnell HD Legend which gets great reviews. I also found a lot of great reviews on the ZEN RAY Summit so I am considering the Zen Ray too. I know the Minox's field of view is pretty narrow like the Pentax 10x50 WP, but if the optics are the best of the bunch, I am willing to accept it. (ie compromise)
I'll probably be buying whatever I choose from Camera Land. They sell all of the above models that I am looking at so I feel I will get objective advice. I called them yesterday and the person I talked to was very nice, knowledgeable and spent a few minutes with me on the phone. As a result of the conversation, I was steered towards the Minox.
From what I've read about the Minox BD 10x44, everyone who has had experience with it says that they have very good optics for day time use, and great build quality ergonomics, etc. However, the there are conflicting opinions regarding the Minox for astronomical use and makes me hesitate in buying them. I get the impression that the Minox is not designed for astronomical use? One person describes spikes coming off of bright objects such as Jupiter? Since I will want a binocular for dual use-both daytime and night time this would be a deal breaker for me. (I hate returning / exchanging..etc..).
If the night time use is not the best with this otherwise fine binocular, I guess my choice will be narrowed to the Bushnell or the Zen Ray.
So I really am interested in anyone's opinion on the two of these. The Minox seem to be used by less people than the other two.
Thanks in advance for any input and experience you may have on any of these.