Hmmmm I'd like to go to bake oven sat. But I’m suppose to work sat. I'll have to see if I can take a vacation day. I'm sure they’ll like that lol.
From some of the examples I have seen from 8x to 10x it doesn't look like that big of difference. What do you feel is more important, field of view or magnification? I’m not sure what to think and many stores in our area do not have a large assortment. I was to Dan’s today they had the leica’s ( to pricey for me.) And Cabelas does not sell the Celestron regals. I looked at the Kahles, they are pricey also. I can hardly justify 400 let alone 600 +
Is there really a big difference between 100 and 400 dollar glasses.? Well enuff for now. Thanks and I’m sure we will bump elbows at bake oven, if not sat sometime this fall. I’ll let you know about Sat.
For starters, Dan's and Cabelas are really the only two decent optics stores in the area. I haven't been in Dan's for years though I hit Cabelas quite regularly. You can find some really great bargains in their bargain cave if you know what to look for. There were two pairs of Bushnell Legends...8x42 and 10x42 in there the last time I checked and they were both listed at well under the typical advertised price.
Also, in regard to the Regals, I do not know where I got the impression from, betterviewdesired.com maybe, that the Regals were very similar to the Leupold Wind River Olympics in construction and performance. I could be totally mistaken on that though. Cabelas does carry the various Wind River lines. The 8x42 Olympic is right around $330 if memory serves while the 10x50 is closer to $380. If it means anything I thought the 10x50 Olympic was probably the brightest of any of the 10x "under $500" binos I checked out there a week or so back.
There was also a Wild Bird Unlimited store somewhere on Tilghman Street in Allentown and I think they carry the Eagle Optics models if I remember correctly. I have not been there myself but I have scrutinized their website
I think John summed up 8x versus 10x very nicely. I have found that I tend to prefer 8x as it give a very good compromise in terms of size of image versus field of view. 7x provides just a tad too small of an image for me in many situations. 10x typically has too narrow of a field of view on most of the mid and low priced models. Again though that is just me. You may be totally different.
As for further suggestions on binos....if you go the porro route then take a look at the Nikon Action EX series of binos. The 7x35 is though very highly of though I would lean more towards the 8x40 or 10x50 for your intended usage. Personally I think the 8x42 Monarch would probably be the best choice in your price range for a variety of different birding applications. If, however, you are looking for a bino strictly for hawk watching then a 10x42 or 10x50 would probably be the way to go.
Maybe we will hook up on Bake Oven at some point. I haven't been up there to Hawk watch yet as I typically head up to Hawk mountain. Hopefully that will change on Saturday morning.
Speaking of which.....
John,
Maybe I will see you up there. I will probably only be there until around 11 or 12 on Saturday morning as other committments will keep me from staying longer. I plan on bringing both of the LXs and the SE along to see which I prefer more for that type of birding. Truth be told, I have a feeling that I am going to want to keep all three. ;O)
