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best Budget 12x50 binoculars search 😬 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Tec.Man
- Start date
hopster
Well-known member
I'm also not interested in a warmer-than-natural tint, though if I had to choose I would prefer this over colder-than-natural.
My only real gripe with the otherwise excellent Meopta 12x50 is that there is a slight amber tint. Not enough to trouble me though. The most true-to-natural binocular that I own is the Leica Noctivid and I also remember the Swaro Habicht 10x40 having this quality.
hopster
Well-known member
This is the Oberwerk which I think is really very good optically and a complete bargain at that price:
www.oberwerk.eu
I would just say make sure that you can return it if there is something wrong with it or if it fails in some way within the warranty period.
The ER is marginal if you wear glasses, though I have some with frames that sit in my eye sockets and I could see the whole FOV using those.
Oberwerk 12×50 SE ED
I would just say make sure that you can return it if there is something wrong with it or if it fails in some way within the warranty period.
The ER is marginal if you wear glasses, though I have some with frames that sit in my eye sockets and I could see the whole FOV using those.
Don't tempt me, my wife will hate you 😉😄
rather not when I read the reviews 😬
From time to time there is a Nikon SE 12x50 for sale on eBay or Astromart, and they are an excellent value for a 12x50 binocular. They are not real common, though. IMO, they are much better than the Oberwork or SRBC at about the same price point.
Nikon 12X50 SE Price Reduced | Astromart
Astromart.com is the leading portal for astronomy news, classified ads and telescope reviews. Place your astronomy ads, read the latest news articles and check out the current reviews of newest telescopes and equipment.
astromart.com
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Yes, especially if your wife has read Holger Merlitz's review of srbc 12 x 50....
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I have read the report on the SRBC and know that he considers the EL to be completed 😬
But I have a bad feeling about paying 750€ including tax and customs to China without knowing the quality and without having any service 🙄
ads
Well-known member
I too am wary of receiving a bad sample of the SRBC or having something go wrong with them.
Have you considered stabilized models such as the
Canon 12x36 IS III
Kite Optics 12x42 APC Stabilized
?
There is the
GPO Passion HD 12.5×50
though I was not very impressed by their mid-tier ED version.
Have you considered stabilized models such as the
Canon 12x36 IS III
Kite Optics 12x42 APC Stabilized
?
There is the
GPO Passion HD 12.5×50
though I was not very impressed by their mid-tier ED version.
I get it. That's exactly why I hang on to my EL 12X50s...great for inclement car birding!
Here's what I'd do....SAVE. The EL 12X50 is such a good binocular. Save and be ready when a used one comes up. An Ultravid or a Meostar would be good options too. You won't be sorry.
Although I have not used the Maven B6 12x50, I would highly recommend it for the price ($1100). I have the B5 12x56 and it is exceptional for the price. It is very near 'alpha' performance for about 1/2 the price. Comparing it to my EL 12x50, there is very little difference to my eyes. Yes, it is somewhat an apples to oranges comparison due to aperture, but still....
For a cheaper option, you might want to look at the Kowa 12x56. I like that they are compact compared to other 56mm objective models. They get a lot of criticism but I think they are still a good option considering you can get them for about $450. I did notice they have more CA than I'd like to see. But for me personally, it's not really an issue as I'm normally using them in heavily wooded areas.
ads
Well-known member
The Leupold BX-4 can be bought in the US for $400. The Burris Signature for even less. But being in Germany, I doubt if you have access to such deals.
I don't know how those two models compare. allbinos.com has a review of the Leupold BX-4
Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 12x50 - binoculars review - AllBinos.com
The Kowa 12x56 BD56-12 XD Prominar that N7XW suggested might be good. I have the 8x42 version, which has been updated and renamed. I think the 12x56 was not updated though.
Which brands are easy to buy and have a support network in Germany (or at least the EU)?
I don't know how those two models compare. allbinos.com has a review of the Leupold BX-4
Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 12x50 - binoculars review - AllBinos.com
The Kowa 12x56 BD56-12 XD Prominar that N7XW suggested might be good. I have the 8x42 version, which has been updated and renamed. I think the 12x56 was not updated though.
Which brands are easy to buy and have a support network in Germany (or at least the EU)?
Yarkho
Optics afficionado
The best advice is to watch out for deals on EL, Ultravid, or MeoStar 12x50. I have the latter and can't fault it with anything, it is an excellent glass with 30-yr warranty. (Yes it has a very slight amber tint, we are discussing minute differences in optics here).
The other strategy to choose could be this: Clarify what you prefer / must have in a binocular - ultra flat field, color saturation, or class-leading CA correction?
The other strategy to choose could be this: Clarify what you prefer / must have in a binocular - ultra flat field, color saturation, or class-leading CA correction?
I went ahead and bought one of those crystals from Austria, and I already hate it because I'll never be able to look through binoculars the same way again.
These binoculars are a lifesaver, and I'm glad I had the courage to invest so much money. They're the EL 12x50, and the magnification is perfect for me and not at all wobbly.
The binoculars are a trade mark item, supposedly refurbished by Swarovski and with a full warranty. Unfortunately, they're still 9 years old, and I'm wondering if that's a drawback?
These binoculars are a lifesaver, and I'm glad I had the courage to invest so much money. They're the EL 12x50, and the magnification is perfect for me and not at all wobbly.
The binoculars are a trade mark item, supposedly refurbished by Swarovski and with a full warranty. Unfortunately, they're still 9 years old, and I'm wondering if that's a drawback?I did it and bought the glass. It arrived today, and I'm in love 😄
I think my vote for the best budget 12x50 would go to the new Zeiss SFL 10x50. Once they are on the market for a while, you will be able to pick them up for around $1500.
www.birdforum.net
News from Zeiss - SFL 50
Thanks to the collaboration with Bignami, official italian distributor of Zeiss products, I had the opportunity to review the brand new Zeiss SFL 10x50. With this new series — also available in 8x50 and 12x50 formats — Zeiss has created, in fact, “a new 42 mm”. Why do I say this? Because...
www.birdforum.net
