Best build quality, aesthetic, & focus ring at $500 price range for 8x32 binoculars? Optics a close second priority. (1 Viewer)

[ozblue]

With a budget of around $500 which 8x30/32 binoculars would you consider to have beautiful aesthetics, build quality, and buttery focus ring? As long as the optics can somewhat "compete" near the best within the $500 price class then I actually would prefer a pair of binoculars where you appreciate the craftsmanship of the overall build & design. I understand build quality and feel is more noticeable at the $1000-$3000 price range (like Swarovski, Leica, Zeiss) but I need to set a budget for now.

I've tried the Nikon Monarch M7 and they felt pretty good. I'd possibly grade it around 7.5/10 in terms of the feel and build. I understand the optics are considered one of the best within this price range. What other brand and model have a even nicer build and design with optics that's possibly a grade lower.

Some models I'm considering are these below. It seems each of these are well respected in their own right but would like your feedback on what feels like quality when trying them in person.

Maven B3 8x30 - Beautiful design but I hear the focus ring is a bit stiff
GPO Passion ED 8×32 - The focus ring is supposed to be really nice but the eye cups feel plasticy?
Zeiss Terra ED 8×32 - I read a lot complaints about the eye cups, not sure of the build quality
Hawke Frontier ED X 8×32 - I don't know much about this model but the FOV seems quite narrow
Kowa BD II 8×32 - Minimalistic design, not sure how the focus ring is

Would love your feedback or other recommendations.

Thank you.

 

[Maljunulo]

You don’t say where you are, so is there somewhere you can go where they will let you try different ones?

 

[has530]

The price is a little over $500 but I think the Fujinon HC would fit your criteria quite nicely.

 

[ozblue]

You don’t say where you are, so is there somewhere you can go where they will let you try different ones?

Based out of San Francisco, California.

 

[ozblue]

The price is a little over $500 but I think the Fujinon HC would fit your criteria quite nicely.

Very nice but I prefer 8x32. It seems like they only have 8x42 and 10x42.

 

[Maljunulo]

I hope this isn’t illegal.

Just the first one I came across.

Wild Birds Unlimited - Nature Shop

We carry the best selection of binoculars in Marin County and the San Francisco Bay Area, including binoculars by Nikon, Zeiss, and Swarovski.

marin.wbu.com

 

[has530]

Very nice but I prefer 8x32. It seems like they only have 8x42 and 10x42.

Whoops I missed that! I briefly had a number of those models and my favorite was probably the Kowa. The Zeiss was the worst by a lot, hawke I loved except it had terrible glare, but nothing was particularly wrong with the Kowa (I now use a Kowa Genesis 8x33 as my my primary birding bin). I see you are SF based (hello from the east bay). If you can make it up to Mendocino out of this world optics has a great selection to try and is a lovely area to visit in it of itself.

 

[ozblue]

Can you just stretch that budget another $100 for a considerable jump in quality? Here is new Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 for $611.99.

ZEISS Conquest HD 8x 32 mm Binocular 523211-0000-000 for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ZEISS Conquest HD 8x 32 mm Binocular 523211-0000-000 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

I really considered these but I think the eye cups would drive me crazy. I heard the focus ring is amazing and the optics are stellar.

 

[w.travis]

The kowa BDII 8x32 is a great little bin for the price. I own the 6.5x32 (which is the same body as the 8x32) and the 8x42 is really not much larger. It is a compact size 8x42. I've owned both.

The focuser on all the BDIIs I've tried have been smooth, build quality good, and decent looking bin. Great eyecups imo IMO. But the best aspect of the BDII though is the glass. The central sharpness and contrast equals or comes very close to equaling all my more expensive bins.

The BDII is my recommendation in your price range if you are buying new. I would consider the BDII 8x42, as it's still compact for a 42mm and has the advantages of a 42mm. But if the extra small size is a must then the 8x32 BDII.

 

[Binocollector]

The old "Assembled in the USA" Meopta Meopro HD 8x32 is pretty great for the price, if you can still find one (list price was 500 but I got mine used for 270). Fast focuser and insane close focus of about 1.5m. Large FoV at 8.3° (those were the official specifications but I often see wrong numbers online for that particular model), magnesium body. Only the eye cups could be a little stiffer. Optics are great. Low false color, low distortion at the edge.

 

[[email protected]]

I really considered these but I think the eye cups would drive me crazy. I heard the focus ring is amazing and the optics are stellar.

The eye cups on the older Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 aren't really a problem. They are hard to adjust because they are tight, but once you get them adjusted you just leave them there. If you need longer eye cups for your eye sockets to avoid black-outs, you can get them from Zeiss.

 

[GrampaTom]

I hope this isn’t illegal.

Just the first one I came across.

Wild Birds Unlimited - Nature Shop

We carry the best selection of binoculars in Marin County and the San Francisco Bay Area, including binoculars by Nikon, Zeiss, and Swarovski.

marin.wbu.com

Me to (about illegal). I live here. These folks are very nice. Its a chain mostly focused on feeding supplies. The owner is a bit of a bino guy, so stocks more binoculars than others in the chain, I'm led to believe. Quite a nice selection, oriented to birders from just getting started to serious.

 

[mwhogue]

Me to (about illegal). I live here. These folks are very nice. Its a chain mostly focused on feeding supplies. The owner is a bit of a bino guy, so stocks more binoculars than others in the chain, I'm led to believe. Quite a nice selection, oriented to birders from just getting started to serious.

That's nice. I can confirm my local Wild Birds Unlimited does not stock binoculars. Nice people and a great place for hot blend bird foods that the deter the squirrels.

Mike

 

[yarrellii]

I would say that a nice option is to be patient and look for a 8x32 Zeiss Conquest HD. Now that the new HDX is out, maybe it's easier to get an old unit at a good price. I've seen it going for even less than 500 $. No, I'm not saying that it happens every day, but it's not unheard of. And with a Conquest HD 8x32 you get it all: irreprochable build quality, butter smooth focus ring (some of the softest out there) and optics so good that you'd have to spend a ton more cash to see a remarkable improvement. In my view, the Conquest HD 8x32 is hard to beat, and even if you buy second hand, even if it's a battered unit, you have Zeiss to cover your back. Once I bought one for 400 € but the focus wheel wasn't working properly. I sent it to Zeiss and it came back as new: new eyecups, new focus wheel, complete check. That's what I would do if I was in the market for a pair of 8x32 with your requirements and your cash. I honestly don't know if you can do better.

EDIT: sorry, I just saw this had already been recommended and I saw your comment about the eyecups. I persona have had no issues with them, and in fact, you can get two different lengths, as far as I understand.

 

[Winchester44]

I have the Zeiss Conquest and have gone through two pairs of the Kowa BDII. Both Kowas broke within days of purchase.

Zeiss as far superior mechanically and durability and noticeably better optically. Made in Germany versus China. Eye cups are different than other bins, but work great once you take 30 seconds to learn how to use them. In my opinion, they are better because they stay at the last adjustment you left them at. Often find my other binoculars with adjustable eyecups often seemingly setting themselves at different levels if I walk around with them, not in a chest pack.

Shop around for a good used pair and get the Zeiss.

 

[Ignatius]

Best build quality, aesthetic, & focus ring at $500 price range for 8x32 binoculars? Optics a close second priority.​

If you're looking for pretty trinkets to put on top of your dresser, I am sure Ikea have something to fit the bill. Since binoculars are for looking through and seeing the world, optics should always be the first priority. YMOV (your mileage obviously varies)

 

[Trinovid]

With a budget of around $500 which 8x30/32 binoculars...I need to set a budget for now.

You generally have two options in front of you, the one here being buying new, or buying used.

I'd personally only have a couple of binoculars if I'd had to buy new, and probably would not have any of my Ultravids. Some people have a lot of money and if they prefer, it makes sense to always buy new, but anyone on a budget, but still wishing they could buy higher up the scale make the wisest use of their cash when buying an Ultravid for 1k instead of over 2k for example.

Do the research you need to, determine what you like, regardless of price, then start shopping. Several items I've acquired since joining the forum here mainly required patience in waiting for the right opportunity to come up.