Binocuar Advice (1 Viewer)

[ryanthehobby]

Hi Guys

I've just registered to your awesome looking site and this is my first post.....so be gentle.

I'm sure there must be threads like this a plenty but forgive me as I find my way around the site. I therefore thought i'd just dive in.

I've always had an interest in birds and wildlife but it is only recently that this hobby has become a great passion and I'm loving learning and seeing new things all the time.

Anyway novicey introductions over and back to the point ||

The binoculars I have been using are Viking Navulux 8 x 42.

I'm looking into seeing if I can upgrade for even better performance.I know its an obvious statement as I realise you can pay £2000 for a pair which must surely be the bees knees.

I'm looking upto around the £300ish price range.

I subscribe to things like RSPB and Bird Watching magazine and have seen a couple of models of potential interest at my price range.

1) Hawke Frontier ED 10 x 43
2/Nikon Monarch 10 x 42 dcf

I can get the Nikon for under £200 despite the RRP I have seen of around £400 and more and the Hawke ED Frontier for just under £300

I'd be interested on observations/advice of any more experienced birders that may have either of these or have had in the past before upgrading themselves.

My Viking pair do the job but I would be interested if either of the above models are going to give even better clarity and sharpness of view,especially in low/poor light conditions as my Vikings are not great in those conditions,or should I say compared to what I assume dearer models may provide?

I'm assuming the ED glass in the Hawke's will mean much better low light performance?? but as i say I'm just a novice.

Look forward to hearing from as many of you as possible B

 

[Pinewood]

Hello Ryanthehobby,

Welcome to the Forum.

I will only comment that ED glass may help in reducing chromatic aberration and "colour fringing," providing better coloru contrast and giving a sharper image but ED glass does not improve lowlight performance.

I am not familiar with either the Hawke or the Monarch, so wait for an informed comment from someone else.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood :hi:

 

[Andy Bright]

Hi and welcome to BF, Ryan.
I have moved your thread to the main bino forum... as it doesn't really revolve around one specific manufacturer, and your thread will probably get a few more replies in the main forum.
cheers,
Andy

 

[ryanthehobby]

Thanks Andy & Arthur :t:

I realised after I'd posted that I'd started the thread in the wrong sub forum
:eek!:

 

[Goldenarm]

Hi Ryanthehobby. Bit of a newbie myself.

As to the bins, I bought the 8 X 43 Hawke's a year ago and think they're fantastic. Bright, crisp and clear. Great value for money. They are better than my Mum's Swaro EL 8.5 X 42's in low light.

I have a pair of Leica Ultravid HD 7 X42's which are the best view you can get in my opinion but the view from the Hawke's compares very favourably. Any difference is marginal except control over stray light when the sun is near the object and the focus wheel which can get stiff on the Hawke's.

 

[Sancho]

Hi Ryan, the Hawke Frontier ED are indeed superb binos. Also worth considering (although you can´t test them in the UK unless you know someone who´s got a pair) are the Zen-Ray ED 7x36 II. I haven´t seen ZR 8x43, but I´m sure they´re also superb. They can be ordered direct from Zen-Ray in the U.S. and are around the same price as the Hawkes. Check the forums on these, try to find someone in your area who has them before you buy.

 

[ryanthehobby]

Thanks Goldenarm and Sancho.

Goldenarm- I'm trying to arrange going to a retailer to test the Hawkes for myself but from what you've said,it will pretty much swing it if I like the feel of them etc.

I notice you have the 8 x 43. My current Vikings are 8 x 43. In your opinion are the 8x better than the 10 x in the Hawkes?

I know the 8 x and 10x refers to the magnification but for a newbie like me i'd expect the 10 x were better as slightly more magnification but from reading some articles on here I now appreciate that its not just a matter of higher magnification means better option?

 

[Goldenarm]

I think it's very much down to personal preference and everything about binoculars is a compromise

If you can hold the 10s steady then they'll give you more detail. I prefer 8 (or 7s in my Leica's) because I found the distorted view from any movement in higher magnification a hindrance. So I feel I actually see more detail with a lower magnification because of the steadier view.

I haven't looked through a pair of 10 Hawkes but I'm sure they'd be great.

There are plenty of people who prefer 10s. I suspect there are more 8 fans out there though.

 

[Dave H]

Another huge Frontier ED 8x43 fan here. They are difficult to beat within your budget (unless you are willing to go for porros).

As for 8x or 10x, the huge field of view of the 8x was the winner for me as a raptor enthusiast. Depends on your typical usage I suppose.

I would like to try the ZR 7x36 recommended above though... they sound fantastic.

Good luck!

 

[ryanthehobby]

Quick update guys

bought the 10 x 43 hawke ed frontiers.my untrained eye couldn't detect that much difference in the 8 x 43 and exactly the same weight and price so went for the 10

thanks for all your advice:t:

 

[Veracocha]

Quick update guys

bought the 10 x 43 hawke ed frontiers.my untrained eye couldn't detect that much difference in the 8 x 43 and exactly the same weight and price so went for the 10

thanks for all your advice:t:

Good choice. I have both, and have had a pair of each previously. I always seem to go for the 10's as I profess to have a steady hand. Out again today and each time I view them I am amazed at the quality.

 

[Sancho]

Quick update guys

bought the 10 x 43 hawke ed frontiers.my untrained eye couldn't detect that much difference in the 8 x 43 and exactly the same weight and price so went for the 10

thanks for all your advice:t:

Enjoy those binos, Ryan!!! Write an assessment for us. (Then never look at the "binoculars" forum again, or you´ll get sucked into obsessive bino-comparisons, which could cost serious money!) Have a great weekend.

 

[Martin Fagg]

(Then never look at the "binoculars" forum again, or you´ll get sucked into obsessive bino-comparisons, which could cost serious money!)

Sancho, oh wise one, why didn't you give me this advice when I joined? You could have saved me so much money and I could have avoided so much fretting and hair splitting.

Alas it is too late now!

:king:

 

[bradys66]

Hi all

I am also new to the forum and have been trying to look for a good binocular upgrade,

I currently have a set of Nikon action II egret 8x40 they have been a great performer when you take into account their price.

I was looking at the Nikon Monarch and Vortex Viper both have been receiving great reviews. My price range is £300-£400 im also torn between getting the 8x or 10x

Above Dave said hes a raptor fan and went with the 8x
I also love watchin raptors but also want to get as close to the bird as possible without losing image quality.

any help will be greatly appreciated great site, sorry Ryan to type on your thread didnt have confidence to create my own. the Vortex Viper could be an option for yourself.

 

[Martin Fagg]

Hi all

I am also new to the forum and have been trying to look for a good binocular upgrade,

I currently have a set of Nikon action II egret 8x40 they have been a great performer when you take into account their price.

I was looking at the Nikon Monarch and Vortex Viper both have been receiving great reviews. My price range is £300-£400 im also torn between getting the 8x or 10x

Above Dave said hes a raptor fan and went with the 8x
I also love watchin raptors but also want to get as close to the bird as possible without losing image quality.

any help will be greatly appreciated great site, sorry Ryan to type on your thread didnt have confidence to create my own. the Vortex Viper could be an option for yourself.

When I read you had a £3-400 budget, one binocular sprang to mind- the Opticron BGA SE. Very highly rated by a lot of people. Definitely try them before you buy anything else.

 

[bradys66]

Thanks Martin

The Opticron BGA SE have jumped to the top of my list, unsure if I should go for the 8x or 10x, with me already having 8x40 nikons Im tempted to go for the 10x.

 

[Martin Fagg]

Thanks Martin

The Opticron BGA SE have jumped to the top of my list, unsure if I should go for the 8x or 10x, with me already having 8x40 nikons Im tempted to go for the 10x.

Personally, I never go for 10x. I prefer the wider view of 8x and less handshake too. I always have a scope with me so 10x seems unnecessary.
Right now I am discovering the joys of 7x though. There is a 7x BGA SE but the fov is no more than the 8x so afov is quite small.

Anyway, the choice is yours!

 

[etudiant]

Hi Bradys66,
By all means go for the 10x. The shake factor is not a killer, as birds are mostly seen jumping around, so you get glimpses. With 10x, you get more detailed glimpses.
I birded for years with a Docter 12x50BGA, never felt jitter was a serious impediment. That said, the Canon 10x42IS is now my primary glass. It helps me to see more, thanks to its image stabilization. So if jitter is a concern, there is a remedy, the Canon 10x30. Sancho on this forum has probably commented the most fully on this glass, which is probably the best of the general purpose Canon IS binoculars.

 

[bradys66]

Thx Etudiant

ive now decided to upgrade and go for the Opticron 10x42 DBA OASIS S-COAT
at about £550. opticron offer at mo where you get a set of their DBA OASIS S-COAT compacts which have had great reviews. 8x21 or 10x25 im going to go for the 8x21 to compliment my full 10x42s. I like to thank
both you and martin for your help and feed back.