Binocular advice - tempted by the Zeiss (1 Viewer)

[Bentley03]

I've found London Camera Exchange on the Strand to be knowledgeable and happy to get lots of models out of the showcases for you to try. Park Cameras just off Oxford Street have a smaller range but are also very helpful.

@lucky jim I can vouch for Martyn and his team at Guildford LCE. It's slightly above your theoretical budget, but enquire if they have a Nikon 8x30 M7+ in stock (that's the M7 with field flattener) and maybe use that as a reference binocular whilst testing others. They won't have everything on display there, so if there's anything on your testing list which isn't on display, just ask. I've done a lot of business with them there, it's a good shop.

I can also vouch for Park Cameras' Burgess Hill store, if you fancy a drive down the M23 beyond Gatwick. It's a big showroom. Their warehouse is there, so if a particular binocular you're interested in is available online, they'll fetch it for you to test, even if there's no shop demo unit on display.

Probably worth a phone call to either or both stores before making a journey, to check what is or isn't available for you to try. Both stores will permit you to take binoculars outside for testing.

The x25 Terra ED's are both terrific and good value for the quality of their optics, but I'm in the camp which suggests going for a slightly larger aperture binocular, a x28, x30 or x32, probably in 7x or 8x. But whatever you decide, try, try, try before you buy!

Good luck!

 

[lucky jim]

Thanks I am going to London Camera exchange in Guildford tomorrow, likewise Burgess hill is not that far for me.

 

[mwhogue]

Jim you clearly appreciate the try before you buy mantra!

Good luck on your search but if I were to keep under your budget and wanted the best allround bino below £300 then your first inclination is spot on.

The Zeiss Terra's, 8x or 10x, are a perfect blend of size, weight, robustness and IQ and I would point you towards SWOPtics and their Terra offers.

They have both for £243. Cracking bino's which punch well above their price point.

Good luck!

Pat,

Great price point! They are hard to find in the US now for less than $399.

@lucky jim if you test and like the Terra, see whether the Terra TL 8x25 model is available. The TL is optically identical to the standard version and does not include the OEM hard case, which would not be useful given your packing limitations. At least in the US the TL is often priced at @ $200.

"Try before you buy" includes buying the bin you actually try to avoid possible sample variation issues.

Mike

 

[Bentley03]

"Try before you buy" includes buying the bin you actually try to avoid possible sample variation issues.

An important point very well made!

 

[PatR]

Pat,

Great price point! They are hard to find in the US now for less than $399.

@lucky jim if you test and like the Terra, see whether the Terra TL 8x25 model is available. The TL is optically identical to the standard version and does not include the OEM hard case, which would not be useful given your packing limitations. At least in the US the TL is often priced at @ $200.

"Try before you buy" includes buying the bin you actually try to avoid possible sample variation issues.

Mike

I don't think they are sold here now Mike. They were sold with a drawstring bag rather than the clam shell case a while back but the shift in production of the 8x25's from Japan to China probably resulted in the move to include the case.

Smashing little bino's though and a cracking price.

 

[lucky jim]

So to conclude this thread:

I visited London Camera Exchange in Goldford and I was able to try the Zeiss Terra ED in both 8 x 25 and 8 x 32, I found both to be a bit of a struggle, I couldn't seem to get the adjustment right (not easily) and although the x 32 were better I still wasn't convinced.

I also tried the Nikon Monarch M7+ 8 x 30 but I'm afraid I found them a bit 'soft' compared with my final choice.

The ones I liked the best, although they were heavier than I really wanted, were the Hawke Frontier EDX 8 x 32. They were really crisp and easy to use.
I did a bit more research and they seem to have a good reputation and review.
Review

The retail price was £419 pretty much everywhere but I managed to get a pair from Clifton Cameras for £319 (for an opened box pair, but I checked it had everything included and the full warranty). So overall I was pleased with this as it came in on my budget.

The Sales assistant made a good point which was that the Zeiss, whilst very good, are their entry level ones, whereas the Hawke ones are the top of their range (and not such a well known and prestigious brand).

I did, against the advice of the forum not to try ones you can't afford, try the Swarovski CL Pocket 10x25, they are really nice but not worth the extra for the use I will be giving them.

Thanks again for all the advice and I will report back after our trip in January.

 

[lucky jim]

Actually I realise there is a model of Hawke above these the APO (but out of my budget)

 

[Richard D]

I've not tried that model but have used a pair of their Marine series and thought they were very good for the price. Enjoy them.

 

[Bentley03]

So to conclude this thread:

I visited London Camera Exchange in Goldford and I was able to try the Zeiss Terra ED in both 8 x 25 and 8 x 32, I found both to be a bit of a struggle, I couldn't seem to get the adjustment right (not easily) and although the x 32 were better I still wasn't convinced.

I also tried the Nikon Monarch M7+ 8 x 30 but I'm afraid I found them a bit 'soft' compared with my final choice.

The ones I liked the best, although they were heavier than I really wanted, were the Hawke Frontier EDX 8 x 32. They were really crisp and easy to use.
I did a bit more research and they seem to have a good reputation and review.
Review

The retail price was £419 pretty much everywhere but I managed to get a pair from Clifton Cameras for £319 (for an opened box pair, but I checked it had everything included and the full warranty). So overall I was pleased with this as it came in on my budget.

The Sales assistant made a good point which was that the Zeiss, whilst very good, are their entry level ones, whereas the Hawke ones are the top of their range (and not such a well known and prestigious brand).

I did, against the advice of the forum not to try ones you can't afford, try the Swarovski CL Pocket 10x25, they are really nice but not worth the extra for the use I will be giving them.

Thanks again for all the advice and I will report back after our trip in January.

That's an excellent outcome, you weren't swayed by what was said by forum members, you went your own way entirely and picked the binocular you liked best amongst those you tried...and even found an 'as new' one more or less within budget.

Well done and enjoy your new binocular!

 

[Montereyman]

With my 6 trips to Costa Rica I have gone everywhere by car and avoided the in-country airlines. Only Osa would be good to fly into the nearby airport but the airline told me that they could not guarantee that our baggage would arrive with us but might arrive the next day. Very easy to get around the country in any vehicle.

 

[Binastro]

London Camera Exchange main branch is in Guildford.

Park cameras, Selfridges, Wex Commercial Road near Aldgate or Aldgate east station., LCE Strand, are in London.
John Lewis may have some stock.

Regards,
B.

 

[Hillclocks]

If you are looking for light weight and compact binoculars, while also using photo equipment, consider one with a single hinge. They are more comfortable to use one-handed. I have an Opticron 8x25 and a Zeiss Victory 10x25. The Zeiss is more expensive, however I would likely take the Opticron for comfortable hold it gives. Enjoy your trip!