Binocular bargains (2 Viewers)

[BinoBoy]

Brunton Epoch 8x21 vs Leica Ultravid 8x20

Compared my new Brunton Epoch 8x21's to my Leica Ultravid 8x20's today.

The Epoch's held up better than I expected. The Ultravids have less field curvature. The Epochs have a wider FOV. The Ultravids are smaller and lighter. The Epochs fit my XL hands better.

The Epochs showed some flare which I could get rid of by adjusting my eye position. The Ultravids showed some veiling glare under the same condition. I need to use them at sunrise or sunset to get a real feel for how prone they are to flare.

In terms of sharpness and contrast, I'd say that they're pretty close.

Some dealers are trying to sell the Epochs for $1000. There is no way I would pay that much when the Ultravids are going for $750. But at $160 or even $200 if they don't accept the offer, I would buy the Epochs.

They've got 26 left. Don't miss out!

 

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Brunton Epoch 8x21's

The claimed weight of 13 ounces is getting pretty close to the 16 ounces of the Blue Sky II or Nikon M7 8x30. How are they size-wise?

 

[BinoBoy]

They are about 1/2" longer than the Ultravids.

Amazon says:
Measures 4.3 x 4 x 1.5 inches (W x H x D)

 

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Based on my experience with the 7x33's Celestron Granites, I would stay away from the 9x33.

But the Celestron 8x42 Granite is on sale for $239.99 from amazon.com. I don't have any experience with it either, but it was rated very highly in the Cornell review.

 

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Compared my new Brunton Epoch 8x21's to my Leica Ultravid 8x20's today.

The Epoch's held up better than I expected. The Ultravids have less field curvature. The Epochs have a wider FOV. The Ultravids are smaller and lighter. The Epochs fit my XL hands better.

The Epochs showed some flare which I could get rid of by adjusting my eye position. The Ultravids showed some veiling glare under the same condition. I need to use them at sunrise or sunset to get a real feel for how prone they are to flare.

In terms of sharpness and contrast, I'd say that they're pretty close.

Some dealers are trying to sell the Epochs for $1000. There is no way I would pay that much when the Ultravids are going for $750. But at $160 or even $200 if they don't accept the offer, I would buy the Epochs.

They've got 26 left. Don't miss out!

Boy. They are selling out fast aren't they. I ordered a pair to try them. They accepted a $175.00 offer for one. I offered $150.00 and they countered at $175.00. They are interesting because of the big FOV for a compact.

 

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Boy. They are selling out fast aren't they. I ordered a pair to try them. They accepted a $175.00 offer for one. I offered $150.00 and they countered at $175.00. They are interesting because of the big FOV for a compact.

I got the Brunton Epoch's 8x21's today and I don't think they are all that. HaHa. My pair had a defective focuser which seemed to tighten up in one spot for some reason. Optically they are not bad but in my opinion they are not equal to the alpha compacts like the Nikon LX, Leica Ultravids or the Zeiss Victories. They have more field curvature and they don't seem to be as sharp on-axis either. I really wouldn't pay any more than $150.00 for a pair. I returned mine for the sticky focuser. So they had 7 for sale but now they have 8. Be careful though you might get my returned pair. I compared them to the "worst" optics I own a Leica 8x32 BA and the Leica's literally slayed
the Brunton's. I hope this doesn't make them the brunt of jokes now.

 

[justabirdwatcher]

I had a sneaky suspicion those 8x21's wouldn't be as good as the full size models, which is why I didn't bite. Thanks for the review.

On the other hand, I'm loving my choice to buy a pair of the 9x33 Celestron Granites at that $224 price. That was a steal of a deal.

 

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I had a sneaky suspicion those 8x21's wouldn't be as good as the full size models, which is why I didn't bite. Thanks for the review.

On the other hand, I'm loving my choice to buy a pair of the 9x33 Celestron Granites at that $224 price. That was a steal of a deal.

Did you like the brunt of jokes joke? The Brunton 8x21's are just OK. They don't WOW me. You know what I mean?

 

[BinoBoy]

Hi Dennis,

I'm surprised you had such a negative reaction to the Epoch 8x21's. I thought that they were quite a bit better than the Bresser Montana 8x25 and you were pretty positive about them. You thought that they were close to the alphas at half the price. The Epochs have far better build quality and a wider AFOV. Better optics as well.

The Bresser's I had were from Amazon Warehouse Deals and so may have been a bad sample. I returned them so I don't have them for a side by side comparison. At any rate, I think the Brunton's are a great deal at $160.

Mark

 

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Hi Dennis,

I'm surprised you had such a negative reaction to the Epoch 8x21's. I thought that they were quite a bit better than the Bresser Montana 8x25 and you were pretty positive about them. You thought that they were close to the alphas at half the price. The Epochs have far better build quality and a wider AFOV. Better optics as well.

The Bresser's I had were from Amazon Warehouse Deals and so may have been a bad sample. I returned them so I don't have them for a side by side comparison. At any rate, I think the Brunton's are a great deal at $160.

Mark

I guess the mistake I made was to compare the Brunton Epoch's 8x21 to my Leica Trinovids 8x32 BA and the Leica's just killed them. That is a big advantage in aperture though. My SV' 8x32 murdered them. HaHa. I quickly returned the Brunton's.

 

[BruceH]

Vanguard Endeavor-I 8X42 $199.00

Eagle Optics is offering a $50 reduction off the Vanguard Endeavor -I 8X42 binocular when using the coupon code Vanguard50 at checkout. Offer ends July 5th 2015. Final price is $199.00.

The overall reviews have been very good. Items of note are a fast focus, counter clockwise focus rotation from close to infinity, FOV of 368 ft, and slightly more forward weight than some. There were a few reports a while back of CA issues with a few units which may have been a coating QA issue. I do not recall any reports of CA issues recently. I have one and I think it is a good binocular, especially at $199.00.

 

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Here is a like new pair of Leica Trinovids BN 8x32 for any one looking for these alpha classics. They are great!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leica-Trinovid-BN-8x32-Binoculars-/301670556207?

 

[BruceH]

Swarovski North America EL 10% Off Sale

Proudpapa posted in the Swarovski sub-forum:

All Swarovski EL Swarovision Binocular models went on sale today in the U.S. and Canada. Thru Nov. 15th, 10% off.

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=307202

 

[[email protected]]

The mint Leica Trinovid's 8x32 BN sold for $785.00. Good price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leica-Trino...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

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Here is a nice pair of Leupold 8x42 HD Gold Rings on Astromart for $750.00. These are rare!

http://www.astromart.com/classifieds/details.asp?classified_id=890465

 

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Sale on binoculars at Kauffman Knives.

Kauffman Knives and Optics LLC
Sales and Rebates on Swarovski, Zeiss, and FLIR
Swarovski Swarovision Sale
EL 8x32 $1979, EL 10x32 $2069, EL 8.5x42 $2279, EL 10x42 $2319, EL 10x50 $2499, EL 12x50 $2549.00

Zeiss Summer Rebates
Save from $50 - $150 with mail-in rebates with the purchase of various Zeiss Products.
With the purchase of a Conquest HD 15x56 receive a free MeFoto Tripod ($149 value) - The binos already come with a tripod adapter.

FLIR
Save anywhere from $100 - $1250 on Various FLIR Products from the Scout II line up to the RS 64 Thermosight Rifle Scope line

Thank you for your continued support, we appreciate it!

Phone: 406-980-1035
Website: www.kauffmanknivesandoptics.com
Email:[email protected]

 

[BruceH]

Optics Planet 4th of July 10% Off

Optics Planet is offering a coupon promotion that gets 10% off many items.

Minimum purchase is $50. Max discount is $500

Promotion ends July 5th, 2015 at 11:59 Central Time.

Use coupon code 10JULY4 during checkout.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/

 

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amazon.com has the Alpen Wings ED 8x20 for $120 which is a great price. Optically they are superb for the price.

The Vanguard Orros is currently about $60 on amazon.com. I haven't tried it, but someone here had good comments about it.

 

[Subzero888]

Found on eBay. Listed a new item. Saw only one bid at $899.

Leica Ultravid HD Binoculars Model: 8x42

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leica-Ultra...024?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ee34cd188

 

[brocknroller]

Good buy for European BF members: Used Leica 7x42 Ultravid HD aus Deutschland.

EUR 1,199.00 (US $1,324.36)

Leica-Ultravid-7x42-HD

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