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Binocular bargains (4 Viewers)

BruceH

Avatar: Harris Hawk
...........
I am getting on the Bushnell 8x42 Legend M bandwagon. I ordered one from Ebay. Let's see if they are any better than the Euro.

You will be getting a a $300 to $400 class binocular for $161. Hopefully this one will be of good quality for you.


I bought a Nikon 8x42 Aculon off of Midway for $25.01 , price was $22.47 I had to add something to make it $25 and free shipping, best $25 I ever spent.
...........

My 8X42 showed up from Midway USA Thursday and all is good. It has a very good center view that is sharp, bright and a near natural color balance. The mechanics are solid. It is amazing how little money one can spend to get a nice quality view. It is a true binocular bargain.
 

gcole

Well-known member
Ok, the Euro's are on their way back to Cabela's. I hope they get grease on their hands when they inspect them. I am getting on the Bushnell 8x42 Legend M bandwagon. I ordered one from Ebay. Let's see if they are any better than the Euro.

First off I am sorry to hear about your Cabela EURO, but I am glad you did not get my pair ... perfect focusing with just the right tension for me giving me just the right speed. Diopter looks & feels pretty healthy. I almost bought the Legend M when Rogers Sporting had them first on Ebay for $159. Lets face it .... you, me & many others that post here often that have many BINO years behind us will never be totally satisfied with any binocular made in China no matter what the cost. We are just to Anal when it comes to our optics.
 

[email protected]

Well-known member
Supporter
First off I am sorry to hear about your Cabela EURO, but I am glad you did not get my pair ... perfect focusing with just the right tension for me giving me just the right speed. Diopter looks & feels pretty healthy. I almost bought the Legend M when Rogers Sporting had them first on Ebay for $159. Lets face it .... you, me & many others that post here often that have many BINO years behind us will never be totally satisfied with any binocular made in China no matter what the cost. We are just to Anal when it comes to our optics.
It was weird how the IPD just suddenly loosened up. I think the Euro's could be returns that were sent to Meopta for repairs. There was probably a problem with the IPD and they tightened it but when I used it it loosened up again. Watch your Euro closely to see if it develops any problems. Is it leaking grease? I am buying the Bushnell 8x42 Legend M just for a knock-around binocular. For $160 bucks I wouldn't care if somebody stole it.
 

[email protected]

Well-known member
Supporter
You will be getting a a $300 to $400 class binocular for $161. Hopefully this one will be of good quality for you.




My 8X42 showed up from Midway USA Thursday and all is good. It has a very good center view that is sharp, bright and a near natural color balance. The mechanics are solid. It is amazing how little money one can spend to get a nice quality view. It is a true binocular bargain.
Let us know how the focus is on your Bushnell Legend M 8x42 when you get it.
 

BruceH

Avatar: Harris Hawk
Let us know how the focus is on your Bushnell Legend M 8x42 when you get it.

The Bushnell Legend M 8X42 from the ebay Rogers listing arrived a little bit ago. Looks like UPS Ground is doing Saturday deliveries. I do not know if they were delivered by UPS Ground folks or contracted out as they just left them by the door without knocking.

The focus checks out fine. There is no free play. It is slightly on the stiff side but I can rotate it with one finger and not jerk the binocular. It may loosen up a little with use. There a very slight difference in tension through the full travel but that seems to be going away after a few cycles. It is not a Nikon EDG focus but it is very good and I have no complaints. I do not know if it will get stiff in the CO cold like your old Sightron. So far, everything else checks out fine. The eye cup and hinge mechanics are good and the color balance looks close to neutral. Dennis, you will be happy to know that no grease is oozing out of the focus!
 

[email protected]

Well-known member
Supporter
The Bushnell Legend M 8X42 from the ebay Rogers listing arrived a little bit ago. Looks like UPS Ground is doing Saturday deliveries. I do not know if they were delivered by UPS Ground folks or contracted out as they just left them by the door without knocking.

The focus checks out fine. There is no free play. It is slightly on the stiff side but I can rotate it with one finger and not jerk the binocular. It may loosen up a little with use. There a very slight difference in tension through the full travel but that seems to be going away after a few cycles. It is not a Nikon EDG focus but it is very good and I have no complaints. I do not know if it will get stiff in the CO cold like your old Sightron. So far, everything else checks out fine. The eye cup and hinge mechanics are good and the color balance looks close to neutral. Dennis, you will be happy to know that no grease is oozing out of the focus!
The Cabela's Euro HD 8x32 did two things that I have never experienced on any of my binoculars even the Chinese ones. Oozed grease from the focus mechanism and the IPD tension loosened up so much the binoculars were unusable. No more Meopta's for me. Nikon has the best focusers don't they. Even the Nikon Action has a better focuser than a Swaro. Thanks for the feedback Bruce.
 
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Gilmore Girl

Beth
Supporter
United States
The Cabela's Euro HD 8x32 did two things that I have never experienced on any of my binoculars even the Chinese ones. Oozed grease from the focus mechanism and the IPD tension loosened up so much the binoculars were unusable. No more Meopta's for me. Nikon has the best focusers don't they. Even the Nikon Action has a better focuser than a Swaro. Thanks for the feedback Bruce.

Dennis,

You just reminded me ... the Euro HD I had briefly had the same issue with hinge being a bit loose and changing the IPD setting. I also remember someone else on the forum mentioned the same problem.

My sample didn't have oozing grease. Focus was a little too tight, but precise.
 

NDhunter

Experienced observer
United States
You will be getting a a $300 to $400 class binocular for $161. Hopefully this one will be of good quality for you.




My 8X42 showed up from Midway USA Thursday and all is good. It has a very good center view that is sharp, bright and a near natural color balance. The mechanics are solid. It is amazing how little money one can spend to get a nice quality view. It is a true binocular bargain.

Bruce and Steve: I also ordered the Nikon Aculon 8x42, and found it
much the same, nice fit and finish, and a very good center view. This
would be a great starter binocular. I find the 8x42 to be better than
the 7x35, that one seems to have a smaller sweet spot, and a bit dimmer.

My 8x42 refurb. seems like new, and works like that. This model size
may be the sweet spot in the Aculon lineup. If there are any left at
Midway, for those watching, I would check. A great Christmas gift, and
more than that.

Jerry
 

[email protected]

Well-known member
Supporter
Dennis,

You just reminded me ... the Euro HD I had briefly had the same issue with hinge being a bit loose and changing the IPD setting. I also remember someone else on the forum mentioned the same problem.

My sample didn't have oozing grease. Focus was a little too tight, but precise.
In all the binoculars I have had none has ever developed a loose IPD hinge until the Euro. What was really weird is one moment it was tight and then "bam" it was so loose it would not begin to stay in position. It is something that would have to go back to Meopta to be repaired also and then I would worry it would happen again. Back to Cabela's.
 

chill6x6

Well-known member
Chuck, if you feel like taking a China gamble, go for it. If you get a good one (and I think the odds are better as a Bushnell than say a Zen Ray), you will most likely find it superior to the Eagle Optics you bought recently. The $161 price is an incredible buy for what it provides, assuming consistent good quality.

Agree on Rogers. They provided great customer service to me a couple of years ago on a Zeiss UPS mangled shipment.

Well Bruce I bit on it! I supposed it arrived safe and sound. Doing a little birding on the Gulf coast so I haven't even seen it. Sounds like nice binocular by all accounts.

In all the binoculars I have had none has ever developed a loose IPD hinge until the Euro. What was really weird is one moment it was tight and then "bam" it was so loose it would not begin to stay in position. It is something that would have to go back to Meopta to be repaired also and then I would worry it would happen again. Back to Cabela's.

I got mine but haven't even looked at it. I put it up and headed to the coast. Hate you had an issue...
 

ceasar

Well-known member
Thus ends another episode of 'Denco's Duds'.... One man's eternally heartbreaking search
for a cheap binocular that will please in all aspects for eternity, or until he grows tired of it, and seeks a new optical thrill, which all too often ends up being the same binocular clad in a different outfit, much to his dismay and disappointment..

Next week's episode: Bushnell, 'The Legend' Mwah... (steeply discounted)
Fulfillment or Fraud?

:-O3:)
 

[email protected]

Well-known member
Supporter
"One man's eternally heartbreaking search for a cheap binocular that will please in all aspects for eternity"

Not just cheap binoculars. I have searched at all price ranges including the alpha's but I must say I enjoy the hunt. I just like trying different binoculars. Stay tuned for the next episode. "Bushnell M...To keep or not to keep. That is the question. Or is a Bushnell focuser really as tight as a Habicht's?".:king:
 
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mooreorless

Well-known member
Bruce and Steve: I also ordered the Nikon Aculon 8x42, and found it
much the same, nice fit and finish, and a very good center view. This
would be a great starter binocular. I find the 8x42 to be better than
the 7x35, that one seems to have a smaller sweet spot, and a bit dimmer.

My 8x42 refurb. seems like new, and works like that. This model size
may be the sweet spot in the Aculon lineup. If there are any left at
Midway, for those watching, I would check. A great Christmas gift, and
more than that.

Jerry

Jerry I don't see any moore;) of the Nikon 8x42 Aculon refurb binocular. I think we bought them all. I would of liked to get on of the 10x25 for my Grandson, but that is ok I have another I might give him. One of the best $25 I have spent.
 
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dries1

Member
New member here,

I was at Cabelas today, saw the euro 8X32 and while the store viewing did not compare to being outside, it seemed good, much better view than the nikon Monarch 7 8X30 which I also . They only had the store sample, (none currently for sale) and the first thing I noticed made me aware of the statements made here - try it before you buy it - and how does it fit your facial features.
I found the eyecups small, not as comfortable in my eye sockets as my old 8X32Hgs, and the ocular seemed small, I guess I feel more comfortable with a large diameter ocular lens.
Should it fit someone, and there will be many, it is a good deal for $450 a nice compact glass with good build.

Andy W.


There were no Nikon HG models to view, I guess it may take a while before they get behind the counter
 

RioTuitoBirder

parrotstowarblers.weebly. com
I am pleased to see some of the more recent binocular reviews were favorable to the ones I have and am acquiring. I'm not especially savvy or picky but as I'm going on my first serious birdwatching expedition in Mexico soon I felt an upgrade was in order. For a couple years I've been using a pair of Nikon Aculon 8x42's which were a serious upgrade from my old Adams 7x35's. They really seemed to brighten up the views in the forests and jungles where I like to roam. What's coming in the mail on Tuesday is a set of Bushnell Legend M 8x42. They seemed to compare favorably to the highly recommended Nikon Monarchs at a lower price point on Amazon. Of course there are a lot of choices on Monarchs but my eyes began to glaze over with all the comparisons and the specs which I frankly can't fathom just yet. It looks like there is plenty of positive buzz about the Legend so I'm feeling good about my choice. Some of us just don't have the capital (or the keen eye) to benefit from a $3,000 Swarovski purchase. Thanks for sharing, folks. I'll let you know how the new 'nocs work out!
 

[email protected]

Well-known member
Supporter
New member here,

I was at Cabelas today, saw the euro 8X32 and while the store viewing did not compare to being outside, it seemed good, much better view than the nikon Monarch 7 8X30 which I also . They only had the store sample, (none currently for sale) and the first thing I noticed made me aware of the statements made here - try it before you buy it - and how does it fit your facial features.
I found the eyecups small, not as comfortable in my eye sockets as my old 8X32Hgs, and the ocular seemed small, I guess I feel more comfortable with a large diameter ocular lens.
Should it fit someone, and there will be many, it is a good deal for $450 a nice compact glass with good build.

Andy W.


There were no Nikon HG models to view, I guess it may take a while before they get behind the counter
The Euro HD has smaller than average eyecups which creates problems because you tend to insert them into your eye sockets too far and then you have too much ER and you get blackouts. After the IPD hinge loosened up on mine I would steer clear of them. They have QA issues or at least mine did. Could be an isolated issue I guess.
 
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[email protected]

Well-known member
Supporter
I am pleased to see some of the more recent binocular reviews were favorable to the ones I have and am acquiring. I'm not especially savvy or picky but as I'm going on my first serious birdwatching expedition in Mexico soon I felt an upgrade was in order. For a couple years I've been using a pair of Nikon Aculon 8x42's which were a serious upgrade from my old Adams 7x35's. They really seemed to brighten up the views in the forests and jungles where I like to roam. What's coming in the mail on Tuesday is a set of Bushnell Legend M 8x42. They seemed to compare favorably to the highly recommended Nikon Monarchs at a lower price point on Amazon. Of course there are a lot of choices on Monarchs but my eyes began to glaze over with all the comparisons and the specs which I frankly can't fathom just yet. It looks like there is plenty of positive buzz about the Legend so I'm feeling good about my choice. Some of us just don't have the capital (or the keen eye) to benefit from a $3,000 Swarovski purchase. Thanks for sharing, folks. I'll let you know how the new 'nocs work out!
I have a pair of the Bushnell M's 8x42 coming next week also. Let us know how the focus is.
 

wdc

Well-known member
.... I must say I enjoy the hunt. I just like trying different binoculars.

... Or is a Bushnell focuser really as tight as a Habicht's?".:king:

I think many enjoy the hunt here.

As far as focusers go, I've found the Tract Toric to be the stiffest among the binoculars I've owned and/or tried, with the Zeiss Conquest the least. We'll see where the Legend lands on that spectrum.

Bill
 

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