Binocular bargains (3 Viewers)

[FrankD]

Very nice Laura. I look forward to hearing your comments on them.

...and I guess I am going to have to order the Stokes...at that price they are a steal.

...and a fast poster in Sean. I received the same email notification 10 minutes before he posted.

 

[chartwell99]

...and I guess I am going to have to order the Stokes...at that price they are a steal.

I bought my Stokes 8 x 42 at full (Eagle Optics) price two years ago and still consider it a bargain. If you liked the Bausch & Lomb Elite of a decade ago, you will love this binocular as it is, in many ways, an updated and much improved version of the old B & L, both optically as well as mechanically. My hunting friends are not fans of the faster than most focus of the Stokes, but I find it ideal for birding use (and it is not nearly as rapid as the old B & L Elite).

 

[FrankD]

How fast is the focus compared to some of your other bins?

A moderately fast focus I can deal with but I did not like the speed of the little 32 Nikon LX.

 

[Tero]

Jason at Eagle Optics did a price match of sorts on the Leupold 8x42 Cascades that I just ordered. $206.95, including shipping.

If I sell 2, you will have more pairs than my haul for 5 years.

Careful, shelf space! Closet top shelf for all my bin boxes.

 

[chartwell99]

How fast is the focus compared to some of your other bins?

A moderately fast focus I can deal with but I did not like the speed of the little 32 Nikon LX.

It is actually a slightly faster focus than the Nikon 8 x 32 LX (a binocular which I also like a lot, despite the miserable way it hangs from its strap). The B & L Elite focus was so fast that reviewers (Stephen Ingraham included) assumed a shallow depth of field which was not the case. The Stokes is dramatically better on that score, but if you a fan of the old Swaro approach to focussing, you might be disappointed.

 

[lulubelle]

Tero,
I think I have a ways to go before I can match the numbers of bins that you or any of the other "binoholics" have!! If I keep the Cascades, I will only have 5 pairs, which is more than I really ever thought I would have!!

Frank,
Just got home from work and opened them, I amazed at how light they feel! The PM's are almost 2 oz heavier and they (the PM's) feel it. Not impressed with the bag that comes with them - it is ABSOLUTELY NOT field worthy. I have to say the bag is pathetic. Leupold does not put much effort into that area. The bag with the Yosemites was not impressive either, but compared to this one, it is wonderful! Eye caps are hideous - I had forgotten how awful they are!!

 

[falcondude]

The extra pairs are useful especially when I invite friends and visiting family members out for a hike.

 

[ceasar]

Deutsche Optik has a sale on the Minox BL 8 x 42 BR. $199.00.

http://www.deutscheoptik.com/catalo...=1134&osCsid=1363ccc47e1a8256c39a40946fa59b68

Bob

 

[FrankD]

Though not a binocular I thought this would be the easiest place to post about it as we don't have a "Spotting Scope Bargain" thread.

I just picked up a new 20-60x80 scope from Eagle Optics. They are advertising it as an unbadged $500 model which is selling for $200. I just did a minireview of it over in the spotting scope forum. This scope is excellent in terms of optics, "ergonomics" and overall fit and finish. At $200 it is a steal. It is an unmarked Vortex Nomad 80 scope which comes with Eagle Optics Platinum warranty. I would highly recommend it either as a beginner scope or a solid backup for those who have the $1000+ models. Pic below is in comparison to my Pentax 65 ED A.

 

[Tero]

Looks decent. I have the same head and tripod on my Pentax!

 

[Kevin Purcell]

Looks decent. I have the same head and tripod on my Pentax!

Which leads to recommendations for bargain tripods for the bargain scope.

Or is that always a bad idea: I have a Chinese bargain and the tripod is not so bad but the head is not so good (and not replaceable!).

Any suggestions for good value and good performance (a bargain?).

Frank? Tero? Anyone?

 

[Tero]

There are in fact useable tripods in camera stores. Promaster is not good, the head is too wobbly. But I do have a 40 dollar tripod, Sun---something, from Best Buy or Circuit City that will hold the Pentax. It was too short for the straight Pentax but OK for an angled one. 80mm scopes need a pretty steady tripod.

Tripods are easy to test for wobble in the store. If you have a pocket camera with you, try the tripod with maximum zoom.

I had one from Eagle Optics for under 100 dollars. The head snapped in two, where aluminum joins plastic. So it was off the central rod, unrepairable. The break was in the thin aluminum. So do a lot of testing before taking it out in the field.

 

[Steve C]

CameralandNY has Vortex Diamondbacks for $149.00. They still have some Stokes Talon 10x42 for $129.00

 

[FrankD]

Kevin,

What price range are we talking about?

I think I paid somewhere in the low $200s for the head and leg combo I have for the Pentax. Having said that I was just eyeing up a recent Cabelas catalog. They have an interesting Cabelas brand tripod that looks reasonably comparable to the Bogen-Manfrotto model I am using. I believe it is called the Pro 72, or something-72. I will have to get the catalog out later to check it out. All the specs on it look excellent and I think it was selling for right around $130.

They also have a unique Bogen-Manfrotto combo which is retailing for $200. The former seems more in line what you might be looking for though. If you get it then let me know as I am considering it for the Nomad 80.

 

[Redeye171]

Katmai 6 x 32 for $219.00


http://www.adorama.com/LD632WRKN.html

 

[lulubelle]

Eagle Optics
Mail in rebates - $100 off 8x Razor and $150 off 10x

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/vortex/vortex-razor-8x42-binocular

 

[John Dracon]

Folks - When I think of binocular bargains, I think of the old gems found in a pawn shop for $10 bucks or so, or in a garage sale. For whatever reason, the old Bushnell 8x40 featherlights are truly a bargain. While the colors are a little bit washed out, the FOV and resolution are excellent. I have found the IF 8x40s to be nearly water proof and very light. Bushnell was using magnesium bodies way back when and the double eccentric rings allow for very precise colimation. They are simply comfortable for me to look through. I remove the eye cups (I wear glasses) and use 3M gasket rings to protect my glasses and get a full view. If you ever run across a pair, check one out.
John

 

[FrankD]

John,

Thanks for the tip. I have been keeping an eye out for a pair of those bins but haven't had much luck at this point.

 

[Alexis Powell]

cheap Nikon Fieldscope eyepieces

Since there's already been scope talk on this bino thread, I'll mention here that Adorama has drastically cut prices for most Nikon Fieldscope eyepieces. Like drastically.

--AP

 

[OwenM]

Hey guys, I'm out of the market right now, but saw the Meopta 8x32 at Cabelas last night for $649.88.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t.../search-box.jsp.form23&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1