Brunton Optics (2 Viewers)

[bcurrie]

Okay, I just did a search and only two things came back, also asking questions with no answer. So, does anybody have a pair of these? I am looking at getting the eterna line, the 4008 model (10X42). I have tried them, and really like them. I know about Brunton and that they are relatively new in the binocular field. Has anyone had experience with Brunton optics? I know about power and the amount of light any given pair lets in, just looking for specific users of Brunton.

IanF, do you still like your Leica's? Which model number are they?

To those that are interested, I also found out that Brunton is coming out with spotting scopes for the first time. They are due to come out in January 2004. They suggested retail price is $999 (U.S.).

 

[IanF]

Hi Brian,

I´m afraid I´ve never come across Brunton before, perhaps it isn´t a brand seen over here or I´ve had my eyes closed!

I do still like my Leicas. I have the 8x32BA´s which have now been replaced by the 8x32BN. I sometimes wish I had held out for the 8x42´s which have a wider field of view, but really they are quite a bit heavier. I find the 8x32 and a nice handy size nad weight for me to cart around all day without knowing they are really there. I brought them with me to Majorca on holiday this year instead of my Leica 10x25 compacts. It could be why I´m finding a lot more different birds to identify rather than them all being LBJ´s !

I still think it´s down to personal preference as to which brand you buy as the shape of binoculars varies between manufacturers. I like the shape of the Leicas, but not the Swarovskis the only other brand that I considered.

 

[Tero]

I looked at some Brunton Echos. The 32mm and 42mm were actually quite good for non phase coated binoculars, reminds me a bit of Nikon Sporters. I was surprised the the 8x32 was as bright as it was. Brunton seems to only add phase coating in the high end.

The 10x32 I think I did not see, but they had a 10x42, it was OK. For binoculars in the 200-250 dollar range, don't pay much more, they were OK.

I am not very excited about the expensive Bruntons, did wish to see the Eterna 10x25, sells for 220-250, at some point. The Epoch compact is pretty good at 315ft FOV, and phase coated, but I do not wish to pay 600 for much any compacts, including the top 3.

The Nikon high grade 10x25 I still need to see a second time somewhere.

 

[richt]

I looked at some Brunton Echos. The 32mm and 42mm were actually quite good for non phase coated binoculars

I am not very excited about the expensive Bruntons, did wish to see the Eterna 10x25, sells for 220-250, at some point.

As Tero says the non phase coated Brunton's are actually rather surprising as long as you bear in mind what price area we are in
Over a year ago i bought a new 8 x 25 Brunton roof tech lite for a silly price (£15) which not only produces a wide decent image (8.2 fov) but has survived well in weather and adverse conditions
Its certainly fog and water proof which is astonishing in itself bearing in mind the cost
It has i suspect Chinese type multi coating but is quite bright in use
I have used this back packing and walking and also for watching cricket etc
Basically good value and solidly constructed but of course soon out performed optically by reverse porro models

There are certainly worse models around for more money and i believe this model now has twist up eyecups but beware the eye relief is not a winner for folk who wear eyeglasses

Regards
RichT

 

[Tero]

Yes, but where the Echos fill a need is in the 32mm, as the reverese porros rarely
reach that size. If one insists on a 10x32, these are one of the few out there for under $300 worth even a look.

My compromise is the 9x25mm reverese porros. Bright comapred to 10x25 in winter.

 

[Otto McDiesel]

Brunton: overpriced, mid-range quality. They just re-badge binoculars made in China or Japan. You can find the same product/performance for 20-30% less if you buy optics with a different name on them.

 

[richt]

Brunton: overpriced, mid-range quality. They just re-badge binoculars made in China or Japan. You can find the same product/performance for 20-30% less if you buy optics with a different name on them.

Hi Luca

The 8 x 25 Brunton's i referred to are actually the budget type line and are i think $70-90 dollars in the states
I think you may well be correct on the higher end options from this maker but at the low end i found these to be competent enough and better than some "bargain billies" i have had the misfortune to peer through

Regards
RichT

 

[Tero]

There was no recommendation of high end Bruntons here. I just prefer the Echo to some Buhnells. There may be some Bushnells that are very similar quality but cheaper. Depends on model and size. I did not buy any of their products, as the weight of the 32mm is almost the same as my 42mm Monarchs.

What I was trying to say is that the waterproof Echo series may be the same as the middle series, just that the phase coating is missing. Sort of like Sporter vs. Monarch, which are similar, but not same in any parts.

 

[FrankD]

My experiences mirror others at this point. I thought the mid to low price Bruntons were fairly decent in terms of optical quality. I had a pair of the 8x25 Lite-Techs 3 or 4 years ago and was fairly impressed by their build quality, and somewhat their optical quality.

I haven't looked at the high end Epochs for some time as they were criticized heavily for excessive chromatic abberation.

 

[Tero]

The high end is probably not worth the money.

 

[FrankD]

I have seen them on sale/clearance at a few places like the sportsmans guide. That 7.5x seems like an interesting configuration. If I could find a pair for better than half price I might be convinced to pick them up. ;-)

 

[Otto McDiesel]

I have seen them on sale/clearance at a few places like the sportsmans guide. That 7.5x seems like an interesting configuration. If I could find a pair for better than half price I might be convinced to pick them up. ;-)

The 7.5x43 Epoch is very nice. I looked through them and i liked the image quality. However, they don't have very good baffling - i saw too much flare and stray reflexions for a $1500 glass. Also, their field of view is limited. As is, if you find a refurbished one for $600, they are a good deal.
The 8.5x43 is not much better than the Swift 8.5x roof - i am guessing that it is based on the same optical platform but it has better coatings.
The 10.5x43 is a stupid joke.
Overall, good binoculars for $600-$700, but a rip-off at $1500.
The echo and the Eterna lines are also good/decent binoculars, but their quality is the same as models costing $100 or more less.

 

[FrankD]

However, they don't have very good baffling - i saw too much flare and stray reflexions for a $1500 glass. Also, their field of view is limited. As is, if you find a refurbished one for $600, they are a good deal.

I seem to remember seeing refurbs at the sportsmans guide for around $700 and I do know there are several models in the Cabelas bargain cave but timing now is an issue. I have to actually move a few of my bins before I could even contemplate purchasing another more expensive model. Something to think about though.

 

[Otto McDiesel]

I have to actually move a few of my bins before I could even contemplate purchasing another more expensive model. Something to think about though.

Frank, if you have a Trinovid 7x42, there is no reason in the world to even contemplate the Bruntons. Both of us would be better off spending more time birding and less time and money contemplating binoculars.

 

[Tero]

What I was thinking is that the Eterna
http://www.opticsplanet.net/brunton-eterna-mid-size-10x32-waterproof-binoculars.html
is the same as the Echo, only with phase coatings and cosmetic changes. The Eterna being essentially Monarch level optics, and the Echo the Sporter with a few coatings added. That way they may look priced correctly.

 

[Otto McDiesel]

Tero, you are right about optics, the Echo are plastic binoculars of about Nikon Sporter performance. The Eterna are metal bodied, of about Nikon Monarch performance or slightly better. The 8x45 Eterna is not bad, just big, heavy, pricey, and it has a small FOV - 315 ft. (meaning it's bad).

 

[FrankD]

Frank, if you have a Trinovid 7x42, there is no reason in the world to even contemplate the Bruntons. Both of us would be better off spending more time birding and less time and money contemplating binoculars.

Isn't that the truth?

Luckily this is the time of the year for the Christmas bird counts. I was out on one this past Saturday and have two more over the New Years weekend.

 

[NWBirder]

Brunton: overpriced, mid-range quality. They just re-badge binoculars made in China or Japan. You can find the same product/performance for 20-30% less if you buy optics with a different name on them.

well, I won't necessarily call Brunton "overpriced". It is all relative. I got one 10x42 from REI for $249, which stands up perfectly well against Leupold Wind River Olympic 8x42 for $349. Binoculars are no longer the products that only a privileged few can afford. So, I won't have issue with rebadging.

Then, after I got a pair of Zen-Ray SUMMIT 10x42 for $149 shipped on ebay after following discussion on another forum. I compared it against the Brunton ECHO. I start understanding why you call it overpriced. Essentially, I got more with phase coating for SUMMIT for $100 less. The store has 90 days return policy, I guess I still have two weeks to send the Brunton back..

BTW, I think you can get SUMMIT for $125 before 1/15 with coupon floating around, which is a real bargain in my view.

 

[Tero]

Try the Bruntons for a few weeks, the lenses seem to be OK. I used my Nikon Sporter 10x39 for two years. The lenses are fine, it just has no phase correction. The result is an obvious dimness on cloudy days.

 

[Tero]

Someone else had similar experiences, they liked the oddball Zen-Ray
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=455029