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Choosing 10 x 42 Binoculars (1 Viewer)

Twodoh

Member
Australia
Hello all


Hello and greetings to you all. Thank you for accepting me into Birdforum. I am a 68 year old man and I live in northern New South Wales, Australia. I have become actively involved in Bird Watching in last last 3 to 4 years since i have retired and it has become a very joyful activity for me. I am learning slowly, but I am learning! I have had the privilege to meet some lovely people who are willing and have the patience to help we less knowledgeable birders. It is a great community to be part of :))
i am looking at buying a pair of 10 x 42 Binoculars to augment my Zeiss SFL 8 x 40. The 10 x 42s will not be used as regularly so i have a lower budget for them. Following my research on Birdforum and other places and my budget of $700 to $800 AUD (~>$500 USD) and what is readily available in Australia i have narrowed my potential options to Nikon Monarch M7 for ~$600 and Vortex Viper ~$800. They seem to have similar specs but the Viper has a lifetime warranty. I am unable to confirm the warranty in Australia for the Nikons but it may be 2 years or 10 years. I am waiting to hear from Nikon. I was hoping that some members of the forum may have experience with both models and offer me their opinions. Sadly i am unable to view a Viper model where i live and i will need to travel most likely to Brisbane 2.5 hours away.
Where is the appropriate place for me to post my binocular request?
than you for having me and for your assistance with my request.
kind regards
Twodoh
 
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Hello and welcome to Birdforum... are you sure that 10x will be enough for the uses you envision (but haven't stated)? It's not so dramatic a difference from 8x, as you'll find when you visit a store, so you may want to consider 12x, or just spare the expense.
 
There will always be a bird which is too far away, too small, or too well hidden to see well. Shrug those off, and go find one you can see better, or if you are a “sit and wait” birder, another one will be along soon.

Dashing about festooned with binoculars, and dragging a scope, and perhaps a camera with additional lenses is not my way to enjoy birding and nature watching.

Obviously many here will disagree vehemently, and I guess it’s a case of “to each his own version of enjoyment”.
 
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Thank you for your replies. I take it from the comments that there appears to be minimal advantage for me in having 10 x 42 binoculars? I was not envisaging carrying both pairs of my binos at the same time .... really just a choice to use greater magnification when i felt it may be appropriate. I had not considered going up to 12 x magnification as i will not be able to hand hold it and i do not want to be using a tripod.
Also my budget is $600 to $800. In Australia the Nikon MHG 10 x 42 costs ~$1500 dollars or more. That is why i have been investigating the options in my post.
Thank you
Terry
 
I think it really makes sense having a 8x32 and a 10x42.
Is see enough difference between 8x and 10x. When I am using 8x, I always have the feeling I am missing something. I have a SLC 8x42 for low light (owls, deer, dark woods etc.) a NL 10x32 for birdwatching during the day and an EL 12x50 for wetlands, meadows, etc, but also for low light at open fields.

A 50/52 is quite heavy. I carry my EL 12x50 mostly with an harness.
If your budget is limited, I would spend it on one better binocular, rather than diluting it by buying two.

For the majority of ordinary bird and nature observation, an 8X32 will serve you well.

Buy the best you can afford, used if you can find a honest dealer/seller. I doubt you will be able to exhaust its capabilities.
 
I take it from the comments that there appears to be minimal advantage for me in having 10 x 42 binoculars?
It depends on the purpose/situation you had in mind, which you haven't stated. Some birds will always be too far away. See this similar thread:
My own feeling is that one chooses 8x or 10x depending on one's most typical use. For me it's 10x, and I could live without an 8x at all, though spending too much time on this forum convinced me to buy a Nikon E II 8x30 which is a lovely (affordable) classic and does give a significantly wider FOV, on rare occasions when that matters. My real and more often used alternative is 15x, which is an appreciable difference, as 12x is from 8. But some people do like to have 8x32 and 10x42, or even consider that a classic pairing. It's all a matter of personal taste (and budget). I suspect you may find that a 10x42 doesn't deliver enough to justify its additional weight over your 8x40 SFL, but it would be good to visit a store and find out.
 
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I thought it is worth mentioning my personal experience regarding x10 binocular selection.

In general, it is easier to make x8 binoculars with good performance than higher-power binoculars including x10. Therefore, most people recognize x8 binoculars in the mid-price range have fewer abbreviations compared to their x10 power counterparts. Therefore, there is a real danger of buying a relatively cheap x10 binocular compared to the price you spent for your x8. Because you might be frustrated after a while of using it and start to think about upgrading it.

It happened to me after buying an SFL 10x40 to complement an NL 8x42. The relatively weak CA performance in SFL 10x40 (compared to NL 8x42) made me feel like upgrading to an NL x10.

I also second the opinion of buying an MHG 10x42 to complement your SFL. It is worth buying a good pair even after waiting some to collect sufficient funds. The other option of buying a scope instead is also worth considering. Even a cheaper scope would provide you with more details of birds if you are ok with carrying it with a tripod.
 
Hi,

first of all, welcome to birdforum!

In my opinion getting a 10x42 pair to complement an SFL 8x40 with a budget of 800 aussie dollars is kinda futile unless you are patient and lucky and manage to get a super cheap used SE 10x42 from somewhere for 500 USD or thereabouts... like me many years ago...

Otherwise there will be quite a difference in view and haptics between the budget 10x42 and the premium SFL... so you will either:

- notice that you use the 10x42 pair not very often (like me, even with a very good 10x42) pair)...

- like the 10x42 format a lot and always long for a better one... leading to another buy...

My advice would be to first try a 10x42 pair for more than a minute either in a store or from a fellow birder to check if the limited true field of view in combination with the stronger effect of the inevitable microtremors work for you.

And then either to save up for a better pair of 10x42 or, more probably, for a scope and tripod, as this will give you all the magnifcation you could ever want and no problem with shaking. Or something completely different like a pair of stabilized bins...

Joachim
 
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This Japanese eBay seller will ship to Australia. Nikon HG 10x42 for $886.51 plus tax. A 10x42 HG would compliment your 8x40 SFL very well.

Hello
I have investigated this listing and the price quoted is in USD. Once i convert into AUD the cost to me will be around $1500 AUD. I would love to consider thrse but they are way above my budget. In the $400 to $500 USD range what do you think may be the best binoculars for me to consider?? I was considering the Monarch M7 and the Vortex Viper.

Thank you
 
This Japanese eBay seller will ship to Australia.
Hello
I have investigated this listing and the price quoted is in USD. Once i convert into AUD the cost to me will be around $1500 AUD. I would love to consider thrse but they are way above my budget. In the $400 to $500 USD range what do you think may be the best binoculars for me to consider?? I was considering the Monarch M7 and the Vortex Viper.

Thank you
As a 2nd choice, Monarch M7.
 
10x provide a 25% larger image size which is nothing to sneeze at. I have upgraded all my 8x binoculars to either 10x or 12x ones. The 12x50 are the largest and the heaviest and used only in open country from my truck. The Swarovski 10x25 are my most used binoculars and weigh only 12 ounces. I have Swarovski 10x32 that are my house binoculars. My Pentax 10x43 are my truck binoculars that I do not fret if they get stolen.

The quality of the optics becomes more of an issue with greater magnification. With 12x binoculars the differences between the Vortex Viper and Vortex Razor HD was quite noticeable. Less of discernible difference between the Razor HD and the Razor UHD with the 12x50 ones.

I owned the Monarch 10x42 and they were excellent and relatively compact and much like a 8x42 in size and feel. I sold mine when I moved to a 12x50 binocular. When trying to ID a songbird that is more than 100 feet away my eyes need all the help they can get.
 
10x provide a 25% larger image size which is nothing to sneeze at. I have upgraded all my 8x binoculars to either 10x or 12x ones. The 12x50 are the largest and the heaviest and used only in open country from my truck. The Swarovski 10x25 are my most used binoculars and weigh only 12 ounces. I have Swarovski 10x32 that are my house binoculars. My Pentax 10x43 are my truck binoculars that I do not fret if they get stolen.

The quality of the optics becomes more of an issue with greater magnification. With 12x binoculars the differences between the Vortex Viper and Vortex Razor HD was quite noticeable. Less of discernible difference between the Razor HD and the Razor UHD with the 12x50 ones.

I owned the Monarch 10x42 and they were excellent and relatively compact and much like a 8x42 in size and feel. I sold mine when I moved to a 12x50 binocular. When trying to ID a songbird that is more than 100 feet away my eyes need all the help they can get.
With additional magnification you have additional shake also which reduces resolution and negates the advantage of the higher magnification. Try reading a dollar bill sometime at 100 ft with a 8x42 and then a 10x42. It might surprise you.
 
10x provide a 25% larger image size which is nothing to sneeze at. I have upgraded all my 8x binoculars to either 10x or 12x ones. The 12x50 are the largest and the heaviest and used only in open country from my truck. The Swarovski 10x25 are my most used binoculars and weigh only 12 ounces. I have Swarovski 10x32 that are my house binoculars. My Pentax 10x43 are my truck binoculars that I do not fret if they get stolen.

The quality of the optics becomes more of an issue with greater magnification. With 12x binoculars the differences between the Vortex Viper and Vortex Razor HD was quite noticeable. Less of discernible difference between the Razor HD and the Razor UHD with the 12x50 ones.

I owned the Monarch 10x42 and they were excellent and relatively compact and much like a 8x42 in size and feel. I sold mine when I moved to a 12x50 binocular. When trying to ID a songbird that is more than 100 feet away my eyes need all the help they can get.
 
Thank you. I had not even considered 10 x 32 as i thought i would lose too much light gathering which would impact on overcast days or in hevily shaded areas?
So from your experience were the Monarch 7s satisfactory? I have been focussed on the Monarch M7 or the Vortex Vipers but maybe there are other options in the ~%500 USD range to consider. I have noted elsewher that some people enjoy the Kowa BD 10 x binos but maybe there are other good options in this price range to consider?

Ibhave appreciated all the feed back i have received on this post. It has all been constructive and helpful. In considering the feedback I am also wieghing up the pros and cons of keepimg my powder dry and saving up to get say a pair of 10 x Nikon HGs but this may take me some time.
My thanks to you all for your assistance.
 
Hi,

first of all, welcome to birdforum!

In my opinion getting a 10x42 pair to complement an SFL 8x40 with a budget of 800 aussie dollars is kinda futile unless you are patient and lucky and manage to get a super cheap used SE 10x42 from somewhere for 500 USD or thereabouts... like me many years ago...

Otherwise there will be quite a difference in view and haptics between the budget 10x42 and the premium SFL... so you will either:

- notice that you use the 10x42 pair not very often (like me, even with a very good 10x42) pair)...

- like the 10x42 format a lot and always long for a better one... leading to another buy...

My advice would be to first try a 10x42 pair for more than a minute either in a store or from a fellow birder to check if the limited true field of view in combination with the stronger effect of the inevitable microtremors work for you.

And then either to save up for a better pair of 10x42 or, more probably, for a scope and tripod, as this will give you all the magnifcation you could ever want and no problem with shaking. Or something completely different like a pair of stabilized bins...

Joachim
Thankyou Joachim 😀
 

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