Docter 8x42 and 10x42 for $399 (3 Viewers)

[Otto McDiesel]

..at http://www.cdnninvestments.com/dobi.html. This is a respectable company (cdnn), selling excellent binos (Docter) and the quality/price ratio is sky high. Grab 'em folks!

 

[Hogjaws]

Otto, or anyone else:

..at http://www.cdnninvestments.com/dobi.html. This is a respectable company (cdnn), selling excellent binos (Docter) and the quality/price ratio is sky high. Grab 'em folks!

I cannot get this link, can someone post the company name and phone number please?

Thanks,

Hogjaws

 

[Otto McDiesel]

I cannot get this link, can someone post the company name and phone number please?

Thanks,


CDNN Sports, Inc.
P.O. Box 6514 • Abilene, TX 79608
800-588-9500 • FAX 325-695-4898
[email protected]

 

[moman]

..at http://www.cdnninvestments.com/dobi.html. This is a respectable company (cdnn), selling excellent binos (Docter) and the quality/price ratio is sky high. Grab 'em folks!

I just ordered a pair at $399. At that price I couldn't resist. I was surprised to see that they are phase coated. I'll share my impressions when I receive them--probably on Friday 12/2/05 (I'll compare them to my Zeiss 8x42 Victory FL's).

 

[Otto McDiesel]

I just ordered a pair at $399. At that price I couldn't resist. I was surprised to see that they are phase coated. I'll share my impressions when I receive them--probably on Friday 12/2/05 (I'll compare them to my Zeiss 8x42 Victory FL's).

Please do so!!!

 

[Bowman]

I own Docter Nobilem 10X50 and 10X25 and both are superb! Anybody that will lay hands on Docter will be a very lucky and pleased one!

 

[Hogjaws]

I ended up getting a pair of 8X42's. After I get a chance to use them (probably in several weeks), I will post my observations. So far, I can say they handle very well, aren't exceptionally bright, but have great contrast. The view is very comforatable.

Hogjaws

Hogjaws is me name, eating be my game.

 

[moman]

Received my 8x42 Docter binoculars

I just received my $399 Docter binoculars and compared them with my Zeiss 8x42 FL's. I tested them inside and outisde on this very cloudy late afternoon. I'll be comparing them in bright sunlight as soon as I can.
First a word about my Zeiss 8x42 FL's. From what I've read elsewhere, my pair is a cherry. They are needle sharp and extremely bright and contrasty; and contrary to what is indicated in other reviews, this extends just about to the very edges (I also have a pair of 7x42 FL's which are also superb to nearly the very edges--I guess I got lucky twice).
Now for the Docters: I fully expected my FL's to blow them away. They did not. I was amazed at the optical quality of the Docters--and I won't qualify this by saying "for the money". I won't settle for less quality because binoculars are less expensive.
Specifically, sharpness and contrast seem about the same, although the Zeiss seem a bit brighter (I suspect you may see more of a difference in brightness if you are younger than I and your pupils dilate more than mine). The Docter's fall off more at the edges and have a narrower field of view than the Zeiss (although published specs indicate they have about the same f.o.v.). When I lift my Zeiss to my eyes I immediately see a superb and easy image right to the very edges with very little, if any, fall off of sharpness or brightness. When I lift the Docters to my eyes I also see a superb image, but with a slight but definite fall-off at the edges. The edges however can be brought into sharp focus by re-focusing. And keep in mind that much of my testing was looking at flat surfaces. Very few things are flat in nature, so this fall-off should not be much of an issue in day to day use. A few other points worth mentioning: The Docters are more compact than the Zeiss, but I don't know if they are nitrogen filled and phase corrected as are the Zeiss--although I seem to remember reading somewhre that they are (can anyone tell me?).
So, to conclude: These Docter's seem to be the bargain of the century, and you may want to pounce on them before this dealer raises his prices.

 

[moman]

Please do so!!!

Check out my recent review.

 

[Tero]

Heh, at least you are having fun. I need more birds, bins can also be fun then.

I don't think I can buy binoculars, at any price over 100, without seeing them first. Unless there is a return policy.

 

[mooreorless]

Check out my recent review.

Hello,Use polarized sunglass lens to check for phase-coating,one lens at occular end and one at objective end,look through objective end and turn polarized lens at occular end,view should get dark and light if p-coated and if not phase-coated 1/2 view should get light and 1/2 get dark when turning lens.It is nice if you have two pair of polarized sun glasses.
Steve

 

[moman]

Heh, at least you are having fun. I need more birds, bins can also be fun then.

I don't think I can buy binoculars, at any price over 100, without seeing them first. Unless there is a return policy.

Thirty days, I believe.

 

[ranburr]

They are nitrogen filled and phase corrected.

ranburr

 

[Otto McDiesel]

I was amazed at the optical quality of the Docters--and I won't qualify this by saying "for the money". I won't settle for less quality because binoculars are less expensive.
These Docter's seem to be the bargain of the century

We told you so, didn't we?

 

[KDGast]

Docter 8x42

We told you so, didn't we?

I just ordered a pair for $399 and certainly hope everyone's good comments about them are correct. The prices I see every place else for these binos are much higher.

 

[Hogjaws]

MOMAN:

Would you place the Docters fairly close to Zeiss Classics or SLCs? I would probably place them just slightly below these two. The Docter 8X42s have CA (avery acceptable amount that is), and a great view.

Hogjaws,

Hogjaws is me name, eatin be my game!

 

[moman]

MOMAN:

Would you place the Docters fairly close to Zeiss Classics or SLCs? I would probably place them just slightly below these two. The Docter 8X42s have CA (avery acceptable amount that is), and a great view.

Hogjaws,

Hogjaws is me name, eatin be my game!

Hi,
I've always liked the SLC's, but without doing a side by side comparison it would be hard to say. Are you referring to the Zeiss 7x42 classics? Also very nice binoculars, but I no longer own a pair so I can't compare--Also the classics have an extremely wide view but many people think 7 is not enough power.
I did have a chance to take the 8x42 Docter's and the 8x42 Victory FL's outside on a sunny day. I appreciated the greater edge sharpness of the Zeiss more than I thought I would, but I think that most people looking through the Docter's would be very impressed. if you do a side by side comparison with other top-of-the-line binoculars you may or may not think one is better than the other, and I'm sure that what one person prefers another would not. But I don't think anyone would have any misgivings about owning the Docter's.
I did notice some CA with the Doctor's, but as you say, a very acceptable amount. I didn't notice any with the FL's.

 

[bodromarsh]

Review of Docter 8x42 for $399

My number one favorite pair of binos is Leica 8x42 Trinovid. It is my reference for all other binos, and sets a very high bar indeed. I have recently purchased a pair of the Docter 8x42 center focus, and have been very favorably impressed.

The Docter have a very sleek, streamlined body. There is nothing extra on them to get in the way. They feel very solid. The center hinge is smooth with a nice tightness to it. The eyecups roll out very smoothly, and at their extremity they go to their max height, and then settle a mm or so into their fully extended position. They are comfortable next to your face. The focus wheel has very good feel and seems of an appropriate speed. A weakness is the individual dipoter adjustment, which is a lever just forward of the focus wheel. There is no way to lock it in, and is constantly being shifted out of the selected position. I have learned to always feel for it before focusing. The focus wheel turns opposite of my Leica, which is disorienting, but not necessarily a flaw.

When I look through the Docters I am very impressed with the view. I would say they could be a little brighter, but it is not bad. There is no problem gathering light in the evening or early morning, the image just seems a little less bright than optimal. They are very sharp, sharp enough to count points on whitetail deer. If I look through them back-to-back with my Trinovid, it is very obvious that the Trinovid is a superior binocular. The Trinovid seems more "open." You just forget about the bino and enjoy the view. If you had never experienced Trinovid, you would be delighted with the Docter.

I would rate the Docter slightly above Zeiss Classic, and far above the first generation of Zeiss Victory. I do not own Victory FL or anything Swarovski to compare to.

I recommend the Docter without hesitation. Buy a pair, and use the extra $1000.00 to buy a Yamaha 2600 receiver.

 

[chartwell99]

A weakness is the individual dipoter adjustment, which is a lever just forward of the focus wheel. There is no way to lock it in, and is constantly being shifted out of the selected position. I have learned to always feel for it before focusing. The focus wheel turns opposite of my Leica, which is disorienting, but not necessarily a flaw.

What you describe sounds disturbingly like the focus and diopter adjustment on the long gone and, in my view, not at all missed, Zeiss Jena Notarem. Since Docter acquired the Eisfeld plant and sports optics resources of VEB Carl Zeiss Jena, I wonder whether your Docter 8 x 42 is essentially an optically updated version of the Notarem. As I recall, the optics on the Notarem were actually pretty good for a non-phase coated binocular, but the mechanics and build quality were horrible.

 

[Hogjaws]

A weakness is the individual dipoter adjustment, which is a lever just forward of the focus wheel. There is no way to lock it in, and is constantly being shifted out of the selected position. I have learned to always feel for it before focusing. The focus wheel turns opposite of my Leica, which is disorienting, but not necessarily a flaw.

What you describe sounds disturbingly like the focus and diopter adjustment on the long gone and, in my view, not at all missed, Zeiss Jena Notarem. Since Docter acquired the Eisfeld plant and sports optics resources of VEB Carl Zeiss Jena, I wonder whether your Docter 8 x 42 is essentially an optically updated version of the Notarem. As I recall, the optics on the Notarem were actually pretty good for a non-phase coated binocular, but the mechanics and build quality were horrible.

I also picked up a pair of Docter 8X42's, and my only gripes are the right diopter adjustment, and not a total flat field. The depth of field and field of view is very good. They are slso not that bright, but so well in low light conditions.

I doubt that they are only a slightly modernized Notarem. They may have one or two features from the Notarem (which I have never looked through yet). If you take a product and update 90% of the product, is it just an updated product, or a whole new line? How about the Pentax DCF WP/SP series, or the Leica Trinovid/Ultravid series. How many changes can you make before they are simply not an "updated/imporved" model?

Hogjaws