I think I made the right choice of binocular... (1 Viewer)

[The Kingfisher]

I have owned mostly Nikon binoculars and scopes, but also two pairs of Swarovski binoculars, two pairs of Kowa binoculars, a Kowa 883 scope and a small Opticron scope. Since 2005 I have always had some Nikon stuff. Bought my Nikon 8x32 SE and my Nikon Fieldscope ED82 in 2005, my Nikon EDG 8x42 in 2011 and the little Nikon Fieldscope ED50 a year later or so. I have had some issues with the diopter and the focus wheel on my Nikon EDG 8x42..and the rubber armoring is loose. So my thought was to buy a new binocular. Maybe a Leica Noctivid or a Leica Ultravid HD Plus. Maybe a Zeiss SF 8x42. Not a Swarro NL Pure, because I do not like the grip. But..in the end I ordered a new pair of the Nikon EDG 8x42 instead! It was sold out at 30% of the original price wich is half the price of a new Zeiss Victory SF 8x42 here in Sweden. That has to be the right choice and binocular for me, I think..

 

[Scott98]

Congrats on the new EDG! They fixed the diopter issue 10 years ago, you'll love them.

I've done the same thing btw - 2 pairs of EDG instead of one more expensive bino

 

[The Kingfisher]

Congrats on the new EDG! They fixed the diopter issue 10 years ago, you'll love them.

I've done the same thing btw - 2 pairs of EDG instead of one more expensive bino

Thank's..but I changed my mind today at Falsterbo Bird Show here in Sweden where some of the big "names" had gathered to show their binoculars and scopes. Among some others there was Nikon, Swarovski, Leica and Zeiss. I talked to the Nikon guys about service of my old Nikon EDG 8x42, but they said they were not sure they could fix the issues on my unit because they maybe not have spare parts needed for it. Maybe I just would get a new Nikon Monarch HG 8x42 instead if they can not repair/do a service on the EDG they said. So..that made me think that it is time to buy a binocular from the other three "alpha brands" instead of buying a new pair of the EDG. Therefore have I cancelled my order of the EDG 8x42..even if the price was very good.

But I left Falsterbo Bird Show with a new binocular - a Leica Noctivid 8x42! 👍🙂 I hope it will be fine.. 🌞

 

[Pinewood]

...

But I left Falsterbo Bird Show with a new binocular - a Leica Noctivid 8x42! 👍🙂 I hope it will be fine.. 🌞

Hello,

Use it well. With luck you grandchildren may enjoy them.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur

 

[Patudo]

Congratulations, the Noctivid is not my personal favourite alpha but is, without doubt, an outstanding binocular and IMO a definite upgrade over the EDG which I feel is a well executed design and well made, but somehow fails to excite. The top alphas all have something special about them - great field of view (SF, NL), "Leica colours" (Noctivid) and perceived brightness of all three is superior (to my eyes).

I would not dismiss the Monarch HG as a replacement for the old EDG: it's a superior birding binocular in some respects (field of view), probably at least as bright thanks to more modern coatings, and seems to be pretty trouble free. It is an excellent birding tool in its own right. I know some folks have been very sniffy about Nikon offering to replace their SEs (now not supported by Nikon) with Monarch HGs, but if I was given that option I would certainly consider it.