Let's do it again, 8x32 for EDC (1 Viewer)

[timmay]

I thought the same thing when I had the monarch 7 8x42...best objective lens covers Ive seen, but the raingaurds are an absolute joke..They use the same cheap non fitting hard plastic rain guards on all their cheeper models like the Aculons, Prostaffs..etc.
Id replace them asap with some nice soft rubber guards that actually work. Nikon is goofy with their rain guards

 

[tom666]

Well How are yours M7. Any sample variation?

 

[tom666]

Well How is your M7. Any sample variation?

 

[kkokkolis]

I think it's better than yours!


At least it is cleaner.

In fact, it is what I expected. I had some ghost images on moon (nothing much) which I don't remember with your pair. On the other hand it is very sharp. Monarch 7 is different but more or less equal to the Terra I have, but both are way better than the Nikon Action, I mean that I see a huge gap in sharpness and glare control, not to mention eye relief and such. I wonder how come allbinos ranks them close to the Nikon Action.
For an everyday and everynight binocular I wouldn't want anything better. I would feel anxious with a Conquest (or, worse, a Victory) in my bag, next to my daily soda drink and other hazards.

 

[paddy7]

Top tip regarding M7 rainguards: throw the eye piece ones away and get a set of Opticron guards; work like a dream with the M7.

 

[kkokkolis]

I fixed the rainguards easily today, sticking two small pieces of self adhesive felt inside the inner periphery of each eyepiece cap. It's that thing we put under each leg of the chairs to avoid scratching the marble floor, if you know the English term please inform me.
Now they stay in place and they need considerable force to be taken out, comparable to the force I have to put on my Zeiss rainguards. Thus it's perfect for my needs.

 

[cnick6]

It's that thing we put under each leg of the chairs to avoid scratching the marble floor, if you know the English term please inform me.

We just call them furniture cups, casters or sliders. Many terms.

Konstantinos, did you have any issues with your focus knob? Mine is a tad stiff. It's *slowly* working itself loose but since mine stays in the truck full-time, I think the cold is starting to affect it a bit.

The size of the M7 8x30 is hard to beat. I'm curious to see if the rubber armor will hold up over time. The Vanguard ED II 8x32 is a strong competitor to the M7 but it's quite a bit heavier and bulkier than the M7 8x30.

PS. They are quite good for casual astronomy if you have dark skies.

 

[kkokkolis]

The focus is smooth but with more friction than Zeiss focusers I'm accustomed at. Since I go from 10 meters to infinity with a slight move on the knob everything is fine. I wouldn't call it stiff nevertheless.
I used it for astronomy already. I got ghost images on the Moon I don't get with Zeiss and Canons, but they were faint. The view was great, sharp and beautiful. I saw many craters I wouldn't expect considering the magnification. It seems the resolution is great at the sweet spot but it falls dramatically at the edge.
Hyades, Pleiades, Double Cluster at Perseus, Orion Nebula, they all are great. Still I would always choose any of my Canons 12x36 or 18x50 for them, since their resolution at their magnifications is greater and they have also greater aperture and the IS. But on walks and during travelling, when I will only have this (and the Papilio), it can show me things. I only had a Soviet 8x30 monocular during a partial moon eclipse in Bruxelles (and on the last floor of the Eifell tower, for sightseing, and in many other occassions), this Monarch 7 is clearly much better.

 

[cnick6]

I used it for astronomy already. I got ghost images on the Moon I don't get with Zeiss and Canons, but they were faint. The view was great, sharp and beautiful. I saw many craters I wouldn't expect considering the magnification. It seems the resolution is great at the sweet spot but it falls dramatically at the edge.

Yes that's true but it stills beats the Zeiss Terra ED. I would expect the Conquest HD to be superior given its price point.

I'd like to swing by the Leica store and check out the 8x32 UVHD+ and see how they compare to the M7/Terra ED (in terms of physical size.)

B&H has a good deal on the Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32. $799 (with rebate.)

 

[kkokkolis]

I don't know about the Terra 32mm. The Terra 42mm has some advantages, especially regarding glare control, the fast focuser and eye friendliness. But it might be that I used it every day for over a year until I got the Conquest and Monarch and Canon 12x36. I might be accustomed to it. It has astigmatism closer to the center than the Monarch but the view fails gradually. I bought the Monarch because it was much more portable and it just happened to be somewhat cheaper and better in some respects.
Why do you keep both Monarch and Terra? I keep the Terra as a guest/ wife binocular, until I give it to my daughter when she moves in her new house (November 2016) with 360 degrees of view, including Acropolis and 160 degrees of the Saronic gulf. I will use it gladly while visiting (although I will possibly carry my own pair too).

 

[cnick6]

Why do you keep both Monarch and Terra?

As I said, my M7 is purely a truck binocular. The M7 is also my bag binocular since it's so lightweight and portable. The Terra I keep indoors for casual viewing.

 

[kkokkolis]

Casual viewing. That's close to my field, recreational viewing.

 

[SteveTS]

So the Conquest 8x32 HD (which has wider AFOV) will be my top option.

You will be thinking about this until you get around to buying one, as many already have.

Konstantinos, If I were you, I'd go with the Zeiss Conquest HD.

^^^ This.

Kostas, The Conquest 8x32 might be hefty for a 32 but it is still 20% lighter than the 8x42. When I carry the Conquest after my HT / SF it immediately feels lighter.

I don't remember how fast the Conquest 8x42 focuser is but the 8x32 is really good at getting onto close butterflies and dragonflies etc then quickly out to a distant bird and back close again. Its my bin of choice for this purpose.

I know from previous years that the Kite Lynx can be a fine performer but I was disappointed by the one I tried at Bird Fair this year. Lee

As Lee said, it's all good. I would add that although others have reported variation in centre field sharpness in the Conquest HD 8x32 I found my sample to be more than acceptable and kept it over an HD 8x42 which appeared a little soft and didn't make the cut, just my luck but I am very pleased with this cherry.

The LX/L and Conquest HD are overall the best of the above ... The LX/L also has a warmer color, which I tend to prefer over that of the Conquest HD.

Nikon the warmer view and Zeiss the cooler as was ever so.

I would feel anxious with a Conquest (or, worse, a Victory) in my bag, next to my daily soda drink and other hazards.

A working tool, designed to be used and bought to be used, and you can wash it under the tap, or in a bucket at the end of the day .

Very well engineered and built, armoured, waterproof. It is the great knockabout 8x32 bin of the world.

They are quite good for casual astronomy if you have dark skies.

As is the Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32, just the right time of year now :t:

I would expect the Conquest HD to be superior given its price point.

Infinitely.

B&H has a good deal on the Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32. $799 (with rebate.)

Having just moved on a spare 8x32 I'm thinking of a replacement backup for my Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 and that might just be another of the same, a binocular that I would buy again without hesitation.

What was that quote from Allbinos ? "Astigmatism. Corrected in a sensational way. Point-like images of stars close to perfection. 9.5/10".

Best wishes,

 

[cnick6]

Having just moved on a spare 8x32 I'm thinking of a replacement backup for my Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 and that might just be another of the same, a binocular that I would buy again without hesitation.

Allbinos also reviewed the Kowa BD 8x32 Prominar and that looks interesting for its price point. It got nearly the same score as the Conquest HD.

 

[SteveTS]

Allbinos also reviewed the Kowa BD 8x32 Prominar and that looks interesting for its price point. It got nearly the same score as the Conquest HD.

Thanks, the silver wheels on these really exclude them for my practical use.

The Kenko DH MS 8x32, a really stubby 8x32, which I have been using as a grab and glass compact, has moreorless the same field of view as the Kowa, probably better if the Allbinos figures are correct, but as a straight backup for the Zeiss Conquest HD 8x32 I would be looking for something a little better.

Best wishes,

 

[kkokkolis]

As I said before, I was going for the Conquest 8x32 until a 8x42 opportunity emerged. I then wanted to buy something different for a 8x32 and that's why I started this thread. I'm fine with the Monarch for everyday carry but, yes, everytime I use the Conquest and particularly enjoy its ca control I keep telling myself that a lighter and smaller Conquest with 5 more degrees AFOV would be another taste of paradise.

 

[cnick6]

Thanks, the silver wheels on these really exclude them for my practical use.

Clashes with the ninja outfit eh? |=\|

 

[kkokkolis]

Update: Astroshop offered me a 120€ Voucher when I proved that it costs 250€ in other EU shops. With that I ordered a Docter 8x21 C Monocular. Thanks to Astroshop (thumps up for their professional behavior) and 14Goudvink who informed me about how much the Monarch 7 costs in the Netherlands.
Now, for 250€ it sure is a best buy. You can't find the Terra ED or the Maven B3 or Kite or Kowa BD XD at this price in Europe.

 

[HighNorth]

I have actually taken a different route so I would ditch the two 42mm Zeiss and the Canon and put the whole budget into an 8x32SV, it outperforms your two Zeiss even in low light IMO and can easily fulfil any task asked of it.

More than tough enough to carry everywhere every day.

Holy ?@+& I sound like Dennis !

Or maybe sell a few of his Televue eyepieces and buy the 8x32SV?

HN

 

[kkokkolis]

No way!
I see that Swarovski has a great following here but I think that I am covered now, both for astro with my telescope and eyepieces and terrestrial with my binoculars and smaller telescopes. I don't believe in Alpha, I prefer two or three binoculars of the middle segment than one from Alpha. I need no binocular any more but if I would buy one, it would be the Leica Duovid 8-12x42, Canon 10x42 L IS or a Dialyt 7x42 T*P* for over the 1000€ price.