Looking for a good 8X42. (1 Viewer)

[albatrosviajero]

Hello,
I took some time looking for a binocular light and handy to have a good apparent field and I think the model would be a good 8X42.
I would like to know your experiences with this particular model. I would use to birding in particular, but also for astronomical observations of wide angle.
Regards and thanks in advance.
Al

 

[Bencw]

8x40 or 8x42 is thought by many to be the ideal configuration, the Swift 8.5x44 gives an excellent FOV. I find 8x40 or 7x35 very comfortable, both have the same exit pupil. However, you say good, do you mean the best money can buy? Maybe Zeiss 8x42 T*FL or Swarovski EL ?, or have you a spend limit?

 

[FrankD]

Yep, price range is always the second question after choice of configuration.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Hello,
I took some time looking for a binocular light and handy to have a good apparent field and I think the model would be a good 8X42.
I would like to know your experiences with this particular model. I would use to birding in particular, but also for astronomical observations of wide angle.
Regards and thanks in advance.
Al

How about a Zeiss 8x42 HT?

 

[james holdsworth]

How about a Zeiss 8x42 HT?

As good as the HT is, I don't think it is that well suited for astronomy - both the lack of a flat field and pretty average FOV. It is stellar at woodland birding but probably not the 1st choice for the stars. [or, less-than-stellar-for-stellar.....]

 

[PhilR.]

I would equate "good" with "mid-priced". A good 8x42 that is light in weight and wide in view is the Nikon Monarch 7. It is one of the lighter 42mm's out there, and will certainly weigh noticeably less than the 42mm porros. It also has one of the wider views in this size as well.

Even less in price is the Sightron SII Blue Sky that has a field of view that is within a few feet of the Nikon M7. It does however weigh a bit more.

If you can spend more, then look at (or through) the Zeiss Conquest HD. Very close to alpha quality, but for a lot less money. Excellent binos to be sure, but they do weigh a bit more than the M7, and with a smaller field of view than the M7.

 

[ceasar]

Allbinos says that the Nikon 8x42 EDG has a "perfectly sharp image across the whole field of view" and ranks it 2nd behind the Swarovision 8.5x42. It should be suitable for astronomy.

http://www.allbinos.com/224-binoculars_review-Nikon_8x42_EDG.html

Bob

 

[MPeoples]

Look at the Zeiss 8x42 HT, the Swarovski 8.5x42 EL, Vortex 8x42 Razors, Nikon 8x42 EDG. Mid price Vortex Vipers 8x42 HD, Nikon Monarch 7 8x42, Zeiss 8x42 Terra ED.

Best
Mike

 

[joe101]

the Nikon se 10x42 is quite good for astronomy, but i think you only want a 8x42

 

[albatrosviajero]

Hello,
Thank you all for your comments.
Yes , actually I am looking for a 8X42 , Average Price (hopefully could Alpha bino ..! ) .
I use for astronomical observation, a binocular 10X50 very poor quality , and I think the image shakes quite ..
For me the image ( freehand ) a 10X is not fully exploitable , this opinion can be very personal ...
So I think a 8X42 bino can be a good tool for birding - star, guess not shake the image as much as the 10X.
I read that according to what may be good binos :
Hawke Sapphire , Nikon Monarch 7 Vanguard Endeavour, Busnell Legend Ultra, Vortex Razor HD , Vortex Diamond, Savannag ( one of the largest FOV) , some mid-priced model Zeiss as Terra .. etc ... ( Conquest ? )
I'm a mess ..... I think the problem is that there are so many , and so many models , I really do not quite know which to choose ..
On the other hand I have seen that there Porro models cheaply as Action Extreme or some other ..
Well, thank you again your opinion ....
Al

 

[MPeoples]

I also use an Leica 8x50 BA for astronomy very sharp and a wider field than a 10x

Mike

 

[jremmons]

Hello,

One thing I will note is that for any of the binoculars listed, it would be wise to test them in-hand prior to purchase, as each person sees things quite differently. For instance, some people are especially prone to noticing Chromatic Aberration, Rolling Ball, edge softness, blackouts, etc.

Some general recommendations:

Sub-$400:
Zen Ray ZRS HD, Zeiss Terra ED, Meopta Meopro, Vanguard Endeavor

$400-600ish:
Leupold BX-4 McKinley HD, Vortex Viper HD, Zen Ray ED3, Zen Ray Prime HD

$600-1000ish:
Zeiss Conquest HD, Meopta Meostar, Leica Trinovid (used/demo), Steiner Peregrine XP (used/demo), Vortex Razor HD (used/demo)

After $1000, everything will basically be top of the line with the only differences being design decisions.

Of the ones listed above, I'd recommend most the Zen-Ray ED3 and Leupold BX-4 McKinley HD. These binoculars are honestly top of the line performers; you'll notice weaker edges in the Z-R and a flatter field with rolling ball distortion in the Leupold. I preferred the Leupold to the more expensive Zeiss Conquest HD, but it is a very finnicky binocular that doesn't seem to fit everyone's facial shape/eyes.

All the best,
Justin

 

[Jaymie Arnold]

I'd definitely throw the 8 x 42 Celestron Trailseeker into the sub $400 mix. It's actually by the far the best deal in my mind, most retail outlets have it for less that $250. I've compared it to the Zeiss Terra ED, Nikon M7 and Meopta Meopro in the same configuration and found it to have the best ergonomics and image quality of the lot. The FOV of 426' is a big plus as well (apparent field of view of 65 degrees, significantly better than the Zeiss and Meopta). The number of choices can certainly be overwhelming, good luck on finding something that works for you!

 

[mikefreiberg]

Hey everyone,

The MONARCH 7 was voted #1 by the Cornell Lab in the $500 price point. The 8x42 has 421 feet of FOV at 1000 yards. I would check that one out.

All the best,
Mike

 

[albatrosviajero]

and the Barr and Stroud Savannah 8x42 Super Wide Angle Binocular ? what opinion?
regards

 

[stereotruckdriver]

Let me throw another at you. Bresser Everest. Frank had a long thread about them some time back. I have an excellent sample that I paid less than $200 US. Very well built, great optics , perfect focus. My only complaint is the open bridge doesn't have a lot of space between the bridges. I have fairly large hands so can only get two fingers in the gap of the bridge. I like three fingers around the barrel with the fourth sitting on the focus. My wife loves them. Really compact for a 42mm binocular. Bryce...

 

[FrankD]

I hesitated in recommending anything specific initially Bryce though the Everest would be high on my list. I find it somewhat frustrating to suggest several reasonably priced models only to have the original poster later state that they won't consider anything under $"X" amount of dollars. I am not saying that has happened here but it has happened to me often enough in the past that I am now gun shy if the price point isn't specifically mentioned.

The sad part is that there are some really great optics at really affordable prices and I am not even referring just to the relative no-name brands like Sightron or Bresser. I remember recently reading similar comments on Jerry's Nikon Prostaff 7 where the poster thought they were much better optically than a notably more expensive model.

To address your earlier comments the Bresser thread is here.....

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=252458&highlight=Bresser+Everest

 

[albatrosviajero]

Hello,
Thank you all for your opinions and expert input, now it think of all this information and try to prove any of them (all would be impossible for me).
And then, my mind!
A greeting and thank you very much again for your attention.
Al

 

[joe101]

Check out Kowa genesis too

 

[Dennis Mau]

Let me throw another at you. Bresser Everest. Frank had a long thread about them some time back. I have an excellent sample that I paid less than $200 US. Very well built, great optics , perfect focus. My only complaint is the open bridge doesn't have a lot of space between the bridges. I have fairly large hands so can only get two fingers in the gap of the bridge. I like three fingers around the barrel with the fourth sitting on the focus. My wife loves them. Really compact for a 42mm binocular. Bryce...

I wouldn't touch a Bresser Everest. HaHa! The eyecups fell off my first pair and on my second pair the optics were all screwed up on them. Chinese POS. If you want a good Chinese binocular get a Vanguard Endeavor 8x42 HD. The only one that I have found that will stay together and has better optics than the Bresser or the Sightron Blue Sky II which has a sucky focus wheel. I only paid $120.00 for mine on Amazon warehouse.