New binos by mid June. (1 Viewer)

[Gabrielle 2.0]

Hello, I need help selecting new binoculars. Two sets, actually, as our June trips overlap. I'm new to birding, but my marine biologist husband & 21 yr old daughter are amateur birders using only an inherited & heavy Vomega 7x50. No tripod yet. We all wear eyeglasses. I was planning on spending $400-500 USD/pair. Up to $600, maybe $650 on one, but only if it was a dramatic difference in clarity/quality over $500.

I'm traveling to Botswana's Chobe River Delta, the Zambezi River and Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park (#1 bucket list trip & saving for it since 2006) with daytime and nightime safari excursions (driving, walking, boating and canoeing). I'll be over the moon to see White-backed Night Herons, Pennant-winged Nightjars, and especially, the elusive Pel's Fishing Owl.

My daughter is off for research in the forests of Borneo (orangutans & fast moving gibbons). Her professor recommended 8x10 or 10x20. She's leaning toward a better pair worn with a harness vs. chest pocket as she'll use it for birding in the future.

We visited our local BassPro and she tried every pair in her size & weight limits. She liked:
1. Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42 $240. 21.8 oz.
2. Leupold BX-2 Alpine 10x42 $250. 28 oz. It felt surprisingly light compared to other 10x42's & were well balanced in her small hands. She's aware the 10x42 will show more shake. Both are waterproof & have a lifetime warranty.
We tried the Swarovski CL Pocket 10x25 at $989. She saw the price, but indulged my whim for fun.
BassPro sells a 2 yr guarantee: trade in for another pair if dissatisfied or a gift card for the price paid. You pay any difference for the new pair.

I can get the Monarch M7 10x42 for $400 from REI & their coupon (expires May 27!). Sight unseen, but REI has a 1 yr return policy, if they aren't the ones. Their store is over an hour away. It wouldn't be a hardship to buy it now and return in 2 or 3 months if it's not the one for me.

I spoke with a fellow from a birding optics site. He recommended three.
1.Kowa BD II XD Wide Angle:
10×42: $449. 22.5 oz.
8×42: $449. 22.5 oz.
8×32: $399. 18.5 oz.
Roof prism, Nitrogen.
2. Vortex Viper HD - (argon) 10×42: $499. 24.9 oz
8×42: $489. 24.5 oz.
Lifetime warranty.
3. Zeiss Conquest HD 10×42. 27.5 oz. It was a stretch on sale at $800. Currently $1K. Not sure I was ready to pay at the sale price.

We traveled to a store advertising everything was "in stock", but they meant their warehouse. There were only three Nikons on display.
Nikon Monarch M7 8x42. 24oz $496.95. Nice in bright daylight, but I kept thinking I'd need 10x42. True or false?
Nikon ProStaff P3. 10x42. Didn't care for them.
Nikon Monarch M5 12×42. Too heavy for our needs.
They've now called advising the 10x42 Kowa and Viper are in for my hands on experience. Their hours = bright daylight for testing today.

We both tested our friend's Monarch 5 10x42 at a party. I liked it, but it was also in bright light and I was tipsy. My daughter still preferred the ones at Bass Pro.

Are there any others we should consider? We plan on using these for a long time. My daughter is careful with her possessions.

My husband thinks the Vomega is fine for me to use on my trip. I disagree. It'll be too heavy despite acquiring a harness (Vortex: $24 leather back patch. Nylon Lycra straps). And I think he'll reach for the new binoculars every time once we have it.

Pros and cons to the ones mentioned above? Tips? I'm open to buying used, but I'm under a time crunch as I'm leaving mid-June.
Thank you very much!

 

[Binastro]

Hi and welcome.

If your daughter liked the two binoculars she tried, one of those is the one to get.

However, there is sample variation, so it is important to buy the one you actually try. even if it is the demonstrator.
Make sure it is well aligned with no eyestrain.

Regards,
B.

 

[fazalmajid]

Perhaps you can find some generous soul to lend you a pair. I lent my own Kite 16x42 APC to a colleague going to Namibia.

Otherwise have a look at Meopta, they offer great value.

 

[Gabrielle 2.0]

Hello, I need help selecting new binoculars. Two sets, actually, as our June trips overlap. I'm new to birding, but my marine biologist husband & 21 yr old daughter are amateur birders using only an inherited & heavy Vomega 7x50. No tripod yet. We all wear eyeglasses. I was planning on spending $400-500 USD/pair. Up to $600, maybe $650 on one, but only if it was a dramatic difference in clarity/quality over $500.

I'm traveling to Botswana's Chobe River Delta, the Zambezi River and Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park (#1 bucket list trip & saving for it since 2006) with daytime and nightime safari excursions (driving, walking, boating and canoeing). I'll be over the moon to see White-backed Night Herons, Pennant-winged Nightjars, and especially, the elusive Pel's Fishing Owl.

My daughter is off for research in the forests of Borneo (orangutans & fast moving gibbons). Her professor recommended 8x10 or 10x20. She's leaning toward a better pair worn with a harness vs. chest pocket as she'll use it for birding in the future.

We visited our local BassPro and she tried every pair in her size & weight limits. She liked:
1. Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42 $240. 21.8 oz.
2. Leupold BX-2 Alpine 10x42 $250. 28 oz. It felt surprisingly light compared to other 10x42's & were well balanced in her small hands. She's aware the 10x42 will show more shake. Both are waterproof & have a lifetime warranty.
We tried the Swarovski CL Pocket 10x25 at $989. She saw the price, but indulged my whim for fun.
BassPro sells a 2 yr guarantee: trade in for another pair if dissatisfied or a gift card for the price paid. You pay any difference for the new pair.

I can get the Monarch M7 10x42 for $400 from REI & their coupon (expires May 27!). Sight unseen, but REI has a 1 yr return policy, if they aren't the ones. Their store is over an hour away. It wouldn't be a hardship to buy it now and return in 2 or 3 months if it's not the one for me.

I spoke with a fellow from a birding optics site. He recommended three.
1.Kowa BD II XD Wide Angle:
10×42: $449. 22.5 oz.
8×42: $449. 22.5 oz.
8×32: $399. 18.5 oz.
Roof prism, Nitrogen.
2. Vortex Viper HD - (argon) 10×42: $499. 24.9 oz
8×42: $489. 24.5 oz.
Lifetime warranty.
3. Zeiss Conquest HD 10×42. 27.5 oz. It was a stretch on sale at $800. Currently $1K. Not sure I was ready to pay at the sale price.

We traveled to a store advertising everything was "in stock", but they meant their warehouse. There were only three Nikons on display.
Nikon Monarch M7 8x42. 24oz $496.95. Nice in bright daylight, but I kept thinking I'd need 10x42. True or false?
Nikon ProStaff P3. 10x42. Didn't care for them.
Nikon Monarch M5 12×42. Too heavy for our needs.
They've now called advising the 10x42 Kowa and Viper are in for my hands on experience. Their hours = bright daylight for testing today.

We both tested our friend's Monarch 5 10x42 at a party. I liked it, but it was also in bright light and I was tipsy. My daughter still preferred the ones at Bass Pro.

Are there any others we should consider? We plan on using these for a long time. My daughter is careful with her possessions.

My husband thinks the Vomega is fine for me to use on my trip. I disagree. It'll be too heavy despite acquiring a harness (Vortex: $24 leather back patch. Nylon Lycra straps). And I think he'll reach for the new binoculars every time once we have it.

Pros and cons to the ones mentioned above? Tips? I'm open to buying used, but I'm under a time crunch as I'm leaving mid-June.
Thank you very much!

Update: Holy Cow! Her grandmother just sent her $800 for binoculars! She'll give the Swarovski CL Pocket a serious look at Bass Pro.

 

[Gabrielle 2.0]

Hi and welcome.

If your daughter liked the two binoculars she tried, one of those is the one to get.

However, there is sample variation, so it is important to buy the one you actually try. even if it is the demonstrator.
Make sure it is well aligned with no eyestrain.

Regards,
B.

Thank you Binastro. Love your name.
She'll look at the Swarovski CL Pocket again only because my mom just sent her $800 for binoculars (birthday, Dean's list honors roll & research trip)!! College wasn't for my son who dropped out of free tuition Rutgers University.

 

[[email protected]]

I would recommend for all your uses in Africa this nice all-rounder, the Nikon MHG 8x42, for $685 from Nikon. It is hard to beat for the money. I wouldn't get a CL Pocket 10x25 because the aperture is too small for low light and under jungle canopy and the FOV is too small for following fast moving Gibbons in the trees.

Nikon | Shop & Explore Cameras, Lenses, and Accessories

Shop the latest mirrorless & DSLR cameras and NIKKOR lenses from the official Nikon eCommerce site. Explore our innovations and photo equipment!

www.nikonusa.com

 

[Gabrielle 2.0]

I would recommend for all your uses in Africa this nice all-rounder, the Nikon MHG 8x42, for $685 from Nikon. It is hard to beat for the money. I wouldn't get a CL Pocket 10x25 because the aperture is too small for low light and under jungle canopy and the FOV is too small for following fast moving Gibbons in the trees.

Nikon | Shop & Explore Cameras, Lenses, and Accessories

Shop the latest mirrorless & DSLR cameras and NIKKOR lenses from the official Nikon eCommerce site. Explore our innovations and photo equipment!

www.nikonusa.com

Thank you! I've read many positive comments about the Nikon MHG. If I purchase it with my Costco credit card, I'll receive two years of extended warranty to supplement Nikon's 90 day warranty for refurbished.
I did try out the Vortex Viper 10x42 and the Kowa 8x42 today. They didn't carry the Kowa 10x42, so sent the smaller one to the store. I'm new to binoculars, but liked the clarity from the Kowa 8x42 lenses vs. the Viper 10x42, but the position of Kowa's squared off harness attachments were in an awkward and uncomfortable spot for me.

What are your thoughts on the binoculars my daughter is interested in purchasing? Any recommendations for her?

 

[[email protected]]

Thank you! I've read many positive comments about the Nikon MHG. If I purchase it with my Costco credit card, I'll receive two years of extended warranty to supplement Nikon's 90 day warranty for refurbished.
I did try out the Vortex Viper 10x42 and the Kowa 8x42 today. They didn't carry the Kowa 10x42, so sent the smaller one to the store. I'm new to binoculars, but liked the clarity from the Kowa 8x42 lenses vs. the Viper 10x42, but the position of Kowa's squared off harness attachments were in an awkward and uncomfortable spot for me.

What are your thoughts on the binoculars my daughter is interested in purchasing? Any recommendations for her?

I would recommend the same binocular for your daughter. The Nikon MHG 8x42. It is light for a 42mm and has great optics for the price.

 

[VonMaunder]

I love a 10X but I've used a Pentax 12X50 for 30+ years so 10X seems wide! Given the budget extension, the above Nikon MHG is a good choice but if you want to stay in your original range, the Hawke Frontier 8X42 or 10X42 ED X are excellent with a great warranty. If you're doing anything in low light you'll appreciate the larger objectives. I would not go for a 10X25, even if Swarovski, under the once in a lifteime? circumstances. Sounds like a great trip! Hawke Frontier 8x42 ED X Binoculars: Our Review And: Hawke Frontier 8x42 ED X Binoculars Review

 

[Gabrielle 2.0]

I would recommend the same binocular for your daughter. The Nikon MHG 8x42. It is light for a 42mm and has great optics for the price.

Thank you. I'll have her try my pair out before returning to try out Bass Pro again.

 

[ArchStanton]

Thank you! I've read many positive comments about the Nikon MHG. If I purchase it with my Costco credit card, I'll receive two years of extended warranty to supplement Nikon's 90 day warranty for refurbished.
I did try out the Vortex Viper 10x42 and the Kowa 8x42 today. They didn't carry the Kowa 10x42, so sent the smaller one to the store. I'm new to binoculars, but liked the clarity from the Kowa 8x42 lenses vs. the Viper 10x42, but the position of Kowa's squared off harness attachments were in an awkward and uncomfortable spot for me.

What are your thoughts on the binoculars my daughter is interested in purchasing? Any recommendations for her?

We were at Costco a few weeks ago and were told the extended guarantee was no longer valid for purchases with the Costco Citibank Visa. I’d double check with Citibank. I really liked the Kowa BD II 8x42’s and if it wasn’t for my Opticron Oregon 8x42’s, I would have bought them.

 

[Gabrielle 2.0]

I love a 10X but I've used a Pentax 12X50 for 30+ years so 10X seems wide! Given the budget extension, the above Nikon MHG is a good choice but if you want to stay in your original range, the Hawke Frontier 8X42 or 10X42 ED X are excellent with a great warranty. If you're doing anything in low light you'll appreciate the larger objectives. I would not go for a 10X25, even if Swarovski, under the once in a lifteime? circumstances. Sounds like a great trip! Hawke Frontier 8x42 ED X Binoculars: Our Review And: Hawke Frontier 8x42 ED

We were at Costco a few weeks ago and were told the extended guarantee was no longer valid for purchases with the Costco Citibank Visa. I’d double check with Citibank. I really liked the Kowa BD II 8x42’s and if it wasn’t for my Opticron Oregon 8x42’s, I would have bought them.

Yikes! Good to know. I'm going to look into that as I'm a little nervous about only a 90 day warranty if I buy the refurbished Monarch HG.

 

[greekgeek]

Greentoe has the 10x42 Conquest HD for $639 again. I ordered one last month and was impressed with the views. New with lifetime warranty

https://www.greentoe.com/product/Ze...JXWiX799ILloU800Je2seI7QoUYdCI1Y9D6OcqfwpAFVU

Meanwhile Sportsman's Warehouse has the 10x42 Monarch HG for $799. So new with the lifetime warranty.

https://www.sportsmans.com/hunting-gear-supplies/optics-binoculars-scopes-rangefinders/binoculars/nikon-monarch-hg-full-size-binocular-10x42/p/1526313

 

[normjackson]

For your daughter's use a lightweight, wide-angle 8x42 sounds a good choice. And probably for you too given that list of nocturnal birds and interest in keeping weight down. The 8x42s also tend to have more eye relief so often better with spectacles, though seems you haven't noted any issues with the 10x42s you've tried so far.

Don't see too many options on the Bass Pro site for your daughter's newly elevated budget. There are other US based brands such as Athlon, Maven and Tract but don't kow how their warranties compare with Vortex and Leupold.

The elephant in the room is whether your husband is gonna get left out of this binocular buying frenzy and be expected to make do with the Omega 7x50...

https://zimbabwetourism.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ZimbabweMakololo08.jpg

 

[Gabrielle 2.0]

We were at Costco a few weeks ago and were told the extended guarantee was no longer valid for purchases with the Costco Citibank Visa. I’d double check with Citibank. I really liked the Kowa BD II 8x42’s and if it wasn’t for my Opticron Oregon 8x42’s, I would have bought them.

Yikes! Thank you for alerting me! Citibank ended the extended warranty program for all their cards. Bummer.

 

[VonMaunder]

Yikes! Thank you for alerting me! Citibank ended the extended warranty program for all their cards. Bummer.

How surprising!

 

[NDhunter]

I read about your trip, and looking forward to something that will be best, would be something
in the 8X range, that means 8x32 or 8x42. 10 power is too much in the woods and for many other
needs. Don't get the 8x25, that is a specialist, compact binocular.
The Zeiss Conquest, Nikon Monarch HG and also the Vortex Viper would be great choices.
Jerry

Add: And I should say Nikon M7 is a nice choice in a more affordable range.

 

[Gabrielle 2.0]

I read about your trip, and looking forward to something that will be best, would be something
in the 8X range, that means 8x32 or 8x42. 10 power is too much in the woods and for many other
needs. Don't get the 8x25, that is a specialist, compact binocular.
The Zeiss Conquest, Nikon Monarch HG and also the Vortex Viper would be great choices.
Jerry

Add: And I should say Nikon M7 is a nice choice in a more affordable range.

Jerry, Thank you for your suggestions. And that of @[email protected], I'll scrap the idea of the pocket Swarovski.
I really prefer the wider FOV with the 8×42 which would benefit my daughter's uses, too. She's a true naturalist and loves to look at bugs, reptiles, etc., so a good close focus would be great, too. I do fear I'm on that slippery slope "If you spend just a little bit more money, you can get...". And that I'm over-researching these. I'm seriously considering the recommended 8x42 Nikon Monarch HG. It's so much lighter (23.52 oz) vs. the Zeiss Conquest at 28 oz. Nikon's warranty provides a limited lifetime on the optics. 7 years on non-optic components. Original purchaser/authorized retailer & save your receipt. The refurbished warranty is only 90 days which makes me nervous. But is manufacturer refurbished any better than buying used on Facebook or Classifieds? Citibank canceled all their extended warranty programs. But, we'll have it forever, right? But then my practical brain kicks in. Half the stuff my family has is secondhand in one way or another! The Greentoe site looks promising, akin to Priceline's "name your price", but I'm not sure how much to offer for a new MHG. $670? Is there anything else, like the MHG, but closer to $600? How about the M7 8x42? MSRP $490.
The MHG won't break the bank, but is it necessary?
My husband would say that paying more for MHG wouldn't improve his life by $250-400!
Then again, this is my biggest dream vacation and it's already expensive!
@Binastro @VonMaunder @ArchStanton @greekgeek @normjackson @[email protected]
I guess I'm asking you all, the binocular experts, if I should go with the MHG or the M7 in 8x42. Thanks!

 

[[email protected]]

Definitely the MHG over the M7 in 8x42. There is a big difference in build quality and optics between the two. If you get back from Africa and decide birding isn't your thing, you could always sell the MHG for close to what you paid for it and recoup your investment, but I will bet after you see all those cool birds in Africa you will want to continue the hobby and see what birds hang out in your own neighborhood.

 

[Upland]

Another vote for the HGs. Amazing optics for the price, light and an immersive view because of the wide fov. What wonderful experience for your daughter!