Nikon action 7-15x35 cf zoom (1 Viewer)

[skiingfool]

Hello - Thinking of buying these binoculars for someone who is into birdwatching and star gazing but I seem to remember reading somewhere that you should stay away from zoom binoculars. Has anyone any experience of these?

 

[Common Raven]

Hello - Thinking of buying these binoculars for someone who is into birdwatching and star gazing but I seem to remember reading somewhere that you should stay away from zoom binoculars. Has anyone any experience of these?

Hi skiingfool, not sure why no one has responded. I've no experience with the model you mentioned, but yes, as a general rule you should stay away from the zoom, and from digital camera binoculars as well. The only exception to zooms are the very expensive ones, such as Leica's $2000.00 Duovid series. Perhaps a much better buy would be the Nikon Action Extremes (no zoom).

 

[Steve Gross]

I would not recommend a zoom binocular in that price range. I've owned several pair of Nikon Action Series binocs and use them as backup to my backup Pentaxes. I've also give several pair away as gifts to incipient birders.

I've been very satisfied with the performance-to-price ratio on the Action series.

I'd recommend the 7x35s or the 8x40s. Higher magnification is not better for performance at that price range (see Common Raven's post). 7 or 8x is fine; the field of view on the Nikons is generous (good for a beginning birder), and the optical quality is very good for the price.

Steve in Houston