Pick One ALPHA 8x42 (2 Viewers)

[ragin-cajun]

you're stranded on birders' paradise island in the South Pacific. you have one ALPHA 8x42 and it's the...............

 

[james holdsworth]

HT, has been flawless for many years of intense service and still yields the best image I’ve ever seen.

 

[jgraider]

Swaro SLC HD

 

[fazalmajid]

Swarovski NL Pure. Believe the hype.

 

[PhilR.]

NL Pure as well, but as I really like my 8.5x EL, I have no immediate plans to ditch it in favor of an NL.

But... maybe one day.........

 

[MiddleRiver]

Noctivid. Unlikely for anything to break, fail, peel off,... Solid.

 

[birdsandstars]

Zeiss SF. A sublime image that subdues the chattering brain.

 

[Dennis Mau]

Noctivid. The binocular most likely not to break and the best colors, the least glare for the bright tropical sun over the ocean and the sharpest on-axis image I have seen yet.

 

[Woen]

Noctivid, although a SF would also be an option if the weather is never cloudy.

 

[edwincjones]

you're stranded on birders' paradise island in the South Pacific. you have one ALPHA 8x42 and it's the...............

I do not think this thread will help you that much.
The alphas are fairly equal in quality
most of the suggestions will be good
Just depends on our individual personal preference
Go to a show that has a good selection and pick the one you like best.

I would probably pick the NL because I like the burnt orange color.

edj

 

[ragin-cajun]

i disagree. this is a forum where opinions from folks that have time behind these bins are worth their weight in gold.

 

[ragin-cajun]

Swaro SLC HD

i have an SLC 8x56 on order

 

[Thotmosis]

If you are "stranded" it means you got there by accident. But I think you mean what would be a good Alpha 8x42 binocular in such environment? It has to have the strongest body around, most robust and well build to withstand salt water and sand so I guess I would be very happy with a Noctovid. But I never had a Noctovid in my hands so its just from hearsay

 

[ragin-cajun]

I picked up a NL Pure today and a Zeiss Victory SF. SF had a great feel, balanced and the set up was easy to my eyes. NL view was fantastic. nice FOV and had much better eyecups..... the Zeiss eyecups felt cheap. I couldn't spend that much on an alpha with those eyecups, sorry Zeiss.

 

[Foss]

Leica Trinovid BN 8x42 for its robust construction

 

[cycleguy]

Can a Zeiss SF 8x32 be considered as a compact 8x42?

 

[Rg548]

Leica Ultravid HD+8x42..... all day long.... no question

 

[Gray C]

SLC 8x42 for me. Fantastically clear and very bright image

 

[quincy88]

Glad to see some HTs, Trinovids, Ultravids, and SLCs on the list, so its not only SFs, NLs, and NVs.
I have almost zero experience with 8x42s at alpha level, but I'd probably go with Ultravids because of their small size and robust build. If I could be permitted to take any alpha 42 then I'd take my Ultravid 7s.

 

[Robert Moore]

NL replaced my HT as favorite