RedHead Epic (1 Viewer)

[Tero]

I ran across this set of binoculars at Bass Pro Shops. The name is obviously aimed at duck hunters, but you don't need to get the camo version. They are otherwise black. They range from 150-240 dollars and come as 8x32, 10x32, 8x42 and 10x42. I'm not sure the price for the 8 or 10x42 is that much cheaper than Nikon, Pentax, Bushnell etc 8x42, but the smaller two are a pretty good little binocular. I would say the optics are somewhere between Sporter and Monarch. Well, probably close to the Sporter, but lighter to carry. (The 10x32 may not quite match the 10x36 sporter for clarity). Plus they are rated waterproof, eye relief is OK for use with glasses and eye cups screw out.

The closest comparable Nikon is an 8x36 and is 100 dollars more expensive.
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?dept=1&type=19&purch=1&pid=4529

I also would not buy them mail order, see them at a store. They sell some scopes as well. The salesmanseemed to think Bushnell makes them. In fact they were better than the cheap 8x27 etc Bushnells, but not as good as Legends and others, were they Natureviews...don't recall. Seems to be a little price niche they are going after. But apparently mostly to hunters, as there are other Red Head line of products as well.

If you shop at these stores, they would easily do for a beginning birding bin. I would rate them better than ProMaster, sold in camera stores but having its own warranty thru the manufacturer.

They also have a pursuit series with a cheaper 10x42, but I am not going to wear anything with Pursuit, Predator etc. labels. I have one Trophy but I got it for 15 bucks.

I did not ask about warranty, and the on line catalog does not clearly state more than one year. You have to return it to Bass Pro Shops, not a manufacturer. They carry other binoculars where the manufacturer warranty applies.

As I explained, the warranty issue is the weak point, as you are dealing with a store chain, not the maker. Otherwise I am tempted to get the 8x32s. I already have a 10x42, not much point for me to get the 10x32, so I did not give them as careful scrutiny.

7/29 confirmed with the store that these have a ONE YEAR warranty, no more.

 

[Tero]

Actually, the 8x Sporter, if you can find them, is hard to beat:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/4271,72385_Nikon-Binoculars-8x36-Sporter-.html
that price still gives you a decent warranty.

Once the Sporters are gone, you have to get the 36mm Monarchs to get close to this format. The RedHeads have a compactness advantage, I don't know the actual weight.

 

[Tero]

The Epic seem to have disappeared from the online catalog. The Pursuit still remains
http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=64986&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

The 8x42 and 10x42 may be worth a look as a substitute for Nikon Sporter 8x and 10x. But the warranty is still only 1 year. Not sure if the WATERPROOF claim makes up for the poor warranty. You may have them for two years and they get water..you are stuck, then. So I am only interested in the 8x32 in the first post, as the price is a better deal.

The Pursuit $49.99 pair 8x25mm
FOV = 315'
is also worth a look compared to Nikon Sportstar. Probably very similar.

 

[Otto McDiesel]

The Epic seem to have disappeared from the online catalog. The Pursuit still remains
http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=64986&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

same junk is sold under BSA name

 

[Tero]

OK, thanks. I will check their link later today to see what matches. The Epics were the better line in the store.
www.bsaoptics.com

The RedHead Epic in the store is similar to
http://www.bsaoptics.com/productdetail.asp?ID=450&Prod_Code=CC832WP
but not identical. So, I would still wonder who makes it. It was the only one of the products in the store I was impressed with. Now it seems to be BACK in the catalog. Does seem to be phase coated.

OK, I have these now, 8x32. They seem pretty ordinary 8x roofs. Clarity is same as my 8x40 Nikon Actions. Comapred to my other roofs, they are not quite as bright as my 10x42 Monarchs, but FOV is slightly bigger. Very smooth focus. I took the floppy lens caps off. Only put them on in the case.

Only regret is the 1 year only warranty but it is rreflected in the price. I am as comfortable with these as with any 8x. My preference is still 10x. My only 9x pair is a bit narrow FOV.

 

[Tero]

These have been quite OK. They will be just fine to cure me of my 8x32 urge. I don't need to get a fancier pair. For the more demanding situations I have other pairs at home. I will carry these around a few months in my briefcase, also in spring for warblers.

I may get a pair of 7x35 Actions as well. Those would be my binoculars to keep in the car. I have a few pair of reverse porros in there now, but no real wide FOV.

 

[kmiernik]

If you are interesed in cheap binoculars check this page:
http://www.united-optics.com/products/products.htm

This is where all this stuff comes from. Play a game and try to recognize as many binoculars as you can. Everyone can put their name on those binoculars because this is what they are made for.

"Except the body rubber cover styles showing on above pictures, we can specially design the exclusive styles as your requirements, so you can molded your logo on the rubber covers."

Of course those BSA 8x32 are there under name 8x32 #BW1-0832 (Waterproof binoculars series #1).

 

[Tero]

Yes, very close to their 8x32.(their FOV slightly bigger)

I think the one year warranty amounts to them sending me a new pair if they agree there is a problem. They do no rapairs on these.

 

[FrankD]

Tero,

Couple things come to mind after reading through this thread. Those Pursuits look exactly like a pair of Bushnells I saw advertised in the Dicks Sporting Goods catalog. I forget the specific model name.

Two, if you get a chance I really think you should check out the Cabelas XTs and their Pine Ridge binos. The XTs are only offered in 8x42 and 10x42. Their price is less than that of the Legends, Monarchs, etc... but more expensive than the Sporters, Trophys, etc.. They are phase coated, waterproof, etc.. and their optical quality is very good for the price. I would highly recommend them even sight unseen. Ofcourse, with Cabelas return policy you would have no problem sending them back if you did not like them. I looked through the 8x42s and was fairly impressed. Their compact models also deliver fairly good images though I am not crazy about the ergonomics.

Three, Redhead is basically the name of Bass Pro Shops company only line. There are Redhead catalogs, etc.. and typically combine both hunting and fishing. There may be less of a distinction now but I think in the past Bass Pro Shops used the name "Redhead" to single out their hunting gear...in other words who would buy something hunting related from a fishing company?

 

[Tero]

The 8x32 was the one from their selection that stood out, and the Epic series. The Pursuit is a little less impressive. I have satisfied most of my 8x32 curiosity. If there are some 8.5x32 bins out there, I might be interested. But for now, I was able to ID two warblers while standing under trees and bushes yesterday, though it was sunny outside my tree canopy.

I also realize these have little resale value, so I am just going to use them till no good anymore. Cabela's is moving here late spring, but not sure what I need now. Next goal to save up will be scope upgrade. Tripod is fine.

The Pursuits don't have much to offer, they are not even priced much different from other similar models.

BUT the 8x32 format is quite pleasant for birding. The binoculars don't feel like a toy in your hand and not like a big porro. I was mostly able to ignore the binoculars and watch the birds. The 10x32 is apparently not as easy, so there I prefer the 10x42.

 

[FrankD]

BUT the 8x32 format is quite pleasant for birding. The binoculars don't feel like a toy in your hand and not like a big porro.

Absolutely true. Yet, I still find myself preferring the 8x42 configuration for one big reason....Exit pupil. Now, that is not necessarily because of supposed brighter image or better resolution due to the 42 mm objective but rather eye positioning with the 5 mm exit pupil size. I enjoy being able to move my eye around and not experiencing blackouts. With just about all of the 8x32 mm models I have owned/tried I cannot accomplish this.

 

[Tero]

There are some smaller porros out there that also work well, like the Leupold 6x30. I like the concept and the wide field. But I just don't get much out of a 6x with birds. I will use a 7x if it is handy. But it would be nice to get a 8x32 porro as well at some point if one is made for US, though there are soem 8x30s* Something reasonably good, not necesarily water proof, but rugged enough to keep in the car. My Nikon 8x40s stays home most days, and are a bit on the heavy side. The Leupold 8x40s look like a very attractive design. I may eventully sell the Actions and get an upgraded porro. But no hurry.

For me, the 8x32 roofs and the 8x40 porros serve the same purpose: warblers, woodland. I need to get some more years out of the Actions.

*Steiner Night Hunter XP 8x30 etc, FOV 390ft

 

[FrankD]

Tero,

If you are going the 8x30 route then I have to reiterate my comments about the 8x32 Pentax DCF-SP. I bought mine online for about $350 and they compare very favorably with many of the high end 8x30 models I have owned. They offer a better image than the Zeiss Conquests and are very comparable to the Nikon LXL 8x32s with a stiffer focus and less noticeable CA around the edge of the field of view. Though Pentax does not advertise it they do use ED glass in the SP lineup. For $350 I am unaware of another roof prism that delivers this level of image quality. Of the binoculars I have owned only the 8x32 SE, 8x30 EII and possibly the 8x32 LX offered a better overall image for one reason or another. Ergonomically though I would choose the SPs.

There are some smaller porros out there that also work well, like the Leupold 6x30.

It is funny you mention the Yosemite. I have one on order and hope to pick it up this evening. Will post more then.

 

[Tero]

Well, the 8x32 are proving themselves a worthy investment. I am using them quite a bit. Very comfortable eye cups. I viewed juvenile blue birds and cedar waxwings at medium distance (150-200 ft my guess). My Monarchs would have done better but my Sporters would not.

The only problem here is how long they will last, some years I expect. If I get used to this format, I will want a very similar replacement if they are lost or broken. And that may run me some $400. FOV is about 370, sufficient.

With the smaller investment these are with me about half the time, compared to the Monarchs at 3 or 4 times a month. I will use the monarchs when the birding gets any more challenging.

 

[Tero]

The 8x Epic has become my "in the trunk" binocular. I found some Swainson's Thrushes. Next I found some similar birds, but a bit far away. The Epic was able to tell me the eyes were not that of a thrush, though the bird otherwise fit. They were young Brown Thrashers where the tail was not full size yet. The bill was not much curved either . I took out some 9x porros and the eye was definitely not all one color.

 

[Tero]

In comparing to other more well known 8x32 models, I have to admit the RedHeads are a bit dimmer. I still use them once in a while but less and less. Anybody want to buy them so I won't have to eBay them? I won't ask much but not worth the trouble of selling and shipping for less than 50.

 

[Tero]

OK, now I have two 8x32s. I decided to keep the RedHead, as it will not sell for much and is not bad, after all.

 

[Otto McDiesel]

OK, now I have two 8x32s. I decided to keep the RedHead, as it will not sell for much and is not bad, after all.

Well, i'll take the other one for $10 if you still want to part with it. Please send the binoculars and the check to Passer Vogel, 105 Bluebird Road, Turkey AR 75492, USA.

 

[Tero]

No way, I paid a hundred. How are those kids of yours doing? I have some almost useable reverse porros.

 

[Otto McDiesel]

No way, I paid a hundred. How are those kids of yours doing? I have some almost useable reverse porros.

Tero, i was supposed to take those binoculars if you paid me $10. That was a joke.

I can't help but notice your classification of binoculars: "not bad, after all", "almost useable", etc. Along the same lines, let me suggest a few more types of binoculars: "decent, but not quite", "horrible, but funny", "cute, but useless", "good smellin', but opaque", etc.

Thanks for asking. Kids are fine. The Yosemites work great for them, but i am starting to worry about the long term survival of this model. Ther kids are kind of rough. Maybe i should have bought something sturdy like the Fujinon 6x30.