-
Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.
Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
The best you've ever seen (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter bh46118
- Start date
mooreorless
Well-known member
I would have to say the Nikon 8x32SE.
mulligatawny owl
Well-known member
Nikon SE 8x32 serial no. 551.
I don't wish to start rumours
but the brightness and contrast on these seems even more stunning than I remember from the 550's (which were in turn clearly better than the 505's)
I don't wish to start rumours
but the brightness and contrast on these seems even more stunning than I remember from the 550's (which were in turn clearly better than the 505's)Greetings.
This question will always be attractive to answer and read. Some excellent answers could be found in this relatively recent thread.
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=258581
Enjoy in good health.
This question will always be attractive to answer and read. Some excellent answers could be found in this relatively recent thread.
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=258581
Enjoy in good health.
brocknroller
porromaniac
Nikon SE 8x32 serial no. 551.
I don't wish to start rumours
You just gots to say it, didn't you? You just gots to. Now I feel like my 550s are "old technology." Bad enough I had to upgrade from the 501s to the 505s, and then when Nikon came out with the Eco-Glass version 550, I had to upgrade again, but now that Nikon discontinued the SEs and the price jumped $200, it's going to be hard to find a 551.
After my family-sized pig's feet jars are full of quarters, half dollars and dollar bills, I will be in touch and make you an offer you can't refuse.
Brock
stereotruckdriver
Well-known member
Its all in the eyes of the beholder.
Bryce...
Bryce...
brocknroller
porromaniac
Based on my experience with the 10x42 model, which is "Top of the Pops" among all the 10x bins I've tried, the 8x42 SLC-HD would probably be my favorite roof. Unfortunately, it's another discontinued bin!
After I buy Mull of Kintyre owl's 551 8x32 SE, and have my pig feet jar's full again, I'll make you an offer.
Brock
Well, I will get killed for this but I will go for a roof. And you'all know which one. Why of course the Swarovski Swarovision 8x32. Bigger FOV, better edges and the on axis resolution is just as good and more eye relief than the SE and I compared them both many times. I will say the Nikon SE 8x32 is the best porro available overall for birding though and still definitely a better bargain than the Swaro. The SE does have one advantage over the Swaro and that is glare control. If that is your priority look at the SE.
Last edited:
mulligatawny owl
Well-known member
Ahh, but I never had a chance to compare them together and you know how unreliable memory is. But...what I can say is that I sold the 550's cos I thought I could just live with my conquest 8x42 HDs as I found them even better than the SEs ,only to find I missed them so much that I bought them again (551) and now after owning the new SEs and the conquests together for some months I now find the SEs better than the Conquests.
Torview
Well-known member
Just as well I`v only experienced my 500... SE which I guess makes it 1998 leaded glass, its clear to see the improvement in contrast on my late EII though, pretty sure I`ll pick up a 551 if one turns up.
My SE´s are 502xxx. I love them. Used to have 551xxx, sold them, can´t remember why. Best bins optically I currently have are Nikon EDG II 8x42. SE´s are a little behind them. But even the term "optically" is fraught with danger - optically best in what way? Hey, we can argue about this for a whole new thread!
WJC
Well-known member
Like Mooreorless and Torview, my birding glass is a 8x32 SE. HOWEVER, the difference in it, and myriad others I've never seen, is below the threshold of recognition for virtually all observers.
We like our answers wrapped up nicely in easily quantifiable packages. But, while convenient, it's not realistic! Thirty binos sit on my work bench, waiting for my attention, as they have been for . . . two years. Among them are the BEST and the WORST. But, even those in the middle would provide years of great service in the field.
Just remember: there is no perfection in binoculars and trying to reach that which doesn't exist can cost heavily.
My first good guitar was a top of the line Rickenbacker ($$$$) and my best sounding guitar was a Gretsch Nashville ($$$$). When maturity overtook ego, I learned an Epiphone Casino ($) was just right for my needs. :-C
Bill
Last edited:
Brock, don't break open your piggy bank yet. I have doubts that the coatings on the 551xxx series are any different than the 550xxx SE series. As anyone who tracks the SE serial numbers know, Nikon ran out of digits in the 550xxx series, meaning they issued number 550999. The next one issued logically would be 551000, followed by 551001, 551002 .........
Also keep in mind that Nikon discontinued the SE less than a year after the first 551xxx showed up. It seems highly unlikely Nikon would develop a new coating for a binocular that would be discontinued less than a year later.
As mentioned, no side by side was done. I think a good old side by side comparison would be in order before you get to concerned about owning an antiquated SE! I'm betting there is no change other than the serial number sequence.
Honestly, this is a troll bait topic.
Apart from a very few, such as maybe Henry or Timmo, no birder has the time, talent or funds to really evaluate dozens of different binoculars well enough to pick a winner.
The Docter 12x50BGA that I used to carry was probably as good optically as any Nikon SE, just different.
My current Canon10x42ISL is certainly no better optically, but it is a more effective birding tool thanks to image stabilization.
As birders, that should be our priority. Optical merit is a means, not an end.
Apart from a very few, such as maybe Henry or Timmo, no birder has the time, talent or funds to really evaluate dozens of different binoculars well enough to pick a winner.
The Docter 12x50BGA that I used to carry was probably as good optically as any Nikon SE, just different.
My current Canon10x42ISL is certainly no better optically, but it is a more effective birding tool thanks to image stabilization.
As birders, that should be our priority. Optical merit is a means, not an end.
If incredible sharpness, great color fidelity and brightness, and a wide, easy view are what you desire, you'd be hard-pressed to find anything better, I think.
A lot of people would probably argue the EL Swarovision as being superior, but I found it to be less friendly on the eyes (due to rolling ball) and not quite as sharp in the center. In this regard, only the SLC-HD has bettered the Kowa Genesis I now own.
Of course, everyone's eyes are quite different and these are only my subjective impressions.
Justin
WJC
Well-known member
"Apart from a very few, such as maybe Henry or Timmo, no birder has the time, talent or funds to really evaluate dozens of different binoculars well enough to pick a winner."
Bingo! Carve it in stone!
My shop had 150 models in stock, with ALL the heavy hitters. It was not uncommon for a couple of birdwatchers to come in and spend 2 hours mulling over the nuances--usually with an "expert" laden magazine under their arms.
The fact is, armed with a modicum of REALISTIC knowledge of binoculars and the industry (yes, that's important, too) a good choice could be made in 20 minutes in a field of 150 models. It's the lack of that knowledge and confidence that causes to hunting session to take so long and be so confusing. :h?:
Bill
Bingo! Carve it in stone!
My shop had 150 models in stock, with ALL the heavy hitters. It was not uncommon for a couple of birdwatchers to come in and spend 2 hours mulling over the nuances--usually with an "expert" laden magazine under their arms.
The fact is, armed with a modicum of REALISTIC knowledge of binoculars and the industry (yes, that's important, too) a good choice could be made in 20 minutes in a field of 150 models. It's the lack of that knowledge and confidence that causes to hunting session to take so long and be so confusing. :h?:
Bill
Last edited:
As Bill notes there is more to using binoculars than finding the one with the perfect optics.
I used to think my Nikon 10x42 SE had the best optics of all the ones I had owned and used. (I have a lot of them, a few are considered "Alphas" but most of them are "middle class" like me.) There were some eye placement issues with the SE (that I could overcome) which kept it from being my "go to" binocular.
Then I got a Nikon 10x32 EDG I in 2010 and I was able to compare it with the SE under any number of conditions and I concluded that they both had equally superb optics but I did not have any eye placement issues with the EDG and I preferred using it over the SE for birding, primarily Hawk Watching during fall migration.
Note that these are both 10x binoculars. I really don't know how I could compare optical performances in most practical conditions by comparing them with my Zeiss Victory 7x42 FL T* which has superb optics but is a different kind of binocular suited for different kinds of uses.
Bob
I used to think my Nikon 10x42 SE had the best optics of all the ones I had owned and used. (I have a lot of them, a few are considered "Alphas" but most of them are "middle class" like me.) There were some eye placement issues with the SE (that I could overcome) which kept it from being my "go to" binocular.
Then I got a Nikon 10x32 EDG I in 2010 and I was able to compare it with the SE under any number of conditions and I concluded that they both had equally superb optics but I did not have any eye placement issues with the EDG and I preferred using it over the SE for birding, primarily Hawk Watching during fall migration.
Note that these are both 10x binoculars. I really don't know how I could compare optical performances in most practical conditions by comparing them with my Zeiss Victory 7x42 FL T* which has superb optics but is a different kind of binocular suited for different kinds of uses.
Bob
Last edited: