Weight of 8x42 recommendations ? (1 Viewer)

[Sumo11]

A couple of years ago I had a similar situation.

Was using the Viking ED Pro (not the FF) and part ex'd for some secondhand Opticron Auroras 8x42 - the Opticrons were over 100g lighter and the difference (to me) was very noticeable.

The ED Pro's had very good reviews back in the day - they were made in Japan - I think they weighed around 840g.

The Opticron Auroras are also made in Japan - and to my eyes were better in just about every way. From memory I paid around £200ish to make the switch and I've absolutely zero regrets.

 

[Barbican1987]

Which weights more than the OPs current bin...

Yes it is heavier thanks

 

[Barbican1987]

A couple of years ago I had a similar situation.

Was using the Viking ED Pro (not the FF) and part ex'd for some secondhand Opticron Auroras 8x42 - the Opticrons were over 100g lighter and the difference (to me) was very noticeable.

The ED Pro's had very good reviews back in the day - they were made in Japan - I think they weighed around 840g.

The Opticron Auroras are also made in Japan - and to my eyes were better in just about every way. From memory I paid around £200ish to make the switch and I've absolutely zero regrets.

Thank you. I have put my Viking up for sale!! On Bird Forum classified as well as Facebook. I am in the UK btw.

 

[Mike Crawley]

I presume that you are planning on buying a replacement pair of binoculars.
It might be worth your while going along to your local optics shop and asking about either a trade-in or whether they do commission sales.
My local optics shop does a great commission sales service and (obviously) are able to accept debit card and credit card payment. They take care of everything for a small payment (taken from the previously agreed sales price)

Sorry, just noted that you are selling the binoculars yourself - good luck

 

[Barbican1987]

I presume that you are planning on buying a replacement pair of binoculars.
It might be worth your while going along to your local optics shop and asking about either a trade-in or whether they do commission sales.
My local optics shop does a great commission sales service and (obviously) are able to accept debit card and credit card payment. They take care of everything for a small payment (taken from the previously agreed sales price)

Sorry, just noted that you are selling the binoculars yourself - good luck

Thanks for the suggestion Mike, I thought I would try selling myself 1st, then maybe try the optics shop as you suggest yes.

 

[Tringa45]

That's not true. Most binoculars are unnecessarily bulky. The Nikon MHG 8x42 is just as durable and as well-built as the NL yet at 24 oz. or 680 grams it is almost 8 oz lighter. You don't really need all that heavy rubber armor. When Nikon redesigned the EDG and made the new MHG, they got rid of all the unnecessary bulk.

The long in the tooth Nikon EDG reminds of the older cars with the big heavy chrome bumpers and fancy hood ornaments, while the Nikon MHG is like a new Corvette without any unnecessary fat that increases the weight.

What is not true? That there is a penalty for weight reduction?
Colin Chapman once said "If it doesn't break it's too heavy."
The above comments are nebulous and unsubstantiated. Have you conducted any measurements on the 8x42 MHG and NL, taken them apart or even carried out one of your questionable direct comparisons ("light years ahead")? The NL, btw, weighs 840 g, less than 6 oz difference and does a few things better than the MHG, if you want those characteristics.
Swarovski will still service 20-30 year-old binoculars, Nikon don't.

It's immediately apparent from Canip's photos on the "Vignetting" thread how Zeiss have saved so much weight on the SFL. Who's to blame them if they can increase sales by catering to "ignorant users" (sic) and publish attractive specifications. Unfortunately it's controllers and consumer-appealing benchmarks that dictate design today at the cost quality and longevity.

John

 

[[email protected]]

What is not true? That there is a penalty for weight reduction?
Colin Chapman once said "If it doesn't break it's too heavy."
The above comments are nebulous and unsubstantiated. Have you conducted any measurements on the 8x42 MHG and NL, taken them apart or even carried out one of your questionable direct comparisons ("light years ahead")? The NL, btw, weighs 840 g, less than 6 oz difference and does a few things better than the MHG, if you want those characteristics.
Swarovski will still service 20-30 year-old binoculars, Nikon don't.

It's immediately apparent from Canip's photos on the "Vignetting" thread how Zeiss have saved so much weight on the SFL. Who's to blame them if they can increase sales by catering to "ignorant users" (sic) and publish attractive specifications. Unfortunately it's controllers and consumer-appealing benchmarks that dictate design today at the cost quality and longevity.

John

 

[CharleyBird]

One persons supposed crap is another's treasure, and deservedly so.

 

[Maljunulo]

When you boil it all down, recommendations are mostly less than useful.

Look for yourself, if at all possible.

 

[beacon hill]

Thanks. I am intrigued. I contacted Viking UK and they told me the reason for the higher than normal weight was the weight of the prisms and field flattners.
They say discontinued this model because the Chinese manufacturer wanted more money to continue supplying this design, so Viking dropped it and supplied a different configuration.

Can clarity and distortion be significantly reduced without FF I ask?

If you lived in Lincs I would say pop along to our next optics weekend and try for yourself

 

[tenex]

If you lived in Lincs I would say pop along to our next optics weekend and try for yourself

Going somewhere the OP can try and compare several models within his budget is the best suggestion here. On 7° vs 8°, that would bother me (my E II 8x30 gives 8.8°, costs around $500, and weighs 575g) but one needs to find out for oneself.

A bit more weight around the neck is absolutely the last thing that would concern me, in a bin that delivers the view and feel I want. A well-shaped neoprene neckstrap supports even large glass well enough for me, and all sorts of harnesses are available as needed.

 

[Barbican1987]

If you lived in Lincs I would say pop along to our next optics weekend and try for yourself

Ok thanks but I live in Somerset. I guess there are similar events here thiugh

 

[Barbican1987]

Going somewhere the OP can try and compare several models within his budget is the best suggestion here. On 7° vs 8°, that would bother me (my E II 8x30 gives 8.8°, costs around $500, and weighs 575g) but one needs to find out for oneself.

A bit more weight around the neck is absolutely the last thing that would concern me, in a bin that delivers the view and feel I want. A well-shaped neoprene neckstrap supports even large glass well enough for me, and all sorts of harnesses are available as needed.

ThAnks tenex, some models you mention are not available in the UK. I am 76 . It's not the weight around my neck that concerns me as much as holding them when viewing. As you get older your arm muscles weaken somewhat and heavy bins become an issue.

 

[Patudo]

8x32 or x30 is regularly chosen by those who can't or don't want to deal with the weight of large binoculars (the "geriatric crowd", as one regular here is fond of putting it). A good quality 8x32 or 30 handles very well, often offers wider field of view than 8x40/42 and is a very competent birding tool in almost all situations you would use the larger binocular. I second the recommendation, already offered by others here, that you should try a few. Being a popular choice for birding they often come up both new and secondhand. Ace Optics (in Bath) may be worth a visit.

 

[tenex]

ThAnks tenex, some models you mention are not available in the UK.

You must be referring to Nikon E II, which can be bought directly from Japan (as I did, from Kyoei Osaka) or sellers on eBay, and comes up occasionally for sale (pre-owned) here. Actually, it might be just what you're looking for.

 

[Bentley03]

Ok thanks but I live in Somerset. I guess there are similar events here thiugh

Avian Ultralite ED 8x42

Not sure how local you are to Bath, but Ace Optics have just added a new lightweight Made In Japan 8x42 (and 10x42) model to their Avian range of binoculars. At 605g they would certainly fulfill your desire for a lighter full size binocular. I tested them at the shop a few weeks ago, just after their release, and thought they were outstanding at the price point. I bought a pair on the spot and since then they have sat on my desk and been used multiple times daily out of the window. At 7 degrees, they don't have the widest field of view, but the optics are a delight.

 

[Barbican1987]

8x32 or x30 is regularly chosen by those who can't or don't want to deal with the weight of large binoculars (the "geriatric crowd", as one regular here is fond of putting it). A good quality 8x32 or 30 handles very well, often offers wider field of view than 8x40/42 and is a very competent birding tool in almost all situations you would use the larger binocular. I second the recommendation, already offered by others here, that you should try a few. Being a popular choice for birding they often come up both new and secondhand. Ace Optics (in Bath) may be worth a visit.

Thanks, I am probably about 60 miles from Bath. I am rather taken with Opticron Natura mentioned earlier . I have been given a reasonable quote for my Vikings in PX

 

[PatR]

Thanks, I am probably about 60 miles from Bath. I am rather taken with Opticron Natura mentioned earlier . I have been given a reasonable quote for my Vikings in PX

Absolutely no connection other than as a very satisfied customer but these are exceptionally good bino's at a very attractive price.

Opticron Verano BGA VHD 8x42 | NatureQuest

Professional Quality BinocularsVHD Optical SystemFully Multi-coated opticsBAK4 phase corrected prismsOasis dielectric coatingClose focus 1.3mNitrogen waterproofErgonomic & Lightweight designMade in Japan30 Year Guarantee The New Opticron Verano BGA VHD 8x42 is a lightweight soft touch rubber...

www.naturequest.co.uk

If you are taken with the Natura's then these Opticrons will more than impress. Plus Steve at NatureQuest has an excellent returns policy should you find them unsuitable.

I like 8x42 as a size and have just managed to purchase a pair of open box Zeiss Conquest HD's. They are lovely.

Best of luck, but as always 'tis best to try if you can and I thoroughy endorse @Bentley03 comments on Ace Optics Bath. Thoroughly decent people to do business with.

 

[Barbican1987]

Absolutely no connection other than as a very satisfied customer but these are exceptionally good bino's at a very attractive price.

Opticron Verano BGA VHD 8x42 | NatureQuest

Professional Quality BinocularsVHD Optical SystemFully Multi-coated opticsBAK4 phase corrected prismsOasis dielectric coatingClose focus 1.3mNitrogen waterproofErgonomic & Lightweight designMade in Japan30 Year Guarantee The New Opticron Verano BGA VHD 8x42 is a lightweight soft touch rubber...

www.naturequest.co.uk

If you are taken with the Natura's then these Opticrons will more than impress. Plus Steve at NatureQuest has an excellent returns policy should you find them unsuitable.

I like 8x42 as a size and have just managed to purchase a pair of open box Zeiss Conquest HD's. They are lovely.

Best of luck, but as always 'tis best to try if you can and I thoroughy endorse @Bentley03 comments on Ace Optics Bath. Thoroughly decent people to do business with.

Thanks, I have just bought them. !! That was a very good reduction thanks for the tip off
I was going to . They seem equally as good as Natura model if not better spec as well as 30 yr warranty and Japanese optics. Sounds a good deal to me

 

[Barbican1987]

Absolutely no connection other than as a very satisfied customer but these are exceptionally good bino's at a very attractive price.

Opticron Verano BGA VHD 8x42 | NatureQuest

Professional Quality BinocularsVHD Optical SystemFully Multi-coated opticsBAK4 phase corrected prismsOasis dielectric coatingClose focus 1.3mNitrogen waterproofErgonomic & Lightweight designMade in Japan30 Year Guarantee The New Opticron Verano BGA VHD 8x42 is a lightweight soft touch rubber...

www.naturequest.co.uk

If you are taken with the Natura's then these Opticrons will more than impress. Plus Steve at NatureQuest has an excellent returns policy should you find them unsuitable.

I like 8x42 as a size and have just managed to purchase a pair of open box Zeiss Conquest HD's. They are lovely.

Best of luck, but as always 'tis best to try if you can and I thoroughy endorse @Bentley03 comments on Ace Optics Bath. Thoroughly decent people to do business with.

BTW Pat, we lived in Aberystwyth for 8 years from 1979 until 1987. I worked for the Welsh Office Agriculture Office seconded by ADAS the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service. I was a Mechanisation Adviser. Used to visit farms in Dyfed as it was then