What binoculars do you think have the most WOW factor! (2 Viewers)

[[email protected]]

Dennis,

if my memory is correct I don't think that it was too long ago (In the current decade, I think.) that you were raving about how good the Nikon 10 x 25 LX L was. Save yourself some money and review your review of them.

On another note, I don't think that the fact that the Swarovski 8 x 20 is 2 ounces lighter than the Nikon 8 x 20 LXL "outweighs" the undisputed facts that it also has shorter eye relief, longer close focus and a smaller FOV. The subject of whether it is brighter than the Nikon is, of course, subjective.

Bob

That was before I tried the Swaro! I also thought the Leica Trinovid was the best compact. The little Swaro blew me away! Oh my god they are good.

 

[[email protected]]

Dennis:

I watch you returning many of your purchases, so we'll see.

If you've tried the Nikon LXL compacts, you would appreciate the view, and
the refinement, not a Tonka, but a Lexus.
The leather case of the Nikons is so nice, it is like wearing the finest leather gloves available.

But we don't buy binoculars for the case, it is for the optics, and value.

Jerry

There is also alot of complaints about the IPD hinges being loose and getting looser on the Nikon LX's. Have you had any problems with the hinges?

 

[Giorgio]

I already ordered the Nikon 8x20 LX so cross out number 6. HaHa! Watch here for a comparison of the Swarovski 8x20 and the Nikon 8x20 LX. Coming next! Two mini-mites that will WOW your eyes!

I was pretty sure you wouldn't resist the temptation to buy it for a test hehe.
Hope to see your review soon, even i doubt they can mechanically be compared as Swaro compact is a bit like a mini tank ;-)
However you could be surprised by the almost absent optical differences between these two "compact alphas".

 

[[email protected]]

I was pretty sure you wouldn't resist the temptation to buy it for a test hehe.
Hope to see your review soon, even i doubt they can mechanically be compared as Swaro compact is a bit like a mini tank ;-)
However you could be surprised by the almost absent optical differences between these two "compact alphas".

We will see. Don't bet on the Nikon.

 

[stephen b]

.....
The size and weight of the Swaro is a big advantage. Since it is a compact you want it as small and light as it can be and after carrying them all day that extra 2 oz. is very noticeable around the neck and when you use them and hold them and the Swaro fits in your pocket easier.

Dennis- Methinks thou doth protest too much about 2oz ! Sounds like you better start doing some strength training if 2 extra oz. in a 9.5 oz bin is going to strain you. 8-P

 

[barshnik]

We will see. Don't bet on the Nikon.

That really makes it sound like your mind is already made up.

 

[Brigadier]

I already ordered the Nikon 8x20 LX so cross out number 5. HaHa! Watch here for a comparison of the Swarovski 8x20 and the Nikon 8x20 LX. Coming next! Two mini-mites that will WOW your eyes! Here is my order.

DESCRIPTION PRICE QTY SUBTOTAL
Nikon 8x20 Premier LX, Compact Water Proof Roof Prism Binocular with 6.8 Degree Angle of View, U.S.A. $399.00 1 $399.00

Hi Dennis,

I look forward to reading your comparison of the Swaro and Nikon 8x20s.

One thing ― you won't be able to assess the long term mechanical durability of the two compacts. My Swaro 8x20 has had 15 years of use and works as well as it did on day 1. Can the same be said of the Nikon?

 

[[email protected]]

Dennis- Methinks thou doth protest too much about 2oz ! Sounds like you better start doing some strength training if 2 extra oz. in a 9.5 oz bin is going to strain you. 8-P

That doesn't sound like much but in reality it is when you carry it all day. It surprised me too but I really notice a difference carrying the little Swaro's versus the other small compacts. The feel of the little Swaro's is lighter also. They feel featherlight compared to even my Leica Trinovids. It's just like an 18 oz.binoculars feels lighter than a 20 oz. binocular. 2 oz. is 2 oz. It is what it is and it is 2 oz. HaHa.

 

[[email protected]]

That really makes it sound like your mind is already made up.

I am going somewhat by memory and I don't remember the Nikon's being as good as the little Swaro's but I will have an open mind when I compare them.

 

[[email protected]]

Hi Dennis,

I look forward to reading your comparison of the Swaro and Nikon 8x20s.

One thing ― you won't be able to assess the long term mechanical durability of the two compacts. My Swaro 8x20 has had 15 years of use and works as well as it did on day 1. Can the same be said of the Nikon?

I know the Swaro is built better just by memory. I was looking at the little Swaro the other night and I am very impressed with the build quality of it. The IPD hinges have the perfect tension to keep from moving whereas if you read the Amazon reviews on the Nikon there is several complaints of these hinges getting looser with time to the point that they had to send them into Nikon. They also had other problems with the Nikon mechanically but I have heard no complaints on the Swaro. Maybe Nikon has tightened up the hinges we will see. If the Nikon is even close to the Swaro optically I will keep it for $400.00 it is a bargain and I like and use compacts all the time. I had the little Swaro out this morning doing a little birding even though it is very cold and it continues to amaze me with the view. I will probably get the Nikon about Wednesday. I ordered it from Adorama on 2nd day UPS. I am curious to see if the Nikon is better than the Leica. I have a feeling it will fall somewhere in between the two in performance. The big question will be the optics. When I compared the Leica and the Swaro I always thought the Leica was the best compact UNTIL I tried the Swaro. By comparing them side by side I could really see the better performance of the Swaro. I wanted to keep the Leica and return the Swaro but the performance of the Swaro would not let me. So we will see.

 

[[email protected]]

I am thinking that you are thinking correctly, so let's take a poll on the reason he gives for why he sells them next month.

1. FOV too narrow?
2. Eye placement too finicky?
3. Really not as bright as I thought?
4. Didn't pass the DVD test?
5. To pay for his new Nikon compacts?
6. ?

<B>

How did you miss this one. AN EII FOR $80.00!!!!!!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Premi...=&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[ceasar]

"shorter eye relief, longer close focus and a smaller FOV"

I don't car about the shorter close focus on the Nikon's because I don't look at BUGS and the ER works fine for me on the Swaro and as far as the FOV even though the Nikon has maybe a 10 foot bigger FOV the Swaro has a bigger sweetspot so in actuality the Swaro's FOV appears bigger. Nikon concentrates on the on-axis view in their optical formula ,whereas, Swarovski concentrates on the entire FOV and they want an even balance and I prefer Swarovski's approach. The size and weight of the Swaro is a big advantage. Since it is a compact you want it as small and light as it can be and after carrying them all day that extra 2 oz. is very noticeable around the neck and when you use them and hold them and the Swaro fits in your pocket easier.

Dennis,

I believe you also said that the Nikon 10 x 25 was sharp to the edge. I decided to buy one because of that and I found that you were right. It is sharp to the edge of the view!:t:

Maybe your eyes have changed since then?

Bob

 

[ceasar]

There is also alot of complaints about the IPD hinges being loose and getting looser on the Nikon LX's. Have you had any problems with the hinges?

Dennis,

This is how IBLs (Internet Binocular Legends) get started. :eek!:

Your statement as it is written encompasses all Nikon LX binoculars! :C I have never heard any complaints about any LX binoculars having loose hinges let alone "a lot of complaints."

If your binocular won't hold up to close scrutiny you don't try to build it up by slandering a rival binocular!

Bob

 

[Steve C]

How did you miss this one. AN EII FOR $80.00!!!!!!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-Premi...=&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

I wonder where this one was. That is clearly'in my nikon and/or 8x30 search parameters on eBay, and this never showed up on my search list.

 

[[email protected]]

Dennis,

This is how IBLs (Internet Binocular Legends) get started. :eek!:

Your statement as it is written encompasses all Nikon LX binoculars! :C I have never heard any complaints about any LX binoculars having loose hinges let alone "a lot of complaints."

If your binocular won't hold up to close scrutiny you don't try to build it up by slandering a rival binocular!

Bob

The comments about the hinges was based on my online research. A reviewer mentioned he thought the Nikon's hinges were too loose and then there were these reviewers on Amazon who had trouble with the hinges.

"2.0 out of 5 stars Great optical quality, but weak mechanically, October 17, 2009
By The Kodachromeguy (Vicksburg, MS USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Nikon Premier LX-L 8x20 Binoculars (Electronics)
These little Nikon Premier 8x20 LX glasses are very good quality optically, sharp from corner to corner and easy to focus. But mine have proven to be delicate and the hinges have loosened and become floppy twice in two years. Nikon USA fixed them under warranty, but I am not impressed with the lack of robustness. Not recommended."

"1.0 out of 5 stars Stellar sharpness but that's it, September 13, 2011
By Pavel - See all my reviews
This review is from: Nikon Premier LX-L 8x20 Binoculars (Electronics)
When I bought these binoculars for travel I was very impressed at first. They clearly exhibited more contrast than my cheap Minolta 8x25, more resistance to flare and great detail rendition. I was puzzled though by the fact that the required diopter adjustment was quite significant unlike for my other binoculars.

However, after some use I've found some problems:
1. The appropriate diopter adjustment was not constant and required correction all the time. After some checking it has turned out that the correction was depending on position of something loose inside the binoculars - I could actually hear it rattling when shaking the binoculars slightly.
2. Something is wrong with contrast. I compared these Nikon with Bushnell 7x26 and it seems that the smaller details are rendered with higher contrast than larger objects. While smaller details contrast is close on both binoculars larger details, like leaves from 20 meters, look different - 7x26 cuts them against the sky while Nikon shows a much duller picture. As a result, image from the Nikon looks unnatural to the extent that even view through that cheap Minolta 8x25 feels better.
3. Weak mechanics. Even though the Nikon are made from metal, a minor bump when in a case was enough to weaken right hinge so that holding by the right tube alone was not possible anymore without the binoculars folding down. As for the plastic Minolta 8x25 - I dropped them once on stone floor from about 1.5 meters so that some latch snapped open. I just snapped it back and the 8x25 are still working without problems.
4. The warranty. Naturally, I wanted to fix the problem number 1 and sent the binoculars to California. Good news: the warranty is valid wherever you are in the world, at least if return address is in US. Bad news: they have fixed loose hinge and corrected the diopter compensation offset somewhat but have not fixed the inconsistency from the number 1 and still something is rattling inside.

So here is the risk - even if your binoculars do not have this number 1 problem from the beginning, it may develop over time and it is not covered by the warranty."

And here is nice review comparing the Swaro to the Nikon and if you read it you will read the comment on how he thought the Nikon's hinges were too loose. Now I must say Nikon may have fixed this issue and I will check that out when I get them. As far as long term durability that is hard to test.

http://www.opticstalk.com/nikon-premier-lx-l-8x20mm-review_topic32594.html

 

[[email protected]]

Dennis,

I believe you also said that the Nikon 10 x 25 was sharp to the edge. I decided to buy one because of that and I found that you were right. It is sharp to the edge of the view!:t:

Maybe your eyes have changed since then?

Bob

Perhaps I need my memory jogged. I get the Nikon 8x20 on Wednesday so I can compare them side by side then. I don't remember any compact having the huge sweetspot like the little Swaro does.

 

[NDhunter]

Dennis:

Go back and look at some posts on the pocket Nikons. I have the 10x25 LXL,
and the hinges were a little loose for me, but I just tightened them myself.
I can offer the simple method if any are wondering.

The optics of the 10x25, are at a very high level, and you just ordered a new
Nikon, and I predict you are now starting your usual behavior.

You have not even had your new binocular, but just looking for a reason to
give it a gripe. Now, be sure to quickly order a Zeiss Victory 8x20, and give it
a 3 way test.

You have 30 days, and with 2 day shipping, you may be in the range.

Jerry

 

[Highway Dog]

Steve, I see that this one was in the general Telecopes and Binoculars and Accessories grouping. It was not in the more specific Binoculars and Monoculars sub-grouping.

I would have missed it in my sub-grouping searches too!

Rob.

 

[[email protected]]

Dennis:

Go back and look at some posts on the pocket Nikons. I have the 10x25 LXL,
and the hinges were a little loose for me, but I just tightened them myself.
I can offer the simple method if any are wondering.

The optics of the 10x25, are at a very high level, and you just ordered a new
Nikon, and I predict you are now starting your usual behavior.

You have not even had your new binocular, but just looking for a reason to
give it a gripe. Now, be sure to quickly order a Zeiss Victory 8x20, and give it
a 3 way test.

You have 30 days, and with 2 day shipping, you may be in the range.

Jerry

I am not looking for a reason to gripe. I always research a binocular and see what the feedback is on it and I look for reviews on it to see what other people think of it. I am just reporting what I read. As I said maybe Nikon fixed these issues by now. I don't remember my two Nikon 8x20 and 10x25 LX's having loose hinges. The point is none of them including yours should be shipped with loose hinges and you shouldn't have to do your simple repair.

 

[Simon S]

I think it has to be the Nikon 8x30 EII.
Don't get me wrong, the 8x32 Se is fantastic, but the wider field makes the wow for me.