BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="CLRobles" data-source="post: 1547151" data-attributes="member: 76360">EDz posted that the Nikon AE 12x50 was one of his highest resolving bins ever tested and called them a poor mans SE.... I have looked through them but have never really spent much time with side by sides. My thought is that if I were in your position I still would lean to the Nikon because of many factors. I believe they are going to be the most rugged bin in this class and be able to take the kind of punishment that I know can be dished out on a hunt. If ever damaged they have a excellent warranty and servce... Also they are fully water tight and nitro purged with good eye cups that should be comfortable for extended views. Nikon makes a inexpensive but very good tripod adapter so they have the accessories that one would need for a high power bin that is used for hunting, birding, astronomy readily available....Now personally if I were in your position I would opt for the 12x50.. I have used 12x leica's and now the 12x Nikon SE  as a primary high power bin on hunts many times when glassing along side of others with 15's. Yes the 15's are a little better but not by a huge margin. And the 12x50 EX would solve any issue that you would have with light gathering in this price range....If dead set on the 15 or 16 powers then yes I would still recommend the Nikon for reasons above and they can be bought at many places with a return policy... So buy them, test them, and if you don't like them, return them....</blockquote>

Verification