Which Bins for Distant Viewing? Monarch 12x42, 12x56, or other ... (1 Viewer)

[Tim_in_NC]

The 8x42 Monarchs that we just purchased will be great for birding. However, I also have occasions where I need to spot a larger animal at great range or there are occasions where I see a ship off in the distance while walking the beach, etc ....

So, If I were to pick up another set of Monarchs for viewing objects at greater distances ... Should I go for the 12x42 or 12x56 models ???

Also, Is Nikon still a great bargain for optics at these extended ranges or is there something else out there with better long range clarity in the $300 (internet pricing, not MSRP) price range?

Thanks!

 

[Tero]

Well, have you had a 12x in your hand?

I once had a 16x Bushnell powerview. Thinking I did not need to drag a heavy scope and tripod. I could not really get a grip on any bird on the lake standing up. I tried lying down, elbows on ground. Still shaky. I found some sort of box or dumpster in the park. Then I could see the Caspian Tern. It looked bigger and fuzzier than with 10x. There was actully no new detail I could see.

Go check out a scope.

If that is no good, go back and try the 12x Monarch.

 

[jimtrader11]

I have found the Canon IS 12X36 stabilized binocular to be a very nice way to get a steady 12X mag view without a tripod. Its relatively light weight and a joy to look thru. However it costs about $579 new on Ebay. You will find many very positive reviews on this glass as well as its smaller cousin, the Canon IS 10x30 (which can be had for about $335 at online auction).
If hand holdable high magnification is what you are after you might also consider the Nikon Stabileyes 16X32. They can sometimes be had used for about $400 and up on the major auction site. Major downsides are they are too dim for dawn or twighlight and they are somewhat heavy and a bit awkward. I have both the Canon 12X36 and Nikon 16X32 but if I have to get rid of one it will likely be the Nikon for the above reasons. But that 16X sometimes has its place.

 

[ceasar]

The monarchs are Tripod adaptable,http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4533 so if you wanted to lug around a lightweight tripod or monopod (could double as a walking staff) they might work out ok. Nikon makes 12 x 50 porros. They cost alot less but are alot bigger.http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=3884
Bob

 

[Kevin Purcell]

Some measurements by edz (a regular here!) seem to show that handheld bins have essentially a fixed resolution (that's reached at x8 or so) and even declines above that magnification (i.e. you have the potential for more resolution but you can't actually use any of it because the bin is shaking). At least I though that's what he said

http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1410
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthre...=539563&page=2&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=all&vc=1

Another thread seems to show that even with shake x10 beats x7 (which sort of matches some of my recent experience withhandheld x6 versus x8 in ultimate resolution)

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthre...mber/1962482/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthre...mber/1962482/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all

The best of thread is here:

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthre.../294119/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/1/o/all/vc/1

You get better results by mounting you current bins (as Cesar suggests) on a tripod or monopod.

The real solution as Tero suggests is to get a tripod mounted scope. That plus a bin is the "usual" combo.

 

[FrankD]

Go check out a scope.

I would agree. Even a fairly inexpensive scope like the Vortex Sandpiper (on sale recently for under $300 and highly rated in the last Cornell scope review) would offer a serious performance advantage over something like a 12x bin in the $300 price category.