I have a great time with my UV7x42HD and ZR7x36ED2 binoculars. I appreciate their steadier view and increased DoF but for hiking and holidays we (wife &I) take Nikon M7 8x30 bins (because I can't find a 7x that will do that job). Our main viewing is done in woodland and fairly compact habitats.
I started off using 8x porros. I found that the nearer view through my porros was not the same as an 8x roof. There was some discussion here when I posted about this, it seems that it's a perceptual thing that perhaps not all see. For me, the nearer porro view is much like a 7x but changing to a full 8x at distance.
Over time, I began to wonder if an 8x roof would give a more detailed view, not that I wanted to change from 7x for everything, but that in hides and on reserves with fairly sweeping vistas a little more might help. Trying my little 8x30 M7s from hides gives a view that is substantially the same as the 7x, but with less DoF and not as steady (plus the features that a smaller binocular adds).
Some time ago, I tried a Minox 10x42 (can't remember the model, but it was pretty much their cheapest). The performance didn't help to sell 10x to me, difficult to hold steady and a very small sweet spot. An earlier trial with a 10x42 Imagic TGA porro was a better experience as I recall. All these binoculars are long gone, so I can't compare any more.
So, here I am, wondering if a 10x will help me satisfy this particular itch. I have a budget of £200, but as ever, if something heart-stopping pops up (new or used), I reserve the right to bust that. I was interested in some of the Viking ED bins, but noticed that the Hawke 10x43 might be available for only a little over £200 (is this the same build as my ZR7x36?). Chris6 has suggested the Orion Ultraview 10x50 porro as a contender.. any others in this range?
I started off using 8x porros. I found that the nearer view through my porros was not the same as an 8x roof. There was some discussion here when I posted about this, it seems that it's a perceptual thing that perhaps not all see. For me, the nearer porro view is much like a 7x but changing to a full 8x at distance.
Over time, I began to wonder if an 8x roof would give a more detailed view, not that I wanted to change from 7x for everything, but that in hides and on reserves with fairly sweeping vistas a little more might help. Trying my little 8x30 M7s from hides gives a view that is substantially the same as the 7x, but with less DoF and not as steady (plus the features that a smaller binocular adds).
Some time ago, I tried a Minox 10x42 (can't remember the model, but it was pretty much their cheapest). The performance didn't help to sell 10x to me, difficult to hold steady and a very small sweet spot. An earlier trial with a 10x42 Imagic TGA porro was a better experience as I recall. All these binoculars are long gone, so I can't compare any more.
So, here I am, wondering if a 10x will help me satisfy this particular itch. I have a budget of £200, but as ever, if something heart-stopping pops up (new or used), I reserve the right to bust that. I was interested in some of the Viking ED bins, but noticed that the Hawke 10x43 might be available for only a little over £200 (is this the same build as my ZR7x36?). Chris6 has suggested the Orion Ultraview 10x50 porro as a contender.. any others in this range?
:cat:
