Hi All,
Here are some of my early thoughts on the Conquest HD 8x32 relative to the Nikon 8x32 HG DCF LX (serial #2025xx... I'm still not certain how this one is referred to... HG, LX, Premier???).... but many of you seem familiar with it so it might be a good reference.
The short of it is that the Conquest HD doesn't come up short and holds its own next to the Nikon. The differences are so slight that I would consider the two piers and I wouldn't considered one to provide a usable advantage over the other. It will be interesting to see how it scores with allbinos since the Nikon sits high on the rankings list.
The most notable differences between the two are the ergonomics and particularly how the hand fits with the bin. The Nikon having the more contoured body to dictate where your hand will go around the binocular.
If I understand correctly, it has been put forth that a fast focus/short body length such as each of these is an inherently flawed design, the shortcoming being a diopter adjustment requirement between near and distant viewing. Personally, I don't see it. My focusing range has been from about 200ft down to 10ft and I have seen no reason to move the diopter with either binocular, as well as with a 7x36 Opticron bga and a 7x36 Swift Eaglet, two more bins that would fall into this category.
The Nikon, Zeiss, and Opticron are my most liked focus mechanisms of the bins I've handled. They satisfy for smoothness in each direction, no play when altering directions, and each is dead silent. All happen to be fast focusers which has become my preference since acquiring the 7x36 Eaglet a year ago. All of these bring an object into focus quickly without overshoot and readjustment required. I don't find any of these bins to be a finicky focus... so I'm wondering if those comments are coming from people who aren't yet comfortable with fast focus mechanisms. Of the bunch and all bins I've handled, the Nikon is my favorite with the Zeiss and Opticron a close second.
The diopter adjustment on each works fine and so far has held its position. The Nikon is easier to use. The ring slides up and is then turned for adjustment. It is wider and easier to grip than the Zeiss, and is marked with fine white lines which makes the adjustment easier to read. The Zeiss is a bit narrower ring and is all black. I can adjust either while looking thru the bin and still remain steady enough to dial in. Aesthetically, the all black approach of the Zeiss blends with the body of the binocular and lends to a sleek appearance whereas the Nikon is easier to use.
The eyecups on the Nikon fit my face a bit better than the Zeiss. I tend to press the eyecups deep into my sockets to try and close the gap of light off to the side between the face and eyecup. I haven't measured but I suspect the Zeiss to be a hair wider. When I first tried the Zeiss I experienced some black flicker off to the side of the FOV when panning (I think you guys refer to this as blackouts). I soon learned if I gently pressed the cups to my sockets the black flicker mostly went away. I suspect it changes the eye relief by adding another mm when I do this. I don't have glasses so I'm always using eyecups fully extended.
The hinge on each has adequate or better tension to hold itself in place without concern of movement.
The contour of the body on the Nikon is limiting for hand placement given the large flare at the strap connection and the strong recess adjacent to it. The Zeiss is more forgiving. I experience occasion thumb jamb with the Nikons when I forget my grip, and I don't have this problem with the Zeiss.
Each exhibits excellent build quality and has that feel when in hand.
The Zeiss has the better rain guard and objective covers. The Nikon rain guard is to large and fits loosely. It is the least likeable I've run across. And it didn't come with objective covers other than the two caps which are used for packaging.
Regarding the view, the two are more similar than different. Each has a wide FOV with the Zeiss being slightly larger. Distortion is relatively the same and what I will describe as starting early but ever so slight and not changing much as you move to the edges where it is slightly greater. Sweet spots are relatively large with gradual fall off. Centers are sharp. Both transition nicely between the bright circle of the view and the dark matt black of the barrels, but I think the Zeiss does it a bit more pleasantly. Neither are sharp all the way to the edges... but with the 400+ FOVS that isn't usable for me as my eyes strain and go crazy trying to look that far off axis. I'd describe each as neutral in color with the Nikon being neutral/slight bias and the Zeiss being neutral/neutral (or I suppose without bias). I've seen CA (red northern hemishpere, green southern hemispherein, and purple fringing) in each. Seems to be absent at the very center and more prominent off-center (for what it is worth, I've experienced this with all bins, the EL SV being the least off-axis but still there). I'll have to spend more time on contrast and brightness before I conclude, but my initial impression is the Zeiss has a hair less contrast than some other bins I'm familiar with... so the contrast "punch" is turned down ever so slightly but not a detraction from the view for myself and possibly a preference. I'm also thinking the Zeiss is brighter but I'm thinking the two are pretty equal at seeing detail in the shadowed recesses of trees and bushes.
I picked up the Conquest HD and the Nikon, sight unseen, to tame this appetite I get to try another bin. I had handled the HD 10x at the store a couple of times with neutral impression (I'm not big on 10x and in-store views), and I had never seen the Nikon. Sometimes the end result is a crash and burn experience and other times you come across a bin you like. With each of these I've found a bin I like. My preference has been for lighter 7x to carry around my neck while hiking. I'm also finding that I like these heavier 8x for minimal carry situations like around the house or from the car since I seem to hold them a bit steadier than the lightweight 8x models. Both the Nikon and Zeiss grew on me with use, but I'm finding I'm drawn to the Zeiss and I'm grabbing it nearly all the time now. Anyone willing to spend in this price range should give both the Zeiss and Nikon a look. I'm starting to think I may have hit a homerun with this one. (Thanks for the influence Steve)
My $.02,
CG
Here are some of my early thoughts on the Conquest HD 8x32 relative to the Nikon 8x32 HG DCF LX (serial #2025xx... I'm still not certain how this one is referred to... HG, LX, Premier???).... but many of you seem familiar with it so it might be a good reference.
The short of it is that the Conquest HD doesn't come up short and holds its own next to the Nikon. The differences are so slight that I would consider the two piers and I wouldn't considered one to provide a usable advantage over the other. It will be interesting to see how it scores with allbinos since the Nikon sits high on the rankings list.
The most notable differences between the two are the ergonomics and particularly how the hand fits with the bin. The Nikon having the more contoured body to dictate where your hand will go around the binocular.
If I understand correctly, it has been put forth that a fast focus/short body length such as each of these is an inherently flawed design, the shortcoming being a diopter adjustment requirement between near and distant viewing. Personally, I don't see it. My focusing range has been from about 200ft down to 10ft and I have seen no reason to move the diopter with either binocular, as well as with a 7x36 Opticron bga and a 7x36 Swift Eaglet, two more bins that would fall into this category.
The Nikon, Zeiss, and Opticron are my most liked focus mechanisms of the bins I've handled. They satisfy for smoothness in each direction, no play when altering directions, and each is dead silent. All happen to be fast focusers which has become my preference since acquiring the 7x36 Eaglet a year ago. All of these bring an object into focus quickly without overshoot and readjustment required. I don't find any of these bins to be a finicky focus... so I'm wondering if those comments are coming from people who aren't yet comfortable with fast focus mechanisms. Of the bunch and all bins I've handled, the Nikon is my favorite with the Zeiss and Opticron a close second.
The diopter adjustment on each works fine and so far has held its position. The Nikon is easier to use. The ring slides up and is then turned for adjustment. It is wider and easier to grip than the Zeiss, and is marked with fine white lines which makes the adjustment easier to read. The Zeiss is a bit narrower ring and is all black. I can adjust either while looking thru the bin and still remain steady enough to dial in. Aesthetically, the all black approach of the Zeiss blends with the body of the binocular and lends to a sleek appearance whereas the Nikon is easier to use.
The eyecups on the Nikon fit my face a bit better than the Zeiss. I tend to press the eyecups deep into my sockets to try and close the gap of light off to the side between the face and eyecup. I haven't measured but I suspect the Zeiss to be a hair wider. When I first tried the Zeiss I experienced some black flicker off to the side of the FOV when panning (I think you guys refer to this as blackouts). I soon learned if I gently pressed the cups to my sockets the black flicker mostly went away. I suspect it changes the eye relief by adding another mm when I do this. I don't have glasses so I'm always using eyecups fully extended.
The hinge on each has adequate or better tension to hold itself in place without concern of movement.
The contour of the body on the Nikon is limiting for hand placement given the large flare at the strap connection and the strong recess adjacent to it. The Zeiss is more forgiving. I experience occasion thumb jamb with the Nikons when I forget my grip, and I don't have this problem with the Zeiss.
Each exhibits excellent build quality and has that feel when in hand.
The Zeiss has the better rain guard and objective covers. The Nikon rain guard is to large and fits loosely. It is the least likeable I've run across. And it didn't come with objective covers other than the two caps which are used for packaging.
Regarding the view, the two are more similar than different. Each has a wide FOV with the Zeiss being slightly larger. Distortion is relatively the same and what I will describe as starting early but ever so slight and not changing much as you move to the edges where it is slightly greater. Sweet spots are relatively large with gradual fall off. Centers are sharp. Both transition nicely between the bright circle of the view and the dark matt black of the barrels, but I think the Zeiss does it a bit more pleasantly. Neither are sharp all the way to the edges... but with the 400+ FOVS that isn't usable for me as my eyes strain and go crazy trying to look that far off axis. I'd describe each as neutral in color with the Nikon being neutral/slight bias and the Zeiss being neutral/neutral (or I suppose without bias). I've seen CA (red northern hemishpere, green southern hemispherein, and purple fringing) in each. Seems to be absent at the very center and more prominent off-center (for what it is worth, I've experienced this with all bins, the EL SV being the least off-axis but still there). I'll have to spend more time on contrast and brightness before I conclude, but my initial impression is the Zeiss has a hair less contrast than some other bins I'm familiar with... so the contrast "punch" is turned down ever so slightly but not a detraction from the view for myself and possibly a preference. I'm also thinking the Zeiss is brighter but I'm thinking the two are pretty equal at seeing detail in the shadowed recesses of trees and bushes.
I picked up the Conquest HD and the Nikon, sight unseen, to tame this appetite I get to try another bin. I had handled the HD 10x at the store a couple of times with neutral impression (I'm not big on 10x and in-store views), and I had never seen the Nikon. Sometimes the end result is a crash and burn experience and other times you come across a bin you like. With each of these I've found a bin I like. My preference has been for lighter 7x to carry around my neck while hiking. I'm also finding that I like these heavier 8x for minimal carry situations like around the house or from the car since I seem to hold them a bit steadier than the lightweight 8x models. Both the Nikon and Zeiss grew on me with use, but I'm finding I'm drawn to the Zeiss and I'm grabbing it nearly all the time now. Anyone willing to spend in this price range should give both the Zeiss and Nikon a look. I'm starting to think I may have hit a homerun with this one. (Thanks for the influence Steve)
My $.02,
CG
