travel binocs options

granita · Guest

I have three questions, please:

I have binocular needs which appear to be solved only by two separate pairs: lightweight(24oz or less) and resilient(WP,FP,SP); excellent optical properties in magnification, clarity, FOV, and brightness; easy operation and acceptably stable image in a vehicle or boat on a smooth surface. I think the common 8x42s or close to that might be best.

1. For several years I have enjoyed the light compactness and decent image(except at dawn/dusk) of a Nikon Medallion "S" 8x21.6 in Africa, Nepal, and Austalia. But a child recently dropped it - I noticed on your site that Nikon may realign it for a modest cost ($10 +s/h?). Can you provide contact details? I would like to give it to the child who dropped it who now appreciates careful handling of such instruments.

2. As a backpacking replacement, I am considering the Nikon 7512 8-24x25 Travelite or the Nikon 8-24x25 Eagleview. Is there any significant difference? And, is there anything else that compares favorably for features, weight, and price?

3. For less arduous travel where weight and convenience are (slightly) less important to me, I have concluded that 8x is the optimum magnification for any moving platform and the wider the objective diameter the better within size/weight and price constraints. Three different Mfgrs' products have caught my attention. I don't think price is a purely accurate discriminant since no two have exactly common features so perhaps you could rate them in order and even suggest a suitable alternative or two to muddy my waters even more? I am looking at Swift 8.5x44 HCF Audubon 828HHS, Leupold 8x42 WindRiver Green Pinnacles, and Steiner 8x42 Predator 248 - the last is double the price and may be worth it compared to more capable but heavier $2000-3000 models but the opticsplanet physical description is insufficient for me to decide whether this is a reasonable price compared to the other two I mentioned. And the additional $200 doesn't seem to justify the Steiner Peregrine 8x42. What do you suggest here and have I missed a fourth even better option?

Thanks very much
John

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5403

Hi

We don't do any repair work or warranty service, but you can contact nikon USA at 1-800-645-6678 or 0222 or visit their website at http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/home.html

Absolutely do not go with a zoom. If you want a Nikon Travleite, and there's no reason you shouldn't, stay with the fixed 8x25. If you want something waterproof, go with the essentially waterproof version in the Nikon Prostaff 8x25. Optical performance in a zoom, terms of image quality, eye relief and field of view is ALWAYS significantly lower than a comparable fixed power binocular and mechanical reliability of zoom binoculars is notoriously poor, resulting in a return and failure rate many times higher than a fixed power in the same series. In short, there is no such thing as a zoom with good optical quality.

If you want to pay the money for the prestige of owning a Europen name with the Steiner, by all means, go for it. That is a valid reason. On the other hand, in terms of performance, I wouldn't hesitate to go with the Pinnacles. In my tests, it was every bit as sharp and as bright as the Predator. Also excellent is the Swift 828 and one you should add to your list is the Bushnell Elite E2. Any of these will do anything a binocular at this price can do. Really your call on which to choose, but all are excellent Japanese binoculars.
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granita · Guest

Thanks alot!
Now the field of options is both narrowing and broadening. In the same order:

1. Backpacking - I looked more at the non-zoomers with less than 10x magnification and found the Nikon 9x25 Pro-Staff Water Proof $139.95 and the Pentax 8.5x21mm Papilio $149.00 with their expected differences - Would you suggest one over the other among these or even a third?

2. Other travel/general use - You're right! I don't want to pay extra for German over Japanese of comparable quality and features.
I have owned two Bushnell 9x36 binocs for more than 25 years - they were a little dark, all but one of the twist-up eyecup came completely off in normal respectful use early on, and they really did little to block annoying light coming in from the periphery. As I looked at Bushnell Elite models, I came across the Elite E2 8x42 628042($449.95) and the Elite 8x43 624208($779.95) which doesn't seem to be worth the $330 difference; both have those twist up eyecups which may have been improved by now but I cannot find a close-up image to compare.

This reflection caused me to look at 8.5x and 9x models and an entirely new set of options with equally confusing comparatives emerged:
Bushnell 8.5x45 infinity $279.95
Swift 8.5x44mm BWCF Audubon $349.95 & $499.95(ED)
Swift 8.5x44 HCF Audubon $359.95
Leupold 8x42 Pinnacles $394.48 - not 8.5x/9x, but one you strongly rcmd

I would guess you would hold to the Pinnacles among these four for overall feature quality and price, but I also happened on the Minox HG 8.5x43 BR - $829.00 and German but seemingly with some unique qualities and features to justify paying a little more than twice the price of the Pinnacles or comparably priced Japanese models such as QCF focusing & rangefinding, M*-optical layered coating, minobright mirroring, replacing Nitrogen with Argon, and only 650gm. Some of these may be gimmicky innovations so I am wondering whether you have held and tested these Minox binoculars and can comment further on items not addressed on the description page such as Brightness, Contrast, and Sharpness; lens caps and raincover (fitting inside or outside?); tripod socket; pincushioning in occasional amateur star-gazing; image stability when panning a horizon or moving subject, etc.

I am not where I can easily access these various binoculars to compare myself. My brother has a pair labeled "Captain's Helmsman 7x50" which are too heavy for me, but they are clear and bright to the edge and seem to magnify objects like a 9x.

If all is not hype and this Minox lives up to its description, it seems like a more than just decent savings over the $1000 - $3000 alternatives which I would not go for, while also worth twice the $300-$400 moderately priced lightweight alternatives.

As I have searched other sites for more definitive descriptions and comparisons, I found this non-sales site for astronomy applications: http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1761 (Mar 0 Cool

. On other sales sites I found your prices were equal to or better than virtually all others and most don't offer comparative analyses and recommendations, so thanks again for your help as I narrow my options to: Backpacking: Nikon 9x25 Pro-Staff Water Proof or the Pentax 8.5x21mm Papilio, (or...?); and Other applications: Leupold 8x42 Pinnacles or Minox HG 8.5x43 if it's roughly twice as good(or...?).

John

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5403

Hi

Yes, any of the Prostaff are good choices. On the Pentax you are paying for the ultra close focus feature, which is great, if you need it. Otherwise, no advantage. On the negative ise, the Papilo is not waterproof - a feature I consider essential for a backpacking bino.

Keep in mind that beyond the $300 price point, you are spending more and getting progressively smaller increases in performance. A $600 binocular is definitely better than a $300 binocular, but not twice as good. In like manner, is the Minox HG at $800 twice as good as the $400 Pinnacles. No, but is it better, optically? Yes, though you will have to decide for yourself if the difference in price warrants spending the extra cash. It would for me, but that's me - I am addicted to optics. I doubt. though, there will ever be a situation where the Minox will do something that the Pinnacles could not.
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