Author Topic: Good 8x42 Binoculars? (Read 1425 times)

Joe Aggie · « **on:** February 14, 2004, 04:58:02 PM »

I'd like to get a good pair of 8x42 binoculars and wondered if anyone could tell me about ones they've tried or own. I have a pair of 10x50 Tascos and would like something just a little bit smaller. Really I'm just looking for some general purpose binoculars and want to keep the price around $300 but might convince myself to save up for the higher dollar models if they are really that much better.

Seems that most of the big manufacturers are offering the roof prisms at this power level.

Any advice is appreciated.

Joe

Wolfe · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2004, 10:58:40 PM »

nikon monarch's. they are fantastic bino's.

TheOpticZone · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2004, 02:27:35 AM »

I totally agree with Wolfe. The Nikon Monarch are outstanding binoculars. My next pair is going to be the 8x42's. Another pair is the Leupold Olympic 8x42.

longwinters · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2004, 02:17:03 PM »

I love my Swaroski binocs, but in the price range I do not think you can beat the Nikons. I bought them for both of my boys and would have no problems using them day in and day out. I really think that as time has gone on in the last 10 years there is less and less difference in the quality of optics in binocs. Not so in scopes though.

long

double tap · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2004, 06:51:24 PM »

Joe Aggi,

I'm in the same boat as you, and was able to look at a bunch of bino's side-by-side this past week. I don't know if this will help, but here's what I found (totally subjective, non-scientific, seat-of-the-pants comparison):

Bausch & Lomb Discoverer - Felt great in the hand, resolution was very good, the focus wheel was not too touchy, I liked the diopter adjustment, seemed a bit heavier than other models.

Burris Signature - Had a good feel and was fairly light, excellent resolution, focus wheel had a nice feel, the diopter adjustment seemed secure, surprisingly good.

Bushnell Legend - Had very good resolution, did not feel as comfortable as some others, seemed heavy, but liked the focus and diopter adjustment.

Nikon Monarch ATB - Had a very good feel, seemed fairly light, had great resolution, was easy to focus, had good focus adjustments, made in China but also surprisingly good.

Leupold Wind River Olympic - Had very good resolution, focused well but I did not like the diopter adjustment as well as some others, had a good feel, seemed about average in weight.

Leupold Wind River Pinnacle - Had very good resolution, but the focus wheel was so finicky that it was difficult to get the binoculars focused, was of average weight, did not care for the eyecups.

Pentax DCF WP - Great resolution, good feel, was easy to focus, had a good diopter adjustment, seem about average in weight.

Sightron SIII - Identical housing to the Leupolds but seemed like better glass, focused well, decent feel, decent weight, decent focus controls.

I found I like the twist-out eyecups over the pull-out eyecups, and definitely like binoculars whose focus adjustments were not too touchy. Having a diopter adjustment that either had positive clicks or was fairly "tight" was nice instead of one that was "loose" and could get jostled out of focus easily.

On my list for further consideration - Pentax DCF WP, B & L Discoverer, Nikon Monarch ATB, Burris Signature.

Out of the running - Both Leupolds (focus was just too finicky) and the Bushnell Legend (not as comfortable for me to hold).

Frankly, since they are all phase coated, they all seemed pretty good optically. I also compared them to Swarovski EL's, and I cannot personally justify the more than $1,000 cost difference between the Swaro's and the ones I listed above. I think my final decision will mostly come down to which handles the best.

Sorry for the long post. Hope it helps.

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #5 on:** February 16, 2004, 04:42:07 AM »

Joe,

In the same boat at you are. Going to purchase an 8x42 model the end of this month or next.

I have been comparing the Bushnell Legend and the Nikon Monarch ATB, and I am leaning towards the Nikon. I wear glasses and the screw out eyecups are a definate advantage. But I also compared the field of view throught both of these models with my glasses on. There I felt that the Nikon's had more.

Best price I have found for the Nikons on line is $249.

tominboise · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2004, 04:55:16 AM »

Well, I have a pair of B&L Discoverer 7X42 I just bought, and also a pair of Leica 8X42 BA's I bought a few years ago. The B&L are good glass, but not as good as the Leica's. My opinion on Binoculars is to save and buy the best you can. This months rifle magazine has a review of Bino's by John Barsness, whose opinion I highly regard. I would recommend picking the magazine up and reading that article.

Joe Aggie · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2004, 02:44:41 PM »

Thanks for all the replies. I posted this same query on another forum and have gotten similar responses. I got the most positive responses regarding the Nikon Monarch ATB model, but good responses on the Pentax DCF SP also.

I checked out these Pentax binoculars at a camera shop and they looked very good. They had them priced at $289, which I've learned is an excellent price. Maybe they had them priced wrong.

For some reason, I've always wanted a pair of Steiners, and no one has mentioned them. Steiner makes a Predator model 8x42, which starts at $650, but still don't know if I want to pay that much.

The Burris Signature looks interesting too. I just need to find a store that has a good selection and compare them to each other.

Joe

yankees1 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 26, 2004, 02:49:28 AM »

I own Pentax DCF 8x42 and they are great! I bought Steiner Predator first and did not like them so I bought the Pentax. I'm sure Nikon Monarch would be great too!

Dave in WV · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2004, 05:55:32 AM »

I've never looked through a pair or Nikons but I've never heard a complaint about them. I have the 7x42 B&L Discoverers and I really like them. They may not be the brightest or have the best contrast but they are good and the Rain Guard works well.

yankees1 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 26, 2004, 09:51:15 AM »

Quote from: Joe Aggie

I'd like to get a good pair of 8x42 binoculars and wondered if anyone could tell me about ones they've tried or own. I have a pair of 10x50 Tascos and would like something just a little bit smaller. Really I'm just looking for some general purpose binoculars and want to keep the price around $300 but might convince myself to save up for the higher dollar models if they are really that much better.

Seems that most of the big manufacturers are offering the roof prisms at this power level.

Any advice is appreciated.

Joe

I MIGHT MENTION THAT THE NICEST ,MOST INFORMATIVE, AND HELPFUL retailor I have dealt with are the people at theopticzone.com! Their prices saved me a lot of money and service was second to none! I just ordered a Nikon Monarch Gold 1.5-6 scope from them! Scott Mahan

TheOpticZone · « **Reply #11 on:** February 26, 2004, 09:56:26 AM »

Thanks Scott. I am sorry I could not get a hold of you last night about the rings. Wife's always like to talk on the phone. :eek: Hopefully we will get things worked out tonight.

Gregory · « **Reply #12 on:** February 26, 2004, 02:00:29 PM »

I have a pair of the Pentax DCF WP 8x42 and I'm very happy with them.

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #13 on:** March 03, 2004, 02:33:03 PM »

Well I just got my new Nikon Monarch 8x42 ATB's today from www.dragonflyproducts.com and well I am very happy. The price ($259 shipped) was lower than anywhere else I looked and order them on Monday and sure didn't expect them that fast, Wednesday.

I wear eye glasses and the eye relief on these when wearing my glasses is outstanding. Tried them out midday and again at dusk, looking into the shadows and boy was I surprised at the stuff I had been missing.

Bill Bryant · « **Reply #14 on:** March 07, 2004, 07:07:48 PM »

After looking at everything everyone else here has mentioned, my choice in 8x42s was the Eagle Optics Platinum Rangers. Not well known among sportsmen but very well received among an even more demanding group -- birdwatchers.

I bought them for $348, as I recall. Best bang for the buck I've ever encountered in a binocular.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/pid2991

aggies1 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 21, 2004, 07:17:29 AM »

Quote from: double tap

Joe Aggi,

I'm in the same boat as you, and was able to look at a bunch of bino's side-by-side this past week. I don't know if this will help, but here's what I found (totally subjective, non-scientific, seat-of-the-pants comparison):

Bausch & Lomb Discoverer - Felt great in the hand, resolution was very good, the focus wheel was not too touchy, I liked the diopter adjustment, seemed a bit heavier than other models.

Burris Signature - Had a good feel and was fairly light, excellent resolution, focus wheel had a nice feel, the diopter adjustment seemed secure, surprisingly good.

Bushnell Legend - Had very good resolution, did not feel as comfortable as some others, seemed heavy, but liked the focus and diopter adjustment.

Nikon Monarch ATB - Had a very good feel, seemed fairly light, had great resolution, was easy to focus, had good focus adjustments, made in China but also surprisingly good.

Leupold Wind River Olympic - Had very good resolution, focused well but I did not like the diopter adjustment as well as some others, had a good feel, seemed about average in weight.

Leupold Wind River Pinnacle - Had very good resolution, but the focus wheel was so finicky that it was difficult to get the binoculars focused, was of average weight, did not care for the eyecups.

Pentax DCF WP - Great resolution, good feel, was easy to focus, had a good diopter adjustment, seem about average in weight.

Sightron SIII - Identical housing to the Leupolds but seemed like better glass, focused well, decent feel, decent weight, decent focus controls.

I found I like the twist-out eyecups over the pull-out eyecups, and definitely like binoculars whose focus adjustments were not too touchy. Having a diopter adjustment that either had positive clicks or was fairly "tight" was nice instead of one that was "loose" and could get jostled out of focus easily.

On my list for further consideration - Pentax DCF WP, B & L Discoverer, Nikon Monarch ATB, Burris Signature.

Out of the running - Both Leupolds (focus was just too finicky) and the Bushnell Legend (not as comfortable for me to hold).

Frankly, since they are all phase coated, they all seemed pretty good optically. I also compared them to Swarovski EL's, and I cannot personally justify the more than $1,000 cost difference between the Swaro's and the ones I listed above. I think my final decision will mostly come down to which handles the best.

Sorry for the long post. Hope it helps.

Not all are phase coated...
NIkon- Multi-coated
Discoverer- fully multicoated
Legends-Lens coating technology??
Pentax-fully multi coated, and phase coated
Leupold- fully mced and phase
Burris- fully mced and phase

jackfish · « **Reply #16 on:** April 21, 2004, 11:13:04 AM »

Actually, I believe all of the binoculars listed in doubletap's post are fully multicoated and phase corrected. The product information on some of the websites is incomplete.

aggies1 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 22, 2004, 03:43:31 AM »

Oh good, I hope you are right, because I really liked the Monarch's but according to Nikonusa.com they list them as only multicoated. Thanks for your help.

jackfish · « **Reply #18 on:** April 22, 2004, 06:30:51 AM »

Quote from: A Nikon press release

Nikon's Monarch ATB binoculars provide the hunter with incredible optical performance and ruggedness in an attractively styled package. The Monarch ATB features phase correction coated prisms and fully multicoated lenses for enhanced optical performance when you need it most: At dawn, dusk, and in poor light weather. The state of the art, lightweight construction provides unparalleled strength and ruggedness in a package that is comfortable to carry all day afield. Oversize focus knob and twist and lock eyecups make focus easy to maintain and the binocular a pleasure to use for extended periods. Waterproof, fogproof and shockproof, the Monarch ATB truly embodies Nikon's hunting spirit.

jackfish · « **Reply #19 on:** April 22, 2004, 06:35:40 AM »

Quote from: A Bushnell press release

Designed by hunters for hunters, Bushnell® Legend binoculars offer outstanding optical quality and state-of-the-art technology. PC-3 phase coated BAK-4 prisms, RAINGUARD® and fully multi-coated optics offer superior optical resolution and performance-even in inclement weather. O-ring sealed and nitrogen-purged for complete water and fog protection. Features long eye relief and patented twist-up eyecups for eyeglass wearers. Non-slip ergonomic rubber armoring provides a secure grip.

jackfish · « **Reply #20 on:** April 22, 2004, 06:38:53 AM »

Quote from: Bausch & Lomb product literature

Great for birdwatching, hunting, wildlife observation and marine uses. Bausch & Lomb Discoverer binoculars are manufactured with the finest optics and precision parts using a PC-3® phase coated and silver coated BaK-4 roof prism system and fully multicoated lenses for maximum light transmission, high resolution, and peak performance. Discoverers are O-ring sealed, nitrogen-purged and rubber armored for complete water, fog and shock protection. Patented twist-up eyecups for ease of use by eyeglass wearers. This 7-power model has a field of view of 420 feet at 1000 yards, and focuses as close as 10 feet. A carrying case and neck strap is included.

jackfish · « **Reply #21 on:** April 22, 2004, 06:51:57 AM »

If you are still in the market for 8x42mm roof prism binoculars I would also support getting the Eagle Optics Ranger Platinum Class 8x42mm. You can look at them at your nearest Wild Birds Unlimited. They are the best of the midrange binoculars, have a great warranty, and are worth the extra $70 to $130 that they might cost over the others mentioned.
Eagle Optics Ranger Platinum Class 8x42mm
Wild Birds Unlimited locations

I keep them close and use them often.