binocular recommendations?

I would hope it's because of technology, competition and reduced material cost (different than cheaper material)

DanThoman wrote in post #12575335
... Looking at the current prices they must now be manufactured in china, so I can't comment on the quality...

I hope you're right Methodical, but the binocs cost over $200 ten years ago and now they're less than $80.

Well, you're right. They are made in China. Well, what can one do, uhh.

DanThoman wrote in post #12585834
I hope you're right Methodical, but the binocs cost over $200 ten years ago and now they're less than $80.

Leupold BX-2 series. Extremely sharp and around $300. Great glass

Methodical wrote in post #12567756
Has anyone used both the Nikon Monarch 8x and 10x. If so, can you describe the differences? . . . .

I've used and like both. I really like the huge eye relief and brightness of the 8x but very little of either relief or brightness is lost in the 10x. In most settings where you will be working with long glass on your camera I think the extra reach of the the 10x is worth the small compromises. They are both, I think, excellent values for the money.

Thanks AZGeorge. Question. Do you wear glasses and if so how is the fit with the 10x? So you believe the brightness difference is very nill. I am usually out early mornings and was wondering how the 10x would work. I am asking because I have about 2 days to return the 8x. Unfortunately, I don't have a place nearby where I can test the 10x - at least not that I am aware of.

Thanks...Al

AZGeorge wrote in post #12599484
I've used and like both. I really like the huge eye relief and brightness of the 8x but very little of either relief or brightness is lost in the 10x. In most settings where you will be working with long glass on your camera I think the extra reach of the the 10x is worth the small compromises. They are both, I think, excellent values for the money.

I actually got some Pentax ones (Pentax 8x32 DCF SP) recently that were a good fit to my needs, I am very pleased with them.

You might find this general review helpful, lots of bins and informative stuff

http://www.birdwatchin​g.com …/binoculars_hig​h-end.html

I posted earlier on this thread that my wife and I use Swifts. I mentioned to her in passing
that most the other posts were in favor of Nikons. She (an audubon bird counter) said
that most bird counters (not photographers) still prefer Swifts. Just for info. It might be
nice to side by side compare them if possible..especially to the popular Nikon Monarchs.
Just another two cents worth....

I can't speak for others, but I just need them to spot the birds and not necessarily to count birds and know there markings so much. I guess I am not a birder, just a regular ole' bird photographer. The monarchs were actually reviewed very favoribly by a the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. I am sure it differs by region, because when out, I see many with the Monarchs. I will have to explore the Swifts. What model does she have?

Well, I just called B&H and requested a return authorization; nothing wrong with the Monarch 8x42. I decided I wanted more magnification, so I ordered the Monarch 10x42s.

riverdog1 wrote in post #12605922
I posted earlier on this thread that my wife and I use Swifts. I mentioned to her in passing
that most the other posts were in favor of Nikons. She (an audubon bird counter) said
that most bird counters (not photographers) still prefer Swifts. Just for info. It might be
nice to side by side compare them if possible..especially to the popular Nikon Monarchs.
Just another two cents worth....

Methodical wrote in post #12600046
Thanks AZGeorge. Question. Do you wear glasses and if so how is the fit with the 10x? So you believe the brightness difference is very nill. I am usually out early mornings and was wondering how the 10x would work. I am asking because I have about 2 days to return the 8x. Unfortunately, I don't have a place nearby where I can test the 10x - at least not that I am aware of.

Thanks...Al

I wear some pretty strong glasses and I love my set of 10x. They are not as sensitive in the eye releif as others so my wife can use them without her glasses and I can use them with mine on. Yes, they are bright for the money. I use them late in the evening to spot deer and animals. Even when my eyes can only make out forms, the binoculars can often grab a bit more detail for me. If you want true low light then I agree with the very high end glass as hollis_f recommended

Thanks for the insightful info. I am looking forward to the 10x; they should be here by Tuesday.

As far as those high end binoculars, I would not pay that kind of money for what I use them for. Hell, before I did that, I'd sell my 500 and add the cost of those binoculars, and get the new 500 II or add a little more and get the 600 II. My money would be spent on that kind of glass.

Again thanks

res wrote in post #12611620
I wear some pretty strong glasses and I love my set of 10x. They are not as sensitive in the eye releif as others so my wife can use them without her glasses and I can use them with mine on. Yes, they are bright for the money. I use them late in the evening to spot deer and animals. Even when my eyes can only make out forms, the binoculars can often grab a bit more detail for me. If you want true low light then I agree with the very high end glass as hollis_f recommended

Elogical, did you find a pair that you like?

Don't make the mistake I did and let the salesman hand you a pair of Swarovski's because everything else will not come close. They were $2.5k plus binoculars which for my purposes would be overkill but the clarity, detail and low light capabilities were very impressive.

Methodical wrote in post #12612593
Thanks for the insightful info. I am looking forward to the 10x; they should be here by Tuesday.

As far as those high end binoculars, I would not pay that kind of money for what I use them for. Hell, before I did that, I'd sell my 500 and add the cost of those binoculars, and get the new 500 II or add a little more and get the 600 II. My money would be spent on that kind of glass.

Again thanks

Elogical, did you find a pair that you like?

Actually, yes, thanks for all the helpful comments here! sorry I forgot to post back. I ended up taking a bit of a gamble to go with Zen-Ray. I got a "demo unit" of their 8x43 (http://www.zen-ray.com …lars/zened-8x43-demo.html) and then saved even further off the demo price by emailing them first and asking. I cringed a little at spending this much for my first pair since I'm up into the monarch price range so I could have just gotten something that was tried and true instead.

I searched online like crazy and found that Zen-ray had limited feedback in general but I couldn't find a single bad comment from someone who owned them and they were often recommended on a couple other forums.

So far, I've just gotten them so I've had limited use but they seem to be really nice. They are night and day difference better from other older midrange binoculars I have tried before. I'm still well within my return period though so before I pass that I'm planning to find somewhere locally that I can test the nikons or others just for a rough comparison. I would have liked to try first but here I just had to take a gamble and count on the return policy.

On another note.. I now have a little better understanding of why I don't need to get caught up on high magnification. I really don't need to be "zoomed in" further with binoculars in order to see more detail on the birds I'm looking at. Looking straight with your eyes there's more "resolution" to be had than with a photo so I realize there's no reason I need to worry about 'filling the frame' just to get a good view of the bird. 10x would have been nice but I think 8x seem better all around if I use them for sports or non-birding uses as well.

In response to "what model Swifts does she have", her model is discontinued so that won't
help you but on her recommendation I purchased the Swift Audubon 8.5 x 44 roof prisms
and have been quite satisfied with them. I never got to do a side by side comparison with
the Nikons. Either will get the job done.

I have a pair of Simmons 10x42 waterproof that I picked up at Academy for about $50. I love them and I can't seem to justify $250 or so on a pair of binoculars.