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

Hey Joe,

I picked up a pair of Nikon 8x42's a year or two ago, roof prism for under 300 bucks. Great glass. Compared them to much more expensive optics, and found them to be an exceptional piece of optical eqiupment for the investment. Clear, bright, and yet still light enough to go with me everywhere. After comparing with other optics since purchasing the Nikon's, I still don't regret it, and would buy another pair in a heartbeat if anything happened to the ones I own now.

Everyone has their own ideas on optics, this is just my experience, and observation. I don't think you can go wrong with the Nikon glass.


God Bless,

Good article in the latest Successful Hunter on binoculars. See if you can find it at the newstand...

You can spend a lot of money on the high dollar optics and still not do better than the Nikon or Pentax roof prizm binocular. The article MikeG is referring to states this.

Recently inherited a pair of 7x42 Leitz roof prizm, the forerunner to Leica - talk about a fine set of optics!

Thanks for all the replies.

I certainly want to check out the Nikons. I did get a chance to look at some Pentax 8x43 DHP SP binocs at $289. They were definitely a step up in quality compared to the Tascos I've been using.

Steiner has a Predator 8x42, but at $650 its more than I want to spend. Maybe I'll win a lottery. Not many stores around here have much selection. I really want to hold one and compare several side-by-side. Not in a big hurry, but would like them before next hunting season.

Joe

This is how I ranked these binoculars:

1. Eagle Optics Ranger Platinum Class 8x42mm
2. Leupold Olympic 8x42mm
3. Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42mm
4. Bausch and Lomb Discoverer 7x42mm
5. Pentax DCF HRII 8x42mm
6. Bushnell Legend 8x42mm
7. Audubon Equinox 8x42mm
8. Minolta Activa D WP XL 8x42mm

To compare binoculars, first focus the binoculars according to manufacturers instructions, stack the binoculars and look at things between the two (do not look quickly, take a good look), be sure to take them outside, do this in different light conditions, and then let YOUR eyes tell you which looks the best.

If you can get Pentax DCF SP for $289 with full USA warranty, look no further! Although I'm sure those would be grey market glass without a warranty.

You might want to check Brunton's website. They are having clearance sale on their refurbished Eternas for $199 (they retail for about $450). I have a pair of 7X42s (10X and 12X are also available) and although a bit heavy (about 32 oz) they are extremely bright, clear and DURABLE. Made in Japan, they come with built-in lens caps, a unique neoprene case that can be left on, a comfortable neoprene neck strap and a cleaning brush.

Hmmm,

I'll have to look at that Pentax DCF SP again. I did a quick search on the web and see that prices run from $450 up to $600 for the well known dealers. I found this pair at a camera shop, and it was obvious the salesman didn't know which end of the binoculars to look into. At $289, it does look like a good deal. Maybe he has it priced wrong. They did look good.

Joe

Joe,

I have seen the Pentax DCF SP 8x43mm for $389 at a NY camera shop. But I can't remember if that is with the USA warranty.

I bought a couple pairs of Bino's 2 years ago and looked at at a lot of different one's on the market. I settled on a 8x42 pair of Leupolds for the wife to watch birds on our acreage.
I also bought myself a pair of the Bushnell 10 x 42 for elk hunting.

Now I looked at glass that was twice and in some cases 3 times the money, however there was perhaps a 10 to 15% difference in the High dolllar verses the Bushnell or Leupold pair I did purchase for an average of $350 dollars. To often these high dollar Bino's are said to work miracles over those mid range types, I just haven't found the justification for the money they cost in regards to what the difference is between them when viewing them on comparison.

My vote for a best bang for the buck 8x42 is the Eagle Optics Ranger Platinums. I love mine.

My vote for a best bang for the buck 8x42 is the Eagle Optics Ranger Platinums. I love mine.

I also have the Eagle Optics Ranger Platinum Class 8x42mm. I bought them when EO had a $100 rebate, so I got them for $300 net. I couldn't pass them up when I found the view not $800 different from the Leicas.

You can look at and buy the Eagle Optics Ranger Platinum Class at your nearest Wild Birds Unlimited.

Wild Birds Unlimited in Round Rock, TX. (http://stores.wbu.com/roundrock/)

I also have the Eagle Optics Ranger Platinum Class 8x42mm. I bought them when EO had a $100 rebate, so I got them for $300 net. I couldn't pass them up when I found the view not $800 different from the Leicas.

You can look at and buy the Eagle Optics Ranger Platinum Class at your nearest Wild Birds Unlimited.

Wild Birds Unlimited in Round Rock, TX. (http://stores.wbu.com/roundrock/)

Jackfish,

Thanks for the info. I'm not familiar with Eagle Optics, and appreciate your recommendation. The store you sent the link about is pretty close to my house, so I'll have to stop in and take a look at them.


Joe

OK, I just bought the Nikon Monarch ATBs. They weren't quite as nice as the Pentax DCF SP 8x43s, but the Pentax turned out to be $599. They had them priced at $289, but when I tried to buy them they quickly realized they had them marked wrong.

Luckily, Oshmans had all their binoculars on sale for 25% off! Ended up getting the Nikon for about $215 + tax.

They are very light, have clear optics, have good eye relief and the diopter stays put very well. I'm not overly impressed with the objective lens covers, but I hear Eagle Optics has some aftermarket models that may work better.

Thanks again for everyone's advice.

Joe

Sounds like you did very well.

http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?dept=1&type=19&purch=1&pid=3186
Here is the link to the excellent Eagle Optics tethered objective covers.

Joe,

Great buy on those ATB's. I love mine.... wish I'd found that kind of price ;) !!!!!

God Bless,

jackfish,

thanks for the link on the lens covers. Just ordered them. Looks like they aren't even charging me for shipping.


joe