A friend of mine brought over his new Fujinons awhile back, and after seeing those "noculars" (as my nephew would say ), I started getting an itch for a new pair of my own. I currently own three pair of binocs, all cheap-o Bushnells, and all were purchased at various local X-Marts. They all give me severe eyestrain when using them. They also fog up with the greatest of ease, and all have scratches on the lenses from years of use/abuse, which make them pretty much unusable.

So, after checking my bank balance, I decided that I could afford to purchase some "decent" glass. I'm currently looking at roofs in 8x42, that have a street price of around $300-$350-ish, which is about the most that my budget will allow. And while I haven't gone hunting in years, I still would like some nice roofs that could use should I ever decide to go in the future. Or maybe just have something to toss in my truck when I out exploring the Oregon Coastal Range, or playing out on the dunes...

Below is a list of models that I have been looking over, with some rough pricing. The only problem is deciding which model to go with. Do any of you own any of these 8x42's? If so, which model would you recommend that I pick up? Right now I am leaning towards the Eagle Optics Ranger SRT's or the Vortex Furies. Picking up the Olympus Magellan's at only $180 would awesome, but I have no idea just how good they really are compared to the others on my list..

Any advice that any of you can give would be most appreciated.

Audubon Equinox HP 8x42 - $279
Vortex Fury 8x42 Demo's - $290
Eagle Optics Ranger SRT 8X42 - $300
Swift 8.5x44 HCF Audubon - $360 << Top of my price range.
Swift Ultra Lite 8x42 - $275- $309
Minox BL 8x42 BR Demo's - $290
Minox BV 8x42 BR - $260
Leupold Cascades Green Ring - $270
Nikon Monarch ATB 8x42 - $250
Olympus Magellan 8x42 EXWP 1 Demo's - $180 << Love that price!


Thanks!

Swift Audubon, if you're sticking to that price range firm.
Vortex, easily, as a second.... though I'd watch Doug to see if he can get Vortex or Minox demos of slightly higher grade (i.e. Vipers and HGs) for your target range.

I'd start by looking at the report on this site:

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/Publications/LivingBird/Winter2005/Age_Binos.html

He has Minox HG 8.5x43 BR ASPH Demo's for $600, and Vortex Viper 8x42 Demo's for $440. The Minox's are waaaaaay out of my price range. I might be able to swing the Viper's, but I would have to wait another month or so in order to do it. And I don't know if I can wait that long.

.


I did. Thanks!

For example, they rank the Nikon 8x42 Monarch's at the top of this class. While birdwatching.com ranks them much further down in their review.

http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/2007roundup/chart_main.html

I have also read over on the bird forums that the Monarchs are just "so-so", and have a really "dull" image quality, as compared to others in this price range.

The longer you wait, the better the glass. I waited about 6 months, before I had the cash to comfortably do the Leica Ultravids. That, was tough. Makes it VERY easy, though, when I only ever have to spend that money once.

Get the best out there, and you never have to spend up to replace. Cheaper, to get the best, and not replace what ain't, with what is, later.

These: https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...lat/Number/2142767/page/1/gonew/1#UNREAD

*L*
Plus, I've heard he's a really good guy.

Gotta go read up on that model..

.

Anyone know how those Pentaxes compare with the others on my list?

Maybe birdwatching is for the birds?

Dull image...no way and IMO, the Nikon Monarch is head and shoulders better in res, ergos and brightness than the Leupold Katmai...but the bird chart says otherwise. Opinions are...well, you know, everyone has one. Some bins stand out to my eye and some don't. I use the USAF 1951 chart wherever possible to judge the resolution and the bin either fits my hands or it doesn't. I have always been impressed with image and feel of the Monarchs but I found they caused eye fatique after a while. I suspect most cheaper bins will as well so now I am hunting for better ones. Look out Leica?

Good luck with whatever ones you pick.

While I am sure that is a very good deal on those Pentaxes, I am still in the "looking around" mode. And since there aren't any dealers around here, I probably should go through someone like CameralandNY and their demos. That way if I pick something that I don't like, I can send it back and try out something else...

Some folks are so stuck on high priced optics they don't seem to get it that sometimes there ain't that much money in the cookie jar. The high priced stuff is nice but you need something that will work while you decide which brand of the higher priced stuff you might like. It's also nice to figure out what magnification and other features you might like if and when you get a better glass.

For about $200 you can get a brand new Vortex Diamondback ($169 demo @camera land). Those are every bit as good as my 8x42 Monarch plus the FOV is 420'. The Fury is a little better than the Diamondback, and also better than my Monarch. If I were in your shoes I'd get one of those. I've never seen a Magllan, but on Optics Talk there was a thread where folks got real serious about how good the Magellan was. Go this way and you will have a binocular which is a heck of a lot better than what you have and will not bust your budget. Once you reralize what that will do, you can start to plan for a better one and still have one you can use.

I think those "dull" image comments were when they directly compared the Monarchs to other glass; some of which was more expensive..

.


My thoughts exactly!

I have NO problems with Leica, Swaro's, or Zeiss binoculars. It's just their pricing puts their stuff far, far out of my price range. Heck, if I had $1,500-$2,000 burning a whole in my pocket, I'd be all over some Zeiss 8x42's in a heartbeat, but I don't. And what with not wanting to wait six months (to a year) for me to save up, I might as well look for something, that while not the best optics on the planet, will still give me years of good reliable use without obliterating my banking account; or a CC balance..


Thanks, I will look into those Diamondback Demos.

I would love to find that thread on the Megellans. I'll run over there and see if I can't find it..

Edit: I found that thread. I am going to pass on the Megellans..

First off - Welcome to the fire!

For the money it is really hard to beat the Vortex brand at this point. For their respective pricepoints they have very nice glass FOR MY EYES - your's may disagree. They're warranty is amazing by the way - I had a pair of Eagle Optics Denali (affiliate of Vortex) 7x32's and took a spill on them hunting - had a replacement pair within 3-5 working days. My youngest son has them and they are still a very sweet bin for the $97 I paid for them about 5 years ago.

A word of caution, it sounds like you want a pair of bins right now instead of waiting. I spent the better part of a year looking through, handling and comparing bins side to side. I didn't want to spend $1500/$1800 on a pair of bins and after spending the time, I realized I didn't have to - for my needs and purposes. My eyes really liked the Zeiss Conquest 8x30, and since I didn't really want to drop $550 at the time, I made a another sacrifice and traded a gun for a NIB pair at a large gun/optics shop.

That being said, I don't subscribe to the fact that everyone needs to buy the best optics out there, just the best for their eyes, that they can afford, that suit their purposes. I've handled just about everything out there and 2 years later don't regret my decision at all.

Take your time, save your money (or do some horse trading) and get the bins your eyes, hands and wallet want. If it takes you 2-3 months to research and track down these bins - so be it.

Good luck in your decision.

NH Hunter

A couple of notes on the Monarch. While mine is a good, usable and entirely decent binocular, I do notice some eye fatigue after hard use. While I do not particularly object to the size of the FOV @330', I have come to the conclusion that there is something to be said for the position that a wider FOV is more relaxing to the eyes. I recently had an opportunity to give the Diamondback a decent comparison to my Monarch. I don't think the images are much different, but I think the Diamondback was just a little brighter. It was however, without the eye strain I get with the Monarch. I am thinking the wide FOV of the Diamondback is the reason. The Diamondback also comes with one of the best binocular cases in the business.

Others to consider:

Bushnell Infinity 8.5x45mm at $380 only $20 more than your top range.

Celestron Regal LX 8x42mm in closeout at $340 would be one of the best out of your list.

Leupold Olympic 8x42mm $295 a newer version of the very well regarded P1.

Pentax DCF WP II 8x42mm $330 their reputation precedes them.

Stokes Broadwing 8x42mm $350 a very good binocular with the excellent Eagle Optics/Vortex warranty.

You probably can't go wrong with the Minox demos, that's $100 off a very nice binocular.

If you want a bullet proof warranty then go Eagle Optics, Stokes or Vortex.

Remember, both Eagle Optics and CameralandNY have a 30-day money back guarantee so if you don't want a binoculars after your evaluation you can send it back in as new condition for a full purchase price refund.

I would never buy the Nikon Monarch ATB. They are highly overrated and hardly better than the Olympus Magellan EXWP I.

I know a few people who own and are quite pleased with the Nikon Monarch. My one friend's 8x42 is noticeably better than my other friends' 10x42s. I personally have never been all that impressed by any of them. They are good, solid, hunting binoculars but, it's quite understandable why birders don't particularly rave over them.

Birders are generally concerned with optical properties different from hunters. For example, perfectly true color rendition is super important to a birder as the I.D. of a lifetime can hinge on very subtle differences in plumage coloring. A hunter is often going to less concerned with this as trophy quality is never dependant on just exactly what shade of brown the deer is.

I owned at one point both 8x42 and 10x42 Pentax DCF WPs. My dad still owns an 8x42 DCF WP. I believe the Pentax to be a superior binocular to the Nikon.

I examined for a brief period an Olympus Magellen and was pretty thoroughly disappointed. There seems to be a lot of hype about them lately but, I saw nothing to justify it. In this respect they kind of remind me of the Carson XM binoculars. For awhile a lot of people were raving about them too, but that enthusiasm seems to have died away.

I also own an 8x42 Bushnell Discoverer, which I feel is a better glass than any of the above mentioned binoculars. 7x42 Discoverers were selling at the Sportsman's Guide for $220 (less if you are a member of their "buyer's club.") Here is a link: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=377488

I have only a little experience with Vortex but, I have liked what I've seen so far. Their binoculars seem to be enjoying a bit more success than their spotting scopes. I am wary of the long-term viability of their VIP Warranty as they are a new company and there's no history to use as a benchmark for judging just how things will go for them. Things look good so far and I definitely wish them well but, I do feel that they have saturated especially the binocular market with too many different, yet similar models and I worry that by trying to be everything to everyone all at once, they might have overextended themselves.

I've tested both the Nikon Monarch and the Oly Magellan EXWP. A good bit better than the Monarch is the Oly.
If I were just looking in the $300 range, I'd take a good look at the better porro bincoculars. That's becasue they can be made with just as good an image as roof style binos costing a great deal more.
I'm, quite frankly, a binocular nut that insists on the very best of everything. To me, my binoculars are my secret weapon, not the fancy custom rifles I hunt with.
I never thought I'd ever even remotely consider hunting with a binocular costing less than $500.
But, I now have a very light, 18 oz. 6X30 Leupold Yosemite in my collection of Leicas and a top quality Nikon LX. If an $80 binocular can be that good, I suspect Leupold is selling some very good porros in the 8X42 size as well.
The big advantages to the roofs are their more rugged constuction and the fact that it is easier to make them water proof. But it takes a good deal more money to make them as good as the porros. Something to think about. E

Another one to add to your list is the Bushnell Legend. They are very equal to the Nikon Monarch's optically. I have used them for only one season and for the money I think they are a a very good choice. The forum guru John Barsness recommends them as well.

Roy

Eagle Optics, the parent company for Sheltered Wings, Audubon, Vortex and Stokes has been selling optics for 22 years. Hardly a new company with no history to use as benchmark for how things will go for them. They have been selling their branded optics in this country longer than many other so-called respected companies, including some European ones. If they cannot give you the model you bought you will get a new comparable product. A friend had an old EO Ranger binoculars for 12 years and got a new Ranger SRT as a replacement after dropping the old ones off the Devils Lake bluff. He picked up the pieces and sent them to Eagle Optics and got a new pair for no charge. Be wary no more, they are the real deal.

Agreed, they are the real deal! I've been to their storefront and have ordered two items from them, a bin (the OE 7x32 Denali that was replaced timely under their no fault warranty) and a Fuji Super 60 last fall at about 50% of retail.

Were I to buy a brand that Doug sells, I'd be buying from him before anyone else (if a cash deal - not horse trading) as I've been in his store several times and he and his staff are very nice and knowledgeable, not to mention he has the best prices around. If Doug doesn't carry what I'm looking for (again cash purchase) Eagle Optics gets my business. If neither of them carry it, I don't need it

NH Hunter.

I bought a pair of Leupold Pinnacles last year for $380 from Eagle Optics.I have been very happy with them and would recommend them on the high side of your price range.

I understand the relationship between Sheltered Wings and their various optics endeavors. I have and will continue to purchase things from Eagle Optics. I will also remain just a little bit wary of the Vortex line and its warranty. Sheltered Wings may have been around for awhile but their Vortex line has not. Sheltered Wings already had their Audubon, Stokes, and Eagle Optics brands and yet something made them decide that they needed a new company/name for this, their first real foray into high(er) end optics. Why did they decide this? I don't know. Perhaps it was because they felt they couldn't get the prestige mileage out of their already established brands. Perhaps they just wanted a clear delineation of their "hunting" from their "birding" optics. Whatever the reason, Vortex itself is a new and as yet untested venture and the relative success of its parent company cannot gaurantee its own long-term viability. There are many successful off-shoot endeavors that ultimately fail - even though though the parent company remains overall successful and profitable.

I'm not (let me repeat NOT) saying that Vortex makes poor products. Nor am I saying that they are going out of business any time soon. I am equally not saying that you shouldn't buy from them. I am saying that Vortex along with its VIP Warranty does not have kind of history that say for example, Leupold does with their Golden Ring products to back up the long-term viability of their gaurantee.

According to my conversations with Vortex representatives and one experienced optics dealer who sells Vortex, the Vortex line was iniatiated to cater to hunting needs while they intended the birding needs to be satisfied with the Stokes brand. The big difference in the Vortex presentation of a hunting vs. a birding binocular is that the serious birding binoculars in the Stokes line feature a much quicker (one turn) focus than the Vortex binoculars, which have a slower (1.25-1.50 turn) more precise focus for focusing back and forth through layers of foliage.

Also the birding crowd will not be caught dead using a non-phase coated roof prism glass, hence those are in the Vortex line simply because less expensive sells a lot of binoculars. They have maybe caught themselves in a sort of conundrum with the Razors. If there is an issue with these it seems to be the focus, it is either too slow for birders or too sticky for some others. They likely thought the Stokes DLS would have more appeal to birders than the Razor. There will be some evolution in this approach. So far my experience with them has been top notch, but they do have to exist for some more time to prove themselves to a larger portion of buyers. Meanwhile they have my support.

I bought a set of Minox BL 8x42 BR's from Doug last year, and I'm delighted with them They're not considered "high end" I know, but are certainly a major upgrade from the old crap I was carrying around for years previous.

I bought a set of Minox BL 8x42 BR's from Doug last year, and I'm delighted with them They're not considered "high end" I know, but are certainly a major upgrade from the old crap I was carrying around for years previous.

Nice comments Steve (said sincerely). I had no idea about some of those issues as it relates to Vortex and their binocular designs/focus.

Thanks for all the advice, Guys!


At the moment, these are what I am leaning toward picking up.

I found a store that is close to here that has a selection of Zeiss/Swaro/Steiner/Swift/Fujinon binoculars for sale. I plan on swingin' by there and checking them out later on today or tomorrow..

Whichever set you buy, I suggest you get the widest field of view available.

Most low to mid priced 8x42mm bins have something in the area of 330 feet FOV @ 1000 yards. My Nikon Monarchs are prime examples of that. They give an excellent sight picture and resolve minute detail at very long distances. They are bright and have great ergos. Thing is, when we hunt we tend to glass for long periods, sometimes hours at a time. It is easy to get eye fatigue doing this and as noted in a few posts in other threads, a wider FOV plays a part in reducing it. I am sure that is why my 20 year set of B & L 7x42 Discoverers didn't bother my eyes when I used them to glass for hours...they had a FOV exceeding 400 feet. Like I said, if you look at most 8x42 bins, they are as low as 290 feet (for the Minox 8.5x52) to 350 feet. The odd one goes higher and the price usually does too. The Vortex Viper is 347 feet yet its' more expensive brother, the Razor, is 410 feet. It is interesting to note that the big 3 brands in 8x42 all are in that 400' FOV range and I have never read a complaint about eye fatigue with those. I am sure that there are other factors at work there too, such as glass quality and so on but the FOV seems to be an important, but often overlooked issue.

Well, the one store that had all the binoculars in the display case has been closed for the last two days, so I went over to a small camera store across town. They had a Nikon Monarch 8x42 and a small, rubber-armored, "Made in Japan" Celestron that was 8x30 or 8x32 (it didn't have a model name on it). The small armored Celestron roof blew the Nikon out of the water, IMHO. The FOV was much larger, with a more vivid and detailed image. The edges of the image was also better than the Nikon. Since I knew nothing about that brand or model, I decided to pass (for now) while I found out more about them. And after searching Celestron's website for this model, I turned up nothing, even in their "archives". They look like the Nobels but have waaaay thicker armor, and they don't have a focus wheel, but a long bar that you use instead. I am guessing that they were an older discontinued model perhaps?

Anyhoo, after looking at that small roof, I am now thinking about 8x32 or 8x30's instead. I had no idea going in that I would end up liking a binocular smaller than a 8x42! Could someone give me some 8x32 models in the $300 (or so) price range that I should be considering. So far, I have turned up the Pentax 8x32 DCF SP's for $290 (refurbs), Vortex 8x32 Fury Demo's for $250, Celestron 8x32 Nobles for $257, and Leupold Yosemite 8x30's for around $100 as the most talked about by the "birding crowd"..

I own the 6x30 Yosemites and really like them a lot. I was sceptical about a $90.00 binocular being good, but believe me they really are good. I assume the 8x30 size would be good to. You might PM Steve99, he did a good review comparing the Yosemites, Vortex Furys and Minox. I believe he prefered the Furys with the Yosemite a close second. The Furys should be more durable and have gotten great reviews as they have been passed around, plus you can't complain about Votex's customer service.

There are several reviews of the Vortex Fury 6.5x32 done on the campfire by myself and several others. Even though I have a 6x30 Yosemite and a Swift Eaglet 7x36, I bought the 6.5 Fury I reviewed from Doug and he will send a new one to the next reviewer. I also have a Nikon Monarch 8x42. It was purchased as an inexpensive all-around binocular, but it is now in the spare/loaner bracket. I now prefer the 6-7x magnification for all-around use, but they really work best in combination with a good 10x. Where the less than 8x glass really stands out is in the way the lower magnification handles heat waves (aka mirage). They are emminently usable when an 8x is marginal and a 10x is impossible. I hunt in desert country and that is an issue for me.

As I said in my review, I seriously doubt that if you were handed unmarked versions of the 8x32 and 6.5x32 Fury, that you could tell the difference. We recently had a Gun Show here where a Vortex dealer had a booth. I left him my card and took home a couple of pairs of Vortex binoculars, one was the 8x32 Fury. When others looked through them with the end of the focus wheel covered, the several pairs of eyes that looked couldn't tell which was the 8x. A couple thought the 6.5 was best. While we're talking $3-400 binoculars here, they won't make it to the alpha level, they are damned good glass. For me the decision was easy, I liked the 6.5 better than the 8x.

Thanks!

I have also read recent threads where guys are having QC problems with the Vortex 6.5x32 Fury. While I don't doubt that Vortex will get this issue fixed, I think that I will look elsewhere for binos. The Pentax SP's or Celestrons in this 8x32 size are what I will probably go with..

I wouldn't, simply for the customer service angle alone.

If you get a bum set, or bust a set, of Pentax or Celestrons, where and who do you call to get them repaired or replaced and how fast?

With Vortex, I can answer that question with a person's name and the repair/replace is unconditionally guaranteed regardless of the damage or owner at the time. Turn around time is a matter of days, not weeks.

To me, for a set of hard use binos, that alone would tip the scales to Vortex; all else being equal.

Also, if you could squeeze just a couple more $$$ out of your budget, the Vortex Viper is RIGHT there at $400, and is one helluva set of glass.

Likewise, it would move you from looking at Made in Phillipines and Made in China, to Made in Japan. Big difference, IMHO..... and anything to avoid the Made in China sticker ought to be a given.

The Fury's are nice, but the Vipers are much better, esp. for just the very few dollars more.

I'd wait two more weeks, call Doug @ Cameralandny and have a set of 8x42 Vipers inbound. I very, very seriously doubt that you could do any better on glass in that price range, and I don't think that there is any way you'd do better via a company or a dealer than Vortex or Cameraland.

Schuey;

Dude: https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...lat/Number/2151896/page/1/gonew/1#UNREAD

Yesterday, I sent the Fury I reviewed and bought back for some diopter issues that developed recently. There may possibly be some issues with the Fury. That's now two issues for two Fury binoculars for me. There was some delay with the release of the 6.5x32, so maybe there is some QC problems in the rush to get them out. However, the Viper is an entirely different story, mine seems built like a tank. I've had it for a year and have yet thave to touch the diopter and rarely need to use the focus wheel, or fiddle with the IPD distance when I pick it up. Clear, bright, clean, sharp images. Sometimes internet threads can have the sample of one complaints get blown out of proportion, so a flag does get raised.

I'm going to call Vortex and try to talk to somebody familiar with the design and see what they have to say. The dealer who was at our Gun Show, and has been in the optics business for a long time told me he had yet to send back his first Vortex for QC/service/repair. He has taken a couple back of the Chineese made models (Diamondback in his case) because of the China issue. He seemed like a straightforward honest guy, not a used car salesman selling binoculars, so I tend to believe him.

I've got some more Vortex comparison notes I'll post after I talk to Vortex and add their comments.

VA;

Dude: http://www.17photo.com/product.asp?id=62619

Better FOV.

.

That is the beauty of "looking." I still haven't made up my mind yet. Besides, I plan on going to down the store with Swaro's and Zeiss Goodies today. Who knows what will happen after I walk out of there?

Edit: Thanks for the info, Steve.

I would like to try out a pair of 8x42 Viper Demos. Hmmmmmmm..

If you pick up the Swaro SLCs or ELs, or the Zeiss FLs, your budget for glass will grow, your wait will be much longer, but in the end, you're going to have far, far better glass.

BT/DT.

If you're seriously not going to the top-shelf stuff, stay away from the Chinese stuff regardless. Japanese glass, or European (even if used) is a known quality, and deal with a company that's a known quality as well.

For me, that'd render it Nikon, Swift, Vortex, Pentax, Meopta, Minox, or any of the "Big Three".

Actually Celestron has a warranty almost as good as the Eagle Optics/Vortex/Stokes warranties.

Celestron No-Fault Warranty General Description
The No-Fault provision of the warranty means that regardless of how the binocular or spotting scope may have been damaged or rendered unusable (fully or partially) by the owner of the binocular or spotting scope, Celestron will repair or replace the product without any questions asked. Some restrictions apply.

Celestron No-Fault Warranty Complete Description
The No-Fault warranty is applicable to all Celestron binoculars.
(excluding the VistaPix digital camera/binoculars which feature a 2-year warranty)

A. Celestron warrants this binocular to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for its usable lifetime. Celestron will repair or replace such product or part thereof which, upon inspection by Celestron, is found to be defective in materials or workmanship. As a condition to the obligation of Celestron to repair or replace such product, the product must be returned to Celestron prepaid together with proof-of-purchase satisfactory to Celestron. The proper Return Authorization Number must be obtained from Celestron in advance of return. Call Celestron at (310) 803-5955 to receive the number to be displayed on the outside of your shipping container. You can also send an email for this number from the support section of the Celestron website.

B. The NO FAULT provision of this warranty means that regardless of how the binocular may have been damaged or rendered unusable (fully or partially) by the
Owner of the binocular, Celestron will repair or replace the binocular without any questions being asked.

To take advantage of this provision, enclose a check or money order for $ 25.00 (U.S. dollars) with the binocular to cover inspection, handling, and shipping.

All returns must be accompanied by a written statement setting forth the name, address, and daytime telephone number of the owner, together with a brief description of any claimed defects. Parts or product for which replacement is made shall become the property of Celestron.

Celestron shall use reasonable efforts to repair or replace any binocular covered by this limited warranty within thirty days of receipt. In the event repair or replacement shall require more than thirty days, Celestron shall notify the customer accordingly. Celestron reserves the right to replace any product which has been discontinued from its product line with a new product of comparable value and function.

CELESTRON DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WHETHER OF MERCHANTABILITY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN.

THE SOLE OBLIGATION OF CELESTRON UNDER THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL BE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE COVERED PRODUCT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS SET FORTH HEREIN. CELESTRON EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY LOST PROFITS, GENERAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY RESULT FROM BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY, OR ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE ANY CELESTRON PRODUCT. ANY WARRANTIES WHICH ARE IMPLIED AND WHICH CANNOT BE DISCLAIMED SHALL BE LIMITED IN DURATION TO A TERM OF ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF ORIGINAL RETAIL PURCHASE.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitation on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations and exclusions may not apply to you.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

Celestron reserves the right to modify or discontinue, without prior notice to you, any model or style binocular.

If warranty problems arise, or if you need assistance in using your binocular contact:

Celestron
Customer Service Department
2835 Columbia Street
Torrance, CA 90503 U.S.A.
Tel. (310) 328-9560
Fax. (310) 212-5835
Monday-Friday 8AM-4PM PST

NOTE: This warranty is valid to U.S.A. and Canadian customers who have purchased this product from an Authorized Celestron Dealer in the U.S.A. or Canada. Warranty outside the U.S.A. and Canada is valid only to customers purchased from a Celestron Distributor or Authorized Celestron Dealer in the specific country and please contact them for any warranty service.

Well, guys, if you are looking at stuff in the 32mm size and the $300 range, I'd seriously consider the Leupold Katmai 8X32's. I was really surprised at their image quality when I looked diagonally across the huge Sportsman's Warehouse. I could see the contrast between the shades of mud over the screws on some raw drywall work. At 60-70 yds, that is pretty good. Phase coated prisms and fully multicoated optics in an 18 oz. roof bincoular with a full Leupold warantty.
Might buy one myself in 6X32. Even with the Yosemites in my collection. E

E, I found in my evaluations that the Leupold Green Ring Katmai 8x32mm were slightly better than the Eagle Optics Ranger SRT 8x32mm. However, I also found that the Eagle Optics Ranger SRT 6x32mm were better than the Leupold Green Ring Katmai 6x32mm.

Another surprising implementation of an 8x32mm is the Celestron Noble 8x32mm for $260. Pretty much right there with the Katmais. At first I thought the Celestron Noble 8x32mm were the same thing as the Eagle Optics Ranger SRT 8x32mm. But that was not borne out by observation which showed the Noble to be better.

Well, I went down to the Swaro/Zeiss store and they were closed... again! Not only are they closed, but they have a sign on the door saying that they are quote, "only open by appointment"?! But, in small letters it did say that they would be back open to the public on the 23rd of this month. I guess I get to wait a little longer to look through some Euro glass..

.

I did see where Bird Watcher's Digest highly praised the Leupold Katmai 6x32. That (and the 8x32 version) would be on my list of binoculars to look through. The search continues.....

Once again, I would like to thank everyone for all the advice that you have given. I really do appreciate it.

Well, I had some last minute expenses pop up recently, which put a nice big fat dent in my binocular budget. And after reading numerous different thread/reviews of binoculars in my new price range of under $200, I ended up going with these Bushnell Discoverer 7x42's...

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=427466&pn=1

I think they will work for now while I get the funds built up for some really nice glass down the road..

Hey, the Bushnel Discoverer 7x42 is a very nice bin! Good grab!!! I had a pair for about 20 years (called Baush & Lomb) and they did a great job for me. Enjoy them and don't look back.

I had a pair of the Discoverer's in 10x42 and for the money they were tough to beat. For the price Sportsmansguide is selling them for now it's a no brainer. They were surprisingly clear and bright.

From what I've read about these, they are made in Japan by Fujinon. Heck, the Fujinon CD 8x42 look virtually identical to these Bushies.

http://www.buytelescopes.com/products/large_images/CD-details.JPG

I used this code for Sportman's Guide (SG284), and saved an additional $10 off my order. For $168.45 shipped to my door, I don't see how I could go wrong..

'Nuther quickie:

Have any of you tried the new Leupold Acadia binoculars? If so, what do you think of them?

Yup, nice for the money. The Leupold Mojave is better but more coin of course.

The Mojave's do seem nice. Haven't seen the Acadia. One thing that is not for me is a non phase coated roof prism binocular. Been there, done that, won't go back and do it again. Acadias are advertised as only fully multicoated with no mention of phase correction that I have seen.

I thought that they were made by the same OEM that makes the Elite scopes, bino's and spotters. Light Optical Works, jp. Either way doesn't matter, cause you got one heck of a good bino especially for the money.

http://www.city.suwa.nagano.jp/kigyou/suwashi/lightkoki/lightkoki2.htm

Roy

In the 2008 Brochure that I just got from Leupold, it says on the page for the Acadias:

Huh! Doesn't say anything about phase correction on the Leupold website. If they are they should be a decent glass. Much wider field than a lot of 8x42's. I'll have to keep an eye out for some. It did seem strange that in this day and age that anybody would introduce a non phase coated glass.

Today, you get a lot more bang for the buck and the distance between low end and high end is shrinking. That is why the Leupold Mojave has it over the more expensive (but earlier released) Pinnicles optically, for example. Newer bins are lighter, have better glass/coatings and the trend now is for only two hinges (Swaro EL style) instead of piano-style hinges...hence the Acadia and Mojave, among others. Remember though that just because they say leupold on them, doesn't mean that they are American made. They are imports and you know the likely place of manufacturer.

Having said all that, if you can get a set of Discoverers like you stated earlier at close out pricing, IMO, that is probably your best move. They are excellent bins for the coin....the 7x42's are solid, have decent glass, big FOV, are clear, bright and dependable. I used them for years and never experienced any eye fatigue.

Anyway, good luck and good hunting.

^L^

The Discoverers are on their way from Sportsman's Guide.

(I just thought that I would ask if anyone knew anything about the Acadia's what with them being new and all. And having not read a lick about them anywhere online.. )