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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
Posts: 26354
Loc: Alternate Reality (TM)
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Ok folks, since I'm picking up the camper tonight, I guess it's time (again) for a decent set of bino's.
I'm looking to spend 200 - 300 (maybe a bit more if it's a really good deal), and ideally would like something I can hand hold (so for me that means 7-10x, and typically 40-50mm objectives) and an exit pupil of around 4-6mm.
That being said: here are a couple of "deals" I found:
Steiner Rallye 20x80's for $429 (outside of price and size, but looks like a really good deal)
Steiner Predator 12x40's for $270
Steiner Safari 12x40 for $219
Nikon Tundra 10x50 for $250
(I need to check coatings on these too - make sure I'm not getting a ruby lens or something odd like that...)
Any thoughts?? Recommendations on other models? (Nothing chinese please.....)
Tom T.
Edited by Tom Trusock (05/07/04 09:11 AM)
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I wish I could help ya. I have not used any of those binos. I can only speak of the Orion 7x50 Vistas I have. They are quite nice and excellent for maritime and camping use. I think are about $220.
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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
Posts: 26354
Loc: Alternate Reality (TM)
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After doing a little more research, I guess none of those I posted are really deals...
Anybody got some good recommendations?
Where are the Orions made?
T
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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The Vistas are made in Japan but by which company I am not sure of. I bet Barry Simon would know.
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12146
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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If I were buying a new 10x50 today, with primarily astro use in mind, on top of my list would be the Nikon Action Extreme. read Barry Simon's critique of this binoc. Under $200.
Go to "Links to Bino Mini Reviews" find Nikon Action Extreme 10x50
edz
--------------------
Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
Posts: 26354
Loc: Alternate Reality (TM)
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Thanks guys.
Ed, I *think* I looked at a set of these in walmart - I have to admit, I wasn't really impressed - the field wasn't very flat, and the off axis performance wasn't all that great (they seemed a little astigmatic)... They didn't seem much (any?) better than the 8x56 oberwerks I owned. Plus, they had both Japan and China stickers on them - which made me think the optics were coming out of china. Maybe I was looking at a different version....
I'll check the link.
T
Edited by Tom Trusock (05/07/04 12:15 PM)
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 9975
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Tom T,
I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that you cannot have "flat field" and "good edge performance" AND a wide field of view. It's a compromise either way and from your previous comments it sounds to me that you are keener to have the former than the latter.
Although I do not particularly like them myself , Pentax DCF HR is a line that seems to get very good reviews for it's edge performance.
You get waterproofing , nitrogen purging , phase -correction and very good optics ( and a narrow TFOV ) with these for less than $300.
The 8 x 42 would me MY choice for "hand -held".
Others would prefer the 10 x 42 of course.
Check the specs out below , and good luck - Kenny.
http://www.precision-camera.com/page/PCV/PROD/PENBN/62612
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Two eyes and a preference to use both
Zeiss 7 x 42 BGAT
Captain's Helmsman 7 x 50
Nikon 10 x 42 Superior E
Swift Audubon Kestrel 10 x 50
Helios 15 x 70 Observation
Strathspey 20 x 90
Televue 76 APO
Zeiss 85 Diascope
Helios 102 f5 refractor
Various eyepieces barlows tripods mounts etc.
Panasonic Lumix DMC - TZ5 digital camera
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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
Posts: 26354
Loc: Alternate Reality (TM)
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Thanks for the suggestion Kenny, I'll check those out.
Tom T.
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