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Dragonwatcher
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/21/08

Loc: Kirkland, WA

Olympus Tracker 10X25 thoughts...
#4816679 - 09/19/11 05:22 PM

I am thinking of getting a very good pair of 8X or 10X binoculars in the 20mm - 32mm range.

At this point I am leaning towards the Nikon LX roofs because of ergonomics (=size/weight) though I have read many who claim that the SE porros give better views. Actually, I have read more than once that cheaper porros can beat more expensive roofs in this size range.

Now, the use would be for vacation & rarely astronomy. I have an inexpensive pair of Nikon 9X29 at this point that I am able to hold fairly steady, so I am thinking I could go 10X though 8X would give me a wider field of view and perhaps be less difficult to keep steady.

But FINALLY here is the point of my post. I have always assumed that you get what you pay for in binoculars roughly: higher price = higher quality.

But a Bird Forum thread has some people claiming the inexpensive Olympus Tracker 10X25 can hold its own against the alpha glass. Now, this doesn't mean it is as well built or ergonomically equal, but supposedly the views are about as good as you could get spending many hundreds of dollars more. This seems a tad outrageous... anyone who has used this Olympus and comparable aperture/magnification high end Nikons, Leicas, Zeiss, stc care to share your thoughts. It seems to be the idea good porros will beat or equal great roofs I suppose.

http://www.birdforum.net/archive/index.php/t-198342.html

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KennyJ
The British Flash

Reged: 04/27/03

Loc: Lancashire UK

Re: Olympus Tracker 10X25 thoughts... new

new

[Re: Dragonwatcher]
#4816711 - 09/19/11 05:39 PM

Jackie ,

Years of hands - on experiences have led me to the conclusion that , almost incredibly good as they may be for their size , NO compact ( 20mm - 25mm ) binoculars provide as all - round satisfying a viewing experience as a good old Nikon 8 x 32 SE .

In fact , only last month , and actually a little to my surprise , my wife sold her " previously beloved " Swarovski 8 x 20B compacts ( admittedly at a relatively minor financial loss from the purchase price several years ago ) because , in her own words " I never use them since you got those Nikons " ( refering to my 10 x 42 SE ).

I say go for a Nikon 8 x 32 SE , and you may still be thanking me long after I've departed !

Kenny

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BillC
on a new path

Reged: 06/04/04

Loc: Lake Stevens, WA, USA

Re: Olympus Tracker 10X25 thoughts... new

new

[Re: Dragonwatcher]
#4816738 - 09/19/11 05:51 PM

Hi Jackie:

“I HAVE READ MANY WHO CLAIM THAT THE SE PORROS GIVE BETTER VIEWS.”

Be sure you have enough periods after that statement.

“I HAVE READ MORE THAN ONCE THAT CHEAPER PORROS CAN BEAT MORE EXPENSIVE ROOFS IN THIS SIZE RANGE.”

Drinking is not good for the health! Virtually anything is better that a CHEAP roof prism bino. When talking about the pocket Leica or Zeiss, it’s a whole different ball game.

“SO I AM THINKING I COULD GO 10X THOUGH 8X WOULD GIVE ME A WIDER FIELD OF VIEW.”

Why do you think a 10x will give you a wider field than the 9 you started with?

“BUT FINALLY HERE IS THE POINT OF MY POST. I HAVE ALWAYS ASSUMED THAT YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR IN BINOCULARS ROUGHLY: HIGHER PRICE = HIGHER QUALITY.”

That CAN be true. But, as long as folks willingly believe everything they read, there will always be those willing to free them from the burden of carrying around too much cash!

Cheers,

Bill

PS I'm working on my family history and must ask: Didn't summer come on Tuesday this year!?

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BillC
on a new path

Reged: 06/04/04

Loc: Lake Stevens, WA, USA

Re: Olympus Tracker 10X25 thoughts... new

new

[Re: BillC]
#4816748 - 09/19/11 05:53 PM

Kenny said:

"I say go for a Nikon 8 x 32 SE , and you may still be thanking me long after I've departed !"

That's MY birding glass!

BillC

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Dragonwatcher
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/21/08

Loc: Kirkland, WA

Re: Olympus Tracker 10X25 thoughts... new

new

[Re: BillC]
#4816875 - 09/19/11 07:15 PM

[Quote]“I HAVE READ MORE THAN ONCE THAT CHEAPER PORROS CAN BEAT MORE EXPENSIVE ROOFS IN THIS SIZE RANGE.”

Drinking is not good for the heath! Virtually anything is better that a CHEAP roof prism bino. When talking about the pocket Leica or Zeiss, it’s a whole different ball game.[/Quote]

Yes, I understand. What I meant was not cheap but cheapER porros could beat the alpha roofs. In other words, excellent quality porros at a cheaper price point can sometimes beat a more expensive Leica, Zeiss, Swaro roof of similar aperture/mag. I'm not sure what porro you would need to beat an Ultravid HD - or if it truly would be a cheaper bin.

[Quote]“SO I AM THINKING I COULD GO 10X THOUGH 8X WOULD GIVE ME A WIDER FIELD OF VIEW.”

Why do you think a 10x will give you a wider field than the 9 you started with? [/Quote]

Bill, I was thinking only in terms of a Nikon 8X vrs 10X and not in terms of my present binoculars. They are just a very average pair that I have had for many years & need upgrading.

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BillC
on a new path

Reged: 06/04/04

Loc: Lake Stevens, WA, USA

Re: Olympus Tracker 10X25 thoughts... new

new

[Re: Dragonwatcher]
#4817020 - 09/19/11 08:22 PM

Hi Jackie:

AS A RULE Porro prism binoculars CAN proved EQUAL PERFORMANCE

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Dragonwatcher
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/21/08

Loc: Kirkland, WA

Re: Olympus Tracker 10X25 thoughts... new

new

[Re: KennyJ]
#4817034 - 09/19/11 08:31 PM

Quote:

I say go for a Nikon 8 x 32 SE , and you may still be thanking me long after I've departed !

Kenny

Kenny, Can I just thank you now instead of waiting until after you start your vacation or wherever you are departing to?

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BillC
on a new path

Reged: 06/04/04

Loc: Lake Stevens, WA, USA

Re: Olympus Tracker 10X25 thoughts... new

new

[Re: Dragonwatcher]
#4817047 - 09/19/11 08:37 PM

Hi Jackie:

AS A RULE Porro prism binoculars CAN provide EQUAL PERFORMANCE at fewer dollars than MANY roof prism models. Much of that is due, however, to the breakage of the prisms and other costs associated with manufacturing.

But, you specifically mention “more expensive Leica, Zeiss, Swaro” models. Please remember these are the big dogs in the field and many of the assumptions that might apply to the average—or even better than average—binoculars do NOT apply to them.

Go to Captain’s, ask to look through a Swarovski EL, then determine which Porro prism model will equal THAT quality. Methinks you will be at a loss.

No, we DON’T always get what we pay for. But, the expensive, cream-of-the-crop binos break a lot of the rules.

Have fun shopping; have MORE fun viewing!

Cheers,

BillC

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Dragonwatcher
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/21/08

Loc: Kirkland, WA

Re: Olympus Tracker 10X25 thoughts... new

new

[Re: BillC]
#4817097 - 09/19/11 09:07 PM

I did look through a Nikon LX-L and a Leica Ultravid 8X20 today & found the views comparable (well, Leica slightly better). I know these are both excellent roofs and I was impressed how they left my Nikon 9X29 bins sadly wanting. And hence my upgrade urge.

[I should mention I have what I am hoping is half an Ultravid on the way to me - a 8X20 Monovid!]

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NDfarmer
super member

Reged: 04/02/09

Re: Olympus Tracker 10X25 thoughts... new

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[Re: Dragonwatcher]
#4817103 - 09/19/11 09:12 PM

Quote:

I am thinking of getting a very good pair of 8X or 10X binoculars in the 20mm - 32mm range.

At this point I am leaning towards the Nikon LX roofs because of ergonomics (=size/weight) though I have read many who claim that the SE porros give better views. Actually, I have read more than once that cheaper porros can beat more expensive roofs in this size range.

Now, the use would be for vacation & rarely astronomy. I have an inexpensive pair of Nikon 9X29 at this point that I am able to hold fairly steady, so I am thinking I could go 10X though 8X would give me a wider field of view and perhaps be less difficult to keep steady.

But FINALLY here is the point of my post. I have always assumed that you get what you pay for in binoculars roughly: higher price = higher quality.

But a Bird Forum thread has some people claiming the inexpensive Olympus Tracker 10X25 can hold its own against the alpha glass. Now, this doesn't mean it is as well built or ergonomically equal, but supposedly the views are about as good as you could get spending many hundreds of dollars more. This seems a tad outrageous... anyone who has used this Olympus and comparable aperture/magnification high end Nikons, Leicas, Zeiss, stc care to share your thoughts. It seems to be the idea good porros will beat or equal great roofs I suppose.

http://www.birdforum.net/archive/index.php/t-198342.html

Be careful here, on the BF post you quoted, the bloke who was raving them the most, the Olympus Tracker, was also selling these on the auction site. Now isn't that nice.

Edited by NDfarmer (09/19/11 09:30 PM)

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Dragonwatcher
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/21/08

Loc: Kirkland, WA

Re: Olympus Tracker 10X25 thoughts... new

new

[Re: NDfarmer]
#4817160 - 09/19/11 09:58 PM

NDfarmer,

Thanks. I never caught that. But I did see the Olympus got good Amazon reviews - though I realize these may not always be by experienced users.

That's why I was hoping someone on CN who has used these & the alpha glass (Leica, Zeiss, Swaro) could comment.

I am skeptical at the price they are selling...

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BillC
on a new path

Reged: 06/04/04

Loc: Lake Stevens, WA, USA

Re: Olympus Tracker 10X25 thoughts... new

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[Re: Dragonwatcher]
#4817165 - 09/19/11 10:02 PM

'Not sure, but I believe you will find that the Olympus is the same as the old Minolta and later Konica-Minolta.

BillC

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BobinKy
Post Laureate

Reged: 04/27/07

Re: Olympus Tracker 10X25 thoughts... new

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[Re: BillC]
#4817358 - 09/20/11 12:41 AM

Interesting thread.

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Mark9473
Postmaster

Reged: 07/21/05

Loc: 51°N 4°E

Re: Olympus Tracker 10X25 thoughts... new

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[Re: Dragonwatcher]
#4817435 - 09/20/11 02:33 AM

Quote:

8X or 10X binoculars in the 20mm - 32mm range.

That covers a range of exit pupils from a minuscule 2 mm (for 10x20) all the way to a fairly comfortable 4 mm (for 8x32). I would strongly recommend to aim for an exit pupil not less than 3 mm, and for that reason alone a 10x25 would be out.

The only reason I put up with my little Leica 8x20's 2.5mm exit pupil is that it is truly pocket size. But I enjoy the view through my cheap Nikon Action 7x35 much more.

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Dragonwatcher
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/21/08

Loc: Kirkland, WA

Re: Olympus Tracker 10X25 thoughts... new

new

[Re: Mark9473]
#4817941 - 09/20/11 11:28 AM

Thanks to all (including the still here Kenny) - I think I am strongly leaning towards a 30mm or 32mm aperture. I will take Bill's advice and find a store that sells the Nikon LX and SE series, compare them, and then see if I want the 8X or 10X (though 42mm in SE). [Unless I find someone practically giving away a Leica, Swaro or Zeiss - I scan Craigslist daily!]

I think the larger aperture makes more sense given I will have the Monovid monocular to stuff in my shirt pocket for those times I just don't expect to need magnification but the need turns up opportunistically.

I MAY get the Olympus just to satisfy my curiosity and have an inexpensive alternative when I get in a situation that I don't want to risk the Nikons.

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EdZ
Professor EdZ

Reged: 02/15/02

Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W

Re: Olympus Tracker 10X25 thoughts... new

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[Re: Dragonwatcher]
#4818068 - 09/20/11 12:37 PM

Quote:

Now, the use would be for vacation & rarely astronomy.

then you don't need a 10x42. The 8x32 would suffice.

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Dragonwatcher
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/21/08

Loc: Kirkland, WA

Re: Olympus Tracker 10X25 thoughts... new

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[Re: EdZ]
#4818180 - 09/20/11 01:27 PM

I was hoping to find a store in Seattle/Bellevue area that would carry the 8X32 & 10X32 Nikon LXL roofs to compare against a Nikon 8X32 SE but no luck. Captain's doesn't have the porros Bill. Ed, I agree that I don't particularly want to go up to the 42mm size.

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BillC
on a new path

Reged: 06/04/04

Loc: Lake Stevens, WA, USA

Re: Olympus Tracker 10X25 thoughts... new

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[Re: Dragonwatcher]
#4818422 - 09/20/11 03:20 PM

"Captain's doesn't have the porros Bill."

'Must be trying to hold their own in this economy; I raised them to 150 models. I guess they're selling "what they have."

BillC

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Dragonwatcher
Carpal Tunnel

Reged: 01/21/08

Loc: Kirkland, WA

Re: Olympus Tracker 10X25 thoughts... new

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[Re: BillC]
#4819209 - 09/20/11 11:00 PM

Final thanks to all for steering me in the proper path.

I have a pair of 8X32 Nikon SE bins coming my way. So done deal.

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Scott Beith
SRF

Reged: 11/26/03

Loc: Frederick, MD

Re: Olympus Tracker 10X25 thoughts... new

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[Re: Dragonwatcher]
#4819248 - 09/20/11 11:22 PM

Let us know how you like them when they arrive.

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