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Anonymous
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Hello all.
I'm very new to this subject. So please bear with what may sound like cliches to you all. I need your advice to make my decision.
My main interests are wildlife and birding followed by astronomy. But since many of you stargazers may be bird-watchers as well, I thought I'd ask my questions here.
I plan to buy 2 binoculars: One 8x42 and 1 one 10x50.
For the 8x bin, based on price, I've narrowed my options to the Minolta Activa 8x42D WP XL vs. Nikon Monarch 8x42.
For the 10x bin, I've narrowed to Minolta Activa 10x50 WP.FP vs. Nikon Action EX (Extreme) 10x50.
I need to know, in each case, which bin should I go for and why. I'm mainly interested in the quality of the optics. Which would give the clearest, sharpest, brightest image?
Also, I've been looking desperately for some professional reviews on these items but found NONE. Any links to such reviews would be very helpful.
Any, and all, help is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Edited by Manendra (02/04/04 12:47 AM)
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wilash
Fairy Godmother
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 5746
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This is an easy question - there is no difference in optical quality between each pair of binoculars. The difference comes down to brand name, styling, and price.
My wife and I use a pair of Minolta Activa 10x42s for birdwatching. Very nice optics. I sometimes use them for astronomy as well.
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Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2551
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
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I have only had experience with a friend's Activa 10X50 WPs for birding. They are very fine binos considering the attractive pricing. 10X50s are a good size for general astronomy. If your primary use is birding my only suggestion to to consider a pair of compact roof prism 8X32s to pair with the full size 10X50s. 4 mm exit pupil is fine for day time use. There are several compact 8X32s with wider 7.5 deg FOV and are ~5 cm shorter than the Minolta 8X42D XL.
There are many occassions when I wish I had quality binos with me on an overseas trip. I dislike pocket sized binos but would prefer to pack compact 8X32s than full sized 8/10X 42s when I am flying with a carry-on luggage only.
Erik D
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10143
Loc: Lancashire UK
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I agree with Erik on this point , particularly if the lower power bino is an accompaniment to a 10 x 50.
A good 8 x 32 roof prism model provides plenty of light for all but the twilight zone , is more compact and usually has a wider TFOV than 8 x 42.
I don't know off the top of my head how much the models you suggest would cost , or if either of them are worthy of classification in the same little league of the following I will suggest ,but there are some fine "mid -priced" 8 x 32 nitrogen filled , phase -corrected , 7.5 degree TFOV waterproof roofs available from Pentax ,Eagle Optics, Minox ,Kahles and Opticron , each of which have their "supporters".
These are good examples of the situation whereby one can actually obtain a binocular that is in all likelihood about 85% - 90 % as good as the very very best for less than half the price.
Regards -- Kenny.
--------------------
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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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Quote:
This is an easy question - there is no difference in optical quality between each pair of binoculars. The difference comes down to brand name, styling, and price.
My wife and I use a pair of Minolta Activa 10x42s for birdwatching. Very nice optics. I sometimes use them for astronomy as well.
When you say you use the Activa 10x42s, do you mean the 10x42D WP or the 10x42D WP XL?
In any case, do you know what the difference is between these two models? I cannot find any explanation in the Minolta website.
Also, have you ever compared an equivalent Nikon 10x42 model with your Activa 10x42? What were the results?
Thanks in advance.
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Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2551
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
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Manendra,
You can try <www.adorama.com> for specs on binoculars. Adorama Camera is in New York City but they carry hundreds of binoculars from every major manufacturer and the specification section is fairly detailed. I found the Eagle Optics web site <eagleoptics.com> is very helpful too but they do not list Minolta binos. <focuscamera.com> is another vendor web site you can try.
<excelsis.com> is a good source for telescope, binocular and other astro equipment reviews.
ERik D
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wilash
Fairy Godmother
Reged: 09/30/03
Posts: 5746
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Quote:
Quote:
This is an easy question - there is no difference in optical quality between each pair of binoculars. The difference comes down to brand name, styling, and price.
My wife and I use a pair of Minolta Activa 10x42s for birdwatching. Very nice optics. I sometimes use them for astronomy as well.
When you say you use the Activa 10x42s, do you mean the 10x42D WP or the 10x42D WP XL?
In any case, do you know what the difference is between these two models? I cannot find any explanation in the Minolta website.
Also, have you ever compared an equivalent Nikon 10x42 model with your Activa 10x42? What were the results?
Thanks in advance.
I have the 10x42D WP. I compared that to a number of binoculars including the Nikon. I really could not see any difference between the Nikon and Minolta as far as image quality. It basically came down to price.
A lot of binoculars share an uncanny resembelance. I found when the specs were identical for a particular pair of roof or prism binoculars, so was the performance.
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