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JDBraddy
member
Reged: 06/11/03
Posts: 56
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Am contemplating new general purpose bino's to keep in the car, will serve for casual astro and terrestrial use. I have mounted 16X70's and 25X100's so am interested in low magnification, lightweight, easy to use, widefields. Price range is $250-$400 The Nikon SE's, Zeiss, Leica's, etc... are a bit more than I'm looking to invest, so to give an idea of which way I'm leaning, I've been looking at:
new (waterproof) Swift 8.5X44ED's
Eagle Optics 8X42 Raptor
Nikon 8X30 E-II's
Fujinon 8X30 FMT-SX's
Would appreciate any first hand reviews, warnings, or suggestions about these models or another I might have overlooked, but should consider.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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i have the 8x30E2's and really like them,compact light weight very sharp optics, and i have just ordered the new swift 828 HHS roofs. regards john cota
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Don25
professor emeritus
Reged: 10/20/03
Posts: 701
Loc: Delaware, U.S.A.
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Hi JD,
I can't comment on the other models, but I recently purchased off "that huge online auction site" (don't know if I could post the name so I left it off) the older model Swift 8.5x44 Ed'S Thes are not waterproof (they can be splashed but not submerged) and are optically from everything I've read, the same as the newer model that you are considering. The consensus seems to be; and I agree that the center resolution is absolutely fantastic, however as you move out from the center, the image degrades rather rapidly. I looked around for some time, and wanted a pair of general purpose/light astronomical use bino's. I read so many good reports about the Swift's, but held off from purchasing due to lack of cash. When I came across the auction site for a brand new pair of these binoculars that I got for $ 222.50, I couldn't resist and bought them. Overall I am extremely pleased with them, and I have mainly used them for viewing Squirrels and birds outside my backyard feeder, as well as a little astronomical viewing. The cheapest I have seen this model normally go for is about $ 359.95 so for $ 222.50 I got a bargain. The views are wonderful, but again as you move out from the center of the field of view and get out to about 60 % from the center, the resolution drops off and gets a little fuzzy. I think that you would be happy with the newer Swift's, however I thought that I would warn you about the drop off in clarity as you move out from the center. I can live with it, especially at the price I paid, but maybe you won't like the outer edge performance. Hope this helps. Don
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JDBraddy
member
Reged: 06/11/03
Posts: 56
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Thanks for the honest review Don, this is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. As you mention, many wide field models in this price range have edge performance issues, or what I somtimes call field curvature, likely due to poor eyepiece design. This is somthing that has really turned me off in less expensive models. I think I'd rather have a narrower field, than a have part of the field distorted or out of focus. I realize many models in the mid-priced range I've described are likely to still suffer from this, wich is why I'm seeking first hand reviews.
Glad to hear you like the Nikons John, wanted to ask however, if they remain sharp across the field, or suffer from similar edge performance issues as Don has mentioned reguarding his Swifts?
Thanks, JDBraddy
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10163
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Hi JD,
No first had experience but the Nikon Extremes have impressed more than one discerning binocular user.
See thread on them in this forum.
Price is well within your intended budget .
Details as follows :
< The new Nikon Action Extreme" binoculars feature an all-metal chassis with lens fittings housed in a tough, lightweight polycarbonate body shell. Like all Nikon All Terrain Binoculars, the EX is nitrogen-filled and O-ring sealed for total waterproof, fogproof and shockproof performance in any environment. The binocular bodies are ergonomically shaped, tripod adaptable and are rubber coated for a non-slip grip, whether wet or dry.The new Extreme ATB offerings utilize high-resolution lenses and prism systems crafted from Nikons exclusive Eco Glass", which is made without the use of arsenic or lead. This lens system provides an extremely clear, distortion-free image over the entire field of view. The lens elements each incorporate multi-layered anti-reflective coatings formulated to deliver optimum brightness, high contrast, true color rendition and flare-free viewing in most lighting conditions. The Extreme" series binoculars each feature a unique, click-stop eyecup design that not only delivers long eye relief, but also allows for variable eye relief that is customizable to the users own eyes and eyeglasses. The binoculars are central focus with a diopter control to correct for normal right/left eye vision imbalance.The Extreme ATBs all feature Apparent Angles of view that exceed 65 degrees, making them true Wide Angle binocularswhile two of the models, the 7x35 and 8x40, will provide a field of view of over 420 at 1,000 yards, making them true wide field binoculars >
The 8 x 40s sound perfect for your intended useage.
Regards -- Kenny.
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If everyone is thinking the same thing , no-one is thinking - General George S.Patton
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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jd i think the nikonE2's don't suffer as much edge distortion as the swift audubons, on axis i think the E2's are just as sharp as the swifts. also been happy with the new nikon extremes for there price range. regards john c
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JDBraddy
member
Reged: 06/11/03
Posts: 56
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Ok, got a reccomendation for the Nikon E2's and two reccomendations for the Nikon Extremes wich on paper, offer 10mm more aperture, larger exit pupil, a wider field of view, and actually fall below my price range, at half the price of the E2's. I smell a "catch" somewhere. John that qualifier you put on your Nikon Extremes reccomendation "for the price", would lead me to suspect that if both glasses where setting on your observing table, and you were about to settle into a lawnchair to paroose the milkey way for a half hour or so, you might still be a bit more inclined to pick up the E2's than the Extremes. Am I reading your post right? 
Also, nobody's weighed in on the Fuji's or the Eagle Optics Raptors yet???? Has nobody tried these models? 
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Post deleted by 2443
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JDBraddy
member
Reged: 06/11/03
Posts: 56
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Quote:
jd i haven't had much chance to view at night with the extremes yet.but tried them when i first got them for about 10 min. to cold out in iowa, but they had pinpoint stars on axis, i believe the 8x30's have a wider field than the 8x40 extremes and are bright for a 30mm. i have both the 8x30 and 10x35 E2's i like the feel of the E2's compact and lightweight,i also have the 8x40 and 10x50 extremes. its a toss up its what you want to spend.if i had to choose between them i would use the E2s but again the extremes should be brighter. the E2's are built solid but not waterproof. ilove testing binos and play with about 10 pair a night. john c
Wow!!!! Ten pair at a time!!!
I don't think I've ever seen ten pair in one place at one time, even on a store counter. With that much comparison experience, you seem pretty firmly sold on these two Nikon models, wich weighs heavily in their favor, in my feeble little mind. Anything you would reccomend over them, or at least put on your short list, for the kind of use I have in mind, in the sub-$400 price range?
Thanks Again,
JDBraddy
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edcannon
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/19/03
Posts: 679
Loc: Austin, Texas
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JD wrote: "Am contemplating new general purpose bino's to keep in the car...."
I've got to ask about keeping binoculars in a car, when in Texas in the summer the car can heat up to something like 140 degrees F.
I could be tempted to get a keep in the car model as long as I'm sure it would survive summer heat okay.
Ed Cannon - Austin, Texas, USA
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Ed Cannon - Austin, Texas, USA
As of 23 August 2008 - Celestron Skymaster 12x60
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JDBraddy
member
Reged: 06/11/03
Posts: 56
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Hi Ed,
I know what you mean, but fortunately, I'm blessed with covered parking both at home and at work, so for me at least the time they would spend baking in the hot Texas sun though not eliminated, would be greatly reduced. JDBraddy
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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jd the only other bino i can think of is the superior E 8x32 the best porro,some times you can find them used on ebay for around 400.00 there is a add on now i think for the 10x42 superior E refurbished for around 427.00 -id ewins- they had about 10 left. john
Edited by 2443 (02/23/04 01:47 AM)
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