23 replies to this topic

[Erik Bakker]

How do you like them?

Did you compare them to the regular Nikon 8x30 EII? Any differences?

 

Would appreciate hands-on experience from those lucky enough to get their hands on the Nikon 8x30 EII 100th Anniversary Edition.

[tropical]

I doubt if anyone (in this forum) is willing to spend >$2000 to buy the binoculars.

[Mad Matt]

Uhh, the German amazon lists them for €798,99. €100 more then the standard model. I can’t see anything different in the specs.

[Erik Bakker]

These are round $/€ 799,- at major American/European dealers.

 

Hands-on experience please.

[ryderc1]

I was told by a vendor in Japan that there are no optical or mechanical differences between the two and that the differences are purely cosmetic. But an actual user comparison would be interesting.

[tropical]

On Ebay someone from Japan listing it as $2500! 

 

https://www.ebay.com...bQAAOSwiBJaH2Xx

[jrbarnett]

Uhh, the German amazon lists them for €798,99. €100 more then the standard model. I can’t see anything different in the specs.

Yep, but you can get the standard units for about $480 from Japan, making the extra $300 to get the fancy labeling a little pointless.

 

Best,

 

Jim

[Erik Bakker]

Although I appreciate the effort from people to contribute to this thread, let's see what someone with actual experience with these has to share.

 

As per the OP's question (me), this thread is seeking hands-on experience with them. Because all the educated guesses and speculations are outside the frame of reference here for the OP 

[range88]

They are very pretty, but no more.

 

[Erik Bakker]

They do look pretty!

 

How are they in use and to view with?

[SandyHouTex]

How do you like them?

Did you compare them to the regular Nikon 8x30 EII? Any differences?

 

Would appreciate hands-on experience from those lucky enough to get their hands on the Nikon 8x30 EII 100th Anniversary Edition.

The only differences from what I've read, other than the price, is that the body has "Nikon 100th anniversary" on it.

 

That engraving must be expensive.

[range88]

 

How do you like them?

Did you compare them to the regular Nikon 8x30 EII? Any differences?

 

Would appreciate hands-on experience from those lucky enough to get their hands on the Nikon 8x30 EII 100th Anniversary Edition.

The only differences from what I've read, other than the price, is that the body has "Nikon 100th anniversary" on it.

 

That engraving must be expensive.

 

No No No. The metal finish is different.

[Mad Matt]

 

 

How do you like them?

Did you compare them to the regular Nikon 8x30 EII? Any differences?

 

Would appreciate hands-on experience from those lucky enough to get their hands on the Nikon 8x30 EII 100th Anniversary Edition.

The only differences from what I've read, other than the price, is that the body has "Nikon 100th anniversary" on it.

 

That engraving must be expensive.

 

No No No. The metal finish is different.

 

...according to the Nikon website, the case is "special edition"... not sure if it is real leather or simply an upgraded plastic with a 100th Anniversary label. The basic design looks the same.

[jrbarnett]

Although I appreciate the effort from people to contribute to this thread, let's see what someone with actual experience with these has to share.

 

As per the OP's question (me), this thread is seeking hands-on experience with them. Because all the educated guesses and speculations are outside the frame of reference here for the OP 

With due respect, Nikon, the manufacturer, when asked said the only differences are cosmetic.  That is, no optical differences.

 

Their description of the 100th Anniversary model supports their statements:  the only differences noted are cosmetic ("This limited commemorative edition has an exclusive metallic gray finish, with the 100th Anniversary commemorative logo. In addition, it comes with a special limited edition strap and case.")

 

What motivation does Nikon have to be dishonest on that point?  If they had actually made substantive improvements, logically wouldn't they say so and wouldn't that help justify the huge price difference, maybe attracting more buyers?

 

My suspicion is that CNers are too smart, generally, to pay 140% the going price for "exclusive metallic gray finish" and a "100th Anniversary commemorative logo" and "a special limited edition strap and case", so if you insist on hearing only feedback from those who took the plunge, you probably won't get much feedback.

 

 

That said, I think the 8x30 E2s are becoming my favorite all time binoculars, whether in exclusive metallic gray trim or traditional black.

 

Best,

 

Jim

Edited by jrbarnett, 04 January 2018 - 11:44 PM.

[Erik Bakker]

Couldn't resist. Have a pair on the way to personally evaluate 

[Pinewood]

Hello,

 

I had a great deal of optical satisfaction from the 8x30 EII, as a terrestrial glass.  I found the provided rain guard and the poor excuse for a case to be rather useless.  It also seemed to be a delicate instrument which is one reason I gave it up.  Its nice field of view  did suit me more than its contemporary Nikon 8x32 SE

 

I suspect that the anniversary edition would have the most up to date coatings, so it could differ from the earliest versions of the glass, which were also gray.

 

I have one experience with an anniversary edition of a binocular, a Zeiss ClassiC Dialyt 8x30.  They made overruns, which were sold at a nice discount, a couple of years after its initial introduction.  

 

Clear skies,

Arthur Pinewood

[kcolter]

Erik

     Although it may be an apples to oranges comparison, I'd be interested in your comparison of the 8X30 EII and the pocket Zeiss 8X25s that you have previously reviewed.   Is the 8X30EII enough bigger that it limits its use as a "walking around" binocular?  

[Erik Bakker]

My impressions may follow, we'll see.

[Mad Matt]

My impressions may follow, we'll see.

I would love to compare them to the old Zeiss 8x30 that I love so much. 

[Eric.TB]

I not sure about spending that much more on a pair whose only difference is cosmetic, seems like a good waste of money. I only see the value here if one is going to put the binocular away, untouched, and sell it later on as a collectors item.

 

Then again, if you have the funds, and really like the finish, that's all that matters. Anxious to hear your report. 

[tropical]

I'd be very surprised to see any optical differences between the E II and the 100 year anniversary.   I'd not hesitate to say "more" samples and users are needed to validate the findings.

[Nikonuser]

I doubt if anyone (in this forum) is willing to spend >$2000 to buy the binoculars.

100% agree, better things to spend that on sorry

[Nikonuser]

 

Uhh, the German amazon lists them for €798,99. €100 more then the standard model. I can’t see anything different in the specs.

Yep, but you can get the standard units for about $480 from Japan, making the extra $300 to get the fancy labeling a little pointless.

 

Best,

 

Jim

 

 

 

100% agree but there is always someone with money to burn, perhaps get the un badged identical ones and donate the balance to a homeless charity

[Erik Bakker]

It's time to close this thread as it has served it's purpose and derailing is just around the corner