52 replies to this topic

[Milos1977]

Im sure we all had that pair of binoculars that was just great in so many ways that stuck with you as a special pair. For one reason or another you decided to part with it, and probably replaced it with another hopefully better pair. Still the effect the old one left on you did not loose its weight. You wish you had it back. 

 

Im still fairly "green" in this hobby but I do love the Monarch 5 16x56 and Monarch 7 10x42 for their comfort/ease of use, and images they output that were just pleasure on the eyes with very organic warm look while being very clear and sharp overall. I replaced 16x56 with Canon 18x50IS, and 10x42 with 10x42 Monarch HG. I might get a Monarch 7 10x42 again at some point if I get it for a very good deal, and never let go again. Prices are getting lower, and a smaller wide angle 10x is just a great tool and companion. I spent many hours comparing it to my Monarch HG and I feel like I could do it all over again. Maybe not the most exotic case for this topic, but its what I got and cherish. I am grateful I could afford them. 

 

What about you? What is the bino that you wish you did not get rid of and would more than welcome it back? What did you replace it with? 

 

 

[Jon Isaacs]

I had a pair of Swift SeaWolf 714's.

 

They were nothing super special.  Just good Japanese optics, a 6.5 degree field, pretty sharp across the field, plenty of eye relief.

 

Optically they're similar to my Orion 10x50 Ultraviews. 

 

The difference:  comfort. The Ultraviews have those silly oversized twist up eyecups that are a poor fit for my eyes.. this seems to be the trend these days. I don't see a way to remove the Ultraviews eye cup mechanism. 

 

 

Jon

[Jim Waters]

Simple - Fujinon Polaris 16x 70mm FMT-SX Binoculars

Edited by Jim Waters, 05 October 2020 - 09:59 PM.

[drd715]

Fujinon 7x50 FMT-SX 

[Couder]

Not so much for astronomy, but for general looking around the property.

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[Milos1977]

Jim W and drd75,

Lots of scopes both of you but no smaller binoculars for quick scaning?

...curious why you haven't replaced your favorite pair by now?  Doesn't it come nice along with big guns on a clear night? 

Edited by Milos1977, 05 October 2020 - 10:21 PM.

[DeanD]

People sell their binoculars?!?  

 

- is that why my collection keeps growing...  

 

(PS: My Tak 22x60 Astronomers are going nowhere!)

 

BTW, I have never seen those Olympus "Turret binoculars" before: very cool!

[ArsMachina]

The Canon 15x50 IS

 

It does everything very good at day and at night.

Good aperture, high magnification, stable views without tripod.

For me it is the best all purpose bino, I do own it since more then 20 years.

 

Jochen

[edwincjones]

Fujinon 10x70s

[Binojunky]

Two, Canon IS 12x36, bought when they were reasonably priced, and a Fujinon FB 12x60, yes some purple fringing and weight but they were built like a tank, Dave.

[Milos1977]

...and a Fujinon FB 12x60, yes some purple fringing and weight but they were built like a tank, Dave.

Did you mean HB 12x60? 

I have one as of recently and its at Fujinon being serviced for weird artifact/scratch on one of the internal lenses. 

It did start to grow on me! Feels amazing in hands and performs excellent in low light.

[KennyJ]

I see that already the focus of this thread has switched from binoculars which members have actually owned and sold, to binoculars they own and would not wish to part with, which is quite a different question really.

 

The one I wish I'd never sold was my (once "beloved") Zeiss 7x42 BGAT *T* *P* Dialyt, purchased brand new in 2002, and sold during a fit of optical insanity in 2012.

 

Kenny

[KGE]

Wish I still had the Fujinon EM-SX and the APM 120 45 deg. Both were divested in an ill-advised fit of downsizing. I still have the Miyauchi's

 

Kevin

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[Tyson M]

Canon 10x42L. Going to try and buy em back lol.  Decent for astronomy but I loved them for birding. 

[Milos1977]

Yes, Kenny, it is about ones you don't have anymore. Wether you thought the "upgrade " didn't turn out to be better, or you just moved on to different kind of scope. 

[whosthebadman]

Nikon Zoom XL 8-16x40

 

and also, i think i gave a pair of Nikon 8x30 E's to my brother, convinced i had my true daily-drivers. I don't even want to ask what he did with them.

[MartinPond]

Wish I still had the Tasco World Class Plus 10x50s.

Super clean, crisp, bright, and contrasty.

 

I did keep the 7x50s.

[Etrsi_645]

Carton Adlerblick 10x50s.  A very light weight binoc..

[Swedpat]

In my case it's not a binocular but a monocular, if it's allowed to be included in the thread.

I regret I sold Zeiss 6x20. Several years later it was replaced by Vixen 6x21. The optical quality is pretty in par and the Vixen has larger FOV.

But the Zeiss was more compact and lightweight and included a clip which worked well.

So honestly I would change the Vixen out for the Zeiss if I got the opportunity.

Edited by Swedpat, 07 October 2020 - 02:23 AM.

[j.gardavsky]

Here it is for the astronomy the Docter Nobilem 8x56 Porro.

These binoculars gave me so far the best views of the structures in the Milky Way..

 

For the day light viewing, here are the discontinued Leica Ultravid 7x42, and/or the Docter Nobilem 7x50 Porro, because of their vivid colors and best colors saturation.

 

 

 

Best,

JG

Edited by j.gardavsky, 07 October 2020 - 03:59 AM.

[Mark9473]

JG, are you saying you sold your Nobilem 8x56 ??

[MartinPond]

In my case it's not a binocular but a monocular, if it's allowed to be included in the thread.

I regret I sold Zeiss 6x20. Several years later it was replaced by Vixen 6x21. The optical quality is pretty in par and the Vixen has larger FOV.

But the Zeiss was more compact and lightweight and included a clip which worked well.

So honestly I would change the Vixen out for the Zeiss if I got the opportunity.

The great thing about a 6x20  monoc is ... it's allowed to be included anywhere you go, in any pocket. 

I take a 6x15 Vortex out walking often, and to museums..

[j.gardavsky]

JG, are you saying you sold your Nobilem 8x56 ??

No, I did not !!!

 

When they will find me dead, the Docetr Nobilem 8x56 Porro will be still hanging on my neck,
JG

[Mark9473]

That's what I thought.
The thread is about what you regret selling, hence my confusion.

[ArsMachina]

You are right.

 

but we are germans, so it is probably a language problem.

I also only got it after the comments.

I thought the tread is about "which binocs you would never sell" - the "again" got lost in translation :-)

 

Jochen