33 replies to this topic

[dries1]

The Monarch 7 is a great deal if weight is an issue.

[barbie]

Yes!! My Monarch M7 8x42 are very easy to handhold. I've done so for several hours at a time. Even with my shakey hands, I get stable, outstanding views of wildlife and astronomical objects!! The ED glass objectives deliver sharp, color correct views even under the most demanding conditions!!

Edited by barbie, 02 August 2024 - 06:22 PM.

[Binojunky]

The Monarch 7 is a great deal if weight is an issue.

If money is tight then the current M5 is nice, a fairly narrow FOV however what  you see is very sharp,Dave.

[wjagdevries]

I have tested both the Vortex Diamondback HD - $210 and Celestron TrailSeeker - $240 in my search for a pair of binos 8x or 10x, however I can tell you that the Vortex Diamondback is a letdown. It is on-axis very sharp but also very dark and just not nice to look through during day because of the low contrast. The Celestron Trailseeker has better coatings and provides a much better view, its a bino I would have kept but I´d rather have 10x and spend a bit more for better warranty. The trailseeker is really good in my opinion and much better than the Diamondback as is also shown by allaboutbirds (cornell university)

Edited by wjagdevries, 07 August 2024 - 12:07 PM.

[exup]

@wjagdevries

 

I think you have found what many of us find .... that recommendations on forums are rarely based on experience of a large number of the bins you are considering.

 

I often read recommendations that I have looked at myself and would not touch them.

 

Best approach is to try yourself. If that is not possible , then back to back comparison reviews are useful if you are familiar with one or more of the bins being reviewed.  Failing that, if you know what particular features you prefer, then you can try to determine if the bins being looked at have those features. An example could be Flat Field bins are generally a different experience than conventional bins with outer field 'blur'.

 

Group shootouts like Cornell are indeed a good starting point to initially down select the list ( often based on price range).

 

Bins like sv202s are hard to try as they are not available in stores.... Amazon, with a return policy is another option.

 

Good luck 

Edited by exup, 07 August 2024 - 02:02 PM.

[Astronoob76]

Another affordable option hasn't been mentioned and that is the Kenko Ultraview 8x42 EX OP DHIII. They finally upgraded the line to dielectric coatings in the DHIII version which were missing in the DHII which had silver mirror coatings on the prisms. Kenko also made binos for Fujinon at some point and the Ultraview has always ranked very highly amongst entry-level roof prism binos. I have an older Fujinon KF 10x42 which was made by Kenko, too, and it definitely outperforms the Svbony SV202.

https://www.amazon.c...23062162&sr=8-1

[barbie]

Before I bought my Nikon Monarch M7's, I consulted the Cornell website about birding & was convinced this was the binocular I had always wanted. I have not been disappointed in the least!! The "All About Birds" website pertaining to the best binoculars was spot on!! I also knew what to look for and even learned a couple of new things about choosing the best binoculars for birding. I ultimately went with two sets of upper middle tier Nikon binoculars (8x & 10x) and didn't break the bank in doing so!! I have just over $1,000 wrapped up in my birdwatching & astronomical viewing endeavors with both sets of glasses and am extremely pleased!! Both give up VERY little to nothing to the more expensive instruments that I've used and I have money left in my savings account!! A win-win situation for me!!

Edited by barbie, 10 August 2024 - 07:48 PM.

[pinchme123]

 

Do update the thread with a picture and impression of whatever you purchase!

Update: after a ton more hemming and hawing, I ultimately decided that I just couldn't justify the jump up to the midrange level with a perfectly competent/capable low-cost option of the SV202 staring me in the face. With a $15 coupon for an order direct from their website, they came to $130 in total, shipped. I couldn't bring myself to spend more than $200 more for the Oberwerks (or even $100 more for the other options suggested), without a serious performance upgrade, and everything I've read suggests that the more expensive options that do perform better, don't perform as much better as what I personally would consider a "serious" upgrade. The lack of reasonable returns or a reliable warranty process became worth the risk for the savings, and it fully paid off for me.

 

I've only had the chance to use these during daytime, but I'm very happy with them! Excellent build quality, excellent alignment out of the box, comfortable in the hand, easy to focus... I could go on and on. If there are issues with color, I can't make them out during the day, and to my eyes they appear sharp to the edge of the FOV. I'll point them up at some stars the first moment I get the chance to confirm, but I seriously doubt I'm going to be disappointed.

 

And now I have the remainder of my budget to put towards what I'm saving for a future big telescope upgrade.

[davelpg]

I have the Svbony 202 8x32 and IMO they and likely the 8x42 are very good (maybe the best) bang for the buck binos on the market these days. 

Edited by davelpg, 10 September 2024 - 01:53 PM.