18 replies to this topic

[ABQJeff]

I have a gap in my binocular collection. I wanted to watch a storm rolling over the mountains during sunset with a lovely rainbow…and was left annoyed.

I love my pocket sized Hawke 8x25 EDs. But, while they literally fit in my shorts pocket, they have a narrow 6 deg view with their compact size and too small exit pupil for dark site astronomy.

I love my mounted TS 23x110s and OB 15x70s, nothing goes so nicely and deep with 2.9 and 4.2 deg filter capable field of views, respectively. P-gram Mounted makes them super easy and steady to observe with, BUT not ripe for quickly running out the door to catch said rainbow.

My 12x60 LW and, especially, Canon 15x50IS, are superb hand holdable binos and what I used during said rain storm. These were a hoot. But after 5 minutes I started getting tired holding either of them up. Thus annoyed.

So what I decided I want is some ED binocular under two pounds, able to hold steady, and provide wide fields for panoramic views, wildlife watching, travel/touring and good for dark site astronomy (read filter threads and large exit pupil).

So that narrowed me down to the $950 Maven B1.2 8x42. My other options were the Fujinon 8x42 Hyper Clarity for $800 or the Canon 10x42 IS $1199. They each have pros and cons. But after a week thinking about it, I came to conclusion the Maven’s best fit the bill and fit most nicely in a 8x/15x/23x binocular line up. This is especially since my 15x50 are image stabilized and my 23x110 are P-gram mounted. So I get a different style of observing as well.

Which would you choose of these three? Is there another filter capable option I am missing?

CN posters love all of these filter capable, ED, hand holdable widefield binos:

Canon 10x42L IS: Pros: image stabilization, 10x goes deeper Cons: weight (over 2 lbs), FoV 6.5 degrees, cost, smallest exit pupil (4.2mm)

Fujinon HC 8x42: Pros: least expensive, 8 deg FoV, almost as highly rated as Mavens, light weight (mid twenties of oz), 5.25mm exit pupil Cons: limited availability/warranty support, reviewed as not quite as good of optics as Maven, no image stabilization

Maven B1.2 8x42: Pros: less expensive than Canon 10x42L IS, 8 deg FoV, highest rated optics, light weight (mid twenties of oz), 5.25mm exit pupil, lifetime warranty Cons: more expensive than Fujinon HC 8x42, no image stabilization

Jeff

Edited by ABQJeff, 05 September 2024 - 07:38 PM.

[ABQJeff]

Some info on Fujinon 8x42 HC:

 

https://shopusa.fuji...acWsBfNfzaEHWrK

 

https://www.bestbino...-Review-284.htm

 

Maven B1.2

 

https://mavenbuilt.c...=40128361300139

 

https://www.bestbino...-Review-287.htm

 

 

(since really the sub 2 lb 8x42 options are what really scratches the current itch)

Edited by ABQJeff, 05 September 2024 - 07:00 PM.

[ihf]

I've compared the SRBC 8x42 and the Canon 10x42 IS and the Canon stabilization and greater depth wins so far each time, even with an additional headrest for the SRBC. Now the Maven is 100g lighter than the SRBC, which might make a difference after using them for half an hour or longer? Of course if you have iron claws then maybe an 8x42 would be stable enough. I am spoiled by IS, also I do like not having to fiddle with IPD or focus with the Canon, as those remain set from session to session. The SRBC optics are somewhat better than the Canon (wider, eye relief, glare), but are not as important to me as viewing comfort.

 

I do hand hold the Kowa 6.5x32 (without head rest) and I am fine to use it over the Canon at times, even with less good optics. But the much smaller weight and size is what helps the Kowa get used. Your tradeoffs between weight, IS, quality and usability might be different.

Edited by ihf, 05 September 2024 - 07:20 PM.

[jrazz]

I don't mind holding up a 4.5lbs binocular (Nikon 18x70) but the lighter Canon 15x50IS is tiring to use. I think it's mostly the shape since I can hold the Nikons right near the porro prisms. I don't know if the 10x42L would be the same as the 15x50 but I have the feeling it would. On the flip side the 8x42 SRBC for me is much easier to hold for long periods. I don't doubt that the 10x42L would show more but for hand-held I prefer the lighter weight. Finally I absolutely love my Maven B6 10x50 simply for the build quality. It's just fun and comfortable to use.

 

All this to say that, for me, between these three, I would choose the Maven. You can always use their "demo" program to try it out. 

 

Maybe the more interesting question is (assuming you decide to forgo the 10x42L) what 8x42 do you want? Wide field? Ergonomics? Price? There are some excellent Nikons and Oberwerks that should be considered and yeah, the SRBC definitely is a good choice as well IMHO. It all depends on what you want out of these.

[sevenofnine]

My vote is for the Maven's. It's more compact & portable, brighter, no batteries. Plus, IS not needed at 8x IMO. Not quite in the same class as the Maven's but my Nikon Monarch M5 8x42ED is my favorite EDC binocular. Good luck with your decision!   

[ABQJeff]

. It all depends on what you want out of these.

Jordan,

1) 8 deg FoV 2) < 2 lbs 3) ED glass 4) filter threads 5)5mm exit pupil 6) price is no limiter.

ED glass and filter threads are a must, as one of the top things I like to look at with binoculars are large nebula yet also want the ability to get crisp non-yellow/purple ringed vistas of the full Moon.

[Sebastian_Sajaroff]

Why not the Canon 12x36 ?
Cheaper, much lighter and not bad at all for astronomy.

[ABQJeff]

Why not the Canon 12x36 ?
Cheaper, much lighter and not bad at all for astronomy.

While that size would be great for hiking/touring/birding, for me the exit pupil on a 12x36 would be a bit small to clearly pick up the Veil. Even my 15x50s have a rough time of it (can do it, but definitely can see the difference with my 15x70s).

[sevenofnine]

I would say the same for my Nikon 8x42's, unfortunately. The EP is 5 and should be good enough for night use but the times I've tried using them, I immediately go back and grab something with more aperture. Good luck! 

[Pinac]

Fujinon HC vs Maven:

 

the Maven has more usable eye relief, see

https://binocular.ch/fujinon-8x42-hc/

and

https://binocular.ch/macen-b1-2-8x42/

 

Plus the image of the Maven for my eyes is crisper, more brilliant.

 

fwiw Pinac

[ABQJeff]

Fujinon HC vs Maven:

the Maven has more usable eye relief, see
https://binocular.ch/fujinon-8x42-hc/
and
https://binocular.ch/macen-b1-2-8x42/

Plus the image of the Maven for my eyes is crisper, more brilliant.

fwiw Pinac

Thanks! I don’t need to wear glasses observing, but the last comment on crispness is poignant. I am sold Maven’s over Fujinon.

But the magic button of the IS is so nice…but also heavy.

[Rich V.]

The "magic button" is so effective for me that I'd expect the Canon 10x42L to show more hand held detail than any 8x42 or 10x42 standard bino regardless of their level of optical quality, day or night.  The stabilization, even at only 10x, makes all the difference.

 

Yes, you would have to consider eye relief and weight into your personal "equation" for suitability, but IME, the Canon rules supreme at 10x.  I don't wear eyeglasses and the twist out eyecups and ER work just fine.  Much nicer eye fit than my 15x50 IS.  They fit my large hands well and I like the balance of their more centralized weight distribution.  Their additional heft just makes them steadier to hold even with the IS turned off.  The IS at 10x is rock solid compared to the 15x model. The flatness of their 6.6° field exceeds any of my other hand held binos, and the dual ED design has very good color correction, the best of the Canon IS line, even though it isn't quite as bright as the alpha roofs.  Something has to give for the extra IS element involved, I suppose.

 

The Canons are not for everyone; I wouldn't recommend the Canon Ls for a smaller person as they could be too ungainly and heavy.  They're too much for my petite wife; she much prefers binos like our 8x or 10x Nikon EIIs at half the weight. 

 

There will always be a place for the 10x42L for me, day and night, but I certainly can't speak for everyone.  I just wish I hadn't waffled as long as I did before purchasing them.

 

Edit, for Jeff--  The Canon's objectives are threaded for filters/lens hoods as well; a nice feature.

 

 

Edited by Rich V., 07 September 2024 - 12:35 PM.

[exup]

I had an airshow close to my house today.

 

I used a wide, well corrected 8x42 to locate the aircraft, but then switched to a higher  mag IS bin to see the detail that would have been missing in a non IS bin.  To me these are two different tools, each suited to the tasks they were called upon to perform.

[Rich V.]

I had an airshow close to my house today.

 

That's always exciting.  I grew up near a major Navy air base. 

 

For me, FOV rules for air shows where quick acquisition is important.  My favorite is the 8x30 EII with its ~9° FOV, easy, quick eyepoint and light weight around my neck.  My IS binos are too bulky and heavy for a full day at an air show.  Don't have any lighter ones.  

 

We were lucky to have major air shows come to our little local valley airport, where the teams would fly in formation right over my home as they practiced.     We had alternating yearly visits from the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds for number of years.  We could watch their practices up close right from the end of the runway.  Good times.

[ABQJeff]

I had an airshow close to my house today.

I used a wide, well corrected 8x42 to locate the aircraft, but then switched to a higher mag IS bin to see the detail that would have been missing in a non IS bin. To me these are two different tools, each suited to the tasks they were called upon to perform.

(shhh, it’s a secret, but knowing me I will probably eventually get both, so really the question is: which first?!)

[exup]

 

 

For me, FOV rules for air shows where quick acquisition is important.  My favorite is the 8x30 EII with its ~9° FOV, easy, quick eyepoint and light weight around my neck.  My IS binos are too bulky and heavy for a full day at an air show.  Don't have any lighter ones.  

 

I used the SRBC 8x42 with it's 9.1°+ FoV and both the 10x30ii and 12x36iii Canons. I did try the 18x50 Canon, but it was a rather narrow FoV and thus tricky to reacquire the aircraft.

[ABQJeff]

That's always exciting. I grew up near a major Navy air base.

For me, FOV rules for air shows where quick acquisition is important. My favorite is the 8x30 EII with its ~9° FOV, easy, quick eyepoint and light weight around my neck. My IS binos are too bulky and heavy for a full day at an air show. Don't have any lighter ones.

We were lucky to have major air shows come to our little local valley airport, where the teams would fly in formation right over my home as they practiced. We had alternating yearly visits from the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds for number of years. We could watch their practices up close right from the end of the runway. Good times.

As retired USAF love it!

[exup]

(shhh, it’s a secret, but knowing me I will probably eventually get both, so really the question is: which first?!)

To muddy the waters ...... you could consider the 8x42 SRBC and Canon 10x30ii ...... for the same total cost as the Maven  ....and you get a wider, better corrected FoV and X10 IS that is light and easy to use!

[Rich V.]

(shhh, it’s a secret, but knowing me I will probably eventually get both, so really the question is: which first?!)

If you can get the 10x42Ls for $1199. as you mentioned above, that's a deal.  They were worth it to me for the full $1499.  No regrets even at the full price.   YMMV.