45 replies to this topic

[FR94]

Goodaye there,

 

Looking for a bit of advice.

 

I recently picked up the Fuji FMTR-SX in 7x50 (which for some reason are available for 600 AUD down under, along with the 10x50s).

Needless to say, I feel very spoilt by the views through this thing, which are easily superior to my 8x40 Pentax's (brightness aside).

 

The disadvantage of the Fuji's is of course their weight and IF (an advantage at night though!).

Even on the harness, I only last about a couple hours before the weight gets to me.

This means they have become a sort of homebody/astronomy bin.

 

I am now seriously considering picking up a second, quality binocular for everyday use.

I tend stand while I observe and I am not fond of shaky views, so 8x42 seems like the best option.

 

With that said, I have found a few potential options in the 700-900 AUD range on the Australian market:

1. Nikon Monarch M7 (RRP 900 AUD but can be had for 700 on sale)

2. Fuji HC (RRP 800 AUD - missed these on sale for 680 last week!)

3. SRBC (RRP 750-870 AUD depending on vendor).

Plus a sprinkling of competitors from GPO, Vortex and so on.

 

I have looked through the Fuji HC's and the Monarch M7's in store and was impressed by both.

Of course, I have heard incredible things about the SRBC series, but they are a slightly heavier binocular (same weight as my chunky little Pentax porros!), and they aren't available in any brick-and-mortar stores here that I am aware of, so it would be buying sight unseen.

 

Anyway, I would love to hear your thoughts and recommendations.

I am steering towards the M7s as they are the lightest and most affordable of this class.

However, my main preference is IQ, brightness and a decent fov, so I am prepared to spend a little more for the right binocular.

 

Cheers!

[JoeFaz]

However, my main preference is IQ, brightness and a decent fov, so I am prepared to spend a little more for the right binocular.

What does "IQ" mean in this context?

[FR94]

Just image quality in the most generic sense. Apologies if that is equally meaningless.

Edited by FR94, 14 May 2025 - 08:09 AM.

[JoeFaz]

Ah, I see. The SRBC is the cheapest of the bunch and the reviews have been very good. I haven't used any of these, but that's the one I would probably be looking at if I was in the market for an 8x42 (when they release the SRBC 7.5x32, I'm planning on picking that up).

[exup]

No competition IMO.... SRBC is easily multiple steps up from the others.

 

Jackjack reviews of the HC and SRBC on BF worth checking out. 

 

Canip/Pinac has also reviewed both these I believe.

Edited by exup, 14 May 2025 - 09:08 AM.

[jrazz]

Out of these the SRBC will be the best optical performer and by not a small margin. It has a significant edge in AFOV, flatness and CA control. If you are ok with the Fuji's eyecups you should be fine with the SRBC. Keep in mind they are picky about eye placement and you will have a learning curve on them. I personally found them very comfortable for day use. As far as weight goes, any binocular will be tiring after a couple of hours.

 

And yes, the SRBC is bigger and heavier. Here it is (on the right) next to my Maven B6 10x50 (center) and the SRBC 12x50 (left). All are bigger than the Nikon Monarch 8x42.

 

 

If you really are only looking for a daytime binocular and want lower weight then why not consider a 8x30 or 8x32? These typically are much much smaller and lighter while having a bigger AFOV. The Nikon HG 8x32 is a great option.

 

Also, for the same price you can get the Canon 12x36 IS and have a relatively small, light, higher magnification binocular that will be much easier to hand hold due to the IS. Since you already have a 7x50 this will give you a lot more reach and will be very easy to use day to day. It's not a bad night time astronomy binocular either!

 

[exup]

If IS are on the table....

 

The little cheap Canon 10x30 IS is excellent....I use it more than the slightly bigger 12x36 for general use.

 

For sky gazing the 12x36 is the better choice.

Edited by exup, 14 May 2025 - 09:34 AM.

[gwlee]

An 8x42 seems like good choice for what you want. I have always found midrange binoculars offer the best value, but “midrange” is more expensive than it used to be, so you might need to spend a little more for the right binocular.

 

The most important factor of all to me is whether the binocular fits me well, and only trying a binocular yourself will tell you whether it fits you. Maven has a demo program that allows you to test a binocular at home for two weeks for the cost of return shipping. B&H Photo has a good return policy. 

Edited by gwlee, 14 May 2025 - 10:10 AM.

[Mike W]

https://www.cloudyni...nikon-8x42-mhg/

[Milos1977]

A lightweight roof 8x42 can be more suitable for daylight nature than stargazing because they aren't as easy to hold still as one might expect, and stars show this :-). If primarily for night sky observing, I would suggest SRBC 8x42 as it is wider, sharper, and a bit heavier which makes it more stable. It almost feels like holding a small porro. Also 8x56 GPO, but its sharpness falls off outside %50 FOV. 

Edited by Milos1977, 14 May 2025 - 10:45 AM.

[sevenofnine]

The Nikon Monarch M7 8x42 gets my vote. I bought the M5 and love them. They are my EDC bino for my daily park/nature walks around Spring Lake, Ca. Good luck with your choice! 

[ads]

Overall, the SRBC is going to be the winner optically because of its lack of field curvature. But there are downsides... such as it is over 30% heavier than the M7.

 

I'm not sure if I agree with jrazz's statement about better CA control.

 

The M7 has a lot of field curvature, so the outer portion of the FOV is not going to be sharp at all. It can be distracting, but one can certainly live with it. By the way, the resolution of the SRBC certainly drops too as you get away from the center of the FOV, but not by nearly as much.

 

The M7 has the advantage in areas like size, ergonomics, quality control, support.

 

If it is going to be an every day binocular, have you considered the 8x30 / 8x32 format?

[FR94]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the help!

 

Seems like the SRBC series are a palpable step up from the other binoculars on my list.

I was unaware of the 32mm options though. Indeed, these may be a better fit for me in terms of size and weight.

They haven't been released yet(?), so I reckon I will bide my time in anticipation of the first reviews.

 

I hadn't considered image stabilised binoculars before, but the 10x30's from Canon are in budget.

Having pondered it today, a stable 10x view in a lightweight package (only 600 grams?) is actually very appealing.

I will see if any of the local vendors carry these in stock - it would be nice to look through them and test out the IS.

 

Anyway, thanks again, I have discovered that perhaps the best 8x42 for me may be a 7-10x30! 

I will make post showing off what I end up with, though it may be awhile.

 

Cheers!

Edited by FR94, 15 May 2025 - 06:16 AM.

[exup]

A suggestion-

When you are testing the CIS 10x30 in the shop.... Ask for the most costly bin they sell and find a licence plate in the street that you can not quite read handheld.  Then try the CIS at a fraction of the price, with it's magic button.

Happy bin hunting 

Edited by exup, 15 May 2025 - 06:43 AM.

[FR94]

A suggestion-

When you are testing the CIS 10x30 in the shop.... Ask for the most costly bin they sell and find a licence plate in the street that you can not quite read handheld.  Then try the CIS at a fraction of the price, with it's magic button.

Happy birthday  hunting 

That's a great idea, i'll give it a go. I should add, for a moment I thought you were going to suggest doing a runner with their most expensive bins (must be time for bed ). 

[exup]

Another suggestion-

 

Assuming you have Amazon availability in your area, you could get a (£180) Svbony SA205 8x42 and take it to the shop to compare with the CIS, M7 and "Alpha".  The Svbony will have a narrow FoV than the M7, but likely a better corrected field with less FC (blur) at the edges.   If you decide the Svbony is not for you, then Amazon will take a free return.

 

You are aware there is an M7+, which has added field flattening lenses?   Personally, I'd try that over the normal M7 that displays outer field blur.  I believe I read one user preferring the M7+ to the HG, because of the HGs 'fake' field flattening lenses ie there is still significant outer edge blur in the HG.

 

Edit ...I don't have the Svbony, but there are good reviews such as here: https://neilenglish....ize-binoculars/

Edited by exup, 15 May 2025 - 07:33 AM.

[chris charen]

I have had the 8x42 HC Fujinon for over a year. They do have very good optics and a very high build quality, it is 'almost' an Alpha. [Japanese made.] It is a very 'clinical' binocular if you know what I mean, it probably lacks that intangible 'X' factor. Yes, the Fuji HC 8x42 is  recommend for is optics, its build qualities and its clinical precision, you just may not feel that 'X factor with it.

 

Chris

[exup]

I have had the 8x42 HC Fujinon for over a year. They do have very good optics and a very high build quality, it is 'almost' an Alpha. [Japanese made.] It is a very 'clinical' binocular if you know what I mean, it probably lacks that intangible 'X' factor. Yes, the Fuji HC 8x42 is  recommend for is optics, its build qualities and its clinical precision, you just may not feel that 'X factor with it.

 

Chris

The HC can be picked up at a good price (£400).  However,  when it is compared to other bins at a higher price level, jackjack on BF was less than impressed.

 

Here's the review:

https://www.birdforu...2/#post-4627720

Edited by exup, 15 May 2025 - 07:45 AM.

[Mike W]

Another suggestion-

 

Assuming you have Amazon availability in your area, you could get a (£180) Svbony SA205 8x42 and take it to the shop to compare with the CIS, M7 and "Alpha".  The Svbony will have a narrow FoV than the M7, but likely a better corrected field with less FC (blur) at the edges.   If you decide the Svbony is not for you, then Amazon will take a free return.

 

You are aware there is an M7+, which has added field flattening lenses?   Personally, I'd try that over the normal M7 that displays outer field blur.  I believe I read one user preferring the M7+ to the HG, because of the HGs 'fake' field flattening lenses ie there is still significant outer edge blur in the HG.

 

Edit ...I don't have the Svbony, but there are good reviews such as here: https://neilenglish....ize-binoculars/

You make it sound like the HG has F/C like the standard M7? Fast forward to the thru the bin video of the 8X42 HG and tell me that's alot of F/C.

 

https://www.bing.com...29782&FORM=VIRE

[exup]

You make it sound like the HG has F/C like the standard M7? Fast forward to the thru the bin video of the 8X42 HG and tell me that's alot of F/C.

 

https://www.bing.com...29782&FORM=VIRE

Videos and photos are not a good way to assess optics ... The camera is different than a human eye and every camera brings it's own unique characteristics to the evaluation.

[Mike W]

You are right the camera has no personal bias. When YOU have actually looked thru an HG get back to us.

[exup]

You are right the camera has no personal bias. When YOU have actually looked thru an HG get back to us.

Back to an early post ..... Absolutely no intention of buying an HG.

 

My suite of optics tick the boxes for what I want and the HG brings nothing to the table.

[dries1]

Try before you buy, and find out what is offered in the warranty. I would take a look at Vortex, at least you do not have to ship them far away for service. The idea of having to ship a binocular to the far east is a turnoff for me personally.

[39.1N84.5W]

Initially I fell in love with the Nikon Monarch series, especially the 8x42. 5 years later the $#@%+! cheap rubber eyecups are not holding up. RUN AWAY as they screamed in Monty Python!

[exup]

Initially I fell in love with the Nikon Monarch series, especially the 8x42. 5 years later the $#@%+! cheap rubber eyecups are not holding up. RUN AWAY as they screamed in Monty Python!

What I find bemusing is that if you compare this named branded bin with something like a Svbony sv202 ..... You might be very very surprised.   I reckon, the 8x42 optics will match or better the M5 and the build is solid.... metal focus wheel, good solid metal eyecups, good mechanics in general.   Svbony respond and stand over their warranty, unlike some names too!

 

Yet, there must be 100 times the number of M5s sold ....

 

IMO, new entrants to the market are definitely worth considering .....