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Binocular Recommendation

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ng500 View Drop Down
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    Posted: November/07/2006 at 12:30

I want to get a decent pair of 8 X 40 porro's for hunting. I'm looking at the Pentax PCF WP II 8x40
and the Swift Instruments Audubon 8.5x44 828HHS.  Both seem to get good reviews.  Is it worth the extra $200 for the Swift?  Suggestions are appreciated.

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Bird Watcher View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bird Watcher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/07/2006 at 15:47
A past posting on this forum mentioned that the Swift binoculars were getting complaints from customers regarding waterproofing problems, but, I cannot remember how many different models this problem applied to.
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Acenturian View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Acenturian Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/08/2006 at 12:50

I think the Swifts have better glass then the Pentax.  The Pentax might seem a bit more rugged. As far as waterproof qualities, I've had my Swifts in the rain and had no problems with them.  I don't think I'd take them scuba diving or anything  but they are "waterproof" enough for hunting. 

 

I seem to be a bit confused. The Swift Audubon 828HHS are roofs if Im not mistaking the poro design is the 820 series???? I can't comment on the 828's but the 820's have incredible glass. Internet prices vary so shop around but for the most part the standard 820 series is about $150 dollars more then the Pentax for a total of about $200.  The 820 series with ED glass is about $150 more at about $450.00.

 

I have both the ED pair and the non-ED binoculars. I bought the ED pair for myself and gave the non-ed's to my dad since he was still using an ancient pair of cheap Bushnells.  I can't say enough good things about the Swifts.  Do I think that the ED glass is worth the extra money? Well for me it was. I hate Chromatic distortion which is the purple fringing you see with just about every binocular (even really expensive ones) when looking at highly contrasting objects where one is a much brighter color.  Example: looking at a house with white trim against the sky if you shift your eyes not the nocs and say look out at the 2'Oclock position you will see the purple fringes.   The ED glass eliminates this.  The non-ed glass will show a little.  However, for everyday viewing I think the Non-ED pair are slightly brighter. I liked the look of the ED model since it is black rubber with the orange Swift circle and the standard model is more Navy gray with a yellow Swift circle....nothing more than personal taste here LOL.

 

The only down fall the Swifts have is eye relief.  They provide the non-eye glass user with a H U G E field of view. Because of the short eye relief people with glasses with have a smaller field of view.  It is still a very large view just not as nice as what us non glass wearers will get. 

 

Here is a link with the review of the Swift Audubons done by a birding group.

http://www.betterviewdesired.com/audubon/audubon.html 

 

That was a review of the standard non-ED model. Here is a picture of the new Audubon ED

http://www.birdbino.com/main/product.asp/catalog_name/Christ ophers/category_name/6LLJRXF7LBWM8JC3CWND26DEW6/product_id/S W8544E

Hate to post a link from a different store, however it does show the best picture I could find on the net.  I can't say enough good things about SWFA so while their store carries Swifts I don't see the Audubon listed I would still call them first if you decide to order a pair because they may be able to order them for you and they have a price match option.

 

There is nothing wrong with the Pentax, however, the Swift's are a jump up in optical performance. Sorry for any spelling errors or type'o but Im on cold medicine and feeling horrible so it may not make scense

 

Let us know what you decide, and welcome to the forums.

 

Happy shooting

AC 

 

If You're In A Fair Fight, You Didn't Plan It Properly

- Anonymous

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