OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc. Homepage SWFA     SampleList.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Other Optics > Binoculars
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Chris -( SWFA )-help
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials.

Chris -( SWFA )-help

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
skeeeter View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice


Joined: November/19/2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 72
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote skeeeter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Chris -( SWFA )-help
    Posted: November/20/2006 at 17:24
Tried to call you today but spoke with Mary who was very helpful but did not know some details on the refurbished Steiner Nighthunters 10x50 like how old are they, and how modern are their optical coatings?
I have decided on the Steiners either in refurbished Nighthunter 10x50, or the new 10x50 Military/Marine against the Pentax 10x43 DCF SP though I wonder if I should get the 10x50 SP's.Mary said the refurb's are only 5 yr warranty while the Pentax is Lifetime?
Since the Military/Marine is a porro type will it be better than the roof  style Pentax's? Please share some of your knowledge and help me not obsess over this any longer. I will use the binocs for hunting, birding and survailence.
I have bought several times from you (Aimpoints, Weaver) and really liked your fast reliable service which is way I will buy from you again.
Back to Top
lucznik View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master


Joined: November/27/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 1436
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucznik Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/20/2006 at 18:20

Ordinarily I advise that porro prism glass is superior to that of roof prisms. However, I have never been super impressed with Steiner binoculars.  (Mostly, I think this is due to their IF mechanism, which I don't like as well as their [for me] poor ergonomics, both of which are semi-related issues.)

 

I would recommend you rethink your choices. 

What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?
Back to Top
anweis View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master


Joined: January/29/2006
Status: Offline
Points: 1148
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote anweis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/21/2006 at 07:33

For your birding, Individual Focus is a big NO-NO.

For your surveillance work, if you do a lot of night work, you might want to consider a 7x50. 

For your hunting, 10x50 IF will work fine, but if you ever try to go for the serious mountain hunting, you will hate the binos because of their size and weight.

Ditto lucznick. Don't hurry, choose wisely, we are all here to help.

A good 8x42 such as Kahles or Pentax SP would fit all three of your intended uses.

Leupold Pinnacles 8x42 is also nice, solid, slim, light, bright, and sharp. I actually don't like it because of too much bending and distortion at the edges, but it's a decent glass and the center field image is great for 400-500 smackers.

If you want to splurge, get a top of the line 7x42. It's great at night, you'll see your game before anyone else, and it's perfect for birding.

 

Back to Top
Chris Farris View Drop Down
TEAM SWFA - Admin
TEAM SWFA - Admin
Avatar
swfa.com

Joined: October/01/2003
Location: Texas
Status: Offline
Points: 8024
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Farris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/27/2006 at 13:26
We don't know how old each product is on the SampleList as most are not date coded.  The NightHunter is a relatively new line from Steiner so I would guess they are within 3-4 years old.  The optical coatings of the NightHunter are very modern and one of Steiner's top coatings for low light.

 

Of the two Steiners you are looking at the NightHunter is considerably better optically and worth the extra money.

 

Considering the sale price of the Pentax and the lifetime warranty I would lean toward them.  The roof prism Pentax DCF SP are phase coated to make them equal if not better than a porro prism.  While the porro prism design is optically superior there are many other things to consider that make a binocular brighter and clearer.  With today's technology there is really no reason to buy a porro over a roof if all other things were equal.

 

For your intended use I would recommend something with a decent exit pupil and good magnification like the 10x50s you are considering.

Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.160 seconds.