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10x42 under $300

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elkhorn98 View Drop Down
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    Posted: April/15/2005 at 13:32

I have research things and am leaning towards the Audubon Equinox HP or the Nikon Monarch ATBs.  Any comments?  I also don't have an unlimited budget and want to spend about $250.  I am looking for decent roof prisms, waterproof, phase corrected, lightweight, etc.  I will use them for hiking, lake fishing, general use, some birding, etc.  Here are some reviews of theses

 

http://www.optics4birding.com/RevAudubonEquinoxHP.aspx

http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?dept=1&type=13& pid=4197

http://www.optics4birding.com/RevNikon10x42MonarchATB.aspx



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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/15/2005 at 14:18

In that price range, consider Bushnell Legend Roofs (it is better than both Equinox and Monarch).  An even beter choice would be a porro binocular like Nikon Action Extreme.

 

You can also try to find a Sightron S3 on Ebay.  I bought one there for under $300.  S3 is significantly better than any roof prism binocular I've tried at less than $450.

 

Ilya

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elkhorn98 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote elkhorn98 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/15/2005 at 15:25
The Sightrons look interesting.  Lightweight but the FOV is a little narrow.  Not many places carry them online.  Couldn't find any on e bay either.  i will have to research these too.  Thanks for the tip.
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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/15/2005 at 15:37

They pop up on Ebay occasionally.  Also SWFA is going to start carrying them, apparently.

 

Field of view is indeed somewhat narrow, but optical qualit is quite good.  Almost on par with Pentax DCF SP.

 

Ilya

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elkhorn98 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote elkhorn98 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/17/2005 at 12:44

Now I am also considering the Swift 828 HHS 8.5x44.  They have a good review at BVD. 

http://www.betterviewdesired.com/march02/index.html

 

Any comments on these?

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elkhorn98 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote elkhorn98 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/18/2005 at 21:21

koshkin

I saw on another post you said to stay away from monarchs.  How come?  And were the phase coated ones?  Some older ones were not phase coated but I am not sure when they switched.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/18/2005 at 21:27
Monarchs were a major dissapointment to me.  I saw several different ones (mostly pretty current production) and they were uniformly subpar optically.  They get some mileage out of Nikon name, but there is a lot of better glass for the money.  Besides I generally recommend porros for people who can't afford Sightron S3 or Pentax DCF SP.  If you must have roofs,  Bushnell Legend roofs are better than Monarchs.

Ilya

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elkhorn98 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote elkhorn98 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/22/2005 at 09:57

Koshkin,

 

Were the monarchs you looked at black or dark green?  Looks like the new ones are black.  Well here is the list of roof binocs I am considering.

 

Audubon Equinox HP out 5/1

Nikon Monarchs ATB

Sightron SIII

Swift Ultralite new

Swift HHS

 

I might have to take a full day trip to try them all out at different places in northern CA.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/23/2005 at 20:14
I've seen both versions of the Monarch binoculars.  If memory serves me right some were phase coated and some earlier versions were not.

Allround I thiink Sightron SIII binos are hard to beat.  Swifts are known for good optics, especially in their porro designs.  I have no experience with new Ultralites, but 828HHS are very good. Are they better than Sightron?  Hard to say since they are 8.5x44 vs Sightron 8x42 and 10x42.  Since Magnification is a bit different it is not an easy comparison.  To me Sightrons seemed a bit lighter and hadled better, but that's subjective.  Swift seems to have a problem with weatherproofing, so if foul weather use is expected I'd go with Sightron.  For low light Swift would probably have an edge, but it's close.  I think Swift has larger field of view, which does make a difference. 

Color rendition might be better with Swift but Sightron is no slouch there either.  If your use is primarily birding, that's what Swifts are for.  Sightron's are tougher and have superb warranty.  For hunting, Sightron are probably better.  For my money I'd take the Sightron, due to tougher construction and waterproofing.

Ilya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote elkhorn98 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/24/2005 at 10:33

koshkin,

 

Thanks for the reply.  I am leaning toward the swifts and I have heard the issue about weatherproofing but from what I had found that was in the porro models which are harder to weatherproof than roofs.  I do want to check on the sightrons though.  I found them online for $330 and the swifts for $279.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/24/2005 at 16:54
Let me know what you decide.  Both are good binos, but with different strengths and weaknesses.

Ilya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tom Koenig Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/29/2005 at 17:31

Give Meade Montana's a try. Meade and Bresser are part of the same organization. I have a pair of Bresser Montana's 10x42's that are a spectacular piece of glass. The retail on the Bressers is $749 but Meade recently came out with their own Montana model(s) at 7x42 and 10x42 that appear to be the exact same binocular with a different name. On one birding website the Meade Montana's received the highest ratings available a perfect 4.0. Lately on eBay if you do a search under "Meade Montana" you will find the 7x42 for $199 and the 10x42 at $259. I was stunned that such a quality glass was being offered so inexpensively. Check them out, you won't be dissapointed.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Farris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/24/2005 at 11:29

A little more but worth consideration.

Bushnell 10x42 Discoverer.....$369.95

 

  • BaK-4 Roof Prism
  • Rubber Armor
  • PC-3 Phase Coated
  • Rainguard
  • Long Eye Relief
  • Twist-Up Eyecups
  • Center Focus
  •  

     

    IF you just gotta stay under 3.

    Bushnell 10x42 Legend.....$289.95

     

  • BaK-4 Roof Prism
  • Rubber Armor
  • PC-3 Phase Coated
  • Rainguard
  • Long Eye Relief
  • Twist-Up Eyecups
  • Center Focus
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