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Nikon EDG 10X42 |
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ahiaring
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/21/2011 Location: Boise Idaho Status: Offline Points: 157 |
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Posted: June/05/2015 at 22:02 |
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Has anyone got any experience, reviews or comments on these bins? Are they true Alpha Class? How is the edge sharpness? I have the opportunity to pick up a demo pair for around $1100 and I want to make sure I am getting a good product. I will be using them for western big game hunting glassing long open country. |
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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The EDG is truly alpha class in that it compares directly to the Swarovski EL SV. It is field flattened, and as such has extremely low distortion and outstanding edge performance. I have never found edge performance to matter that much myself, however, as I never spend much time evaluating detail at the FOV dge when in the field. $1100 sounds like a great deal on a like-new demo.
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-Matt
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PhilR.
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/02/2008 Status: Offline Points: 162 |
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I have a 10x42, but unfortunately it is the EDG II. I cannot tell you anything about the EDG, but I can say that the EDG II is definitely alpha class, much as the Swaro fanboys hate to admit. The EDG II has the best focus wheel I have yet used in a 42mm bino, and I have tried binos from just about every make except Doctor and Kahles. The only thing about them I don't like is the case, which is not as substantial as many other cases from the alpha makes. Since I tend to center up whatever I am looking at when using a bino, I don't pay much attention to the edges. I have yet to see any edge on any bino that was truly sharp anyway. Since you can get a like-new demo EDG II for about $1k, I would not say that an $1100 EDG is a good buy. |
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ahiaring
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/21/2011 Location: Boise Idaho Status: Offline Points: 157 |
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Well I have made my move..Just ordered a pair of Demo Nikon EDG II in a 10x42...Got them touch under $1100....Really excited to have my first true alpha binoculars!!!! If they are on par with the other Alphas, I will gladly trade Made in Japan for a $800-$1000 less.
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JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
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Question: Would you guys qualify the EDG II focus as being fast, slow, in between, or what? I've found I'm really able to wring out the last bit of sharpness with a slow focuser. I've only see the original EDG, but understand the EDG II to be the same optically. The one sample I messed with was truly world class, but i don't remember how fast the focus was. Thanks.
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PhilR.
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/02/2008 Status: Offline Points: 162 |
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I would say it is in between. Definitely slower than a Zeiss Terra or Vanguard Endeavor, but not nearly as slow as a Z-R EDII or most porros. I don't particularly care for a fast focuser (and really dislike the 42mm Terras), but I do like the EDG II's focus wheel quite a bit. It is the best of all the binos I own, as the speed and smoothness is just about perfect for me. |
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ahiaring
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/21/2011 Location: Boise Idaho Status: Offline Points: 157 |
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So with these new bins I have ordered, I will be using them for western big game hunting in big country of Idaho...Will also be using these some on a Tripod. Excited, should be here end of this coming week!
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PhilR.
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/02/2008 Status: Offline Points: 162 |
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Congrats! Let us know what you think of them......
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fishermanhunterguy
Optics GrassHopper Joined: March/16/2015 Status: Offline Points: 46 |
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Quick question if a guy was to spend just under $1100 on these why wouldnt you get 10x42 Vortex Razors for that same price or maybe just a little less? Is it apples to apples? Or is one better?
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If your not a liberal by 20 you have no heart. If your not a conservative by 30 you have no brain.
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supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
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The Razor is not quite alpha glass so if the EDG is, then it should be a better optic.
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Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.
"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own." |
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PhilR.
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/02/2008 Status: Offline Points: 162 |
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The price you quoted for the EDG is for a demo model. The normal price is over twice that. This means that a new EDG is priced much higher than a new Razor. And as one might reasonably expect, the EDG is a much better bino than the Razor. Or to put it another way -- a mid-level bino will not be as good as a high-level bino. |
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fishermanhunterguy
Optics GrassHopper Joined: March/16/2015 Status: Offline Points: 46 |
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That is very debateable. Some people like Razor's better than Swaro's and some like Leica better than Zeiss and like Leica over Razor's etc etc etc. Razors are high end glass you just dont pay for it as much like the others. They are all high end and some like others over others for whatver reasons. Its all opinions my friend.
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If your not a liberal by 20 you have no heart. If your not a conservative by 30 you have no brain.
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JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
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Well fisherman, I will respectfully disagree with you, and agree with Phil. My good buddy has a retail gun shop here and carries the Razor, Zeiss, Swaro, Leica, Meopta, and Leupold stuff. While the razor is very nice, it's not in the same class as a top end Swaro, Leica, or Zeiss. It is competitive with the Conquest HD, and Meopta HD, but I'd buy either one over the Razor. These 3 are a great value no doubt, but not quite elite level binoculars.
You only have yourself to please, so buy what you like and enjoy it. You certainly won't see more game through a SV than you will a Razor, but a Swaro SV is head and shoulders a better binocular IMO. If it weren't for a 90 day warranty that a refurbished Nikon EDG carries, I'd own one in a heartbeat. |
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PhilR.
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/02/2008 Status: Offline Points: 162 |
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Actually, to those who have great experience with binoculars, it is not debatable at all. Obviously you have not used both. If you had, *and* knew how to evaluate a binocular, then you would know there is a significant gap in performance between the two. I own both (and will soon be getting rid of the Razor), so I have actual first-hand knowledge of them both. Razors are not high-end glass. Never were, and never will be. Probably why Vortex does not price them as high-end glass, and they are certainly smart enough to not promote them as alpha-level glass. Kinda like comparing a Camaro to a Corvette. If you think a Camaro is as good as a Corvette, then you don't know automobiles either. But certainly the Razor is an excellent bino...... |
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fishermanhunterguy
Optics GrassHopper Joined: March/16/2015 Status: Offline Points: 46 |
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All I'm saying is you can spend more but you might not always get more
But at that price you got them for that is a great deal!
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If your not a liberal by 20 you have no heart. If your not a conservative by 30 you have no brain.
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Whitefire
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/29/2014 Location: Alabama Status: Offline Points: 132 |
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I'll be a Spin Dr here... I believe the upper end Swaro, Zeiss, Leica, et al are better than the Razor. But the question the individual has to answer -- are they $1500 or $2000 better? For me the answer is no (though I own a Swaro). But if you can pay the price for alpha glass and not miss it, by all means, proceed.
Wf |
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May His face shine upon you and give you peace.
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NDhunter
Optics Journeyman Joined: September/15/2006 Status: Offline Points: 601 |
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I have had the 10x42 EDG since July 2009, when they first came out, so I do have some experience. They are a very nice binocular, great handling, a bright, flat field view and just do everything well. The focuser is as smooth as silk and just the right speed, better than the Swaro. You can read more about how they are reviewed on the Allbinos website, I agree with their findings. That demo. price is a bargain, I would go ahead. By the away, I also own the 8.5x42 SV, and they are nice also, both will done. Edit: After reading the other posts I see you did order them. Be sure to let us know how you like the EDG. Edited by NDhunter - June/10/2015 at 18:15 |
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PhilR.
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/02/2008 Status: Offline Points: 162 |
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For me - the answer to your question is also no. No question that the EDG is better than the Razor, but IMO the already excellent Razor is the better buy, as long as one considers the regular retail price. And although I can easily afford $2.4k for a bino, I just don't see the need to spend that much money when you can get such a nice pair of binos such as the Razor for so much less. OTOH - I spent $999 for a demo 10x42 EDG II that is indistinguishable from new, so since it is a much better bino than my 10x Razor, I will be selling the Razor as soon as I can get a picture of it. No doubt I would have been equally happy with a Swaro EL or Zeiss FL or Leica UV, but the Nikon is making reeeeeally happy right now....... |
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Peddler
Optics God Joined: July/04/2012 Location: Oswego,NY Status: Offline Points: 13526 |
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😎
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When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.
It is the same when you are stupid. |
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NDhunter
Optics Journeyman Joined: September/15/2006 Status: Offline Points: 601 |
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