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Kowa BD XD 8x32

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Category: Other Optics
Forum Name: Binoculars
Forum Description: Anything that requires two eyes to look through it
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=42226
Printed Date: March/28/2024 at 07:18
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Topic: Kowa BD XD 8x32
Posted By: Remmy
Subject: Kowa BD XD 8x32
Date Posted: October/18/2015 at 10:28
How does the Kowa BD XD 8x32 compare to others 8x30-32 in its price range? ($320)
Also in the large 56mm models, how does it compare to the Vortex Vultures?

Im looking for a good compact day optic in 8x30/8x32 (Nikon M7 was my first choice)
and also a bright night optic in 8x56 or 10x56

Im not rich, so I can't afford the Maven, Swaro, Leica,..etc 
I might be able to spend the $500 on the Maven B3, but Id rather keep the price more in the $300 

Albinos rated the Kowa BD XD 8x32 very high



Replies:
Posted By: anweis
Date Posted: October/18/2015 at 15:35
i am not wealthy either, but i scraped and saved and was patient and i got a very good 8x32. It was important for me and i made all sorts of choices, like buying a smaller vehicle, not drinking beer for a while, not eating out for a very long time, etc. But, it's a great 8x32 which i use for everything and will last a lifetime and i will not need or want to replace it, and i has a great warranty. 
Why do you need 2 binoculars? I use my 8x32 for everything, but not at night, because it's dark. 
Why 2 pairs of mediocre, average 8x32 and 8x56 for $700, when you could have a single, much much  better, 8x42 for $500-$1000? Have a look at the comments about the Theron Questa, here on the forum.
Lastly, i have never looked through the Kowa BD XD 8x32. I never will. I need not to. I did read a few customer's reviews complaining about poor image quality (color fringing and astigmatism). I can't remember where. 
An old man, long ago when i was a kid, a carpenter perhaps, told me that he was too poor to buy cheap tools.  



Posted By: PhilR.
Date Posted: October/25/2015 at 20:12

I did take a quick look through a BD a while back.  I was not able to compare it to anything else, but I can say that it did not wow me.  OTOH, the Nikon 8x32 M7 does wow me.  It is the best daytime general-purpose 8x32 bino in the low $300 range out there right now.  Nothing else in it's price range is as wide, bright, and sharp as this one.  It also has a very good focus wheel that is better than most in it's price range, and some of the best objective covers in it's price range too.  Even the more expensive Endeavor EDII and Steiner XC are not as good as the M7, and the equally expensive Terra ED is not nearly as good either.

You might also consider the Sightron SII Blue Sky.  It is not quite as good as the M7, but it is very close, and costs about half as much.  Well worth your time to investigate.

Sorry - I can't say anything about 56mm binos in your price range.......



Posted By: anweis
Date Posted: October/27/2015 at 17:49
Originally posted by PhilR. PhilR. wrote:

You might also consider the Sightron SII Blue Sky. 


I suggest that this may be the best value in binoculars, excellent instrument indeed. Less than $200.



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