Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2013/07/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Bushnell seems to be quite popular. I bought a pair of Leica 10x42
Trinovids almost 20 years ago, and use them fairly often. They have been
superb performers, and when I bought them, they were considerably less
costly than the current units are. As for the Zeiss binoculars, I found the
same story about reliability and build quality even back then. Quite
surprising, considering Zeiss' reputation for quality. Enjoy your new
binoculars.
Cheers,
gene
----- Original Message -----
From: "Javier Perez" <summarex at hotmail.com>
To: "LUG" <lug at leica-users.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2013 9:09:40 PM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central
Subject: [Leica] My first pair of ED glass binoculars
The binocular bug bit me again and I went with a pair of Bushnell Legend HD
8x36's with ED glass
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bushnell-Legend-Ultra-Hd-8x36-Binocular-190836-/190754901287?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:3160
I seem to be reading a lot of good stuff about them and hopefully they
won't disappoint. Originally I was going to go with the 8x42s but these have
a slightly wider angle. 500 is the most I'd feel comfortable paying for a
set of binoculars because I just don't use them that often. That meant
ruling out the Victories and the whatevervids as well as the other high end
stuff. Before considering the Bushnells I was about to but a pair of Barr
and Stroud 8X42 EDs. like this one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Barr-Stroud-Savannah8x42ED-Super-W-angle-Phase-Coated-WP-FMC-Binoculars-/161031377787?pt=UK_Photography_Telescopes&hash=item257e37d37b
I like the central diopter correction on these and have seen the frames
sold under various names including Bresser. I have a pair of 8x56s B
ressers and can confirm that the central correction is easier than the
eyepiece mounted correction. But it's cstill no match for the ultimate setup
found on the Trinovids.The B&Rs are also wider in angle at 143M, just a
little more than the Bushnell 8x36s. Would have bought them too but the
seller failed to provide a shipping quote toi the US and I went with the
Bushnells. Lucky for me too since the guy asked for 30 pounds to ship them
over. Not sure why the English charge so much, but it's killing their sales.
I also looked at the Zeiss Terra 8x42s
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZEISS-TERRA-8X42-BINOCULARS-NEW-hunting-birding-/390630961785?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5af36b7279
These look nice and have Schott ED glass instead of the pricier HD flouride
glass. They are made in China and I guess they ship the lenses over from
Germany. I heard some bad reviews about the build quality though. One guy
claimed something fell off and another guy said the logo started fading. Not
sure
how good the optics are, but if they werte anywhere near as good as the
Victories they would't cost under 4000 dollars. Then I looked at the Minox
BLs but I don't think they are even made with ED glass, so I didn't consider
them too much even though they are made in wetzlar. It seems to be real
hard to find out which binoculars are the best performing. The reviews
rarely compare what I'm looking for and there's virtually nothing on optical
performanc specs. Most of the reviews are amateurish and you rearely get
anything more than a claim of sharpness. Rarely is ther any mention of any
of the properties we expect to be told about our camera lenses. Is there
anybody out there doing serious binocular evaluation? I'd love to know. The
only thing I don't like about the Bushnells is the idiotic pattern. It looks
like an army uniform and after 12 years of militarism, anything resembling a
uniform makes me want to kill! So anyway, what do you guys think about my
new Bushnells? Di
d I pick a winner? Opinions are greatly appreciated. I think I'm going to
xpost this to the Lug. Let's see if they remember me. Later Javier
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