Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2013/07/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]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 Bressers 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? Did 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