I'm looking into buying the Nikon 8x32 SE or the Zeiss 7x42 Classics. I'm unable to locate any locally for testing so I need some first hand input. The main use for these bino's will be specifically the Summer Milky Way (Lounge chair relaxation / I don't want to hear my kids yelling) scanning. I have a pair of 10x50 Swarovski's but need a 7 to 8 power to keep the shakes to a minimum. Any other quality low power/light weight bino experiences appreciate. JIM
Low power bino purchase (Input please)
Started by James Weise, 03/21/2004 04:37AM
Posted 03/21/2004 04:37AM
Opening Post
Posted 03/21/2004 06:30AM
#1
James
If I had to choose between those two (for astronomy) I'd go with 7 x 42s. I have a pair of 8 x 32 Swarovski ELs and while they're outstanding during daylight hours at night a good 40 - 42mm binocular will outperform them. My primary hand holdable for astronomy are the 8.5 x 42 ELs. Do to their relatively light weight and outstanding ergonomic design I find them very easy to hand hold and especially so if I'm laying in a lounge chair.
If I had to choose between those two (for astronomy) I'd go with 7 x 42s. I have a pair of 8 x 32 Swarovski ELs and while they're outstanding during daylight hours at night a good 40 - 42mm binocular will outperform them. My primary hand holdable for astronomy are the 8.5 x 42 ELs. Do to their relatively light weight and outstanding ergonomic design I find them very easy to hand hold and especially so if I'm laying in a lounge chair.
Posted 03/21/2004 02:34PM
#2
James, If cost is no object I' d wait to see the new Zeiss Victory FL due out in May. There will be a 7x42 ( someone at Zeiss told me this will finally replace the 7x42 Dialyt), an 8x42 and a 10x42. These will use Fluorite in the objective and a new eyepiece Zeiss claim will have the best edge performance they have ever achieved. The ergonomics look better than the current Victory II. The street price looks to be around $1300.
I also use both the Nikon 8x32 SE and the Swarovski 8.5x42 EL. As good a binocular as the Nikon is in daylight I don't think any 32mm binocular has enough aperture to be really first rate for astronomy. Henry
I also use both the Nikon 8x32 SE and the Swarovski 8.5x42 EL. As good a binocular as the Nikon is in daylight I don't think any 32mm binocular has enough aperture to be really first rate for astronomy. Henry
Posted 03/21/2004 03:16PM
#3
Hi James,
I currently own Zeiss 7X45 night Owls, 7X50 SL Nikon Prostars, and 8X42 Bausch & Lomb Elites, plus a few others with higher powers and larger apertures. These three are all outstanding, but the best (for astro work) is the Nikon Prostar, by a significant margin. Key differences are the flat field with pinpoint star images across the entire field of view, and significantly less color when looking at bright objects such as the moon and bright planets. Also, the additional aperture is significant. One needs to be able to take advantage of the 7mm exit pupil though, something my eyes can no longer do. I'm going to sell mine for this reason. It is my opinion that the high end Nikons are the best binos avaliable, at any price, and I've owned several other Zeiss, Swarovski, Kern, and Pentax binos over the years. I've owned Nikon 10X42SEs, and the 10X70 Astroluxe as well, and they're best in their respective classes of aperture and magnification, without doubt. Another possible sleeper (for your purpose) is the Pentax 7X50 IF with built-in field flattener lenses, thought I've not tried them. I own the similar 10X50 Pentax IF, and it is a truly outstanding bino, also with field flattener lenses built in.
-andy zaharchuk
I currently own Zeiss 7X45 night Owls, 7X50 SL Nikon Prostars, and 8X42 Bausch & Lomb Elites, plus a few others with higher powers and larger apertures. These three are all outstanding, but the best (for astro work) is the Nikon Prostar, by a significant margin. Key differences are the flat field with pinpoint star images across the entire field of view, and significantly less color when looking at bright objects such as the moon and bright planets. Also, the additional aperture is significant. One needs to be able to take advantage of the 7mm exit pupil though, something my eyes can no longer do. I'm going to sell mine for this reason. It is my opinion that the high end Nikons are the best binos avaliable, at any price, and I've owned several other Zeiss, Swarovski, Kern, and Pentax binos over the years. I've owned Nikon 10X42SEs, and the 10X70 Astroluxe as well, and they're best in their respective classes of aperture and magnification, without doubt. Another possible sleeper (for your purpose) is the Pentax 7X50 IF with built-in field flattener lenses, thought I've not tried them. I own the similar 10X50 Pentax IF, and it is a truly outstanding bino, also with field flattener lenses built in.
-andy zaharchuk
Funding Member
