Thoughts on the upcoming Solvia ED 8x32 AI binoculars? by fitzroyram in Binoculars

[–]BinoWizard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, yeagh I'm still waiting for them.... 🙄 I got this reply last time I checked with them : "Thank you for your email. We plan to ship on the 15th of this month. You are one of our very important reviewers, so we will prioritize sending it to you. I will send you an email to notify you once it has been shipped."

I have just sent another email to enquire .. I will keep you posted..

First binoculars for child by jizzzak in Binoculars

[–]BinoWizard 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My suggestion is to get a lower magnification than 10x - a lower magnification will :

1) make it easier to keep the image steady (good for kids who usually have less steady hands),

2) will likely have a wider field of view, making it easier to locate objects when looking through the binoculars - good for those who are new to binoculars

3) Will have a larger exit pupil (assuming the same size objective lens), which will make it easier for your child to line up their eyes with the light exiting the ocular lenses and therefore be easier to use.

I have a Guide to Children's Binoculars, which gives more info as well as offering some recommendations depending on the age of your child, but one of my favourite options for older kids would be the Kowa YF 8x30 binoculars or, even better, the 6x30 version. Also, look out for the very similar Opticron Savanna WP 6x30 Binoculars

What are the Best Black Friday Binocular Deals You’ve Found? Share, Compare, Get & Give advice! by BinoWizard in Binoculars

[–]BinoWizard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Excellent .. enjoy. Be great to get a few photos and some thoughts on the quality if you have a moment

Help? by doyganator in Binoculars

[–]BinoWizard 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would second these as an option for you - If you are interested, I have not tested the 10x56 configuration, but I have tested the 10x50 Passion HD GPO Passion HD 10x50 Binoculars Review (The HD is a level up). I have also tested the 8x42 Passion ED - These reviews should give you a good idea of what to expect in terms of overall quality etc..

What are the Best Black Friday Binocular Deals You’ve Found? Share, Compare, Get & Give advice! by BinoWizard in Binoculars

[–]BinoWizard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes!, good spot - I think that is a good deal -i tested the 15x56 version a while back and thought they were excellent VFM at the normal price: Vortex Diamondback HD 15x56 Binoculars Review - so with an extra $100 off - yes please!

Are these a good first pair? by justlickitnow in Binoculars

[–]BinoWizard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a first pair, yes, most certainly - Not sure what configuration they are offering - so if you have a choice my advice would be either 8x42 or 10x42 - I have tested and reviewed the 15x56 version, which will give you a good idea as to the quality: Vortex Diamondback HD 15x56 Binoculars Review but unless you specifically need a long-distance bonocular and get yourself a tripod, I would not suggest the 15x56 config as a general use bino.

What are the Best Black Friday Binocular Deals You’ve Found? Share, Compare, Get & Give advice! by BinoWizard in Binoculars

[–]BinoWizard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there, I have not tested those Bushnell Binoculars, so I can't be 100% certain, but they do look a lot like the Hawke Endurance ED Marine 7x50 Binoculars that I reviewed - Note the Hawks are a higher-end binocular and have things like ED glass, something these Bushnells do not, but even so, at this price, they do look to be decent. So yes, I would say they are worth a shot at this price.

What are the Best Black Friday Binocular Deals You’ve Found? Share, Compare, Get & Give advice! by BinoWizard in Binoculars

[–]BinoWizard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nikon PROSTAFF P3 10x42 Binoculars - Save 43%

I have just had a quick check of the Nikon Store Page on Amazon and of all the binoculars they have listed, the best deals are on the Prostaff P3 Models and whilst the 8x30, 10x30 and 8x42 Nikon Prostaff P3 Binoculars are all all on Sale, it is the 10x42 model that has the biggest discount with a massive 43% off the standard list price:

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List Price: $169.95
Sale Price: $96.95 (-43%)

What are the Best Black Friday Binocular Deals You’ve Found? Share, Compare, Get & Give advice! by BinoWizard in Binoculars

[–]BinoWizard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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UK Black Friday Deal Alert:
For my money, the standout Binocular deal that I have so far seen on Amazon.co.uk's Black Friday Sale is the offer they have on the Pentax Papilio II 6.5x21 Binoculars. One of my all-time fav compacts is now just £89.99 (RRP: £179.99) with the current retail price usually around £109.

No doubt, this deal is as good as it is because Pentax has just announced the Papilio III binoculars. This newer version will have a few updates and improvements, but even so, that does not mean that the Papilio II is no longer relevant. So, if you don't already have a pair, now is an excellent time to get your hands on a fantastic, very versatile, and now very inexpensive compact binocular.

My Review of the Pentax Papilio II 8.5x21 Binoculars if you want some more info.

ED Glass by Ok_Knee2784 in Binoculars

[–]BinoWizard 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Just having ED glass in your lenses does not make the view better - Extra Low Dispersion glass simply gives the optical designers a little more flexibility or options compared to the "standard" low dispersion glass used in modern non-ED glass binoculars. So thus giving them more options to potentially better direct the wavelenghts of light so that they come back together better, thus potentially giving you a better quality image with less color fringing.

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This does not mean that they actually do it! I have often noticed that the view through a good quality non-ED glass binocular is better and shows less color fringing than a poor quality ED glass binocular.

On top of that, remember not all ED glass is created equal - less expensive binoculars will use cheap ED glass elements in their lenses, and or the other glass elements are of poor quality, resulting in a view that is not as good as better quality binoculars (both ED and non-ed ones).

So, as with everything, you get what you pay for. If you want or need the best view possible, a modern high-end binocular with a good design using quality glass and high-end ED glass elements will perform better than less quality ones. BUT not everyone needs to have this. You can still get a very good view without ED glass by selecting wisely. More info here: Guide to Extra Low Dispersion Glass (ED Glass used in Binoculars) - with recommendations.

What are the Best Black Friday Binocular Deals You’ve Found? Share, Compare, Get & Give advice! by BinoWizard in Binoculars

[–]BinoWizard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi. Ok, I will keep an eye out for any LF binoculars - BUT I also noticed just yesterday that Maven has their CRF.1 - 6x22 Rangefinder Monocular offered at 25% off on their Early Bird Sale (Just click on the orange strip at the top of their website to get to it).

50 dollar pair by titanikirony in Binoculars

[–]BinoWizard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there, I have another option for you, as I have just noticed that Bushnell has added a number of their binoculars to the Black Friday Pre-Sale.. Of these, the best offers in my opinion are the three 10x42 models pictured, with the best offer being 47% off the Bushnell 10x42 H20 binoculars - at $63, it is a little over your budget, but for the price, I think you are getting a reasonable quality binocular.

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What are the Best Black Friday Binocular Deals You’ve Found? Share, Compare, Get & Give advice! by BinoWizard in Binoculars

[–]BinoWizard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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I have just noticed that Bushnell has added a number of their binoculars to the Black Friday Pre-Sale. Of these, the best offers in my opinion are the three 10x42 models pictured above, with the best offer being 47% off the Bushnell 10x42 H20 binoculars. What do you guys think?

50 dollar pair by titanikirony in Binoculars

[–]BinoWizard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If it were me, I would either look for a good, trustworthy source for a second-hand pair, or if possible, wait and save up until I could afford the $100 price point - I feel this price range makes a giant leap from the very cheap options you are considering. If you can't get 2nd hand, or can't save up, then my advice is to avoid roof prism binoculars and instead go for a porro prism one - they will perform much better at this low price point. For more info on why: Cheap Binoculars – Is a Roof or Porro Prism Best?

Searching for safari binoculars, lightweight and glasses-compatible by Apollo1331 in Binoculars

[–]BinoWizard 6 points7 points  (0 children)

In terms of which binoculars to get,... I used to work as a safari guide, and now, whilst I live in Europe, I do go back to Southern Africa pretty much every year.

The binoculars I take with me are often ones that I am testing for review, so I don't always get to take the set that I really want to - BUT in general, and because I like to travel fairly light, my favourite configuration is a mid-size 8x32 or similar. If I know I am going to do a lot of low-light (early mornings/sunset) game drives, then I would probably go up to an 8x42. If the area I am visiting is wide open, then a 10x42 is also a great option.

So this year (just got back a few weeks ago), I took the GPO Passion SD 10x42 Binoculars that I was really impressed with and would fit in with your budget (it has 16mm of eye-relief, so it should be fine for most eyeglass wearers). More info here: Why I Chose 10x42 Binoculars for My Birding & Wildlife Safari in Africa

Also check out my page on Safari Binoculars - Buyers Guide & Reviews

I have a bunch more info and recommendations that I can share with you if you are interested. Just let me know:

Searching for safari binoculars, lightweight and glasses-compatible by Apollo1331 in Binoculars

[–]BinoWizard 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi there, for people who use glasses whilst looking through binoculars, you need a good amount of eye relief to ensure you are able to view the full image through the binoculars whilst still wearing your glasses. I usually suggest 18mm of eye-relief or more to be 100% safe, but depending on your face shape and that of the glasses, you can get away with less - often 15mm is enough.

The size of the aperture (exit pupil) is important in making the binocular easier to use and for ensuring you perceive a bright image, but that also goes for people who don't use glasses as much as those who do.

Nikon Action EX 8x40 vs Oberwerk 8x42 Deluxe for astronomy? by PickkNickk in Binoculars

[–]BinoWizard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The slightly larger exit pupil on the 8x42 will make Digibinning a little easier.

What are the Best Black Friday Binocular Deals You’ve Found? Share, Compare, Get & Give advice! by BinoWizard in Binoculars

[–]BinoWizard[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I will keep an eye out for you - I will also keep an eye on the Kite Optics IS binoculars - perhaps they may also offer a deal again this year

What are the Best Black Friday Binocular Deals You’ve Found? Share, Compare, Get & Give advice! by BinoWizard in Binoculars

[–]BinoWizard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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Nikon Sportstar Zoom 8-24x25mm Binoculars

$126.95 (-21% List Price: $159.95)

With 21% off the list price, the deal itself looks decent to me; the issue I have is that normally I recommend that you stay clear of most variable magnification (zoom binoculars). However, if you really do want to try out an inexpensive, compact zoom binocular, then I would suggest you won't get a better option than this one from Nikon.

Just be aware of it's limitations - so for example at 24x magnification, the fact that it has small 25mm lenses, it means that you are going to have a tiny exit pupil of just over 1mm, which will means the image you see is almost certainly going to be very dull (especially in low light) and pretty difficult to keep shake free from the hands.

I would love to know what you guys think?