Hello Nutz, I have been pondering an upgrade and purchasing a new pair of Binoculars. Have been using a pair of Zeiss 8x 30 BT for about 15 years, I think it is their Conquest line that was made in Hungary. They have served me well and are still in vg shape but lately I have been thinking about picking up the ultravid 7x 42. I know Leica makes a fantastic product , the question is more about magnification and whether I will be missing much by dropping to 7 power. My understanding is that the lower magnification will actually allow me to see more in regards to field of view and perhaps even clarity. Anyway, sorry for being long winded and thank in advance for any help you all may be willing to share. They will be used for hunting/ birding here in Ontario.
Binocular upgrade question
- Thread starter Hunter John
- Start date
Anything binocular or spotting scope related is best asked on birdforum. The knowledge there on glass is insane. Certainly when it comes to optic sizes less used by hunters (anything that isn't a 42mm).
Plenty people over there can probably tell you from first hand experience how they compare.
Ty, will check there as well.
Field of view is a great consideration when determining what you want in optics. It allows you see a bigger picture for scanning. If you are looking for more focus for identification and definition, a higher power rating may be desired. This is where many hunters opt for 10 power magnification. It allows one to see better to count points on an antler in the distance or thick brush.
42/7=6mm for an exit pupil, which allows more light to enter your pupil for brightness under low light conditions, making them seem brighter. Just keep in mind that as younger adults, our pupils can dilate to 7mm for better low light conditions and brightness. As we age, our pupils can no longer dilate as wide, and by the time we are in our 50-60s we are down to about 5 mm or less, and therefore less light can actually enter your eye.
Your eyesight will also have an impact on what you can see through the glass. My wife's binos (Kahles) are 8 power, yet she can not pick up the detail that my eyes can with the same glass, but she can when she tries my 10 power binos (Swarovskis and Leicas (RF)).
In the end, you need to determine which is more important to you; magnification, field of view, or low light gathering viewing. Then buy accordingly.
Then budget will also determine what you'll get. But you'll get what you pay for with quality optics!
Leica, Swarovski, Zeiss (the glass by which all others were compared to in days long gone past), and Kahles are all top quality glass, used by many hunters. But there is a price premium for this level of quality. Minox and Meopta are also very good brands that aren't as widely known. If I was looking for a replacement top performing bino that used to cost about half as much, the top end Minox is a great set of glass.
There has been a set of 8 power Kahles listed on the EE lately (NIB???) you may want to have a look at, if still available (no, not mine). I had thought about grabbing them just cause they are such great glass! And my wife loves hers.
(But I don't need them, as I still have my old Swarovski SLC 10x42 for back up.) If looking for top quality glass, they still run about $1800 new, if I recall correctly; the same price I paid for mine new in 1998.) Still use them for archery competition where RF isn't allowed. Even at 50 yards, the definition provided by 10 power glass is welcome to my aging eyes (late 50s).
The birding community, as suggested above, also looks at other brands and can provide better insight into their quality.
Best of luck in your quest!
42/7=6mm for an exit pupil, which allows more light to enter your pupil for brightness under low light conditions, making them seem brighter. Just keep in mind that as younger adults, our pupils can dilate to 7mm for better low light conditions and brightness. As we age, our pupils can no longer dilate as wide, and by the time we are in our 50-60s we are down to about 5 mm or less, and therefore less light can actually enter your eye.
Your eyesight will also have an impact on what you can see through the glass. My wife's binos (Kahles) are 8 power, yet she can not pick up the detail that my eyes can with the same glass, but she can when she tries my 10 power binos (Swarovskis and Leicas (RF)).
In the end, you need to determine which is more important to you; magnification, field of view, or low light gathering viewing. Then buy accordingly.
Then budget will also determine what you'll get. But you'll get what you pay for with quality optics!
Leica, Swarovski, Zeiss (the glass by which all others were compared to in days long gone past), and Kahles are all top quality glass, used by many hunters. But there is a price premium for this level of quality. Minox and Meopta are also very good brands that aren't as widely known. If I was looking for a replacement top performing bino that used to cost about half as much, the top end Minox is a great set of glass.
There has been a set of 8 power Kahles listed on the EE lately (NIB???) you may want to have a look at, if still available (no, not mine). I had thought about grabbing them just cause they are such great glass! And my wife loves hers.
(But I don't need them, as I still have my old Swarovski SLC 10x42 for back up.) If looking for top quality glass, they still run about $1800 new, if I recall correctly; the same price I paid for mine new in 1998.) Still use them for archery competition where RF isn't allowed. Even at 50 yards, the definition provided by 10 power glass is welcome to my aging eyes (late 50s).
The birding community, as suggested above, also looks at other brands and can provide better insight into their quality.
Best of luck in your quest!
Thanks Black Ram. That’s some great info.
I can not think of a reason another than a change in field of view is enough of reason to change brands.
I get the magnification, but if I was happy with my choice of brand from day one to many years later would I think to change brands .
It would still be the brand I chose the first time.
If that makes any sense.
Rob
I get the magnification, but if I was happy with my choice of brand from day one to many years later would I think to change brands .
It would still be the brand I chose the first time.
If that makes any sense.
Rob
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Assuming you're getting better glass with the new binos, you'll likely be able to see things like antlers better even though the magnification is slightly lower. Clarity beats magnification.
FOV will be better as well, but that's more to do with lens size (42mm is 140% of 30mm) than magnification (8x is 115% of 7x).
FOV will be better as well, but that's more to do with lens size (42mm is 140% of 30mm) than magnification (8x is 115% of 7x).
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Hand Skills
CGN Regular
- Location
- In the 'heartland', southern SK
The 8x30 SFL's are hard to beat when it comes to FoV (field of view).
Better than 140m@1000, or 8.1°
To me FoV is one of the most important specifications and 8x32 class binos seem to do the best. In this regard, the OP's 8x30 will be hard to improve upon.
The 7x42 ultravid does not better your 8x30 here, unfortunately. It's larger and heavier which makes it easier to steady, handheld. Optically the biggest advantage of the 7x42 is light gathering. At dusk, dawn and into the night is where these really shine.
Myself, I'd look more to a 10x50 to pair with an 8x30. The 10x50 ultravid on a tripod opens up a whole new world! A life-like stable image with that much magnification and light gathering is truly something to behold! Suitable for astronomy, yet still quite usable handheld in the woods.
That's my vote anyway
... but they're your hard earned dollars, Hunter John - what features in a binocular are most important to you?
Better than 140m@1000, or 8.1°
To me FoV is one of the most important specifications and 8x32 class binos seem to do the best. In this regard, the OP's 8x30 will be hard to improve upon.
The 7x42 ultravid does not better your 8x30 here, unfortunately. It's larger and heavier which makes it easier to steady, handheld. Optically the biggest advantage of the 7x42 is light gathering. At dusk, dawn and into the night is where these really shine.
Myself, I'd look more to a 10x50 to pair with an 8x30. The 10x50 ultravid on a tripod opens up a whole new world! A life-like stable image with that much magnification and light gathering is truly something to behold! Suitable for astronomy, yet still quite usable handheld in the woods.
That's my vote anyway
... but they're your hard earned dollars, Hunter John - what features in a binocular are most important to you?
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Make sure you look through them first somewhere. I had my mind set on the range finding Liecas. I test drove them and figured out my eyes just didn't like them. It's like my eyes couldn't adjust and focus. They had a pair of Swaros there and ended up buying them instead. I certainly would have regretted ordering them online only to find out my eyes hated them.
rajczak_kashka
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Surrey, B.C.
Steiner make some superb binoculars…I have 3 pairs and no complaints
I've had good success with just about every quality brand, and even some of what most would call cheep junk. Had the same pair of bushnell in the bag on my atv since I had a 1985 big red honda, still clear. 10x42 in my minimum, x50 is my preference. My daily carry is a 10x50 monocular, its 1/3 the weight, fits in just about any pocket, no straps or harness.
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Goods points made, I mostly like to sneak around the woods with a. 22 looking for rabbits and grouse as well as deer hunting in mixed woods with some fields as well Bird watching is more of a secondary hobby. I am most looking for a bright clear image and a wild field of view on something not to heavy. The 10x 50 I feel would be to large for my purpose as a tripod would not be an option. My current Zeiss do a very good job but was thinking of passing them to my Daughter as she enjoys using them as well.The 8x30 SFL's are hard to beat when it comes to FoV (field of view).
Better than 140m@1000, or 8.1°
To me FoV is one of the most important specifications and 8x32 class binos seem to do the best. In this regard, the OP's 8x30 will be hard to improve upon.
The 7x42 ultravid does not better your 8x30 here, unfortunately. It's larger and heavier which makes it easier to steady, handheld. Optically the biggest advantage of the 7x42 is light gathering. At dusk, dawn and into the night is where these really shine.
Myself, I'd look more to a 10x50 to pair with an 8x30. The 10x50 ultravid on a tripod opens up a whole new world! A life-like stable image with that much magnification and light gathering is truly something to behold! Suitable for astronomy, yet still quite usable handheld in the woods.
That's my vote anyway
... but they're your hard earned dollars, Hunter John - what features in a binocular are most important to you?
Thank you for sharing, it really helped.
I wish there was a place where I could compare them but having a hard time finding a retailer that carries what I’m looking for. Mail order may be only option. I’m in the GTA if that helps.
Google the bird watching stores in your area. The good ones usually have a good selection of quality glass. - dan
Hand Skills
CGN Regular
- Location
- In the 'heartland', southern SK
Glad I could help
Hard to beat the 8x32 for what you are doing. I have a Leica Geovid Pro 8x32 that comes just about everywhere with me,
In your case, the Zeiss 8x32 T* FL would be a nice upgrade, or maybe the Swaro NL if you really want to treat yourself. It's great to pass quality equipment on to the next generation and upgrade at the same time - a real win-win!
Well they arrived today ( unfortunately after dark ) but I am quite pleased as they are not much bigger than the Zeiss but a bit heavier by a bit. They feel very solid with nice lens covers and from what I can tell looking around the neighbourhood they have a clearer sharper than the old 8x 30s. Now I just got to wait for the sunrise and the daily coyote sightings for a real good comparison.
