doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Binoculars

Greg, the IS feature on the Canon's is great for pronghorn hunts. But I wasn't thrilled with the sharpness. Let us know what you think after you've had them a bit.

Jap glass and coatings are second to none. I'm sure you will like them.
The best all around binos I ever used are the now classic Zeiss 7x42s with dach prism system. They have class, ergonomics, and perfect balance in optical performance having FMC lenses, 8.6 deg fov and 18mm eye relief. That's outstanding. I bought them several years ago at Dicks in Latham NY for closeout price of $599. There is simply nothing better out there.
I think their light trnsmission is around 94+?. What amazes me they keep telling us this BS that new ones are even better, but we must remember there can be no more than 100% transmission and that is the "perpetual engine" that does not exist.
World's best is now classic Carl Zeiss 7x42 with T* coatings.

Thanks for that, Jager. I am a sucker for good binoculars.

Not sure if they still offer good ole' 7x42B/GAT
'Dialyt', but it was perfectly designed piece of equipment.

For years, I have used Zeiss 8 x 30's that my uncle purchased new in 1954 in Hong Kong, and I have never seen any that were better for clarity and brightness, until I looked through a friend's Leica with the rangefinder. They are amazing, but I guess for $2,200+ they ought to be.
I'll stick with the old Zeiss and save the $$ for a new SxS.

I have had a pair of Canon Image Stabilized for a couple of years now. With 55 year old eyes, I couldn't tell which lenses are sparper if I tried. But, as one ages and isn't as steady as he used to be, the IS feature is worth much more to me than a couple of per cent, if that, more clarity of other brands. The Mrs. & I would not consider anything but the Canon IS 12X or higher magnifcation. Try them, buy them, and laugh at the others.

Hairy

I like the Zeiss 8X30's and for pocket carry their 8X20's. That said, I've got a WWII Leitz 6X30 that was coated by someone (probably in Russia)which are wonderful and very light weight. Binoculars are like guns, thay accumulate somehow.

I own a pair of Kahles 8x32's and a pair of Zeiss 10x42 Victory's (the 1st generation). I did some research (looked at various models, compared features, coatings etc) asked some questions and all of the binocular people kept saying the same things.....look and see what the "bird watchers" are using. After visiting some bird watching forums and conversing with some bird watchers during the spring waterfowl migration in south central Nebraska, I made a decision and bought my Kahles and Zeiss field glassess and couldn't be happier. My most recent purchase was the Zeiss. I compared them to Leicas, Swarovski's, Meopta and Docter Optic. Its my opinion that the Zeiss is the cream of the crop.

Had to go to storage locker to get the binoculars. I am currently using a pair fo Zeiss 8 X 20 BT. They were very reasonable when I bought them and much better than the Steiner Prowlers that I replaced. (the prowlers became out of focus with no sever usage) and unable to fix.
jas

An interesting aside, Karl Khales, an Austrian, invented the telscopic sight. His company prospered and grew and remained family owned until they reached the point there was no heir. A friend of the family bought it. Today it is called Swarovski.

To the original question, I think the lady will find a good pair of 7x35's to be the least tiresome and provide the best combination for general use. Nikon has and continues to provide a good quality reasonably priced glass. Looking back a bit, 7x35's were the standard land glasses configuration of choice for quite a long while and with good reason. Today's coatings and CNC equipment can make for more bang for your buck when the QC is strict & in place.

While IS can be worthwhile, particularly at higher powers, it also adds another component and a bit of weight and bulk.

Just my thots. Perhaps something of use to you.