Brilliant Binoculars

aleksandar said:
Are you also Kamakura owner? Can you still buy them? (I got mine from Camera word probably 10 or more years ago)
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No but I've bought and sold quite a few binoculars and my camera tech always swore by kamakura. Unfortunately I didn't realize they stopped bringing them in 2-3years ago but the Vortex binoculars seem to be mostly made by kamakura from what I understand reading the forums and look very much the same.
 
capd said:
Having been in the market and after testing some R70,000 Swarovski binoculars (quite the experience!), I'm looking for the best more budget-friendly binoculars. Happy to spend around R5k, or more within reason. Have checked Takealot and Vortex ones seem to be some of the better ones they sell? Bresser also seems like a good brand? I do wear glasses with a +- -3 prescription.
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Walk into a brick and mortar shop that has a range on display. I know outdoor warehouse normally have some laid out that you can test.

The grab a 2k pair, and 5 or 6k pair and look outside. The difference is so big you'll never be satisfied with the 2k pair. Especially when it's a little bit cloudy. The cheap ones are dark and dull, vs bright and clear.

The jump from 5k to 12k is also pretty substantial, but it's more in the details around the edges. From 12k to 70k you need to be pretty expert to tell the difference.

Edit: In the 5k ish + a little range, consider Nikon Prostaff P7, Monarch M5, or Vortex Diamondback HD (if you can find it on special around that price)
 
notayoba said:
Walk into a brick and mortar shop that has a range on display. I know outdoor warehouse normally have some laid out that you can test.

The grab a 2k pair, and 5 or 6k pair and look outside. The difference is so big you'll never be satisfied with the 2k pair. Especially when it's a little bit cloudy. The cheap ones are dark and dull, vs bright and clear.

The jump from 5k to 12k is also pretty substantial, but it's more in the details around the edges. From 12k to 70k you need to be pretty expert to tell the difference.

Edit: In the 5k ish + a little range, consider Nikon Prostaff P7, Monarch M5, or Vortex Diamondback HD (if you can find it on special around that price)
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Thank you. Which would you go for of your recommended ones, and why?
 
capd said:
Thank you. Which would you go for of your recommended ones, and why?
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It's really a matter of you get what you pay for. But for R5k I would get the Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42 without too much hesitation.

If you can stretch it a bit, the Nikon Monarch M5 will be great.

The vortex Diamondback HD is in a similar price range to the Monarch, but comes with a Lifetime guarantee and a handy carry rig. But you don't get those for free, it's optically closer to the P7 than the M5, so you are paying a roughly 2k premium for that lifetime guarantee and chest carry rig.

Edit: I did this whole exercise about a year ago, and looked through all of these. I went with the Vortex Diamondback for the guarantee and carry case, but that's because I use it for hunting and mistreat it in the field.

If you have 12k the Monarch M7 or Vortex Viper HD is spectacular, but it's a bit steep for me.
 
notayoba said:
It's really a matter of you get what you pay for. But for R5k I would get the Nikon Prostaff P7 10x42 without too much hesitation.

If you can stretch it a bit, the Nikon Monarch M5 will be great.

The vortex Diamondback HD is in a similar price range to the Monarch, but comes with a Lifetime guarantee and a handy carry rig. But you don't get those for free, it's optically closer to the P7 than the M5, so you are paying a roughly 2k premium for that lifetime guarantee and chest carry rig.

Edit: I did this whole exercise about a year ago, and looked through all of these. I went with the Vortex Diamondback for the guarantee and carry case, but that's because I use it for hunting and mistreat it in the field.

If you have 12k the Monarch M7 or Vortex Viper HD is spectacular, but it's a bit steep for me.
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Thanks, going to check out the Nikon Prostaff P7. Budget suits my hobbyist desires but will try to compare with the Monarch and Vortex Viper. Super pedantic about looking after my stuff and don’t need the harness.

10x42 vs 10x50? Doubt I’ll use them much in low light. Looking for wide field of view, sharpness, and comfort with glasses.

The Swarovskis were next level in these respects.
 
capd said:
Thanks, going to check out the Nikon Prostaff P7. Budget suits my hobbyist desires but will try to compare with the Monarch and Vortex Viper. Super pedantic about looking after my stuff and don’t need the harness.

10x42 vs 10x50? Doubt I’ll use them much in low light. Looking for wide field of view, sharpness, and comfort with glasses.

The Swarovskis were next level in these respects.
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Will be good to go try them with your glasses to see how it goes. I can't comment there. Also don't have much experience with the 50mm objective versions, as that was never on my radar. Too big and heavy for what I want it for.
 
Tested the Nikon Monarch M5 10x42… Nothing at all like the Swarovskis… Tiny field of view and lacklustre build quality.

Seems I’d need to spend a fair bit more to get anywhere near the Swarovskis.
 
capd said:
Seems I’d need to spend a fair bit more to get anywhere near the Swarovskis.
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That's unfortunately true. You're not getting 70k quality at 7k. But it's a whole lot better than the 2 or 3k options.

If field of view is important, try the Vortex Diamondback in the similar price range. Wider field that the M5, but not quite as sharp. There are some sites where you can compare specs (glass, field of view, eye relief etc. Can't remember the URL now.) There will always be a tradeoff. Wider field of view = Less eye relief. Unless you spend the big bucks.

Swarovskis will spoil you for anything else.
 
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notayoba said:
That's unfortunately true. You're not getting 70k quality at 7k. But it's a whole lot better than the 2 or 3k options.

If field of view is important, try the Vortex Diamondback in the similar price range. Wider field that the M5, but not quite as sharp. There are some sites where you can compare specs (glass, field of view, eye relief etc. Can't remember the URL now.) There will always be a tradeoff. Wider field of view = Less eye relief. Unless you spend the big bucks.

Swarovskis will spoil you for anything else.
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Totally. How about the Vipers vs Monarch M7 for FoV?

Please let me know if you find the site!
 
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capd said:
Tested the Nikon Monarch M5 10x42… Nothing at all like the Swarovskis… Tiny field of view and lacklustre build quality.

Seems I’d need to spend a fair bit more to get anywhere near the Swarovskis.
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At around 10% of the cost, that is to be expected.

The NL Swarovskis have an ultra view field of view. I don't think anything in the lower price ranges will compete with it.
 
capd said:
Having been in the market and after testing some R70,000 Swarovski binoculars (quite the experience!), I'm looking for the best more budget-friendly binoculars. Happy to spend around R5k, or more within reason. Have checked Takealot and Vortex ones seem to be some of the better ones they sell? Bresser also seems like a good brand? I do wear glasses with a +- -3 prescription.
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I have a friend who wants to sell his leica trinovid 7x42b incase you might be inclined, will be around the R5k mark
 
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