I never thought I would hear myself say this, but Nikon has come out with a binocular that can challenge the top performing binoculars like Zeiss, Swarovski and Leica. The Nikon edg binoculars are some of the best I’ve ever had the pleasure of using. The ED glass has great contrast, shows great detail, and is very bright. They have a good close focus distance 9.8 feet and an impressive field of view at 400 feet at 1000 yards. The binocular body is magnesium and gives them a comfortable weight of 28.6 ounces. These binoculars also feature winged eye cups, a feature most binocular users enjoy. The design is also easy to focus and hold securely even with gloved hands and wet conditions. The eye relief on these Nikon binoculars is also suitable for people with and without glasses and would make for comfortable viewing for anyone. I tested these binoculars at both close and long ranges; I was able to focus on objects as close as 8 feet away, and also clearly able to see details of leaves such as veins at 100 yards. All of these benefits coupled with the fact that that Nikon is giving a free Nikon d3000 camera away with purchase of and EDG binocular or spotting scope makes this a very attractive deal. I would highly recommend the new Nikon edg optics to anyone. That’s the word from sportoptics.com.
Archive for the ‘Binoculars’ Category
Nikon EDG Binoculars
Thursday, May 27th, 2010Zeiss victory range finding binoculars
Friday, February 5th, 2010I’m a big fan of range finding binoculars, so I was excited to get my hands on some Zeiss 10×45 victory range finding binoculars. These binoculars wear all the typical features of Zeiss excellent binoculars, with the added bonus of having a range finder built in. Only a few ounces heavier than comparable Zeiss 10×42 victory fl binoculars, these binoculars are performers. Boasting a range of 1300 yards, these range finding binoculars can get measurements on targets far out. Because they binoculars have a tight beam divergence, 1.6 x 0.5 millirads to be exact, they can also range smaller targets and targets behind brush more accurately. They also feature Zeiss Lotutec coating which makes them easier to clean and repels moisture. In low light these binoculars performed very well, and we ranged small, about 3×6 inches, out at 500 yards. For range finding binoculars, they are also very compact and the rubber armor was very comfortable to hold even when my hands were wet. The buttons are easy to press and the setting is simply, something I like in a range finder. I like this range finding binocular as much as the Leica geovid hd 10×42 I reviewed, in fact either would make a great hunting companion to anyone looking for a range finding binocular. The Zeiss victory Rf 10×42 range finding binoculars get a big thumbs up. If you’re looking for a great pair of range finding binoculars, check them out. That’s the word from sportoptics.com
Steiner Predator Pro Secrets
Sunday, March 8th, 2009There’s one thing for sure, the high contrast Predator Pro Optics from Steiner Binoculars has found its way into the hearts and minds of avid hunters all over the world and the Steiner marketing phrase “Nothing Escapes These Eyes” really sums up the performance of these hunting binoculars. But how do these binoculars actually accomplish their specif task? Well it has to do with the special lens coatings used by Steiner Predator Pro models. They use a type of lens coating that blocks the transmission of blue green parts of the visible light spectrum but allows all other parts of the visible light to pass through unhindered. The favors the colors of browns and reds, typical wildlife colors, at the expense of blues and greens, the color of foliage and haze. The visual result helps the hunter by making game animals stand out more then they normal would. This is an advanced feature for a binocular and its only currently available on the Predator Pro Binoculars from Steiner Optics.
Steiner offers a variety of binocular models so their are options to fit nearly any application. The full Steiner binocular product line may be viewed at SportOptics.com
Nikon EDG Binoculars Review Part II
Thursday, February 19th, 2009As promised in the earlier posts we’re going to detail some of the more impressive features associated with this Nikon Binocular. Here is todays list:
- Waterproof/Fogproof Performance: A common feature we’ll admit, and not all that surprising to find it on a binocular of this price tag but very important non the less. The real issue is keeping the inert gas inside the void of the binocular this eliminates the potential for humidity - no humidity no internal fogging when you go from a cozy cabin to a frosty landscape.
- Magnesium Alloy Binocular Frame: Using a high end magnesium alloy frame in new for Nikon and its clearly a premium feature. This premium metal makes the Nikon Edg about 10% lighter then it would have been if it had been constructed with an aluminum alloy, and lighter then some of its competitors offerings. This design feature ranks the Nikon Edg Binocular among the optic elites that also us Magnesium.
- Rubber Armor Body: Another common feature that you’d expect from premium binoculars but the Nikon choice of material is something to be admired. It’s nice looking for one but something about this material is very different then anything else you’ve held before. This armoring is amazingly slip resistant, not just a little slip resistant but different to the degree that you often find yourself looking at it in your hand. Someone at Nikon Sport Optics did a very nice job with this choice of material.
- Advanced Sophisticated Design: Nikon designed the Edg Binocuculars with the open body or dual hindge design. This is a big improvement in the way the hand fits around the binocular. When you grab this Nikon Binocular your fingers natuaally grab around the barrel just as it would if you grabed onto a broom stick or baseball bat. Most binoculars with a single large hing in the middel cause you to hold the binocular with your fingers shaped like a ducks bill, not nearly as secure a hand hold. Using this design on the new Nikon EDG Binocular was a big plus for the model.