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.
Posts Tagged ‘nikon’
Nikon EDG Binoculars
Thursday, May 27th, 2010Nikon EDG spotting scope
Friday, April 30th, 2010I tried out the new Nikon edg spotting scope and I have to say I’m very impressed. I got my hands on the new 85mm scopes with 20×60 eye peace in the straight configuration, and it’s worked very well. I was able to spot 17hmr bullet holes out to 200 yards easily, and 308 out to 500 but I’m sure you would be able to see them much farther. I was able to use this scope to effectively spot all my groups and my shooting buddies with no problems. We only had about a 500 yard range to work with, but like I said, I think this scope would be effective at greater distances. This scope also worked really well in low light conditions due to the 85mm objective and the great new glass Nikon has in this scope. I was about to see my 500 yard target well after dusk with good clarity. The next day I went back and was able to see differences in small animals at between 350 and 400 yard markers. I could tell what types of birds were and different features, and also small differences in the squirrels down range. The scope also offers a good field of view 115 feet at 1000 yards on 20x and 58 feet at 60, this is important because not only can you see detail at distance but also field of view to properly acquire the target. The eye relief was also comfortable on this scope from 18.4mm on 20x to 16.5mm on 60x, it’s easy to get comfortable with this scope. Combine all this with a great 25 year no fault warranty, accessories that come standard with the scope, such as a functional stay on scope case, flip down covers, and the promotion that also gives you a free Nikon d3000 camera makes this a deal to be had on these new scopes. If you’re in the market for a good spotting scope don’t pass up this scope, not only is it a great scope, but also a great deal.
zeiss conquest 4×32
Friday, March 26th, 2010Fixed power scopes aren’t all that popular here in the U.S. sure you have tactical scopes and rim fire scopes, but for the most part, variable power optics rule here. For me, I like a fixed power scope on my 22lr rim fire rifles. I personally use a 4×32 scope on my ruger 10/22 and it fits and has done a very good job so far. There are lots of options for fixed power scopes, Burris, Nikon, Leupold, and Zeiss have some good offerings in this category. I particularly like the zeiss 4×32 conquests. The zeiss conquest line offers great glass and quality at a reasonable price. This 4×32 is perfect for many purposes, if you’re looking for a fixed power scope that is. I use my 10/22 out 10 125 yards with no problems. This scope would perform well on both a rim fire and larger caliber rifles, because fixed power scopes can take more abuse than there variable power counterparts. Mechanically, these rifle scopes are simple and tough to break. If you want a nice 4x scope for a 22 rimfire rifle or other various purposes, check out this zeiss conquest 4×32. That’s the word from sportoptics.com.
Nikon fieldscope ed 82mm
Friday, February 19th, 2010I’ve been researching spotting scopes for various purposes. If you’ve looked at spotting scopes, then you know they cover the price span as everything else does, from cheap to expensive. I wanted a mid price range scope that would perform well and wouldn’t break my budget. My choices were many, Pentax, Leupold, Zeiss, Kowa, Meopta, Nikon, and swarovski but after much deliberation and penny counting, I settled with Nikon spotting scopes and I choose the Nikon angled Field scope 82mm and 25×75 x eyepiece. I tested the scope on a Velbon tripod doing a variety of different things. The scope was comfortable, and performed well on the range and in lower light situations. For an 82mm scope, I didn’t find it to be too heavy or cumbersome. I glassed distant trees and could pick up even the smallest objects. I didn’t get to use the Nikon Field scope on the range, but I think it would work perfectly for that purpose as well. The controls for the scope are convenient and easy to use, and the sun shade came in handy in very bright conditions. The scope is also adjustable to suit a variety of positions from standing to prone. Overall I am very pleased with the Nikon field scope and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good mid price range scope. That’s the word from sportoptics.com.
Swarovski’s BT system
Thursday, January 7th, 2010Rifle scope review blog 8
Swarovski Ballistic turret system
Every manufacture has one or multiple answers for easy various distance shooting. Every manufacture offers mildot reticles, but that isn’t easy for some folks. For Nikon, it’s the BDC reticle. Leupold has the Boone and Crockett reticle. Zeiss has the Rapid Z system. Swarovski has the BR reticle, but they also have something new that is very interesting. This innovation is called the Ballistic turret system, and it allows for easier distance shooting. This system allows the shooter to set up to five zeros, without using a very busy reticle. Picture this, you zero your rifle at 100 yards, you go to the ballistic calculator at http://www.bt.swarovskioptik.com/ and put in your bullet information; the manufacture, the bullet type, the model of scope, the altitude your hunting at, the site your scope sits above your bore, and your zero range. The calculator then tells you how to set the knobs on your elevation turret and you’re ready to make distances shots at the turn of a knob. You can use more classic reticles and not worry about anything but the shot itself. It’s an easy system for anyone to use. You can easily switch ammunition, your hunting area, and zero once and have you scope set for various ranges. This is useful if you hunt in different areas or if you run out of the ammunition you use. This system makes everything easy for the shooter; from zeroing to actually shooting the target, it’s as easy as turning a knob. The Ballistic turret system is available on the Swarovski Z5, Swarovski Z6, and Swarovski Z6I rifle scopes. Be careful if you try this system, nothing else really compares and you will probably have to get one. That’s the word from sportoptics.com
Nikon Monarch Rifle Scopes
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009As one of Nikon’s most popular rifle scopes, the Monarch series leads the pack of affordable high-end scopes. If an all around great optical rifle scope is what you are looking for, but if you are not looking to spend around $2000, then the Nikon Monarch rifle scope could be exactly what you have been looking for. Nikon has always been know for engineering great optics, and this series is no exception. It’s ultra ClearCoat optical system provides the shooter with an incredibly sharp, bright, and flat sight picture, and also allows light transmission up to its theoretical maximum at 95%.
Every new Nikon Monarch rifle scope is available with Nikon’s patented BDC reticle. This reticle allows hunters to remain dead-on at extreme distances previously thought impossible. The BDC reticle has unique see-through ballistic circles that provide a great advantage for shooting at long range, and still provide a normal clear sight picture for close range shooting where the aiming point is the crosshair itself.
The Monarch’s Eye Box technology gives shooters a 4-time zoom range and four inches of constant eye relief along with large ocular lenses which deliver an extra large, amazingly bright and high-resolution image in all different conditions. This entire series by Nikon is also waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof. With a one-piece main body tube, this scope delivers its punch with minimum weight added to your gun, without sacrificing maximum strength and durability.
When in search of your next rifle scope, don’t count out Nikon and the new Monarch rifle scope series. It may not stand out as much without the fat price tag of a Swarovski, but it still has the specs to contend. If you’re on a slim budget, you cannot go wrong with a Monarch scope. Most Monarch models can be mounted on almost any rifle action regardless of caliber, even on magnum-length actions. In a market flooded by optics companies competing for your purchase, and when trying to stay within a budget, take a look through the Nikon Monarch rifle scope the very next chance you get because you will be very impressed by the optical performance you get for the price tag.
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.