Vixen Binoculars-anyone using these?

[hotspur]

Looking at getting some hand held binoculars,I am thinking of a pair of Vixen ones.But I've asked around,and asked on outdoor forums-but no ones has a pair.I kinda like to get an idea of kit from someone who has actually used,before buying.

Here are the options I am looking at.

1. http://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/details.asp?id=MAS-039A


2.http://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/details.asp?id=MAS-039C

and if I can get some more scalp money-these ones.

3.http://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/details.asp?id=MAS-039F2

So if anyone here has used any of the above,I'd like to hear.I think the first two are made in China,the first appeals to me over the second-the shape looks easier to hang on too.The 3rd-well,must be high end,and made in Japan.If I am to spend that much,I would really like to hear from someone has used them in the field.

Thanks for any feed back.

[Shark Bait]

Have not used these, so can't pass judgement . . . . ...

I always take my bino's with me when observing. Hard to beat when I just want to scan the sky in stereo.


Just curious:

I thought the norm for astro was a 50mm minimum objective. Why the smaller objective in the options you listed?
Are you looking to use them for hunting as well as astro?
Stu.

[anj026]

I have four Vixen binoculars;

Vixen Ultima 9x63 purchased new in 1997 from AEC. A good quality porro prism binocular, lightweight for it's size and well made in Japan. Good for astro especially from a dark site. I still own this and the only issue after all this time is the leatherette covering is deteriorated.

Vixen Apex 8x42 roof prism purchased new from Bintel in 1998. Nice compact Japanese binocular that has served well for mostly daytime use. I would not recommend it for astronomy there are better choices for the money.

Vixen Foresta 7x50 porro purchased new from My Astro Shop about 3 years ago. This is a chinese made unit with great optics but not so good build quality, reasonable for the price. Not bad for astronomy from a dark site. Good for nature watching.

Vixen 8x32 Ultima porro purchased new from My Astro shop about a year ago. I was hoping for something similar in quality to my 1998 9x63 Ultima but am somewhat disappointed with this one. It looks like it might be part Japanese and part Chinese, not as well made as the ealier 9x63.

If it was me I wouldn't choose any of the ones you linked for astronomy. They may be ok for mostly daytime stuff. I think there are better choices for the money but binoculars can be a very personal choice depending on what suits your facial anatomy and what your intended use is. Try to get to a binocular dealer and try as many as you can.

[hotspur]

Thanks kindly for information,yes mainly need binos for daytime use-bird watching,looking for deer etc.So that's why looking at less than 50 mm.

Yes,good to read about results.I t would be much better to walk into a shop and pick binos up and get a proper idea.I think the Vixen 'Ultima' range have a smaller size than 9 by 63,these might be a little large to hump around in bush,but if they are all Jap made,would consider them.I feel I might avoid the China ones after reading these.Might consider the $1100.

Any other users of vixen bino's that have thoughts,happy to hear your thoughts. thanks

[hotspur]

Had a look at this review of the 8 by 56 Ulitma's they look quite good,but appear to be no longer made in Japan.http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=2458

But the reviewer still sees them as high quality,even against a Fijion pair.

I might get these 8 by 56 ones-can use for astro as well.

[Larryp]

I just bought 10 x 50 Gerbers from Bintel. Lovely binocular. My old 7 x 50 Gerbers were Japanese but the 10 x 50 are chinese, and just as good quality.
Price is good, too.

[anj026]

For daytime use you might like to consider Nikon Monarchs in the new 5 series or 7 series. I haven't tried them myself but others have reported good satisfaction. They are waterproof, popular, made in China but with good levels of quality control. In the $450-$800 range.

I use Nikon 8x30 EII and 10x35EII. They are old fashioned porro's, not so easy to get in Australia and are not waterproof or particularly tough. However they are made in Japan to a very high standard and have very wide fields of view with excellent optics. Great for nature watching.

Most people seem to prefer the more compact roof prism style of binoculars which are more likely to be waterproof and have modern features like adjustable eyecups and close focusing ability.

http://www.nikon.com/products/sportoptics/lineup/binoculars/index.htm

[hotspur]

Thanks Larry and @anj026.

Those nikon ones look good,having a closer look at these.

http://www.nikon.com/products/sportoptics/lineup/binoculars/monarch/monarch_5/index.htm

Think they might have some similar on ebay,otherwise not sure where one would purchase.

It does seem the gas filled ones are very popular,looking again a 8 by 56 Ultimas-they do not have that,not having binos that fog up would be very useful for me,so might have to look at the other options,apart from that,I'd nearly get those 8 by 56's.

Just found these on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190888649172&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

[Larryp]

Chris, the Vixen 9 x 63 and 8 x 56 are also sold as Orion Mini Giants, and are usually cheaper than the Vixen branded ones. I looked at these before buying my Gerbers. The thing that turned me off the Orion/Vixen was the fact they are not sealed and nitrogen purged.
My original Gerbers were a very good binocular, but after 10 years or so, developed mould in one objective-they were not sealed.
The new Gerbers are sealed and nitrogen purged, so I should not have this problem again.
Could I suggest you talk to Michael or Don at Bintel before making a decision-they seem to have a lot of experience with the different brands of binos.:)

[hotspur]

Thanks Larry,yes-I did notice later the Vixens/Orion are not nitrogen purged,which is what slowed me on them.So will be looking a nitrogen purged ones,some sort of 8 by 42 ones.I'll check Bintels' site too.

Thanks all,

[anj026]

I also agree it is a good idea to talk to the guys at Bintel. Also I believe an 8x42 will make a better all-rounder than an 8x56.

Binoculars with 7mm exit pupils such as 7x50, 8x56, 9x63, 10x70 etc are specialist instruments best suited for marine, low light hunting use or astronomy from a very dark site. They can work very well in the daytime too but as your eyepupil will not be opening much more than 3-4mm in the daytime a lot of the light is not being used.

Binoculars with exit pupils around 4-5mm are more suited for general use. This includes the following;

8x30 Light and compact, wide field of view, Excellent for daytime use and OK for basic astronomy such as craters of the moon, large bright clusters.

8x40 As above but a little bit brighter, a little bit heavier and a slightly smaller field of view.

10x40 Better for astronomy but with the added magnification can be more difficult to hold steady without practice.

10x50 Great for hand held astronomy and good for everything else just a bit heavier and bulkier to lug around.

Here are some links that might be useful.

http://www.holgermerlitz.de/wisdoms.html

http://www.holgermerlitz.de/profile.html

http://binocularsky.com/index.php

http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=112

http://www.allbinos.com/

http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php/Cat/0/Board/binoculars

[Wavytone]

Your pupils might open to 7mm if you are young and in ver dark conditions but if you're older or in average conditions 5mm is more likely,

8x40 or 10x50 will be fine. Even 7x35.

[hotspur]

Thanks @anj026 some really useful links and information there-very helpful.I notice one link one chap owns 30 pairs of binoculars!

Thanks for all the other helpful advice,will really help me getting a new pair of Bino's

[anj026]

No worries, glad to help. I've developed a bit of a binocular fetish myself over the last 2-3 years. Watch out, they can be a bit like eyepieces that way! Still it's cheaper and safer then fast cars or yachts.