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Post by KevinC on Feb 11, 2024 17:51:33 GMT -8
I've got a few questions I'd like some insight on:
1. I've heard good things about the Vortex Viper, but also that there may be distortion at the very edge of the lenses. Has anyone else experienced this?
2. 12x50 are so close in price to 10x50. The weight is also almost the same, but a narrower field of view.
a. Are they going to be that much harder to hold steady? b. Will they lose more light? c. Is the magnification worth it?
3. Does anyone have experience with the Maven brand?
Thank you  Kevin
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Post by Chris on Feb 11, 2024 20:05:02 GMT -8
I can't comment on the Viper but I do have the Vortex Diamondback 10x42 bins and I like them. I have had them for around 12 years. The vortex warranty is excellent as well. I did drop them accidentally and they repaired them at no cost, just shipping.
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Post by paulos on Feb 12, 2024 9:41:33 GMT -8
A point on magnification: I would highly recommend sticking to a lower magnification. I recommend 8X42 or a similar 8X magnification for all-around birding. I've heard other birders recommend 7X. I've used 10X42 in the past, but the higher magnification makes actually locating the bird you want to see more of a challenge. 12 would make this very very difficult. I had a friend ask me if his 15X binoculars were good for birding and I said he should stick to whale watching or star gazing. The combination of relatively low magnification and big lens size is best for getting a wider view. Lower is better!
I use a cheaper Vortex 8X42. I can't comment on the lens issue with the Viper, but I have been very satisfied with their warranty and customer service. They always replace any broken parts (for me, usually lens caps).
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Post by Randy on Feb 12, 2024 12:02:22 GMT -8
I agree with the comments about higher magnification. I have always used a 10x42 and I quite like them. I have Nikons, but the Vortex warranty is fantastic. I've never heard of Maven but maybe there are some online reviews. Maybe you should just bite the bullet and get these www.swarovskioptik.com/ca/en/birding/products/binoculars/ax-visio/ax-visio-binoculars/ax-visioThey can record audio and video, use AI to ID birds in real time, and can lock onto a bird in order to show others!! Quite the price tag though! |
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Post by KevinC on Feb 12, 2024 14:02:25 GMT -8
I agree with the comments about higher magnification. I have always used a 10x42 and I quite like them. I have Nikons, but the Vortex warranty is fantastic. I've never heard of Maven but maybe there are some online reviews. Maybe you should just bite the bullet and get these www.swarovskioptik.com/ca/en/birding/products/binoculars/ax-visio/ax-visio-binoculars/ax-visioThey can record audio and video, use AI to ID birds in real time, and can lock onto a bird in order to show others!! Quite the price tag though! Wow!!! Those are something else, eh?!? I'll put them on my wish list for when I win the lottery  I'm actually kind of surprised it has taken this long to get something like this on the market.
Thanks all of you for the tips. I don't have any trouble finding birds with 10x, but I know the higher magnification and smaller field of view of 12x would make it more of a challenge. I actually really enjoyed my 7-21x42 Bushnells, because it was super easy to find at 7x then zoom in a bit. 21x wasn't often used because it was wobbly and less light, but I did like having the option. However, I think it's high time I upgraded to better quality.
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Post by Jon on Feb 12, 2024 19:24:31 GMT -8
1. I have 10x50 Vipers. I would say that there _is_ a noticable distortion around the edges, but it's not a problem for me because the field of view is big enough that you focus mostly just on the center. So you have to look for the distortion.
2. I've briefly held some Image Stabilized (canon) bins, and found it amazing how the same magnification can produce a much clearer image. The trade-off is $, weight, and waterproofing (often). So I think I would not step up the magnification. I do like my 10x but I don't have much experience with 8x or lower.
3. Nope
I would say you probably will be quite happy with Vortex Vipers. I know a friend that got the diamondbacks, and they are a noticable downgrade - and even though the waranty is good he had issues almost right away which is not fun.
I looked through some 10x32 swaros recently and found them to be as bright as mine, and having a good field of view too, and nice and light, but it was a brief comparison. But of course the price tag on these is v high 😅
I think your best choice is to go somewhere you can try different options (I think you can at Cabella's) and compare side by side.
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Post by Gord on Feb 12, 2024 22:16:26 GMT -8
Agree on all comments made.
I've actually tried some 12x50 binoculars in the Vortex. Hated them.
I like my 10x50 Vipers and like Chris, have sent mine in for repair three times now and get them back like new. Yes...three times...but I do use them every day in some fashion.
There's nothing wrong with 8x42 as that's a solid combination of magnification and field of view. Nice bright bins.
Do check out the Vortex Diamondbacks. They have improved them recently, to my eye anyway, and might be excellent value. They come in both 10 and 8 magnification. They also are coming with the glasspacks included. They are like mini backpacks you wear on your chest. I scoffed at the idea of them at first, but now find them excellent, much to my kid's distress...they look "hokey". I believe them to be correct on that, but the pack keeps them clean/safe and not bouncing around as one walks. Snacking and birding is better with the pack as crumbs don't fall into the eye cups. A win all around if one doesn't mind looking a bit over equipped (aka "hokey") when out birding.
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Post by Jon on Feb 13, 2024 8:12:44 GMT -8
Oh. I hate the "glasspack". at least for the 10x50 it doesn't seem to fit (maybe they gave a size too small?). to keep the crumbs out i just put the front eyecups on (easy to do since they are attached to the strap)
Would prefer a 10$ discount over the pack. But maybe I should try it again...
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Post by Gord on Feb 13, 2024 18:52:23 GMT -8
Oh. I hate the "glasspack". at least for the 10x50 it doesn't seem to fit (maybe they gave a size too small?). to keep the crumbs out i just put the front eyecups on (easy to do since they are attached to the strap) Would prefer a 10$ discount over the pack. But maybe I should try it again... You had me at discount  |
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Post by james on Feb 15, 2024 20:56:31 GMT -8
I have the Diamondbacks and they definitely are good value for the price. I wonder how they compare to the Vipers in terms of colour fringing in bad lighting and in overall brightness. I do find with the Diamondbacks that sometimes I notice a yellow and/or a blueish fringe around the object I am looking at. For example, it's overcast but the sky is fairly bright and I am looking up at a hawk flying overhead. The hawk will appear dark, almost a silhouette, and the edges of it will have the artificial colour. Most of the time I hardly notice it but when I am trying to find out if I am looking at a marking that would appear white in another light the colours distract me. I'm not sure if that still happens with more expensive binoculars, but the Swaros I've looked through were way brighter in low light conditions.
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