Eagle Optics Binoculars: I'm considering buying a pair of 10x42 binoculars for an African safari trip this summer. I was referred to Eagle Optics by our local bird watchers society.

durango Loc: Marietta, Ohio

I'm considering buying a pair of 10x42 binoculars for an African safari trip this summer. I was referred to Eagle Optics by our local bird watchers society. They said the Eagle Optics brand is very nice. Does anyone own a pair of Eagle Optics Binoculars? If so, are you happy with the quality of them? I'm also looking at the Nikon Monarch 7 and the Vortex Viper.

Thanks, Lou

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

durango wrote:

I'm considering buying a pair of 10x42 binoculars for an African safari trip this summer. I was referred to Eagle Optics by our local bird watchers society. They said the Eagle Optics brand is very nice. Does anyone own a pair of Eagle Optics Binoculars? If so, are you happy with the quality of them? I'm also looking at the Nikon Monarch 7 and the Vortex Viper.

Thanks, Lou

It looks like you got good advice.

http://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/Eagle-Optics-Ranger-ED-8x42-89.htm
http://www.opticsreviewer.com/eagle-optics-binoculars.html

tgreenhaw

If you decide to look at another brand, take a look at at the Canon image stabilized binoculars. I cannot underestimate the impact IS has on binoculars. You can get a used pair on ebay for a comparable amount of money for what I think you are looking to spend. These things last a lifetime so its worth spending extra money IMHO.

innershield Loc: phoenix, az

durango wrote:

I'm considering buying a pair of 10x42 binoculars for an African safari trip this summer. I was referred to Eagle Optics by our local bird watchers society. They said the Eagle Optics brand is very nice. Does anyone own a pair of Eagle Optics Binoculars? If so, are you happy with the quality of them? I'm also looking at the Nikon Monarch 7 and the Vortex Viper.

Thanks, Lou

Vortex razor

durango Loc: Marietta, Ohio

jerryc41 wrote:

It looks like you got good advice.

http://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/Eagle-Optics-Ranger-ED-8x42-89.htm
http://www.opticsreviewer.com/eagle-optics-binoculars.html

Thanks, Jerry for the links. I'll definitely check those out.
Lou

durango Loc: Marietta, Ohio

tgreenhaw wrote:

If you decide to look at another brand, take a look at at the Canon image stabilized binoculars. I cannot underestimate the impact IS has on binoculars. You can get a used pair on ebay for a comparable amount of money for what I think you are looking to spend. These things last a lifetime so its worth spending extra money IMHO.

I hadn't thought about Canon, but look into them.
Thanks, Lou

durango Loc: Marietta, Ohio

innershield wrote:

Vortex razor

Thanks for the suggestion on the Vortex Razor.
Lou

Robert R Loc: Indianapolis and Naples

I have several pairs. Eagle Optics Ranger 8X42, Eagle Optics Ranger 10X42, Vortex Viper 8X42, Vortex Viper spotting scope, finally my favorite, Vortex Razor 8X42. Yesterday a friend who uses Swarowski glass, looked at my Razors and was very impressed. Highly recommend the Vortex Razor. However, for the $$, the Eagle Optics Rangers are hard to beat. My rangers are not the ED glass, but still exceptional for the price. Be aware that if you go to the 10X, some people have a hard time holding them still, especially for any period of time. Hence, the Canon IS may be your cup of tea, but in my experience they are heavier. The weight can make a difference on a long day. A lady I volunteer with at Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary was given the Canon IS, and she could not handle the weight. Probably best to try for yourself if possible. But that being said, there are many binoculars on the market today that are very good, with very little difference. Usually you get what you pay for. If you are taking to Africa, you might want to look at a product that is waterproof.

durango Loc: Marietta, Ohio

Robert R wrote:

I have several pairs. Eagle Optics Ranger 8X42, Ea... (show quote)

My husband and I tried out the Vortex Viper, Nikon Monarch 7, Zeiss Conquest and a few more at Cabela's. The weight is a factor, since I will be carrying a camera also. The lady that I spoke with at Eagle Optics said the Ranger is comparable to the Viper. Your experience with a wide variety of binoculars is most helpful. I'll definitely rethink the 8x42 range. Again, thanks for your input! Lou

Robert R Loc: Indianapolis and Naples

durango wrote:

My husband and I tried out the Vortex Viper, Nikon Monarch 7, Zeiss Conquest and a few more at Cabela's. The weight is a factor, since I will be carrying a camera also. The lady that I spoke with at Eagle Optics said the Ranger is comparable to the Viper. Your experience with a wide variety of binoculars is most helpful. I'll definitely rethink the 8x42 range. Again, thanks for your input! Lou

I recently purchased a BlackRapid RS-Sport Extreme Sport Strap (Camo) from B&H for my heavy camera. If your camera is heavy you may want to consider this product on your trip. By the way, the Nikon and Zeiss binoculars are very good brands. You could not go wrong with them if they feel right.

RGreenway Loc: Morristown, New Jersey

If this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I would consider the Leica. Yes, they are very expensive, but comparing them to a good pair of Nikon's also own, well, there is no comparison in IQ and they are light and compact too.

banster Loc: PA, Ontario, N.C.,Key West

I have had Eagle Optics 10x42 Rangers for 8 years. A birding friend recommmended them to me. I was stuck between 8x and 10x. Called Eagle and the lady suggested sending both, see which I liked better, and send the other one back for credit. I did, chose the 10x, and sent the 8x back. No problem. My buddy that recommended EO product has Swarovski 10 x42. After I got my EO's, we were in Canada fishing together. We switched with each other and neither of us could see any noticeable difference! His cost over 3x mine and weighed at least 2 to 3 times as much. I have had guys at our hunting club use them and everyone of them have remarked what a great piece of glass they are. Most of them would never spend $500+ although one has Nikon. He paid $300 +/- and they do not compare to my EO's. First year I had my EO's I dropped them and got parallax. Sent them for repair and got them back in less than1 week, at no charge, even though I droppped them. Great customer service and great to talk with.

banster Loc: PA, Ontario, N.C.,Key West

I have had Eagle Optics 10x42 Rangers for 8 years. A birding friend recommmended them to me. I was stuck between 8x and 10x. Called Eagle and the lady suggested sending both, see which I liked better, and send the other one back for credit. I did, chose the 10x, and sent the 8x back. No problem. My buddy that recommended EO product has Swarovski 10 x42. After I got my EO's, we were in Canada fishing together. We switched with each other and neither of us could see any noticeable difference! His cost over 3x mine and weighed at least 2 to 3 times as much. I have had guys at our hunting club use them and everyone of them have remarked what a great piece of glass they are. Most of them would never spend $500+ although one has Nikon. He paid $300 +/- and they do not compare to my EO's. First year I had my EO's I dropped them and got parallax. Sent them for repair and got them back in less than1 week, at no charge, even though I droppped them. Great customer service and great to talk with.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

You won't go far wrong the 'Best binocular review' link, and it's sister site 'best spotting scope review'. I've used this site and recently bought PENTAX 8x 43 WD model and found everything he wrote to be perfectly true, right down to the crappy case on a £1000.00 pr. of optically superb binoculars.

If your eyes are over 50 y.o. it's my opinion you'll see better through the very top end but whether the marginal gain is worth the extra bucks only you can say.

I did have the benefit of trying these briefly at last year's photo show but having read his report I still went to a specialist retailer (not the cheapest) who was able to provide me a range of models to try, including 2nd hand higher end, and I strongly recommend you do the same.

ad9mac

I purchased a pair of Monarch 7 binocs shortly after they came out. Beautiful bins, beautiful case. Awful CA, really awful. Sent them back. (not from Eagle Optics) Was it that pair only? Don't know.
I wanted the wide field. If you bird, wide field is a must IMO. Got a pair of Vortex Viper 8x32, Happy.

But I think my next will be IS. You can go up to powers in the teens and still get a steady view. For a safari, bumpy trails, ideal.