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from Jerusalem on 9/27/2008
Comments about Nikon Nikon 8 x 20 Premier LX, Compact Water Proof Roof Prism Binocular with 6.8 Degree Angle of View, U.S.A.:
bought this binocular to replace may 30 years old ziess 10X42 on long day treks where size and waight are important. I was surprised to see that this can replace the ziess all the time: Its sharper, has a very good angel, good clearness in poor light, and very comfortable in hand even on long observations. I find the place of the focus knob more comfi than other small binoculars.
I bought this binoculars after reading a review in a birdwatchers newspaper where the nikon beated the more expensive pocket binoculars.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Fresno CA on 2/15/2008
Comments about Nikon Nikon 8 x 20 Premier LX, Compact Water Proof Roof Prism Binocular with 6.8 Degree Angle of View, U.S.A.:
While Leica, Zeiss and Swarovski also make HIGH QUALITY folding roof prism pocket binoculars, the Nikon LX offer the best VALUE, at 28 to 47% less than the European makes, at least at Adorama pricing. The LX 8 x 20 are extremely well-made, are totally water-proof, have eye relief adequate for my high negative diopter glasses, and feature a generous field of view, important for my primary usage of birding. The LX 8 x 20 focus adequately, much better than lesser-priced models, which typically have small, stiff, slow focusing wheels. A quirk of the Nikon design is that instead of using the usual index or long finger to operate the focus, one uses the ring or little finger. If price had not been an object, I might have gotten the Leica Ultravid, which fold a bit thinner, and whose focusing knob is more conventionally placed, but spending nearly twice as much didn't make sense.
I bought my pair of the Nikon LX to supplement larger roof prism binoculars, 8x32 and 10x43 in particular, that I would more routinely use for birding. For TRAVEL when birding is not the primary goal, however, these are a good choice, and they are also compact enough for THEATER or indoor sports usage. I got the smaller 8 x 20 size, to facilitate carrying them, including in the supplied belt case. They should easily fit into a medium-sized ladies' purse, but might not do as well in a typical cocktail purse.
This should NOT be the first optic anyone buys for birding, and even one's second optic for birding really should be a spotting scope, with a tripod. BUT, as a third or fourth optic, these can usefully expand one's capabilities.