Celestron Nature DX 8x42 Binoculars

Harlequinnut

Mar 24, 2023 11:01 PM

383 Comments

Joined Jan 2009

HarlequinnutMar 24, 2023 11:01 PM

383 Comments

Would you suggest this for concerts or sporting events?

OceanTwelve

Mar 25, 2023 12:44 AM

1.8K Comments

Joined Dec 2016

OceanTwelveMar 25, 2023 12:44 AM

1.8K Comments

I have these:
https://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-F...98&sr=1-46

Is it worth upgrading to this celestron nature?

Arcanlaw

Mar 25, 2023 1:43 AM

3.7K Comments

Joined Dec 2005

ArcanlawMar 25, 2023 1:43 AM

3.7K Comments

never thought I'd buy binoculars today................ but here we are..

3

thriftmeister

Mar 25, 2023 2:05 AM

983 Comments

Joined Apr 2009

thriftmeisterMar 25, 2023 2:05 AM

983 Comments

Are there any bino/optics nerds in here? I just bought a pair of more expensive Nikon Monarch M5 10x42 binos using REI's recent 20% off member coupon. I do plan to keep those since I wanted a pair of mid-upper quality binoculars.

Given the increase in viewing field with an 8x set, would it be reasonable to spring for these? My understanding is that weight between 8x and 10x is marginal, for a given objective lens. My big concern is that I will never/rarely use these, if the optical quality is noticeably lesser than the M5 pair.

neuro81

Mar 25, 2023 2:46 AM

101 Comments

Joined Jan 2009

neuro81Mar 25, 2023 2:46 AM

101 Comments

Quote from thriftmeister

:

Are there any bino/optics nerds in here? I just bought a pair of more expensive Nikon Monarch M5 10x42 binos using REI's recent 20% off member coupon. I do plan to keep those since I wanted a pair of mid-upper quality binoculars.

Given the increase in viewing field with an 8x set, would it be reasonable to spring for these? My understanding is that weight between 8x and 10x is marginal, for a given objective lens. My big concern is that I will never/rarely use these, if the optical quality is noticeably lesser than the M5 pair.

I am in the same boat as you. I had just bought the Nikon m5 8x42 from rei with the 20% discount before I saw this deal. The m5s are supposed to be better than the Celestron Nature Dx - based on reviews by the Audubon society and outdoor gear lab. (https://www.audubon.org/news/category-good-value )

However, I am not sure the difference is enough to warrant the price difference. I went ahead and ordered the Celestron too.

For birding 8x42 is recommended over higher magnifications. I previously bought higher magnification, thinking more mag more better, but that is not the case. This article explains it better than I can (https://www.audubon.org/news/how-...binoculars)

2

thriftmeister

Mar 25, 2023 3:27 AM

983 Comments

Joined Apr 2009

thriftmeisterMar 25, 2023 3:27 AM

983 Comments

Quote from neuro81

:

I am in the same boat as you. I had just bought the Nikon m5 8x42 from rei with the 20% discount before I saw this deal. The m5s are supposed to be better than the Celestron Nature Dx - based on reviews by the Audubon society and outdoor gear lab. (https://www.audubon.org/news/category-good-value )

However, I am not sure the difference is enough to warrant the price difference. I went ahead and ordered the Celestron too.

For birding 8x42 is recommended over higher magnifications. I previously bought higher magnification, thinking more mag more better, but that is not the case. This article explains it better than I can (https://www.audubon.org/news/how-...binoculars)

Hey, neat to see someone else with similar dilemma/use case. My case is slightly different since I bought the 10x42 Nikon M5s. I'm not an active birder just yet but have had a passing interest in it for years. I travel across the country regularly and have access to some pretty nice, long sweeping vistas so opted for the 10x Nikons. I felt that having cheaper Celstron x8 pair made sense.

Use the 8x cheapies for general viewing, and find what you want to look at. Then switch to the higher end 10x Nikons with better optical quality. I think I might keep both. Smilie

Last edited by thriftmeister March 24, 2023 at 08:30 PM.

okstuv

Mar 25, 2023 5:23 AM

467 Comments

Joined Nov 2006

okstuvMar 25, 2023 5:23 AM

467 Comments

Quote from theZifster

:

I have a pair of these and they are pretty solid binoculars. Nothing outstanding but at $76 I'm buying a second set so my wife and I can use them at the same time. They are worlds better than the cheap ones I used previously, and it's pretty easy to spot birds and things with the 8x42.

I have these too. Found the quality good and especially for the price. Ended up buying a pair for my brother this Christmas for ~$100, and he really likes them. Considering picking them up at this new low price.

I have some mid range Bushnell 8x42 that I prefer but they cost 2x as much. When hiking it's nice to have a few pairs to spread across the group...

Last edited by okstuv March 24, 2023 at 10:35 PM.

Forsale917

Mar 25, 2023 6:53 AM

688 Comments

Joined Mar 2005

Forsale917Mar 25, 2023 6:53 AM

688 Comments

Just bought the 8x but now wondering if the 10x is better and worth the extra cost?

AWickedGoodDeal

Mar 25, 2023 11:33 AM

212 Comments

Joined Feb 2014

AWickedGoodDealMar 25, 2023 11:33 AM

212 Comments

I know they are 2 very different price points but have people compared this model vs Celestron TrailSeeker 8×42 binoculars? Cornell's review of the TrailSeeker sounds so much better, but I'm not sure it's worth $100 more.

MarcusV

Mar 25, 2023 1:09 PM

181 Comments

Joined Apr 2012

MarcusVMar 25, 2023 1:09 PM

181 Comments

Seems like a solid deal. In for one! I've owned a lot of binoculars and honestly 8x42 is the best size in my opinion. Steady for handheld, keeps a wider field of view for target acquisition and best overall.

inf1nity

Mar 25, 2023 11:12 PM

569 Comments

Joined May 2004

inf1nityMar 25, 2023 11:12 PM

569 Comments

I'm gonna go to a car race. Would this be appropriate for it?

iamcyclopseatme

Mar 26, 2023 4:48 AM

200 Comments

Joined Nov 2010

iamcyclopseatmeMar 26, 2023 4:48 AM

200 Comments

Hilarious.... Garbage binoculars.... Overpriced even at $10

https://www.amazon.com/Swarovski-...B08RRXNWCX

Man up, pay the price, stop wasting your time.

4

460X

Mar 26, 2023 2:49 PM

420 Comments

Joined Nov 2017

460XMar 26, 2023 2:49 PM

420 Comments

Quote from thriftmeister

:

Are there any bino/optics nerds in here? I just bought a pair of more expensive Nikon Monarch M5 10x42 binos using REI's recent 20% off member coupon. I do plan to keep those since I wanted a pair of mid-upper quality binoculars.

Given the increase in viewing field with an 8x set, would it be reasonable to spring for these? My understanding is that weight between 8x and 10x is marginal, for a given objective lens. My big concern is that I will never/rarely use these, if the optical quality is noticeably lesser than the M5 pair.

These are great value binoculars, very comparable to the Nikon Prostaff 3S but cheaper, or at best the near the Prostaff 5. And I would say the Prostaff edges these out just slightly so again, great for the price here if not willing to go higher. If anyone looking for better quality and willing to pay for it, I suggest the Monarch lineup. Nikon's refurbished store [nikonusa.com] is a great discount - esp when they offer 10% (which they are currently) or 20% off discounts throughout the year. So your M5 is much better and as you said, if the weight is the same then it comes down to do you need an 8x too...I would say only if you need them for longer usage if not using a tripod for example where the 8x is more forgiving if you're shaking too much.

Worth a watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGEy-LxYh9g

Update: in the comments, he agrees that this are similar to Prostaff as well.

Last edited by 460X March 26, 2023 at 07:59 AM.

fivil

Mar 27, 2023 2:17 AM

240 Comments

Joined Dec 2007

fivilMar 27, 2023 2:17 AM

240 Comments

Quote from AleksandrK2625

:

Are they better than Celestron Outland X 8x42 binoculars? Those are 25 bucks cheaper and specks-wise have only "Multi-coated" lenses vs "Fully multi-coated" lenses

It's probably worth $26 more. "Fully" is all four exterior lens surfaces have a coating, but the big upgrade to the Nature DX is the "phase-coating" on the prisms (not the lenses) - this boosts contrast, brightness, sharpness, and color accuracy.

fivil

Mar 27, 2023 2:21 AM

240 Comments

Joined Dec 2007

fivilMar 27, 2023 2:21 AM

240 Comments

Quote from einzelherz

:

When I was reading about these a while back, fully multi coated is considered a 'necessity' if you can afford it. This is because these type of straight through binoculars (I don't recall the technical term) has the light pass through prisms, not just angled off mirrors like the older style. The full multi coating allows the light to pass through with much less distortion.

You're thinking of "phase-coating" on the prisms - it's makes a big difference in binocs with Roof prisms like this one (the other design are Porro prisms, they aren't mirrors, but prisms act like them in a way).

Celestron Nature DX 8x42 Binoculars

$76

$170

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