Review: Nikon Trailblazer Binoculars (8x25, 8x42 ATB)
Ranked #4,723 in Computers & Electronics, #86,302 overall
Good, Inexpensive Birdwatching Binoculars
As a birdwatcher, backyard astronomer, and nearsighted baseball fan who sits in the nosebleed section, I needed to replace my old Bushnell binocs (far left) without breaking the bank.
I scoured reviews of compact, inexpensive binoculars for birding. After much research, I settled on the Nikon Trailblazer 8x25 ATB Binoculars. I've had them since 2007, and I love them.
In 2010, I accidentally acquired 10x42 Nikon Trailblazer binoculars in a gift goof-up. I love them both. Below are my reviews of each model, followed by top-rated binoculars by other reviewers.
I scoured reviews of compact, inexpensive binoculars for birding. After much research, I settled on the Nikon Trailblazer 8x25 ATB Binoculars. I've had them since 2007, and I love them.
In 2010, I accidentally acquired 10x42 Nikon Trailblazer binoculars in a gift goof-up. I love them both. Below are my reviews of each model, followed by top-rated binoculars by other reviewers.
Review: Nikon Trailblazer 8x25 ATB Binoculars
Compact, Waterproof, Fog-Resistant, Go-Anywhere Binocs
Could not locate item B002PNRYLI. Please try again.Sorry, there are no results available from Amazon.
Review: Nikon Trailblazer 8x42 ATB BInoculars
High Magnification, Waterproof, Fogproof
Amazon Price: $114.95 (as of 06/03/2012)
List Price: $216.95
Officially, these binoculars cost about $200, but you can often buy them on Amazon for half that price.
Weighing 1.6 pounds, these are not compact binoculars; they're about the size of a pair of Red Bull cans. So I tend to use them at home or from the car, rather than carrying them hiking. The wider strap helps, but I've got a bad neck.
Their power makes up for the weight. You really have to make sure you've twisted the eyepieces all the way out to hold your eyes away from the lenses, but they make for incredible birdwatching.
For example, I've got a pair of kites nesting on tall trees at the far end of my street. To the naked eye, they're white dots against the sky. With these Nikon 8x42 binoculars, I can see their red eyes and yellow feet to confirm that yes, they're white-tailed kites!
Like the 8x25 Trailblazers, these Nikon binoculars come with a padded case (velcro flap closure) with a wide loop for a belt. They also come with lenscaps for both ends (the 8x25s only had lenscaps for the eyepieces). However, while the 8x42s have lens caps for the far ends you can clip to the strap, the eyepiece caps do not have any way to attach them; you just have to drop them into the carrying case.
The 8x42 Trailblazers are hinged so you can adjust their width to suit your eyes, of course, and again have the right-eye adjustment plus large central grippy rubber knob for focusing. Again, they are waterproof and fog-resistant. For all but the most serious birdwatchers and wildlife watchers, I recommend these.
Technical Specifications for Nikon Trailblazer ATBs 8x25 and 8x42
Side-by-Side Comparison (Photos are to Scale)
Note: Technical Specifications below are from Nikon's official website; sometimes Amazon sellers give inaccurate specs. Links below provide helpful information on what these terms mean.
- 8x25 Nikon Trailblazer ATB Binoculars
- Magnification: 8x
- Objective Diameter: 25mm
- Field of View at 1000 yards: 429 ft
- Close Focus Distance: 8.2 ft
- Exit Pupil: 3.1mm
- Relative Brightness: 9.6
- Eye Relief: 10mm
- Size (Length x Width): 4.1 x 4.5 in
- Weight: 9.9 oz
- Distance between eyes: 56-72mm
- Waterproof/Fogproof: Yes
- Roof Prism
- 8x42 Nikon Trailblazer ATB Binoculars
- Magnification: 8x
- Objective Diameter: 42mm
- Field of View at 1000 yards: 367 ft
- Close Focus Distance: 16.4 ft
- Exit Pupil: 5.3mm
- Relative Brightness: 28.1
- Eye Relief: 19.7mm
- Size (Length x Width): 6.1 x 5.2 in
- Weight: 23.6 oz
- Distance between eyes: 56-72mm
- Waterproof/Fogproof: Yes
- Roof Prism
More Recent Nikon Trailblazer Models
Nikon Trailblazer 10x25 ATB, Nikon Trailblazer 10x50 ATB
I got my original Nikon Trailblazer 8x25 ATBs in 2007. In 2008, Nikon released updated versions of both models, just a little bigger:
Other Good Birdwatching/Wildlife Binoculars
Consumers Report Rates These Well
The last Consumers Report Binocular Review was in November 2008. Here's some of their top-rated binocular picks. The first two are their recommendation for best inexpensive compact binoculars; the other two are for high-quality optics.
Poll: What's Your Favorite Pair of Binoculars?
Leave Your Own Recommendations Here!
-
-
mcochs
Mar 19, 2011 @ 6:48 pm | delete
- Awesome lens! Blessed by a Squidoo Angel on 3/19/2011. Have a great day!
-
by Greekgeek
Storyteller, former Latin teacher, student of mythology and the ancient world: I've worn many hats, but always I've dabbled in computers and the web.
Until...
more »
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
Explore related pages
- Digital Camera Binocular Buying Guide Digital Camera Binocular Buying Guide
- Binoculars, a buyer's guide overview Binoculars, a buyer's guide overview
- Bushnell Falcon 10x50 Wide Angle Binoculars Bushnell Falcon 10x50 Wide Angle Binoculars
- Pentax Zoom Binoculars 62217 UCF II 8-16x21 Pentax Zoom Binoculars 62217 UCF II 8-16x21
- Zeiss Compact Binoculars 522074 Zeiss Compact Binoculars 522074
- Binoculars For Bird Watching Binoculars For Bird Watching
