Binocular Reviews

Vortex Solo 8x25 Monocular

2012-02-01T09:49:00.003-06:00

From Gene in NJ:

3/5 Rating

I was looking for a monocular that would backup my binocular as well as go out in my bag whenever I wasn't expecting to go birding. You never know what you'll spot while on the arduous hiking trail that you chose not to bring your full-size binocular on. In that regard, this Vortex Solo fits the bill.

It's great for identifying a bird hanging overhead or reading signs a little ahead on the trail. It even came in handy reading street signs when I was walking around an unfamiliar city. 8x25 has sufficient light to make out wildlife and is great for taking in the sights.

Just know that this useful tool won't replace your binocular and is not the hardware for extended use. You won't enjoy the depth of field that binoculars have and I think you'll still find yourself steadying the diminutive optics with two hands if you're trying to view something for more than a few seconds or anything at a considerable distance. However, these are problems of monoculars in general and not only the Vortex Solo.

The optical quality of this monocular met my expectations for an 8x25, but I found the focus ring too stiff even after more than a year of use. There's no finesse in turning the focus ring, and Vortex might have even noticed that because they gave the ring an aggressive texture--perhaps to help you grip it as you manhandle the thing into focus. Also, the product features no lens cap but a flow-through case. If they addressed this with either a cap or a closed-off case, I would feel more comfortable with keeping the lens clean and safe.

In the end, this monocular is useful in certain situations and is still a great value for its price. I would say it's good enough to recommend to others looking for a monocular, but I would still highly suggest they shop around before choosing.

Vanguard Endeavor ED 8.5x45 Binocular

2012-01-25T09:21:00.003-06:00

From Roger in OK:

5/5 Rating

I bought the Vanguard Endeavor Binocular after reading the good reviews. I wanted to look through it before I purchased it, and went to Cabelas's which have it available online, but not on display at store. So I decided to buy based on the reviews only and after reviewing Eagle Optics return policy. You can return within 30 days if not satisfied with a product for a full refund.

I own a high-end European binocular and have intentions of selling it after purchasing the Vanguard 8.5 x 45 Endeavor binocular. I use it for deer hunting so most of my use is in low light conditions and the Endeavor out performs the European binocular in this area, and are 1/4th of the cost. I also own a Cabela's Alaskan Guide 10 x 42 and the Endeavor is definitely my favorite between the two.

The Endeavor is light weight for a full size binocular and its light gathering capabilities with the 45mm objective lens is astounding. The clarity is great edge to edge, and the color tone is true as well. Best value binocular I think you can buy.

Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 8x36 Binocular (Camo)

2012-01-19T10:51:00.003-06:00

From David in NC:

5/5 Rating

After looking at several midsize binoculars, both in person at various retail shops and online, I kept coming back to the Bushnell Legend 8X36s.

I already own an older pair of Legends (8x42s), which I bought in 2003, and I can vouch that they are extremely rugged. Although I try to be gentle with my equipment, sometimes things happen outside of one's control (dropped from a treestand 20 ft from the ground, forget them on the tailgate, etc.) I use these binoculars primarily for deer and turkey hunting, and I hunt a lot.

I purchased the 8x36s because I wanted a smaller, lighter, more compact pair of field glasses for bow hunting deer and turkey hunting. I was pleased to find that the "Ultra HD" was not just a marketing ploy...my new pair are considerably sharper from edge to edge and brighter at dusk/dawn than my older Legends. The wide FOV is ideal for glassing woods and fields alike.

If you look at the total package, you will not find a better binocular for the money. Bushnell includes the $50 mail-in rebate AND a $25 binocular harness (not merely a strap, but a high quality harness). All in all, I paid $179 after the rebate. You would have to move to the $300-$400 range, or higher, to get the same optics quality and dependability as the Legends. I received my binoculars in two days from Eagle Optics. I am a repeat EO customer, and I highly recommend their products and services.

Pentax DCF SW 8x25 Roof Prism Binocular

2012-01-18T11:30:00.003-06:00

From Peter in MD:

5/5 Rating

I'm a birder, so these are the smallest binoculars I've ever bought, and my expectations were low as a result. I was pleasantly surprised at their optical quality, so I think they are a great choice if you need ones that are small and light, as they are an excellent value.

The Pentax DCF SW 8x25 binoculars have exceptional eye relief (they work well with glasses) and would be great for kids since the distance between the eyepieces can be very small.

They have a few drawbacks if you want to use these for birding. They have a limited field of view (only 288 feet), which makes it hard to watch a group of birds, and a limited depth of field, which makes it harder to get your subject into sharp focus. The focus knob would be easier to turn if it were larger.

They also seem dim in low light when compared to my 8x42 birding binoculars, and are a bit dimmer than the Pentax 8x28's I have (no longer made), but that's inevitable given the smaller objectives (25 mm). Gathering less light is not a big deal in good light, and they are much cheaper and smaller than either of the larger models.

Overall, these are great binoculars given their size and cost.

Eagle Optics Ranger ED 10x42 Binocular

2012-01-11T14:04:00.002-06:00

From Bob in OR:

4/5 Rating

The Ranger ED 10x42 seems well made. They are comfortable to hold, and have a little pocket for your thumbs. The focus knob (also metal) is smooth and well damped. The eye relief is good, field of view excellent, and close focus great. The ED seems to correct the worst of color fringing (there is no red-green, only a little blue yellow). Very bright at low light conditions.

I had purchased (and returned) a pair of Nikon Trail Blazer ATB Binoculars - 10x50, but found the color fringing (tree branches against the sky) quite unacceptable, and the close focus (20+ feet)too far away to observe butterflies and the like. Case was plastic, not metal.

Only a few problems with these.

- the Interocular spacing should go just a bit closer (maybe another 5-10 mm)- though it does work OK for me set to its minimum.

- the Objective lens covers fall off very easily. I am going to have to attach them with a string or something to avoid loss. The eyepiece covers are fine.

- There is a bit of backlash in the focus knob, though not a major issue.

- A bit heavy - probably due to the metal body. But this does reduce the tendency to shake.

Vortex Viper 6x32 Binocular

2012-01-09T11:18:00.003-06:00

From Ed in MN:

5/5 Rating

I own the Vortex Razor 10x42 and the 80mm Vortex Spotting scope - and have loved them both for the past 4 years. I was looking for a smaller set to travel with - and noticed that the Vortex Viper 6x32 was on sale at a nice price.

The Vortex Viper 6x32 is a nice set. It feels well made and looks quite rugged (which makes it heavier than I expected) and has all the fit and finish of its bigger brother the Razor 10x42 - both made in Japan.

The Vortex Viper 6x32 is crystal clear, with fast & smooth focus wheel, wide field of view. I think this is a great deal. I may have to get another pair for my wife once she takes a look through - otherwise we will be fighting over this one pair.

Eagle Optics Ranger SRT 6x32 Binocular

2012-01-06T11:31:00.003-06:00

From John in OR:

5/5 Rating

I took them out birding for two hours today and I've returned with a big grin and a new favorite binocular. I don't think I've ever enjoyed myself more with any optics then I did today with these.

Now don't get me wrong please, I really don't know much about great optics. Having said that I think these were much better for me than my new Monarch 3's. I was able to resolve colors on some Acorn Woodpeckers that I had missed with the Monarch's and at 2x less power. The view was much more comfortable, likely due to the increased field of view and steadiness of holding 6x and in my opinion the optics are just better. I was able to see more and enjoy what I saw more.

I also loved the size and feel of them much more than my Nikon's. For me they were so crisp and clear and I never quite felt it with the Monarch's and it was more like the feeling I got viewing through Kowa's I tried at a Nature Shop. I realize this is very subjective and there are a lot of things I likely missed and don't even know to look for. Fortunately with the wide field of view I was easily able to follow flying Rufus Hummingbirds which I've never been able to do with the Monarch's. I was also able to follow easily a Jackrabbit my dogs kicked up in heavy brush and follow him in and out of a real tangle of blackberry and willow. Really really fun.

I guess the lower power makes a big difference for me and a very wide field of view. Being able to hold them rock steady made it easier for me to see things with the 6x that were more difficult with the 8x. Especially due to the fact that I'm walking uphill a lot and breathing hard.

Anyway the best $179 I've spent on optics. I'm sure these are nothing special for most here but it's a real step up for me. I doubt I'll go over 7x with anything I buy from here on out and I'll likely sell the Monarch's if I still feel the same over the next week or so.

Eagle Optics Triumph 10x50 Binocular

2011-12-30T12:21:00.003-06:00

From Jeff in US:

5/5 Rating

These Binoculars are simply a great bang for the buck product. The build quality and Optics are excellent. Very smooth focus, nice eye relief, and a great size for Astronomy. That's what I use them for.

The 12X50's are harder to handhold and keep steady, and you also lose more field of view. The 7X50 have a greater field of view, but are just not enough power for me, so these fit right in the comfort zone for handheld Stargazing.

I tried other big name brands like Pentax, Nikon, and for the same price range or more, these are right up there with them. I would definitely recommend Eagle optics.

Swarovski CL Companion 10x30 Binocular (Green)

2011-12-28T10:40:00.003-06:00

From Terry in NE:

5/5 Rating

I had been thinking about purchasing the Swarovski CL Companion 10X30 binocular for some time now. Finally, I bought myself a Christmas present and received them just a few days before the holiday. I have not put them down since!

I own the larger Swarovski EL 10X42 bins and love them. But I have wanted something lighter and more portable, and the CL Companion fills all those niches. They are so lightweight and still provide the high quality Swarovski glass I expected. They are fantastic for smaller hands like mine. The smaller window (30 versus 42) just requires more accurate spotting before enjoying the view.

I've been keeping them in the kitchen as I work from home, and grabbing them to take in the car every time I head out, whether it's to the grocery store or real birding. I am so glad I finally took the plunge and bought these bins. I keep thinking Swarovski can't improve their products much more, but again they have proven me wrong!

Eagle Optics Denali 10x42 Roof Prism Binocular

2011-12-21T13:43:00.004-06:00

From Jim in WA:

4/5 Rating

Like all optics, you get what you pay for. A below $200 pair of binoculars will get you better optics than a pair of sub-$100 binoculars but not as good as a $400 binocular. I have found that with optics, there is a sweet spot for what I do (birding) and that usually hits in the 400-500$ range with much over that being for the Donald Trumps of the world.

But for an average day birding...this Denali pair isn't all that bad. I would say this is a good beginning pair. Now I don't hunt and when you hunt for elk or deer the creatures are a bit larger and you are looking to view for a different purpose than one who is birding. So expectations differ. For birding, these are light enough, fit in your hands well, offer good view in close up situations and provide pretty good light all in all. Towards dusk or early morning when shades of gray are more prevalent, I would say they lack just a bit but again for someone just starting out or as a second pair laying around these are excellent.

The center focus wheel is easy to use, the right eye diopter is stiff, but really you only set it once anyhow and it is best to be stiff so there is no accidental manipulation of it. I like the drop-down lens covers as they are attached and you are not going to be losing them as you walk. The feel is solid, rubber coated. The strap is just an average strap, many times I buy a separate one anyhow to replace the ones that come with any binocular.

Clarity of focus is really good in the middle sweet spot, not so much on the sides, but who cares as you always center your object anyhow, right? As I mentioned earlier, ease of the focus wheel makes it easy to focus from different ranges, there is not a ton of turning of the focus wheel to obtain focus when changing ranges. This is a good feature. The focus wheel is easy to use, in the center and my fingers found it and easy manipulated without any issues. The case, is just a case.... The bino's are light so if you wanted you could easily travel with this. The size is about that of the nikon Monarch, unlike some of the Vortex ones I have which are larger.

All in all...I would suggest this pair as a beginning pair of binos, perhaps a second pair for others to borrow..or like I use it as, a good 'car bino'..one that stays in my car and I use it as I drive around. A solid pair for $200, better than a Tasco by far, better than some of the Bushnell $100 pairs that are floating around as a beginning bino, but surely not as good in color, light and feel quality as a Vortex Talon, Razor or Nikon Monarch.

Atlas Optics Radian 8x42 Binocular

2011-12-19T14:05:00.004-06:00

From Robert in MA:

5/5 Rating

I bought these as an upgrade from my cheap 8 x 21 pocket binocs. I'm glad I did. I did several weeks of research, both in brick and mortar stores and online. Although I had heard positive things about Eagle Optics I had never heard of Atlas Optics prior to finding the reviews on the Radians. I was cautious. But the large number of very positive reviews and the miniscule number of negative comments, plus the unbeatable guarantee, persuaded me.

The Radians are sturdy and all parts work smoothly. This is the first set of binocs that I've been able to use both with and without glasses; the adjustable eye relief works quite well and the diopter adjustment stays in place even after repeated returns to and extractions from the case. I've not experienced that with other binocs that I've tried, including some that were much more expensive.

Most importantly, the optics in these binocs are amazing. In very low light (nighttime with only walkway lights for illumination) I was able to see details on a flock of Canada geese gathered around a small pond. In all levels of light the color rendition and sharpness of the image are impressive. I could not detect any distortion. I'm very sensitive to color distortion, so much so that my optician knows I'll accept only a true gray lens in sunglasses.

In short, these binocs outperform many that are at least as expensive and some that are considerably more expensive.

Zeiss Victory 10x32 T* FL LT Binocular (Black)

2011-11-30T10:16:00.003-06:00

From Russ in VA:

4/5 Rating

I've been using these in the field for about 10 months. They are my first pair of roof prism bins and cost about 6x the 8.5x44 porros that they replaced. I can't really compare to other high-end binoculars, but I can say what I like about these.

Optics: sharp edge to edge and bright. I don't notice any loss of light gathering capability compared to the 8.5x44 porros, which is remarkable. I also lost less field of view than I feared might be the case.

10x power: this has worked well for me ... a little higher power plus the sharpness has made me feel like I don't always have to have my scope with me.

Fast focus: the focus knob feel and the rate of focus is just great for me. I tend to use both index fingers and most focus changes are less than 1/8th turn. Close focus is also great.

Shape and size: these are not light binoculars, but they sit nicely in my hands so I can hold them steady. In a pinch I can put them in the glove compartment, which was impossible with my old pair. I really wanted a physically smaller binocular, without sacrificing performance and I do feel like I got that.

Eyeglasses: I've started wearing eyeglasses when I bird and these work well with them. And without, when you adjust the eye cups.

Negatives, in my opinion, would be the cost, the weight, some loss of FoV based on the 10x32 compared to my old 8.5x44, and accidental lower lens cap closures. The issue with the lens caps, is that they are the kind that hang down and one will sometimes cover the objective just from bouncing against my clothing. Then some bird pops up, you bring up the bins quickly, and find that your view looks really weird until you realize you need to remove a lens cap. By that time said bird is gone. The easy fix is just take the caps off the bins and use them without that protection.

The cost negative is harder to rationalize. I bought a Zeiss scope 7 years ago, and I felt from day one it was worth every penny. My only regret was that I hadn't gotten one 10 years earlier. With these bins, I really like their optical performance, "hand feel", etc. But they are definitely more of a luxury item, whereas I felt the scope was a good value.

One last observation. This pair and my previous bins had all the extra low dispersion glass and coatings for high performance. These optical setups are very sensitive to the interocular distance adjustment, eye distance from eyepiece, and simple alignment of how you hold them and look through them. If you've never experienced this, you might think they are defective the first time you look through them and literally can't see anything. It has taken me, for both pairs, a couple of weeks of field use before muscle memory was reprogrammed and I no longer noticed this aspect. If you just hand these bins to someone to look through, there is a good chance they will have trouble using them.

Nikon Premier LX L 8x20 Binocular

2011-11-30T10:09:00.003-06:00

From Vince in OR:

5/5 Rating

I wear glasses and these are one of the best true compacts that can be used with glasses.

They are very sharp and the focus is very smooth and tight. Eye relief is pretty acceptable - not ultimate, but decent with glasses. They fold up quite small but are not super light weight like the Zeiss Classic 8x.

For a couple years I used a pair of Zeiss Classic 8x compacts (very similar to the Conquest model) but my wife now uses them (without glasses) and loves them. The Nikons definitely have better eye relief but are significantly heavier. Otherwise they are comparable quality.

I also have some Bushnell Elite 7x26 which have better eye relief than the LxL's but are larger and not waterproof. They are just as sharp as the Nikons if not better. Truthfully, I use the Elites more often, especially in summer when I have sunglasses over my regular glasses.

If I didn't wear glasses these Nikons would be at the top of my list with the Zeiss. Over the years though I've been willing to accept a bit more bulk for better comfort with glasses. I still take these Nikons though when I really need small size.

Meopta MeoPro 8x42 Binocular

2011-11-28T11:22:00.003-06:00

From Owen in NJ:

5/5 Rating

I have been using an old pair of Nikon 7 x 21s for years. My fellow birders got second loans on their homes and bought Leica, Zeiss and Swarovski binoculars. At about 2K or more each they're a little too rich for my blood.

Recently I shot a friend's rifle with a Meopta sighting scope and was impressed with its optical quality. Consequently, I ordered a pair of Meopta Meopro 8 x 42s and on my first day out spotted a Bald Eagle flying North to South down the Hudson River. The bird had to be at least a mile away. The clarity and optical quality were amazing.

I wear eyeglasses and the eye relief was superb with the twist-down eyecups. Comfortable "feel" in the hand, good balance, smooth focus knob (with a diopter adjustment), wide field of view, such clarity. I would recommend these binoculars to anyone who wants great quality binoculars at a reasonable price.

Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 10x36 Binocular (Black)

2011-11-18T11:49:00.003-06:00

From George in PA:

4/5 Rating

I was looking for a 10x32 companion to my Vortex Viper 8x32 (my favorite every day binocular). First I tried a Viper 10x32, but, to my surprise, was disappointed in the clarity of the image. Then I tried several other 10x32's - but none seemed to be anywhere near the equal of the Viper 8x32.

The price and rebate on the Bushnell 10x36 got my attention, so I decided to try them. Again to my surprise the Bushnells are every bit as clear and bright as the Vipers. Of course they have a larger objective lens, but they are actually a bit smaller overall.

Apart from the new 10x30 Swarovsky Companion, the Bushnell is the clearest and brightest intermediate 10x I have found.

There are two issues which keep me from giving this binocular 5 stars: 1) The eyepieces are too loose and will occasionally retract under pressure. 2) The tethered objective lens covers are loose and fall off.

I would also point out that this is a Chinese binocular and does not have the build quality of the Japanese Viper. However, the build quality is certainly adequate and the price and the optical quality make these Bushnells very attractive in the intermediate 10x field.

Eagle Optics Ranger ED 10x42 Binocular

2011-11-16T10:46:00.003-06:00

From Leslie in Panama:

5/5 Rating

This model is superb compared with my used ED glass Elites. Perhaps an unfair test after using the higher priced model for several years. But these are about half the price paid for the Elites originally and now the disparity is even greater.

But it's not just the price. The Ranger ED image is bright, clear, and gives excellent detail in dim light. Field of view is good. I like the light weight.

The floppy objective lens covers are not staying on the barrel when deployed. But not a problem for me as the eyepiece rainguard is all I use. The only negative is the focus is stiff and it takes extra turns of the wheel compared to the Elites.

Excellent shipping time too.

Nikon Premier LX L 8x20 Binocular

2011-11-11T14:05:00.002-06:00

From Bob in MI:

5/5 Rating

I had been debating about buying a high end compact binocular for some time, so that I could always have a pair in my briefcase or pocket when outdoors. I wish I had bought them years ago.

The overall feel and usability is quite good. Since I generally am using these for spot birding -- rather than an extended bird trip -- I tend to use them without my eyeglasses. The very large diopter adjustment (+/- 4) is essential for me for this. The feel in the hand is nice. The strange location for the focus adjustment (at the bottom rather than the top) does take a bit of getting use to -- particularly when I was last using my regular binoculars -- but this really is only a minute or two after getting used to these binoculars, more to remember the different location. I don't find focusing hard at all.

I compared another pair (Zeiss Victory 8x20) but these felt much better in my hand to me. Since my regular binoculars are Zeiss, I tried to convince myself to prefer the Zeiss -- but I couldn't do it -- these just were nicer for me. I don't know if the optics are better or not, but certainly the optics are very good indeed.

Highly recommended, would definitely buy them again.

Kowa YF 6x30 Binocular

2011-11-08T11:01:00.003-06:00

From James in US:

5/5 Rating

I wanted a 6X inexpensive knock-around bino mainly to leave in the boat, and intended to buy either the Leupold Yosemite 6x30 or possibly the Vortex 6.5x32 porro binos. When I saw that Kowa had introduced the YF 6x30, I decided to take a chance, as I've been impressed with whatever Kowa optics I've looked through before.

Well, I was so impressed that I decided these need to be used more than just in the boat. Recently I took them on a trip to Central Oregon, and spent quite a bit of time with them instead of my go-to Nikon LX's. I wish I was able to evaluate the Kowa's side by side with the comparable Leupold and Vortex, but suffice to say, I'm very happy with them. My wife also likes them, and used them a number of times instead of her own LX's. Then my brother showed up, and vowed that he was going to order a pair upon getting back home.

The image is very sharp, with the sweet spot surprisingly wide. Field of view is OK... about what I would expect. The eyecups are excellent, with two click-stops between all the way down and up. I'm a glasses wearer, and the generous (20 mm) eye relief is plenty. Focus is just a tad stiff, but not enough to be troublesome. There's nothing remarkable about the diopter adjustment, but it seems to work as expected. I do have to comment on the focus knob. The only thing I can think is that the Kowa engineers wanted something to distinguish these binos from other similar ones. Well, if that's the case, they certainly accomplished it with the bright red barrel. I believe it's metal, and is covered by a rubber shroud with oval cutouts. Focusing works best by using the tip of each index finger in an oval cutout. Yeah, it's bit weird, but certainly works, and is smooth and positive. There is no annoying play either. My brother, wife and I all agreed that the unusual focus knob didn't detract from these nice little binoculars at all.

I very much recommend them to anyone looking for an inexpensive pair of compact porros. They deserve 5 stars,especially given the price. For a hundred bucks, you cannot go wrong!

Nikon Fieldscope III 20-60x60 ED Angled Spotting Scope

2011-11-03T11:37:00.003-05:00

From Dave in MI:

5/5 Rating

I recently purchased this after looking through a friend's Nikon Fieldscope 25-75 X 82 and being amazed at how clear and sharp Sanderlings looked at about 125 yards.

Though this a lower power model, it suits my purposes perfectly as I carry it a lot, and don't do much low light viewing.
I have not looked through many scopes, but I have tried a Swarovski and this appeared to be even sharper. And I know what the view looks like through this one, and it is crisp and clear, even at 60X.

As a fairly new scope user, I am quite impressed. And I'm learning not to skimp when it comes to optics. :)

Eagle Optics Ranger 8x32 Binocular

2011-10-26T12:00:00.003-05:00

From Ivan in CO:

5/5 Rating

The Eagle Optics Ranger 8x32 Binocular is simply the best binocular for the money for almost any situation. I use a pair of Swarovski EL 8x32 Binoculars for the most serious birding. They are spectacular, but I would never want to put them at risk. The Ranger 8x32s, at less than 1/5th the cost, come everywhere with me. Of course I can tell the difference, but the Rangers are so good I virtually never miss the Swarovskis! They live in the car. They get thrown in my pack. They get lent to friends. Two pair came sailing all summer. One stays on deck at all times and goes ashore in the dinghy. The other pair stays below out of the salt spray as a backup. I've always said that if I lose one of the Rangers I will be very glad it was not the Swarovskis. This summer it happened. One of the Rangers went over the side. They sink! But they are affordable enough to replace.

There are always differing opinions about binocular dimensions. 8x32 is a perfect dimension for the vast majority of situations. You think you need a larger objective lens? You want a larger exit pupil? You think you need higher magnification? Knock your self out. Spend more money. Suffer more weight and shallower depth of field. Here are some interesting considerations: If you are over 50 your eye pupils will not dilate to over the 4 mm exit pupil provided by 8x32. You are just throwing money and light away with a larger exit pupil. If you are over 50 you probably can't hold 10x glasses steady enough to utilize the increased magnification in most situations. I love the wide field of view and the depth of field of the Eagle Optics Ranger 8x32 binocular, not to mention the spectacular close focus. When all is said and done, they are sharp, crisp, clear, light, convenient, rugged, and, replaceable if necessary. Of course, Eagle Optics will repair/replace them if all you do is destroy them. But even if you drop them into the ocean it is likely that they can be replaced.

Steiner Peregrine XP 8x44 Binocular

2011-10-24T12:48:00.002-05:00

From PC in Vancouver:

2/5 Rating

These binoculars has great FOV and optics are excellent. Eye relief is great for people who wear glasses. Some people may find the eye relief to be too much.

They are a bit heavy but it's manageable. Quality control may be suspect as mine came with a squeaky focus knob (I didn't purchase this from EO).

There are certain warnings that I have:

I noticed that focus range is too short at times. I would focus to the end but it still wasn't sharp. It appears you need decent vision or good glasses with these binoculars. I tried seeing something short or long range without my glasses and it just wouldn't focus within the focus range. This is the only binocular that I own that has this problem. Be careful about this.

Steiner accessories will be expensive for Canadians as most of the accessories need to be purchased from Steiner Parts Direct. Pricey shipping to Canada -- currently $29.00 Priority Mail.

It would have been nice if Steiner had objective lens covers that stay attached to the binoculars. The wing part of the eyecup is a bit annoying. I keep them pulled down. The Rainguard is neoprene -- I would have preferred the regular rubber eyecups.

These binoculars use a Clic-Loc system. The neck strap has the Clic-Loc connector that clicks in the binoculars. This would be OK if you find the neck strap acceptable. Since the binocular is a bit heavy I would prefer to use a binocular harness. The problem here is now you are limited to buying the Steiner harness that has the Click-Loc system or you need to buy the separate connectors for $15 so that you can use a 3rd party harness.

This binocular has great optics but because of the other issues I would not buy this binocular again.

Leupold Golden Ring 15-30x50 Spotting Scope

2011-10-17T09:59:00.003-05:00

From Wagner in MA:

4/5 Rating

I purchased this scope for its small size and reasonably good specs for the price. I wanted a scope that I could take on trips and not worry about leaving in the car or the hotel room.

Given the size and price, I didn't expect the performance of the Swarovski scope I use when birding locally. But it performs well in most situations and is very compact and light to carry. I'm a casual birder and don't take vacations just for birding, so this scope is perfect for bringing along to get a closer look than afforded by binoculars when the opportunity to do some birding presents itself.

Good Inexpensive Scope for Traveling!

Vortex Viper 6x32 Binocular

2011-10-14T12:28:00.003-05:00

From Eitan in CA:

5/5 Rating

THE GOOD: The optics, build quality, and ergonomics are simply first rate. Plus of course the Vortex warranty.

- Optically they are simply stunning, extremely clear, bright and neutral (no warm/cool color bias like some bins) and tack sharp. Other than perhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhaps edge performance, they are essentially "alpha" quality optically. The Porter's review of mid-sized bins at birdwatching.com is spot on, although those were the 8x32... the Vipers are simply world class optically. Plus close focus is ridiculous at 3ft!

- I love the build and ergonomics: great grip and tension on the focus knob, super precise... excellent eyecups... very comfortable rubber armor (not slick and plasticky like some budget bins). They feel like a high quality, rugged piece of gear. And unlike many "compact" binoculars they are actually quite small and light, and feel great in the hand.
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
- I compared these extensively to a pair of the vaunted 7x36 Zen-Ray ED2 and the Vipers were essentially equal optically (each with their pluses and minuses). The Zens have a wider FOV and obviously slightly greater magnification, and are a hair brighter, but they exhibit a slightly warm color bias, have worse edge performance, and are inferior in build and ergonomics IMHO (Vipers have better armor, eyecups, diopter adjustment and focus knob).

THE BAD: Unfortunately, one minor issue is going to cause me to return these gems: the eye relief is actually TOO much!

I do NOT wear glasses, and had to fight blackouts with these Viper 6x32's and their 20mm+ of eye relief, even with eyecups fully extended. If the eyecups had one more clickstop of extension they would probably have worked fine for me, but as it is the blackouts an unfortunate deal killer.

Secondarily, I found the 6x magnification a wee bit too small for the all-around birding I do, and that combined with the eye relief issue makes me think I would LOVE the Viper 8x32, which have shorter eye relief to go with the greater magnification.

One final niggle: the inter-pupilary distance (IPD) is insufficiently small for people with narrowly spaced eyes. My wife has a small face and she could not use the Vipers because the barrels cannot get close enough together for her to form a complete image (as opposed to seeing two circles).

In all other respects beyond these last minor issues, the Vipers are SUPERB. So they are clearly 5 stars, just be aware of the above.

Vortex Viper 8.5x50 Binocular

2011-10-13T09:52:00.002-05:00

From Tim in WI:

3/5 Rating

The optical quality on this binocular is breathtaking. I used them on a moose hunt in Alaska. I was truly in awe at the views given by this binocular.

BUT... and it is a big BUT... The left lens fogged completely on day 3 of a 12 day hunt. I was EXTREMELY disappointed. I had just bought the binocular and bought them specifically for this hunting trip. The lens was so foggy that it was completely opaque. Luckily, I am very right-eye dominant. So I just used the binocular as a hand-held spotting scope. The right lens was still clear and I was still able to glass the hillsides for moose. Even with one eye, I was amazed at the optical quality.

As soon as I got back from Alaska, I mailed the binocular to Eagle Optics. Within a week, they sent me a new binocular, and even included the neck strap and carrying case (now I have two sets of those). So as expected, Eagle Optics lived up to their warranty and provided excellent customer service.

To summarize, the optics are amazing. I don’t expect any problems with the replacement pair but know that Eagle Optics will stand behind them if it does.

I have to rate them "good". I would purchase them again (I also found them on sale and definitely would buy them again at that price)

Pentax DCF ED 10x50 Binocular

2011-10-10T09:58:00.002-05:00

From Chris in OR:

5/5 Rating

I recently bought the Pentax DCF ED 8x43 and was so impressed with the views that I bought the DCF ED 10x50 to complete our collection. We use these for astronomy, as well as terrestrial and Bird watching.

I have owned a pair of 8x40 Zeiss and have looked through Swaro's and my wife and I both think that these Pentax ED bino's are completely equal to the super high end bino's. The amazing thing is that they have a no questions asked, no fault warranty and are half the price of the bino's offered by the big 3.

Astronomy use will really show the faults in a good binocular really quick. Star images are pinpoint and there is no false color when viewing bright objects. I can see faint deep sky objects with these bino's that cannot be seen with other larger objective bino's that I currently own. These are the best bino's we have ever owned.