Chuck Hill on Big 6 x 6 on Binoculars

[Anonymous]

Last fall I decided to buy several popular binoculars in the same price range and see how they compared. Obviously, one can get REALLY great binoculars for $1000.00. MOST hunters seem to budget around $200.00 for binoculars so that's the price point I looked at.

Of course the OPTIC QUALITY is the main concern when buying binoculars. For one test, COMPLETELY subjective, I took as many as three different binoculars with me hunting and compared them. I would focus on tree bark, fencing, leaves, limbs, birds, deer, WHATEVER was available in different lighting conditions. Another objective test involved setting up a Snellen eye chart at 75 yds and reading the letters in varying light conditions. I used my Swarovski SLC 10X42s for the reference standard. Here are the results in increasing order of optical clarity:

Sightron SII 10X42 Waterproof
Past experience with Sightron optics has proven them to offer good optics and a good price. In this case the price WAS good but the optics not so good, a big disappointment. During the field testing it became obvious these would be the ones to beat for worst optics. The SIIs focusing adjustment is also very stiff to focus making one handed glassing next to impossible. The optics are the same from edge to edge which can be described as cloudy when compared to the other binoculars in the test. In the oblective testing I was able to read all of line 7 and most of line 8 on the eye chart in good light. The Sightron SIIs weigh in at 1lb 14oz with strap attached. Made in the Philippines.

Nikon Action 8X40
These were the least expensive binoculars in the test. Certainly not bad binoculars, but only slightly bettering the SIIs in compariative testing. The image was not clear edge to edge with distinct clouding of optics around the edges of the FOV, about what was expected. As with the SIIs, I was able to read all of line 7 and some of line 8 on the eye chart. The Action 8X40s weigh in at 1lb 13oz with strap attached. Made in China.

Steiner 8X30 Predator
These are my personal binoculars that I have used for several years. They are also in the running for most expensive binocular in the test. Although I didn't get to use the Predators on the eye chart test, I did compare them extensively in the field. Some of the less expensive binoculars put them to shame. I was VERY disappointed with the 8x30 Predators during the subjective testing. Made in Germany.

Fujinon 8x23 Air Drop(AD) **BEST BUY**
These are compact binoculars. VERY good compact binoculars at that. The ADs are unique in that they offer BETTER than U.S. Mil Spec! They are waterproof, unsinkable with neckstrap attached, and withstand a 40g shock test, even 200g shocks! Optically, they are the equal of the Wind Rive Mesa. GREAT compact binocular! I could read all of line 8 and some of line 9 on the eye chart. Weight 1lb 3 ounces with strap attached. Made in Japan.

Leupold Wind River Mesa 8x42 **BEST BUY**
The Mesas are the first full sized binoculars that I would actually use personally. The images were very clear even during poor light. The Mesas had several features that were nice: waterproofness, a nice neoprene strap, locking focus adjustment, and screw in/out eyepieces. During the objective testing I was able to read all of line 8 and some of line 9 on the eye chart. Weight was 1lb 12ounces, strap attached. Made in China.

Fujinon 8X32 CF
This is a semi-compact sized binocular. 100% waterproof. The optics were sharp and the adjustments precise. Initially, during my in the field testing, I thought these would be the ones to beat. They were close but not quite the best I tested. The image was clear from edge to edge. I could read all of lines 8 and 9 with these binoculars. I would certainly be happy using these all the time. Weight 1lb 10 ounces. Made in Japan.

Konica Minolta Activa 8X42D WPXL **BEST OF TEST**
Long name! It doesn't matter, these were a surprising best of test. These binoculars are waterproof and the only ones in the test to be fog proof. The eyepieces are the screw type which are an improvement over the fold-down type. The optics are bright and crisp and clear from edge to edge. I could read all of lines 8 and 9 on the Snellen eye chart. Weight 1lb 7 ounces. Make in China!

Swarovski 10X42 SLC 10X42
Not really in the scope of this test. Of COURSE I liked these the best! These were the only binoculars of the test that would read to line 10 on the Snellen chart. Weight 2lbs 4 ounces. Made in Austria.

TOP: left to right.. Swarovski 10X42, Minolta 8X42, Fujinon 8X32
CENTER: left to right.. Leupold Wind River 8X42, Sightron 10X42, Nikon Action 8X40
Botton: Fujinon 8X23 AD

-- Chuck Hill

 

[Anonymous]

:?: No approximate street prices are given. Any real rips, or bargains based on street price. Whoever says, "You get what you pay for" could not possibly be more wrong, in some cases. :?

:?: I was looking for some trend on porro prism quality vs. roof prism quality-- but, could not see it in this comparison, anyway. Chuck, any generalization on that?

The binocs I've used for a long time are a number of 8 x 32 and 8 x 36 roof prism, all Made in Japan. No point in doing a write-up, as my favs (Canon WP 8 x 32s) are not generally available, and one is a rangefinder / binoc combo.

I am surprised that the Sightrons did so poorly-- why not send them back to Sightron? It is confusing (at least to me) when something is branded "SII"-- but you are not getting "SII" level performance.

Same confusion with Bushnell Legend binoculars, only in reverse-- Bak-4, phase corrected, RainGuard, GREAT 8 x 32 binoculars, made in Japan. Move to scopeland, no RainGuard, made in the Philippines is the story. "Legend" is close to best of breed in Bushnell binoculars, but not in scopes.

With plenty of spotters and 8X binocs, decided I needed some 10X glass for this Pronghorn hunt-- so ordered a pair today.

Best I can do is to compare three current production "Made in Japan" sets, when these come in. I have opinions on porro vs. roof prism, but that's all they are. :wink:

 

[big6x6]

No approximate street prices are given. Any real rips, or bargains based on street price. Whoever says, "You get what you pay for" could not possibly be more wrong, in some cases.

I didn't list EXACT street prices because I didn't want that to be the focus. The Fujinon 8X32 were the MOST expensive while the Nikon 8X40s were the least expensive. Another point concerning price...the price I paid may or may not be the street price now, especially for the far east variety. Lets just say they were all around $150.00, plus or minus around $50.00.

PICKING the binoculars... At the beginning I had decided to go to Wal Mart and buy whatever they had figuring they would be in MOST WalMarts! That was the Nikons, so I bought them. I also wanted to test the Bushnell Trophy 8X42s but everywhere I looked was out at the time. Also...I WANTED to test all 8X binoculars but I could only get 10X in the Sightrons at the time.

I was looking for some trend on porro prism quality vs. roof prism quality-- but, could not see it in this comparison, anyway. Chuck, any generalization on that?

Well, the school of thought is that when equally priced porro prism and roof prism binoculars are bought, the porro prism glass SHOULD be better optically. At the time I bought the Wind River Mesas they were around $150.00 or so plus shipping. The Fujinon 8X32 on the other hand were about $225.00 plus shipping, the most expensive binocular in the test. The lower priced porro prism Mesas were every bit the OPTICAL equal of the Fujinons. Now they were not the EQUAL because the Fujinons are a good bit more compact than the Wind Rivers, EXACTLY what one is paying for when buying roof prism binoculars!

I am surprised that the Sightrons did so poorly-- why not send them back to Sightron? It is confusing (at least to me) when something is branded "SII"-- but you are not getting "SII" level performance.

As was I. I personally don't think they should be marketed as SIIs.

 

[Anonymous]

Well, the school of thought is that when equally priced porro prism and roof prism binoculars are bought, the porro prism glass SHOULD be better optically.

They should be a LOT better, assuming equal dollars-- and, normally are. They should also give you a wider FOV, better color saturation, and better depth perception.

That's why, if priced anywhere near the others, the Leupold Wind River 8X42, Sightron 10X42, Nikon Action 8X40 "should" have been slam dunk no-brainer winners. Not exactly the case. :?