New Binoculars for Varifocal wearer

[Baron Birder]

I am in the throws of deciding which of the top end bins to buy and have read many threads and reviews on here which have been most illuminating, particularly about edge to edge sharpness etc.

I have also taken my first steps in field testing.

Should the fact that I wear varifocals (good thin plastic) have a bearing on my decision. ie are there better models for such eyegalsses.?

I am erring towards the Swarovski 8.5 x42 EL and the Zeiss 8x42 FLs. I have yet to give the Leicas a fair crack as my initial feel was they felt small in hands.

Any guidance much appreciated before I take the plunge.

[Tero]

I think you need to test them in person. There is no way to predict every eyeglass model and frame type.

I have lineless bifocals but mine are less than ideal frames. I prefer the lighter and less bulky models when wearing glasses. They are easier to hold in place. I use a Bushnell 8x32. It seems to work, but was not picked especially. It may be a good idea to have a click stop on the eye cups to prevent lens from touching glass, to stay about 2mm off. I tried an eagle optics pair, and the lenses do not touch even with the eye cups all the way in.

[jacquot]

I have worn progressive lenses for a long time. I always tell the optician that I am a birder and need close fitting frames and they mark the transition a little lower than usual, giving me a larger area of distance viewing at the top.

Aside from that, just make sure that the eye relief of the binoculars (tested or attested to/verified here or elsewhere) matches your eyeglasses. The differences can be very small and very significant. I have frames I will never part with that fit very close. I am thinking that I will get them fitted with distance lenses only as I can read easily enough with no glasses.

I have used B&L Elites, Nikon LX, and Zeiss FL's with no issues. I also tested Leica 8x42 Ultravids with no issue. The 8x32's were definitely short for me. If the eye relief is sufficient and the portion of the lense for distance viewing is large enough, you should have no problem. I skimp on the reading area, which has other issues, but I can generally read well without glasses at all.

I hope this helps!

David

[mooreorless]

Hi David, you said :"I have worn progressive lenses for a long time. I always tell the optician that I am a birder and need close fitting frames and they mark the transition a little lower than usual, giving me a larger area of distance viewing at the top. "
I do this too, this is the only way I can wear these progressive lens.
Regards,Steve

[Baron Birder]

I have worn progressive lenses for a long time. I always tell the optician that I am a birder and need close fitting frames and they mark the transition a little lower than usual, giving me a larger area of distance viewing at the top.

Aside from that, just make sure that the eye relief of the binoculars (tested or attested to/verified here or elsewhere) matches your eyeglasses. The differences can be very small and very significant. I have frames I will never part with that fit very close. I am thinking that I will get them fitted with distance lenses only as I can read easily enough with no glasses.

I have used B&L Elites, Nikon LX, and Zeiss FL's with no issues. I also tested Leica 8x42 Ultravids with no issue. The 8x32's were definitely short for me. If the eye relief is sufficient and the portion of the lense for distance viewing is large enough, you should have no problem. I skimp on the reading area, which has other issues, but I can generally read well without glasses at all.

I hope this helps!

David

Thanks to you all, David when you say "just make sure that the eye relief of the binoculars (tested or attested to/verified here or elsewhere) matches your eyeglasses" I am not sure what you mean. I will be looking for 16mm+ eyerelief but I dont know the distance between my pupils and my spectacle lens, only that it is small due to the style of frameless glasses and the thickness of the thin plastic.

[jacquot]

From what you said, you should be fine. At 16mm ER (my Zeiss) I am best with my closest fitting specs. With the Nikons, it matters much less, I can wear any pair of glasses I have around. We're talking mm's here, that's all. I found one set of frames that are really close fitting, and I will never get rid of them! That's all I meant. David

[Baron Birder]

Thanks David for the prompt reply