Variability within one model & how to test.

[Faulhorn]

Question for you pros:
1. Assuming that a store has 5 pairs of a particular binocular we are looking to purchase, would there generally be significant variations between the same models?

I ask because in testing six Sony F707 digital cameras in the past, the variance in resolution and focus was very great. One was clearly much softer than the rest with much lower resolution. One was superb, almost down to single pixel definition. The others were between the two. The range was very pronounced and these were all tested extensively on tripods.

Are binoculars similar in variation from pair to pair for mid priced bins ($300-500)?

2. How would one go about testing a particular pair of binoculars? (i.e. collimation etc.) Is there a website or link for a relative newbie to test a pair of binoculars while within the return period?

By the way, looking through a pair of Leupold Wind River 10X42 at WalMart was quite a revelation to me. It blew away all other bins there including 10X50 cheaper Nikon porros that were about half the price. The difference was really quite astounding for me and convinced me that $$ is well spent. The Leupold was under $300. Comparitively, it was just effortless to look through - just like the 'picture window' comments some have used. As idle musing, I wonder what the high end Swarovskis and Nikons would look like in comparison with the Leupold. .

Thanks in advance,
Faulhorn

[Atomic Chicken]

Faulhorn,

Excellent questions!!!

First off, yes... there are variations from pair to pair for the same binoculars. I always look through not only the display model, but if I am buying a pair of binoculars I always take the time to look through the pair I'm going to buy before purchasing it. I have never had a store refuse this... they know they would lose the sale if the do. One thing I have noticed when doing this in the past is that some display binoculars are better or worse than the brand new out of the box pair, in one case I ended up taking the display model home!

As for how you should go about testing binoculars, this is a very open-ended question. Different people have different needs and some people care more about things like CA or collimation than others do. First off, define what matters the most to you in a pair of binoculars (brightness, freedom from image distortions, etc.) then do the research on this site and others for ways to test for these factors. I'm somewhat of an optical fanatic, so I have a number of tests I perform when in the store (things like looking at barcodes on products in the stores at various distances to try and evaluate resolution, looking into the dark sections of the store to see how well they pick details out of the shadows, etc.). I also test my binoculars at home using a number of different test charts and other optical "tricks" I've figured out over time. Again, determine first what is important for you to test for, then you will be in a position to find tests that work for you in the stores and at home.

What you say about the Leupold Wind River binoculars is interesting, they are very good when compared to cheap-o binoculars that most stores carry. However, Leupold binoculars are not really very good in the "big" scheme of things - compare the Wind Rivers to a premium Zeiss, Leica, Nikon, or Swarovski binocular sometime and you will be just as blown away as you are comparing the Leupold to the cheap-o binoculars. It's all a matter of how much money you are willing to spend, and how long you want to spend evaluating different binocular models before you buy.

Best wishes,
Bawko

[Pinewood]

Dear Faulhorn,

There is another thread which addresses this question:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=260564#post260564
Superiour binoculars often combine all the qualities , contrast, resolution, lack of chromatic aberration, higher tolerances in collimation and ergonomics, which allow for fatigue free viewing over an extended period of time. Sometimes these qualites may not be immediately apparent. All these advantages come at a rather high price.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood :scribe:

[Faulhorn]

Atomic Chicken & Pinewood,

THANKS for the responses. We'll be sure that we test a few - we'll probably test for collimation and then for resolution in the center and edges by reading tiny text at a distance. How's that for a start?

Also, I've read enough about the Leica, Swarovski etc. But my reading also suggest that something like the Eagle Optics Ranger Platinum perform about 90-95% of the 'creme de la creme' optics. Some have even suggested that they notice almost no difference in bright conditions between some of these better mid range and top end ones. Perhaps these are not as critical observers but it seems that the mid range units are still great optics?

Thanks,
Faulhorn