Anyone using the 10x50 Ultravids?

[Marley]

Hi All,

After trying several top bins, I have come to the conclusion (with the help of Ilkka) that I am very sensitive to longer eye relief (16+ mm). All of the top bin manufacturers seem to design products for the eyeglass wearer (none for me yet). In my case, it appears that the longer ER causes intermittant blackout problems.

I have been interested in a 10x pair of bins for some time and I just ordered a pair of Ultravid 10x50s, hoping that the 14.8 mm ER will help with my blackout problems.

Does anyone have any feedback regarding their experiences with these bins?

Thanks to all in advance and I will report in once I receive my pair.

Rgds,

Steffan

[Robert Ellis]

Yes, there definately is such a thing as too much eye relief. Even with my glasses I only need 12-14mm to feek comfortable and too much more than 16mm and I get blackouts. Not all faces are created equal, and neither are all spectacles.

[Marley]

Robert,

Thanks so very much for the theory validation. It is good to know that I am not the only person that has trouble getting bins to fit my face!

With optical blackouts in common, do you have any recommendations on high quality 7x and 8x bins that still have a short ER? Like you, 16mm may or may not be usable to me. Anything longer and I have problems.

Thanks again for your help!

Rgds,

Steffan

[Robert Ellis]

I use and love the following three bins: Nikon EII 8x30, Nikon EII 10x35, Swift Audubon 8.5x44 ED. The Nikons are both around 14mm eye relief, and though the Swifts claim 17mm, the usable eye relief is more like 12 or 13mm. These are high quality optically but not everyone's cuppa because they are not "high end" from a price standpoint.

[John Traynor]

Hi All,

After trying several top bins, I have come to the conclusion (with the help of Ilkka) that I am very sensitive to longer eye relief (16+ mm). All of the top bin manufacturers seem to design products for the eyeglass wearer (none for me yet). In my case, it appears that the longer ER causes intermittant blackout problems.

I have been interested in a 10x pair of bins for some time and I just ordered a pair of Ultravid 10x50s, hoping that the 14.8 mm ER will help with my blackout problems.

Does anyone have any feedback regarding their experiences with these bins?

Thanks to all in advance and I will report in once I receive my pair.

Rgds,

Steffan

Steffan,

Are you examining these bins with the eyecups fully extended?

John

[Marley]

Hi John,

Yes indeed, I have set the eye cups in all different positions and I still get intermittant blackout, especially when panning. It is at its worst in full daylight and in the late evening/early morning it is almost non-existant.

I will let the BF folks know what happens when I try a bin with a shorter ER. My original question was whether this is typical and you just have to make sure that the bins are aligned with your iris. Most of the forum seems to think that it is not.

Oh well. On we go. I will continue to experiment with bins. I currently own a pair of 8.5 ELs and they only cause problems when panning. Great bins and I will hang on to them. I am also interested in the 8x42 Ultravids, as they have ~15mm of ER and they might work well for me.

We will have to wait and see.

Thanks for the help.

Rgds,

Steffan

[CWGilley]

Hi Marley,

Yes, I succumbed to the lure of high end glass and just had to have a pair of the Ultravid 10x50s and NO, I haven't had a single regret! Other than the obvious weight over 10x42s, I don't see a negative for them. Optical performance is what I expected and the light gathering abilities are top notch. Would buy another pair for my wife, but she doesn't like the weight. That's a plus, in that now I never have to hunt down MY binocs.

I wear glasses (tri-focals) and haven't had a problem with eye relief. I have used them without my glasses and would swear that I see better through the binoculars that way. Problem is that I can't see anything else without the glasses.

Got them in time to watch most of the returning migration this spring and they have been as wonderful as the birds were!

I'm no expert on anything, but I can and would recommend these to anyone interested.