Two New Binoculars I Bought

[KennyC123]

This past week I purchased two different sets of binoculars and I must say that I couldn’t be happier. I’ve been using an el-cheapo set since someone relieved me of my Zeiss a few years back. The two are a Canon 7x42 AWP and a Leupold 10X50 Wind River Mesa. Both are waterproof and fogproof. I bought the Canon at B&H for $239.95. I bought the Leupold at my local Super Wal-Mart for $199.99. The quality of the view in both pair is excellent; I can’t say that one is better than the other. The Canon is more compact and is a roof prism type. The Leupold slightly heavier and is of the porro prism type. Both sets gave me the “WOW” factor. I have not heard a lot of talk about either, but in my opinion they both deserve serious consideration. The price is very reasonable considering they are waterproof and fogproof. Here are the only negatives I experienced: the lens covers will not stay on the Leupolds and are therefore easy to loose so when you take them off keep them in the soft case, the Canon did not come with lens covers for the objective lens. Below are the specs for both sets.

Canon 7X42 AWP Specs:
Prism Type - Roof
Magnification - 7x
Objective Diameter - 42mm
Angle of View - 7.0°
Field-of-View - (@ 1000 Yds) 368' (122 m at 1000 m)
Minimum Focus Distance - 13.1' (4.0 m)
Exit Pupil Diameter - 6.0mm
Eye Relief - 17mm
Relative Brightness - 36.0
Twilight Factor - 17.1
Focus Type - Center
Weatherproofing - Waterproof & fogproof
Tripod Socket - Yes
Dimensions - 5.0 x 6.0 x 2.0" (127 x 152 x 51mm) WxHxD
Weight - 1.68 lb (760 g)

Leuppold 10X50 Wind River Mesa Specs:
Prism Type - Porro
Magnification - 10x
Objective Diameter - 50mm
Angle of View - 5.5°
Field-of-View - (@ 1000 Yds) 289' (96 m at 1000 m)
Minimum Focus Distance - 29.5' (9.0 m)
Exit Pupil Diameter - 5.0mm
Eye Relief - 18mm
Relative Brightness - 25.0
Twilight Factor - 22.4
Focus Type - Center
Weatherproofing - Waterproof & fogproof
Tripod Socket - Yes
Dimensions - 6.5" (165mm) in Length
Weight - 2.02 lb (917 g)

Kenny
Knoxville, TN

[elkcub]

Sounds great! Use them in good health.

Elkcub

[robinm]

Hi Kenny,

Welcome to BirdForum from all the staff here. Glad the new bins are working out well.:t:

[KennyC123]

Hi Kenny,

Welcome to BirdForum from all the staff here. Glad the new bins are working out well.:t:

Thanks to all for the words of welcome.
Kenny

[Swedpat]

It seems to be a good combination you have got Kenny!
One binocular will hardly meet our needs in different situations. You have one bino with moderate power for comfortable and stable long time viewing (and larger field of view), and another when you need more details. Both of them are superb at dawn and dusk and even night time use. I have recently ordered a 6x32 binocular on a sale or return basis, which I think is a good complement to my 8x25, and a future 10x50 binocular.

Regards, Patric

[KennyC123]

Thanks Patric, I very happy with the combination. I did consider going with a 12X simply because I also like star gazing, but decided against it because I already own a nice telescope.

My reason for posting about the binoculars was to pass info along, just my opinion of course. I didn't find a lot of information on the net about these particular models, so hopefully this could help shed some "light" for those that might be in the market.

Kenny

[solentbirder]

This past week I purchased two different sets of binoculars and I must say that I couldn’t be happier. I’ve been using an el-cheapo set since someone relieved me of my Zeiss a few years back. The two are a Canon 7x42 AWP and a Leupold 10X50 Wind River Mesa....


Hi Kenny
Are you still as pleased now with the Canon 7x42 as when you bought it ?
Cheers

SolentBirder

[Otto McDiesel]

Hi Kenny
Are you still as pleased now with the Canon 7x42 as when you bought it ?
Cheers

SolentBirder

And before you answer, look through a Nikon Action 7x35 ($50) and a Leica Ultravid 7x42 ($1700), just to put things into perspective.

[elkcub]

Kenny,

I'd also like to know how you're enjoying those two purchases since last May. The hi-end binocular market has become way too costly, IMO, so it would be nice to hear that you're happy with moderately priced selections. I looked at the Swift 828 Audubon recently and was quite impressed with what one can get below $300. I'm thinking about buying binoculars for my kids that won't deny them an inheritance down the road. :-O

Ed

[KennyC123]

Kenny,

I'd also like to know how you're enjoying those two purchases since last May. The hi-end binocular market has become way too costly, IMO, so it would be nice to hear that you're happy with moderately priced selections. I looked at the Swift 828 Audubon recently and was quite impressed with what one can get below $300. I'm thinking about buying binoculars for my kids that won't deny them an inheritance down the road. :-O

Ed

Sorry I'm so late on my reply.

I'm still just as pleased with my two purchases as I was last May. I had the opportunity to see two Bald Eagles in the wild with them. This was on the Tennessee River outside of Knoxville at Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge. Other birds that I saw that day were Great Blue Heron, Wood Duck, Canada Geese, Red-tailed Hawk, Bobwhite, Purple Martin, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Song Sparrow, Cardinal, Eastern Meadowlark, and Red-winged Blackbirds.

If I had it to do over again I certainly would make the same choice.

Kenny
Knoxville, TN