Russian "B 7x35 “Secunda” Advanced Rocket and Artillery Military Field Binoculars"?

[Vaiar]

Hi all,

Kalinka Optics has the following pair of Russian binoculars available:

http://www.kalinkaoptics.com/cgi-bin/kowstore.cgi?user_action=detail&catalogno=BB735

B 7x35 “Secunda” Advanced Rocket and Artillery Military Field Binoculars w/ Built-in Rangefinder Reticle, Live Fire Ocular Filters and Leather Case.

Now I could find info/reviews on the net concerning other Russian military binoculars, but nothing on this one. My question therefore is: has anyone ever handled these or know something about its quality? Would you recommend buying this one for general use? (I know its weight, but I am not the one that cuts his toothbrush in half to save weight).

Thanks in advance

[KCFoggin]

Hi Vaiar and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum.:up:

I cannot help you with your query but someone should be along shortly who can.

[pauco]

Hi Vaiar, welcome to BirdForum.

[Vaiar]

Thanks for the welcome!

If someone would arrive with sufficient knowledge of Russian (military) binoculars and this one in particular, I'd like to add another question:

Is the image with this B 7*35 a bit yellowish like with some other Russian binoculars?

[Otto McDiesel]

Thanks for the welcome!

If someone would arrive with sufficient knowledge of Russian (military) binoculars and this one in particular, I'd like to add another question:

Is the image with this B 7*35 a bit yellowish like with some other Russian binoculars?

Almost all Russion/Soviet binoculars are reputed to be strongly built and reliable. I found the contrary to be the truth (I used Russian binos for bussiness and pleasure) - they are poorly built, and are not worth $. Almost all of these binos also have a horrible yellow cast in them, everything you look at appears yellow. Russian binoculars are bad. Period. Kalinka Optics has a poor cutomer service reputation, and last, why would you need rangefinding rocket shooting reticles for geneal use?
My advise: If they give you $ 20, take the binoculars. At least you can have a decent six pack of beer, and when empty, you can try to hit the binocular with the empty bottle.
P.S. I served in the military and i have used several models of Soviet and Russian binoculars, and i have looked through many more military and civilian binos. I have yet to see a decent one.

[ranburr]

Kalinka is known for piss-poor service and fudging their descriptions. Many of the optics they sell as Russian are really Chinese. I would be very leary.

ranburr

[Vaiar]

Well, thanks for your advice concerning Russian binoculars and Kalinka's reputation. I think I'll stick to western binoculars then |:|| My father with his pretty expensive Vixen set also thought buying them was not the right thing to do.

[Otto McDiesel]

Well, thanks for your advice concerning Russian binoculars and Kalinka's reputation. I think I'll stick to western binoculars then |:|| My father with his pretty expensive Vixen set also thought buying them was not the right thing to do.

For binoculars on a budget look into the Nikon 7x35 and 8x40, and Pentax porro prism 8x40. Also, used Swifts, such as older 7x35 and 8x40 are quite good. Check Pentax PCF WP II 8X40, $139 at Eagle Optics. I bought one of those for my mother in law, and i do love her...Nikon Action 7x35 and Nikon Action EX 7x35, are also very good for the price.

[Vaiar]

Yeah, I am studying the options qua buying a not too expensive pair of binoculars right now. The problem is, there are so many of them, I can't see the forest anymore due to all the trees standing in the way. |:S|

Perhaps I should go for the some more expensive Nikon 8*42 Monarch ATB, as there seems to be general agreement about its merits. Well of course I have to try the different types in the store first. :h?: