8x30 for eyeglass weares

[alfredotod]

Hello, I am going to buy an 8x30 as I need a small binocular to carry with me. I absolutely need to use it with eyeglasses, and I noticed that the eye relief with 8x30s is usually small. I am considering a Zeiss Conquest 8x30, which according to some reports is good for eyeglass wearers, but I want to see the whole field and with 15mm eye relief I have some doubts. Can anybody confirm that it is indeed OK? At the moment I cannot try one, I was thinking of ordering it online. Another choice would be the (more expensive) Nikon 8x32SE, which I think is OK, but I read many reports about blackouts which scared me.
Thanks!

[edge1255]

Hello, I am going to buy an 8x30 as I need a small binocular to carry with me. I absolutely need to use it with eyeglasses, and I noticed that the eye relief with 8x30s is usually small. I am considering a Zeiss Conquest 8x30, which according to some reports is good for eyeglass wearers, but I want to see the whole field and with 15mm eye relief I have some doubts. Can anybody confirm that it is indeed OK? At the moment I cannot try one, I was thinking of ordering it online. Another choice would be the (more expensive) Nikon 8x32SE, which I think is OK, but I read many reports about blackouts which scared me.
Thanks!
Have a look at www.birdwatching.com for a review of binos. This is a good sight and the reviewers both wear glasses and put a high priority on ease of use with eyeglasses. hope this helps,

Jon

[FrankD]

The 8x30 Conquest is a bit short in the eye relief category however I had no problem seeing the full field of view and I typically require larger eye relief levels because of my facial dimensions. I do not wear glasses.

Your price range seems to be right in that $500-$600 category. If you can stretch it a bit then I just saw that Cameralandny has a pre-owned sale on the Leica 8x32 BN. Mid $800s.....or even the Nikon LXL 8x32 new or refurbished in the same general price range ($700-$900).

[RAH]

I use the Pentax 8x28 DCF MP binocs (roof prism, waterproof, LONG eye relief). You can see them at:

http://www.pentaximaging.com/products/product_details/binocular--DCF_MP_8x28/reqID--2020/subsection--Compact_dcf_mp

[Alexis Powell]

I'd give serious consideration to the Nikon 8x36 Monarch, which is smaller (though heavier) than the Zeiss, has a slightly wider FOV, a larger exit pupil, excellent eye-relief (17 mm) for glasses, and costs much less. The unit I tried recently was very impressive and comfortable to use with glasses on. Given its ergonomic and optical qualities (good comfortably wide and sharp FOV, though more flare-prone than the top-end models), it's my new overall favorite sub-$900 mid-sized roof.
--AP

[scampo]

Hello, I am going to buy an 8x30 as I need a small binocular to carry with me. I absolutely need to use it with eyeglasses, and I noticed that the eye relief with 8x30s is usually small. I am considering a Zeiss Conquest 8x30, which according to some reports is good for eyeglass wearers, but I want to see the whole field and with 15mm eye relief I have some doubts. Can anybody confirm that it is indeed OK? At the moment I cannot try one, I was thinking of ordering it online. Another choice would be the (more expensive) Nikon 8x32SE, which I think is OK, but I read many reports about blackouts which scared me.
Thanks!I tried a large range of 30-32mm bins at In Focus Titchwell and found - to my surprise and disappointment - that none of them allowed a full field view with my specs on. If you have rimless flexi-framed specs you might be luckier as these can be pressed towards the eye.

The only smaller binocular I have used with ease is the Nikon Sporter 8x36 - I think it had a 21mm eye relief (and is currently available for a bargain £99.00 now from Warehouse Express). I have heard that the Nikon Monarch 8x36 is a better binocular but I don't know what its eye relief is like.

[Tero]

I'd give serious consideration to the Nikon 8x36 Monarch, which is smaller (though heavier) than the Zeiss, has a slightly wider FOV, a larger exit pupil, excellent eye-relief (17 mm) for glasses, and costs much less. The unit I tried recently was very impressive and comfortable to use with glasses on. Given its ergonomic and optical qualities (good comfortably wide and sharp FOV, though more flare-prone than the top-end models), it's my new overall favorite sub-$900 mid-sized roof.
--AP
You are probably the customer they have in mind. It is a little more dificult to build an 8x32, so they give you a similar product that is compact but 36mm.
Field of View 367 ft./100 yds.
Eye Relief 17 mm
Close Focus 8.2 ft.
Weight 19.8 oz.
Dimensions (HXW) 4.9 x 5.1 in.
Weatherproofing Waterproof/Fogproof
some 500-550g weight in grams.

[elkcub]

Hello, I am going to buy an 8x30 as I need a small binocular to carry with me. I absolutely need to use it with eyeglasses, and I noticed that the eye relief with 8x30s is usually small. I am considering a Zeiss Conquest 8x30, which according to some reports is good for eyeglass wearers, but I want to see the whole field and with 15mm eye relief I have some doubts. Can anybody confirm that it is indeed OK? At the moment I cannot try one, I was thinking of ordering it online. Another choice would be the (more expensive) Nikon 8x32SE, which I think is OK, but I read many reports about blackouts which scared me.
Thanks!

I think the adequacy of 15mm will be determined by how close fitting your eyeglasses are to your face. The modern look in frames uses small lenses that will probably work with 15mm eye relief. The 8x32SE would provide more flexibility with eyeglasses, however, as well as a superb view. You need to try out any binocular before committing to buying it. Establish the right to return them if they don't work for you, as with Eagle Optics in the US.

Ed

[jedku]

I wear eyeglasses and have tried the Conquest 8x30. I found they did NOT have enough eye relief for me. I wear close fitting frames but find I still do best with minimum 18mm eye-relief. Each person is different. They might work for you. But don't settle for less than you need. Not only do you lose the full field-of-view with too short eye-relief, but you get more distortions and glare around the edges of the view when you are not at the designed eye-point. Take this issue seriously. The best way is to try as many bins with known eye-relief as you can and then you will discover your ideal number.

[Otto McDiesel]

Celestron Ultima DX 8x32, porro prism have 16 mm of eye relief and 430 ft of field of view. The view is awesome, the price is $150, and the eyecups are large and fit perfectly over eyeglass lenses. They are waterproof, but hefty: 30 oz.

[richardwp]

Optolyth Alpins always used to be one of the best for spectacle wearers, which is specifically why I bought mine many years ago. I've since had cataract surgery and don't now wear specs, but still use my ancient 10x50s and still find few to better them for gvfm. I had to get new rubber eyecups, however, as the old ones had perished through being permanently turned down for about 15 years. Though not waterproof, mine have never leaked or steamed up, though I do protect them from rain. Optolyth get mixed reviews. Although they're porros mine are certainly robust, having so far survived years of being chucked around and generally abused; yet they're also exceptionally light - much lighter than most and certainly most roofs. Sole distribtors now are Ace Optics of Bath http://www.acecameras.co.uk/asp/web/shopid/18/default.asp. Don't discount them until you've tried them, you may be pleasantly surprised.

[MacGee]

This thread (http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=67722) gives a review of the Conquest, among others, including use with glasses. The translation is not guaranteed to be accurate.

Michael