Opinions about Eaglet 7x36

[MountainBiker]

Hi! i'd like to know your opinion about Swift Eaglet 7x36 as allround binocular... I found it in Italy at 452$ (319euros) which seems to be a good price.
I much liked also the Audubon 8,5x44 roof, but it 525$ (370euros), probably not a great price.
I know that it would be a much more fair comparison between the Eaglet 8x42 and the Audubon but unluckly there are no more 8x42 Eaglet at the shop.
Thank you
Andrea

[ceasar]

Andrea,
The Swift Audubon 8.5 x 44 HHS Roof costs less here in the USA than the Swift 7 x 36 Eaglet does; $359.99 to $449.95 at Eagle Optics. www.eagleoptics.com. The 8 x 42 Eaglets aren't in stock here either. You can compare their specs at the above web site.
Cordially,
Bob

[Steve C]

The Swift Eaglet 7x36 with the new CFT coatings is my favorite all around glass. Its optics are outstanding. It gives up very little, if anything to glasses costing twice as much that I have compared it to. That is likely due to the increased resolving power of a 7x and the fact that the 36mm objective gives it a full 5mm+ exit pupil. The only thing I don't like about mine is the fact that the center hinge is a little looser thsn I'd really like to see. It gets worse as the temprature warms up. The eyecups also don't stay up well, but I used a couple of O rings under them to hold the eyecups in their permanent up position. Some will tell you that the field of view is restrictive, but it is fine for me. I have no trouble following insects or Hummingbirds with it. I have seen nothing at their price for a compact size glass that even comes close to them. What may be the life span of the new Swift may be a consideration, but Swift has always had binoculars with an easy on the eyes view.

[Swedpat]

Steve C,

The Swift 7x36 is a very interesting model. The usual question I have about binoculars in this size is the eye relief . It's stated as 16mm. But I know that the stated ER often has to be taken with a pinch of salt. The diameter of the eyepiece lens usually says very much about the ER, and how much the lens is recessed from the edge of the eye cup tells how much of the total ER which is usable. May I ask you to measure the diameter of the eyepiece lens?

Thanks in advance, Patric

[Steve C]

Patric,

I'll have to get the measurements this weekend as the binoculars are a three hour drive from where I am now. I don't wear glasses when using binoculars. I only need them for reading. However when using the reading glasses or any of several pairs of sunglasses I tried, there was no problem at all seeing the full FOV. That said, I'd guess that the eye relief is every bit of 16mm, and is likely OK for most eyeglass wearers. However since you were specific in your request, I'd guess there is a requirement particular to your needs.

Yes, they are an interesting configuration. I know of nothing else like them. The optics are way better than I expected for what I paid for them.

Anyway I'll try to post back Friday nite Pacific US Time.

Steve

[Swedpat]

Ok, Steve. I am looking forward to your report!

Patric

[Steve C]

Patrick,
The diameter of the ocular lens is 19.5 mm. The total max diameter of the eyepiece assembly is 40 mm. The ocular lens appears to be flat and as best I can determine is recessed a total of 1.9mm (0.075 inch) from the outer edge of the ocular assembly. There is a ring just around the outer diameter of the ocular lens and then there is the distance from that to the upper edge of the eyepiece assembly, so there is likely some cumulative measurement error, as I had to measure both distances and add them. For what it's worth, there is a removable rubber ring from the outer edge of the ocular that reduced the recess by about 1 mm when removed. However the exposed metal might be hard on eyeglasses. With the eyecup extended fully there appears to be 16 mm from the lens to the top of the eyecup. Let me know if you need more info.

Steve

[Swedpat]

Thank you Steve!

With 49,6 deg AFOV that lens size use to be adequate when the lens isn't much recessed.

Regards, Patric