8x30 BGAT

8x30 BGAT

Magnification: 8x Objective diameter: 30mm Field of view at 1km: 135m Close focus: 3m Exit pupil: 3.75mm Size: 119 x 109mm Weight: 580g Interpupillary distance: 58-75mm Diopter compensation: +/- 3 diopters

Content and images originally posted by Leif

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Reviews

Leif's review

Introduction These are high quality compact mid-sized roof prism binoculars from a highly respected German manufacturer.

Design and Build The binoculars consist of two inline optical assemblies joined by a broad hinge. The unit is compact and I found that I could wrap both hands around the entire binocular. Much of the external surface is covered with deeply ribbed rubber armour that is pleasant to the touch, but rather hard edged. A metal focus wheel is mounted at the eyepiece end of the central hinge. It is easily accessed, but could do with being wider. On new units the focus is very stiff (which has drawn negative comments in some reviews) but it loosens with use, and on used examples I have seen it is silky smooth. A dioptre wheel is mounted at the objective end of the central hinge. It is made from metal, is easily accessed, and although there is no locking mechanism, it will not slip. The eye tubes are made from thick rubber and although they do the job, they are not as convenient as screw in screw out eye tubes: I found them rather fiddly.

These binoculars weigh under 600g and they feel fairly light, especially when compared with full sized roof prism binoculars.

The build quality is excellent, although the rubber armour is not quite as well finished as competing products e.g. Leica 8x32 BN.

These binoculars are weatherproof and will survive exposure to heavy rain. They are though not waterproof.

Optics The optics are excellent providing a very wide field of view with good depth of field, excellent contrast, excellent sharpness and good brightness. They are not as bright as the Nikon 8x32 HG, but compare well with competing products such as the Leica 8x32 BN.

Sharpness is excellent over most of the field, but becomes somewhat soft at the extreme edges, largely due to field curvature. (You will probably not notice it unless you look for it.) There is also a trace of linear distortion at the extreme edges of the field which gives rise to a slight funfair effect when panning.

Chromatic aberration is exceedingly well controlled. (For comparison the Leica 8x32 BN and Nikon 8x32 HG binoculars both show significant chromatic aberration in high contrast situations.)

I did not see any ghosting although I noticed a trace of flare in low light, especially when peering into dark trees set against a bright but fading sky.

I did not notice any obvious colour cast, although I should admit that I am not good at judging subtle colour casts.

Eye relief is very good, and I could see the whole field of view while wearing eyeglasses. As with most mid-sized roof prism binoculars, the eye relief is not quite as good as on full-sized binoculars of comparable quality.

The close focus is 3m, which is adequate for viewing dragonflies and butterflies.

Accessories The binoculars are supplied with a good quality neoprene strap, a rubber rain guard, and a very good quality soft leather pouch.

Conclusion These are excellent high quality mid-sized binoculars. They are � in my opinion � optically superior to the Leica 8x32 BN (more eye relief, less chromatic aberration) but the mechanics are not as user-friendly i.e. stiff rubber eye tubes, narrow focus wheel and not waterproof.

Many people, including several celebrity birders, consider that a mid-sized roof prism binocular provides all of the performance they need 95% of the time, especially when used with a spotting scope. If you are in this group then these binoculars might well suit your needs. If you are prepared to accept more bulk, and do not need waterproofing, then take a look at the Nikon 8x32 SE: they are brighter, sharper and have more eye relief. If you want noticeably brighter sharper images, more eye releif and waterproofing, then I�m afraid you will have to consider full-sized binoculars.

NB The original version of this binocular � the Zeiss Notarem 8x30 � was introduced over 30 years ago, and used examples in perfect working order are often seen on sale. Although optically excellent, they are not as good as the latest version due mainly to the absence of modern coatings, especially phase (or P) coating.

Pros

• Excellent optics
• compact
• modest weight
• good build
• rainproof
• soft leather pouch.

Cons

• Not waterproof
• stiff rubber eye tubes
• small focus wheel
• a trace of flare in low light.

Takis's review

I fully agree with the detailed review above. Let me just stress some points:

The official name is Zeiss 8x30 ClassiC B/GA T* P*. Mine is the "150 Jahre Hensoldt AG Wetzlar" version (as is the one in the photos), which, I am told, is identical to the last versions of the ClassiC series, formerly known as "Dialyt" (with Schmidt-Pechan roof prisms). Hensoldt had its 150th anniversary in 2002. Since 1928, it has been a part of Zeiss that makes binoculars - and keeps making them, now after re-unification. (The little town of Wetzlar is also home to Leica, Minox and other optics companies.)

This model is now (2006) discontinued.

Pros:

These are excellent all-round binoculars because they are surprisingly small and yet high quality. If you want just one high-quality binocular and like it not too large, this may well be it.

The field of view is beautifully clear, deep and wide (133m/1000m - the Victory FLs have 135m). Sharpness feels excellent across the whole field - this is what makes the difference to lesser products. Not only is the official field of view wide, you can actually use it, too. (I discovered that a medium-priced Eschenbach pocket binocular I have states an even wider field of view, but it actually has a very annoying tunnel-feeling because more than half of the view is blurred.)

Looking through feels very natural. This applies to low light conditions, too. The view through the glasses always feels as bright as with the naked eye, if not brighter (since one can see more).

The whole unit has a very solid feel and look. (Just as if I only keep them for the next generation.) I like the non-rubberised focus wheel, being smooth but firm.

Cons:

The soft leather pouch is pretty and matches the style, but the strap does not fit inside, and if you thread the strap through the holes in the pouch so that the strap is outside, you always have it dangling in front of you. Also, it has no padding.

The rain-guard is obviously 'generic' for several models and really too large for this one.

The rubber eye-cups are too hard and do not go 'around' the head on the outside. As a result light can enter from behind the viewer, especially in broad sunlight. I have heard that frequent change of use with and without glasses produces results in wear of the eye cups through the folding of the rubber.

On closer inspection, the last 10% of the field of view (right and left and up and down, so it is really more like 25% overall) is less sharp. This is particularly noticeable in low light conditions. There is some curvature at the edges, too, noticable when panning over relatively homogenious views. One needs to look for these problems to find them.

General:

I would not change these for anything but much more expensive glasses. In particular, I much doubt that the Zeiss Conquest are a competition, with their restricted field of view (120m). I have not had a chance to compare them, however.

Why do binocular models that cost around 1000$ or more not have the threaded hole for a tripod that any photo camera has? (It could be covered.)

Why do the same binoculars not have exchangeable eye-cups for people with different anatomy or preferences?

Pros

• natural
• wide
• clear field of view
• compactness

Cons

• eye-cups
• pouch
• edge sharpness

jaymoynihan's review

I purchased the 150th Anniversary version in January 2007. My binoculars are Zeiss (7x42 classics), Leica, Swifts. This 8x30 is very similar in optical \"feel\" to the 7x42 model, but not as bright. If you are a fan of the 7x42 classics, and its \"easy view\", you might want to consider grabbing a pair of these while they are still available, if you want a add more compact glass.

Pros

• Optical quality
• FOV
• size

Cons

• None so far