jaymoynihan
Corvus brachyrhynchos watcher
Registered: January 2007
Location: Lake Michigan Watershed
Posts: 940
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Review Date: Sun December 11, 2011
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: $78.00
| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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Good optics
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Cons:
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on my sample eyecups ride up.
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These are the second generation of the Yosemite porro, deemed the BX-1. The only difference i am aware of between it and its predecessor is that this one has close focus, rated at 11', and for me in practice, 9'. FOV is about 7.5 degrees. Also the armor on the porro prism housings has a "klingon" pattern, rather than being smooth.
My rating of 7 is explained as follows. When i rate, I am comparing to my pair of Nikon 8x32 SE, which I rated as a 9. The reason i do not give the SE a 10 is taking into account that some folks experience "blackouts" with them, and some folks are concerned they are not waterproof. On a purely optical scale of course, the 8x SE is an "11".
This binocular for me reached as high as 7 for one reason; its to my eye seriously good optical quality combined with its relatively low price.
First and foremost, I received my first binoculars when i was 5 years old. I Wish I had gotten these. These tiny things would make a really good kid's glass, that gives enough resolution and contrast to actually be useful. Also, the "klingon" pattern in the armor might help small hands use them.
My hands are medium. They are so small that I can totally cradle them with both hands comfortably. For me a very stable view.
Now, I would assume that at this price point, quality variation must be in play, and i am assuming i got a very good sample.
Light path is clean, and OK on reflections. The edge of a prism does intrude into the light path just a tad in one tube, but did not have an apparent effect on my view.
Optically, they have very good contrast, and good resolution. I am guessing they may have very good resolution for their price point. CA is visible against tough backgrounds, in the outer 1/3 of the field, but not intrusive (and actually very well controlled for this price point.)
Eye placement is very forgiving for me, though with my glasses, I loose about 1/2 of a degree of the 7.5 degree field. The "sweet spot" is good, considering again, the price. Surprising actually.
The alignment seems very good on my sample. It has that eye-comfort-feel- when starring-for-longer-than-a-glance, that i treasure.
We are having a warm fall/winter so far, here again, and cannot really comment on temperature and focus movement.
I would recommend, a good sample of this model:
1. For a child that exhibits above average interest in the natural world. The 6x30 version may be a better match for the young child.
2. Just for fun
3. An inexpensive back-up pair for daytime use by a nature observer, and perhaps a birder.
4. Even for a budget pair for an adult with small to medium hands taking an intro ornithology class.
This binocular is marketed as waterproof. I have no reason to doubt that, other than I am not aware of how anyone could make a center focus (as opposed to an individual focus) porro prism binocular that is truly "waterproof" (submersible for an extended period).
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"If there is a heaven, and i am allowed entrance, I will ask for no more than an endless living world to walk through and explore. I will carry with me an inexhaustible supply of notebooks from which i can send back reports to the more sedentary spirits." E.O. Wilson
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