[stereotruckdriver]

Does anybody know where to get these in the states? Don't see them on there website!

[Rob Laughton]

Originally Posted by stereotruckdriver

Does anybody know where to get these in the states? Don't see them on there website!

Here is a list of our US dealers. I would give them a call. Although I dont think it would be a stock item, however they would be able to get hold of one for you.

http://www.opticronusa.com/Pages/dealers.html

Good luck.

[stereotruckdriver]

Originally Posted by Rob Laughton

Here is a list of our US dealers. I would give them a call. Although I dont think it would be a stock item, however they would be able to get hold of one for you.

http://www.opticronusa.com/Pages/dealers.html

Good luck.

Thanks for the link! I did research those and didn't find the bin in stock. Will have to see what they can do. Bryce...

[James Bean]

Currently on UK eBay there's an Opticron 8x32 SRGA just a few weeks old (April) going for £110 ($175) 'buy it now', with case, strap, warranty + invoice from Hiltons, ends Friday. UK sale, but no harm in asking if seller will send abroad?

[Nickgas]

Does anyone know what these bins are like for spectacle wearers?

Thanks
Nick

[typo]

My glasses are pretty close fitting but unfortunately the ER is still too short for me. It's fine on the HR WP where the quality of view is comparable in my opinion, but you do sacrifice field of view.

David

[Nickgas]

Thanks for that David, I really fancied a pair of the SR GA (for price, size and quality) but I might have to re-think

Nick

[FrankD]

Bryce,

I should have the opportunity to try these in a week and a half along with many other Opticron bins at a birding festival in Cape May. I will be sure to post some comments on what I get to try here in the forums.

[bamenity]

I have just purchased a pair of these SR GA 8 x 32 and am satisfied they are a great bird watching binocular.

When compared to my Binuxit 8 x30's they are just as easy on the eye have greater close focus, less than 12 feet even with my old eyes. Sharp as the Binuxit only slightly brighter but more colour rich AOV slightly less than the Binuxit but only slightly. Weigh little more than the Binuxit approximately 575 g feel good in the hands, very quick focus.

As an aside needed a small part (cover for ID scale) and Opticron supplied part FOC and were extremely helpful, this binocular they said is no longer made but still for sale with spare parts in stock for many years to come.

[steve@37n84w]

Originally Posted by stereotruckdriver

Does anybody know where to get these in the states? Don't see them on there website!

Bryce I went through a lot of aggravation try to purchase an opticron 8x32 sr ga here in the states. I finally gave up and ordered from cliftoncamerauk. and had my binos within six days.

Steve

[chartwell99]

Originally Posted by steve@37n84w

Bryce I went through a lot of aggravation try to purchase an opticron 8x32 sr ga here in the states. I finally gave up and ordered from cliftoncamerauk. and had my binos within six days.

Steve

What did you pay and what are your impressions of the binocular?

[steve@37n84w]

Originally Posted by chartwell99

What did you pay and what are your impressions of the binocular?

About 295.00 including shipping from the UK. I like the Opticron a lot and consider it one of the best values available. It's not a Habicht or SE but its performance comes very, very close especially considering the price.

Optically the 8x30 sr ga performs well (both contrast and resolution) and the edge performance is pretty good (about 85%) but the outer ring of the fov which doesn't come into sharp focus also exhibits a light blue tint/hue.

The only major "fault" I have is the ccw to infinity focus which I find problematic since all my other binos are cw to infinity. All in all I've found the Opticron to be a well made (Japanese) porro with good ergonomics and optics--just can't get used to the focus direction.

Steve

[chartwell99]

Originally Posted by steve@37n84w

About 295.00 including shipping from the UK. I like the Opticron a lot and consider it one of the best values available. It's not a Habicht or SE but its performance comes very, very close especially considering the price.

Optically the 8x30 sr ga performs well (both contrast and resolution) and the edge performance is pretty good (about 85%) but the outer ring of the fov which doesn't come into sharp focus also exhibits a light blue tint/hue.

The only major "fault" I have is the ccw to infinity focus which I find problematic since all my other binos are cw to infinity. All in all I've found the Opticron to be a well made (Japanese) porro with good ergonomics and optics--just can't get used to the focus direction.

Steve

The Opticron reminds me a lot in appearance to the sadly long gone Swift Ultra Lite 8 x 32. It may well be an updated version of the same binocular. I sold my Swift Ultra Lite years ago in my never ending search for optical Nirvana and have regretted it ever since. The Swift, as I recall, also had the unexpected focus control but it never troubled me.

[plyscope]

Has anyone tried the Vixen 8x32 ZWCF? I wonder if the Opticron and Vixen share the same frame and optics?

http://www.vixen.co.jp/en/bino/ultima.html

[chartwell99]

Originally Posted by plyscope

Has anyone tried the Vixen 8x32 ZWCF? I wonder if the Opticron and Vixen share the same frame and optics?

http://www.vixen.co.jp/en/bino/ultima.html

Gosh, I think you nailed it. I would buy one of these again in a heartbeat.

[FrankD]

I believe I tried the Vixen version of this binocular a year and a half ago. I posted my impressions on it here:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread....ght=vixen+8x32

See post 11.

[pete_gamby]

Please excuse the poor quality of the images but these show the eye lens size on the Opticron SR.GA 8x32. Perhaps Frank can comment on whether this is the same configuration as the Vixen?

Frank - did you get a chance to try the SR.GA at the Cape May event? I thought I'd asked Chip to bring them there but perhaps they didn't make the cut when he was packing his sample stock.

Cheers, Pete

[pete_gamby]

P.S. Our US dealer list has expanded somewhat since I posted near the beginning of this thread :-)

http://www.opticronusa.com/Pages/dealers.html

And we've just added Oceanside Photo & Telescope too (http://www.optcorp.com)

Cheers, Pete

[chartwell99]

Originally Posted by FrankD

I believe I tried the Vixen version of this binocular a year and a half ago. I posted my impressions on it here:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread....ght=vixen+8x32

See post 11.

Brin Best has a fascinating review of 8 x 30 porros including the Opticron 8 x 32 SR GA. at http://www.brinbest.com/id38.html. His experience was quite different ("I am convinced that Opticron’s strangely under-marketed 8x32 SR GA model is the very finest x8 binocular they have ever made").

[plyscope]

Originally Posted by FrankD

Bryce,

I should have the opportunity to try these in a week and a half along with many other Opticron bins at a birding festival in Cape May. I will be sure to post some comments on what I get to try here in the forums.

Thanks for the link to your thoughts on the Vixen 8x32 Frank.

I am looking forward to your comments on the Opticron.

I've owned the Vixen Ultima 9x63 for 14 years now and it is a good binocular for the price. It looks like the 8x32 uses the same body with different objectives and eyepieces. I have ordered one from an Australian Vixen dealer but it will be several weeks before I receive it. Opticron are not available in Australia as yet (as far as I can tell).

Andy

[brocknroller]

Originally Posted by steve@37n84w

About 295.00 including shipping from the UK. I like the Opticron a lot and consider it one of the best values available. It's not a Habicht or SE but its performance comes very, very close especially considering the price.

Optically the 8x30 sr ga performs well (both contrast and resolution) and the edge performance is pretty good (about 85%) but the outer ring of the fov which doesn't come into sharp focus also exhibits a light blue tint/hue.

The only major "fault" I have is the ccw to infinity focus which I find problematic since all my other binos are cw to infinity. All in all I've found the Opticron to be a well made (Japanese) porro with good ergonomics and optics--just can't get used to the focus direction.

Steve

Steve,

That seems like a good price, considering how it compares. Brin Best gave it a 9 out of 10, with the SE, EII and Habicht coming in at 10/10.

How wide is the FOV? I don't do meters. His review said it was in between the SE and EII, so it must be greater than 7.5*.

As to the ccw focuser, I don't like that either, they should only make ccw focusers for markets in the Southern Hemisphere where the Coriolis Effect works in the opposite direction. Chosun Juan would have no problem with it.

<B>

[pete_gamby]

Originally Posted by brocknroller

Steve,

How wide is the FOV? I don't do meters. His review said it was in between the SE and EII, so it must be greater than 7.5*.

<B>

Hi brock - the FOV is 8.2º or 432 feet.

HTH,

Pete

[steve@37n84w]

Brock

I always check the true fov using the night sky but haven't done so with the sr ga yet. I can definitely tell you the sr ga in falls in between the SE and EII and would think Pete's answer of 8.2* is probably pretty close.

Steve

[chartwell99]

Originally Posted by pete_gamby

Please excuse the poor quality of the images but these show the eye lens size on the Opticron SR.GA 8x32. Perhaps Frank can comment on whether this is the same configuration as the Vixen?

Frank - any thoughts? These oculars are not exactly huge, but they still don't seem unusually small either.

[FrankD]

It is difficult for me to tell with Pete's pics. I would need another binocular next to it for comparison. I remember the Vixen's ocular lenses being particularly wide in comparison to size of the eyecup. In other words the eyecup itself was very small compared to most other porros and roofs but the oculars were close to the same diameter as what I was accustomed to.

I haven't handled the SR GA 8x32 yet but hope to do so in the near future.