Atomic Chicken
Registered with the D.O.E.
Greetings!
I've been considering the purchase of a set of lightweight "compact" binoculars for several weeks now, thinking how nice it would be to have something I could leave in the glove box of the car for quick daytrips or unexpected birding opportunities when I'm away from my beloved Nikon HG 8X32's (my "preciousssssss" ). Up to this point, I've considered several possible options in compact glass, and evaluated every model available locally (which amounts to just about every model on the market!).
I have been VERY tempted by the Zeiss 8X20 and Nikon HG 8X20 models, but I've been hesitating because, while both models surpass everything else in their class I've seen so far, neither really "grabbed" me and yanked the cash out of my wallet and both have a 2.5mm exit pupil, which seems more than a bit inadequate for low-light viewing situations.
Today, I had an opportunity to view the new Brunton Eterna 8X25 compact binoculars. I say "new" because of one major difference - the most recent models now have phase coating, whereas the original Eterna's did not. I had not considered these to be a serious contender for compact binoculars up to this point mainly because of that fact, and when I initially looked through the display model at a local camping store I couldn't believe how bright and clear the optics were considering the lack (or so I thought) of phase coating. Only after setting them down after being VERY impressed did I notice that the features tag included "phase coated" as one of the listed items.
I looked again for a few more minutes, then purchased them on the spot. Finally - a compact binocular that has excellent optics, a nice 3.1mm exit pupil, and a low price as well! I'm in compact binocular heaven! I don't understand why more binocular companies don't make 8X25 roof prism models - everyone is making either 8X20 or 10X25... I think there is a serious market segment being overlooked here for 8X25 models!
My ONLY complaint about these marvelous binoculars is the rather restricted field of view (270 ft. at 1000 yards, quite a bit smaller than the typical 350 ft. found in most other binoculars of this type and power). It is like looking through a smaller tunnel when compared to other compact binoculars of the same power, but WOW.... what a bright, clear, contrasty and distortion-free tunnel it is! Absolutely beautiful.... other than the smaller field of view, these are EASILY equal to (if not better than) the Nikon and Zeiss compact offerings at less than half the price. Is the smaller FOV a deal breaker for most of us? Maybe... but I've been watching birds the rest of the afternoon after buying these, and I don't even notice that the view is smaller than the Zeiss and Nikon offerings.... I just see the birds in all their beautiful, crystal clear, distortion-free beauty!
Overall, I would HIGHLY recommend that anyone on this forum who is looking seriously for a compact 8X binocular give these a look before making your final decision. You might just be surprised... I was!
Best wishes,
Bawko
I've been considering the purchase of a set of lightweight "compact" binoculars for several weeks now, thinking how nice it would be to have something I could leave in the glove box of the car for quick daytrips or unexpected birding opportunities when I'm away from my beloved Nikon HG 8X32's (my "preciousssssss" ). Up to this point, I've considered several possible options in compact glass, and evaluated every model available locally (which amounts to just about every model on the market!).
I have been VERY tempted by the Zeiss 8X20 and Nikon HG 8X20 models, but I've been hesitating because, while both models surpass everything else in their class I've seen so far, neither really "grabbed" me and yanked the cash out of my wallet and both have a 2.5mm exit pupil, which seems more than a bit inadequate for low-light viewing situations.
Today, I had an opportunity to view the new Brunton Eterna 8X25 compact binoculars. I say "new" because of one major difference - the most recent models now have phase coating, whereas the original Eterna's did not. I had not considered these to be a serious contender for compact binoculars up to this point mainly because of that fact, and when I initially looked through the display model at a local camping store I couldn't believe how bright and clear the optics were considering the lack (or so I thought) of phase coating. Only after setting them down after being VERY impressed did I notice that the features tag included "phase coated" as one of the listed items.
I looked again for a few more minutes, then purchased them on the spot. Finally - a compact binocular that has excellent optics, a nice 3.1mm exit pupil, and a low price as well! I'm in compact binocular heaven! I don't understand why more binocular companies don't make 8X25 roof prism models - everyone is making either 8X20 or 10X25... I think there is a serious market segment being overlooked here for 8X25 models!
My ONLY complaint about these marvelous binoculars is the rather restricted field of view (270 ft. at 1000 yards, quite a bit smaller than the typical 350 ft. found in most other binoculars of this type and power). It is like looking through a smaller tunnel when compared to other compact binoculars of the same power, but WOW.... what a bright, clear, contrasty and distortion-free tunnel it is! Absolutely beautiful.... other than the smaller field of view, these are EASILY equal to (if not better than) the Nikon and Zeiss compact offerings at less than half the price. Is the smaller FOV a deal breaker for most of us? Maybe... but I've been watching birds the rest of the afternoon after buying these, and I don't even notice that the view is smaller than the Zeiss and Nikon offerings.... I just see the birds in all their beautiful, crystal clear, distortion-free beauty!
Overall, I would HIGHLY recommend that anyone on this forum who is looking seriously for a compact 8X binocular give these a look before making your final decision. You might just be surprised... I was!
Best wishes,
Bawko