I am 55 yrs old, never worn glasses with the exception of reading, but will admit my eyesight isn't what it was even 10 years ago. I am not a technical guy, but have had the luxury of owning and/or using most all of the high end stuff with the exception of the Zeiss SF and HT, and Nikon EDG. To this day the finest piece of glass I've ever seen is the 10x50 SV. In my world it has not peer. With that said, I am always on the perpetual prowl for a great value, i.e. where performance exceeds the price. I found that exponentially with the Tract Toric 8x42 binocular.
Let me get this out of the way......I have the SLC HD, Meopta Meostar HD, Leupold Gold Ring HD (all in 10x42) to compare with, and my buddy owns the gun/optics shop down the road and I got to use the Razor HD and Conquest HD (again both in 10x42) to compare.
IMHO, the characteristics of the Toric are:
Build quality-exceptionally good. High quality feeling in every way. It has got some heft to it but not exceedingly so.
Eyecups-there are several stages of adjustment, and when you set it where you like it they will not move without you doing so intentionally. They work very smoothly and are not too big, not too small.
Focus mechanism--I am VERY picky about this, and know what I like and why. The knob has what I'd call moderate tension, and once again it will stay set where you put it. I hate the ones with very light tension, as they get moved inadvertently sometimes. Also, and what I found most likable, is that you can nail a super sharp image the first time without overshooting it. Probably due to what I'd call a moderate speed...not a fast focus, not a real slow focus. It is more like the SV in this regard.
Ergonomics--the Tract is the sleekest bino of those I tested, along with the Razor HD. It feels very good in your hands.
Optics--They are what I'd call a very neutral image. Image is VERY sharp, clean, crisp, and contrasty. Blacks are very black, whites are very white, colors are beautifully rendered but not what I'd call "popping" out at you. It is an exceptionally easy, crisp, bright clear view. I'd call the FOV pretty average, not exceptional, but didn't take the time to measure it.
Optics comparison according to my eyes--even though it is the only 8x in the bunch I'll attempt to explain what I saw anyway and you guys can take it FIW:
Toric vs:
10x50 SV--as I said, this is the finest binocular I've ever used or owned, including the 10x42 SV. Since the Toric does not use field flatteners, I'll still say the SV reigns supreme, at a hefty price tag of course.
Conquest HD--Toric is slightly brighter and sharper. Colors looked about the same to me. I was hindered by the ER on the Conquest though, and know Zeiss has a fix for that. Since these were loaners I obviously couldn't bother with that. These are both made by Kamakura Japan, and some similarities are there, but the Toric optics are better.
Razor HD--I could not tell any difference between the two. Both are very nice ergonomically.
Meopta HD- I never saw the very slight warm bias until I put them side by side. The Toric is noticeably sharper and brighter, and much more pleasing to hold.
SLC HD--I honestly can see no difference whatsoever in these two. The focus mech on the Toric is superior to the SLC though.
Gold Ring HD--I've been using these for almost 10 yrs now, and it has performed exceptionally well. That being said though, when these two are up against each other the Toric is clearly optically superior, as the GR warm bias shows up. Once again the Toric is brighter, sharper, etc, and ergonomically superior.
I'll attempt to answer any questions that may arise, and to put out my disclaimer to denco......neither I, nor my opinions are for sale or compromise as he accused SteveC. I purchase every optic I own with my own money, period. I could care less what people want to buy, why they like what they buy, etc. More power to 'em.
Let me get this out of the way......I have the SLC HD, Meopta Meostar HD, Leupold Gold Ring HD (all in 10x42) to compare with, and my buddy owns the gun/optics shop down the road and I got to use the Razor HD and Conquest HD (again both in 10x42) to compare.
IMHO, the characteristics of the Toric are:
Build quality-exceptionally good. High quality feeling in every way. It has got some heft to it but not exceedingly so.
Eyecups-there are several stages of adjustment, and when you set it where you like it they will not move without you doing so intentionally. They work very smoothly and are not too big, not too small.
Focus mechanism--I am VERY picky about this, and know what I like and why. The knob has what I'd call moderate tension, and once again it will stay set where you put it. I hate the ones with very light tension, as they get moved inadvertently sometimes. Also, and what I found most likable, is that you can nail a super sharp image the first time without overshooting it. Probably due to what I'd call a moderate speed...not a fast focus, not a real slow focus. It is more like the SV in this regard.
Ergonomics--the Tract is the sleekest bino of those I tested, along with the Razor HD. It feels very good in your hands.
Optics--They are what I'd call a very neutral image. Image is VERY sharp, clean, crisp, and contrasty. Blacks are very black, whites are very white, colors are beautifully rendered but not what I'd call "popping" out at you. It is an exceptionally easy, crisp, bright clear view. I'd call the FOV pretty average, not exceptional, but didn't take the time to measure it.
Optics comparison according to my eyes--even though it is the only 8x in the bunch I'll attempt to explain what I saw anyway and you guys can take it FIW:
Toric vs:
10x50 SV--as I said, this is the finest binocular I've ever used or owned, including the 10x42 SV. Since the Toric does not use field flatteners, I'll still say the SV reigns supreme, at a hefty price tag of course.
Conquest HD--Toric is slightly brighter and sharper. Colors looked about the same to me. I was hindered by the ER on the Conquest though, and know Zeiss has a fix for that. Since these were loaners I obviously couldn't bother with that. These are both made by Kamakura Japan, and some similarities are there, but the Toric optics are better.
Razor HD--I could not tell any difference between the two. Both are very nice ergonomically.
Meopta HD- I never saw the very slight warm bias until I put them side by side. The Toric is noticeably sharper and brighter, and much more pleasing to hold.
SLC HD--I honestly can see no difference whatsoever in these two. The focus mech on the Toric is superior to the SLC though.
Gold Ring HD--I've been using these for almost 10 yrs now, and it has performed exceptionally well. That being said though, when these two are up against each other the Toric is clearly optically superior, as the GR warm bias shows up. Once again the Toric is brighter, sharper, etc, and ergonomically superior.
I'll attempt to answer any questions that may arise, and to put out my disclaimer to denco......neither I, nor my opinions are for sale or compromise as he accused SteveC. I purchase every optic I own with my own money, period. I could care less what people want to buy, why they like what they buy, etc. More power to 'em.
