John Dracon
John Dracon
I have noticed over a half century of using binoculars the progression (perhaps regression) of the diopter mechanisms on binoculars. IF binoculars (which by design require only a screw in screw out movement to establish eye balance) have note changed.
The diopter mechanism of CF binoculars on the other hand have gone through many changes in location, practicality, and complexity. Why has this happened? The trend setter was of course Swarovski with its open hinges and what I call one-stop-shopping focusing, both barrels and one barrel at your finger tips.
But is the convenience and repeatability attributed to this kind of focusing mechansim really an advance for users? IMO it is not. The design people of course love challenges, particularly European manufacturers. Many of their designs, IMO, border on gimmickry. Then the other manufacturers follow the monkey see monkey do type of reaction to promote so-call new advances, and soon binocular focusing mechcanism, IMO, are unnecessarily complex and adding to higher costs. Where is or are the gains?
I recently visited a major sporting goods store where a myriad of binoculars were for sale. Low end to high end and everything in between. Even some of the low cost binoculars were trying to emulate the so called alphas with open bridges and complex center focusing.
The overwhelming number of binocular users are right handed. The diopter on the right hand barrel makes perfect ergonomic sense. Even Zeiss's new Conquest series uses the time-honored location. But then when one examiines the HT series. we are back to sheer complexity. Which part of the wheel do you engage? Do you push down or lift up on the center wheel to change the diopter? Is this all intuitive? Don't think so.
Then we have the Opticron WP and its Leupold & Minox clones. Which barrel does the diopter focus? If you haven't used one, you have flunked the test!
It is the left one of course. What genius made that decision?
John
The diopter mechanism of CF binoculars on the other hand have gone through many changes in location, practicality, and complexity. Why has this happened? The trend setter was of course Swarovski with its open hinges and what I call one-stop-shopping focusing, both barrels and one barrel at your finger tips.
But is the convenience and repeatability attributed to this kind of focusing mechansim really an advance for users? IMO it is not. The design people of course love challenges, particularly European manufacturers. Many of their designs, IMO, border on gimmickry. Then the other manufacturers follow the monkey see monkey do type of reaction to promote so-call new advances, and soon binocular focusing mechcanism, IMO, are unnecessarily complex and adding to higher costs. Where is or are the gains?
I recently visited a major sporting goods store where a myriad of binoculars were for sale. Low end to high end and everything in between. Even some of the low cost binoculars were trying to emulate the so called alphas with open bridges and complex center focusing.
The overwhelming number of binocular users are right handed. The diopter on the right hand barrel makes perfect ergonomic sense. Even Zeiss's new Conquest series uses the time-honored location. But then when one examiines the HT series. we are back to sheer complexity. Which part of the wheel do you engage? Do you push down or lift up on the center wheel to change the diopter? Is this all intuitive? Don't think so.
Then we have the Opticron WP and its Leupold & Minox clones. Which barrel does the diopter focus? If you haven't used one, you have flunked the test!
It is the left one of course. What genius made that decision?
John