tvcrider
Active member
I usually just lurk here in the forums, but I thought I would write up my impressions of two 8x32 binoculars. I am a occasional birder and I own a Pentax 8x32 DCF WP that was purchased in 2000.
For specifics on the Pentax see:
http://www.birdforum.net/reviews/showproduct.php/product/32
I recently got the itch to 'upgrade', so I ordered a pair of Vortex Viper 8x32 from EO. I will be the first to admit that I am not an optics guru. I don't have a standardized testing methodology and so please read my comments with that in mind. I should have realized that I don't really have many complaints about the Pentax 8x32 DCF WP. They have served me well.
I demoed the Vipers against the Pentax for about an hour under a bright, but overcast sky. I switched back and forth between both models viewing everything from birds, signs, license plates. flowers, spiders. etc. This is what I found with my eyes:
Vortex Viper 8x32
Likes:
Pentax DCF WP 8x32
Likes:
Well if you haven't figured it out yet, the Vipers went back to EO. Yeah, I'm out the return shipping, but I kept $489 in my pocket. I figure it was worth the cost of the demo and side-by-side comparison.
Of course ymmv.
For specifics on the Pentax see:
http://www.birdforum.net/reviews/showproduct.php/product/32
I recently got the itch to 'upgrade', so I ordered a pair of Vortex Viper 8x32 from EO. I will be the first to admit that I am not an optics guru. I don't have a standardized testing methodology and so please read my comments with that in mind. I should have realized that I don't really have many complaints about the Pentax 8x32 DCF WP. They have served me well.
I demoed the Vipers against the Pentax for about an hour under a bright, but overcast sky. I switched back and forth between both models viewing everything from birds, signs, license plates. flowers, spiders. etc. This is what I found with my eyes:
Vortex Viper 8x32
Likes:
- Twist-up eye cups with click settings was nicer than the Pentax's simple pull-out eye cups.
- Focusing: the focusing wheel is just a bit smoother on the Viper.
- Close focus: Vortex will focus several feet further in than the Pentax and the DOF at this close-in range seemed greater than that of the Pentax.
- On my digital scale the Vortex weigh almost 3 full ounces less than the Pentax.
- Overall build quality, fit/finish, was not a good as the Pentax DCF WP 8x32.
- I wanted to convince myself that the view was superior using the Vortex, but with the exception of the DOF on close focusing I really could not discern a difference between the two pairs.
- Slower focus: six pulls/pushes with my finger to go from on end of the focusing scale to the other, i.e. 3 ft to infinity.
- I expected more for my $490 and that is probably my own fault.
Pentax DCF WP 8x32
Likes:
- Superior build quality.
- Faster focusing: four pulls/pushes with my finger to go from on end of the focusing scale to the other.
- Cost: I already own them, so there would be no additional out-of-pocket expenses if I returned the Vortex Viper.
- Close focus: Vortex will focus almost 3 feet closer than the Pentax and the DOF at this close-in range seemed greater than that of the Pentax
- As stated above, the Vortex Viper eye cups are simply superior to those on the Pentax.
Well if you haven't figured it out yet, the Vipers went back to EO. Yeah, I'm out the return shipping, but I kept $489 in my pocket. I figure it was worth the cost of the demo and side-by-side comparison.
Of course ymmv.