compact binos: 8x25 or 10x25? (2 Viewers)

F

falgor

New member

• Feb 26, 2009

• #1

I want to buy a compact binos for general use in mountain (sorry, not specially interested in birds) I doubt between Olympus pci 8x25 and 10x25, because I like de 10x power for long distances and more magnification, but I’m afraid that the visual field could be too narrow and the light very poor.. Is better, for a 25 objective, sacrifice de magnification? Must I choose the 8x?

Sorry for my English. Salutations from Spain!

 

C

ceasar

Well-known member

• Feb 26, 2009

• #2

Here is one that may fit your requirements. It is a little larger in size than your inquiry requests. I have one and I am very pleased with it. With it's single hinge design, it is very easy to use. The 9x power is a good compromise between 8x and 10x. I think the field of view is quite adequate and it is bright enough. I carry it in the front pocket of my winter jacket and it will fit into a large bellows style shirt pocket. It is the Pentax DCF LV 9 x 28.

I believe Pentax is sold in Europe also. Here are the binoculars specifications from a USA website:

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/pentax/pentax-dcf-lv-9x28-roof-prism-binocular

Cordially,
Bob

 

Tero

Retired

• Feb 26, 2009

• #3

10x25 is pretty shakey in hand. I like to use 10x42. But with some propping up they can be made to work, with elbows resting on something. Nikon L series 10x is your best bet. The rest are pretty much junk for under 300 dollars.
http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/nikon/nikon-premier-lx-l-10x25-binocular

I had the Nikon Promaster/Travelite 10x25 and they were disappointingly dim in winter. Sharpness was OK in 50% of the middle area.

 

S

swalker

Well-known member

• Feb 26, 2009

• #4

I would go with the 8x25.

Steve

 

F

falgor

New member

• Feb 26, 2009

• #5

Thanks to all. 9x28 and nikon 10x25 sounds well, but I must choose between the Olympus models (10x and 8x) because, for my job, I have better price in this manufacturer...

Regards,
Felix

 

Tero

Retired

• Feb 26, 2009

• #6

Hard to say with the Olympus. But 9 out of 10 times in these lower end, less than 500 dollars, pocket binos the 10x is not very good, does not offer better detail in the field. At 32mm or 42mm, you start getting decent 10x in lower prices as well.

 

iveljay

Well-known member

• Feb 26, 2009

• #7

Olympus PCI 8x25 always seem to have done well when reviewed. I have not seen the 10x25 ever reviewed - or even tried one.

Unlike the more expensive Olympus ranges both the 8x and the 10x have the same number of optical elements (7 elements in 5 groups - fully coated).

Looking at the specs the 10x has less eye relief, field of view etc as you would expect. (Fov 105m or 91m at 1000m)

In practice I went for the 8x for reasons of brightness - a longer day effectively - and it seemed a sure bet from the reviews.

I guess the choice is to go for a fairly safe bet with the 8x or a gamble with the 10x.

It would be great if someone has actually got the 10x and would let us all know how it compares.

 

Last edited: Feb 26, 2009

F

falgor

New member

• Mar 3, 2009

• #8

Ok, finally I think that the choice must be 8x25. My price of the Olympus stays just below of Opticron's Taiga market price, of which I’ve could read good opinions.

In the ranking of the Birdwatching’s forum the Pci obtain better optical resolution that the Taiga, in spite of that Opticron are FMC and BAK4 (Olympus not). What do you think about that? At the same price, which is better?

Thanks!

 

K

kabsetz

Well-known member

• Mar 3, 2009

• #9

Falgor,

What I think of the Pci obtaining better optical resolution than the Taiga is that the testers happened to have a better sample of the Pci and a worse sample of the Taiga. Centerfield resolution differences between binoculars that share the same magnification, objective diameter and prism design are overwhelmingly the result of differences in how precisely the assembly has happened to fall together, and this can vary a great deal at this price level (indeed, most price levels).

Kimmo

 

F

falcondude

Well-known member

• Mar 4, 2009

• #10

falgor said:

Ok, finally I think that the choice must be 8x25. My price of the Olympus stays just below of Opticron's Taiga market price, of which I’ve could read good opinions.

In the ranking of the Birdwatching’s forum the Pci obtain better optical resolution that the Taiga, in spite of that Opticron are FMC and BAK4 (Olympus not). What do you think about that? At the same price, which is better?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

I am surprised Olympus does not offer FMC for this model line. I would assume FMC is by default standard for any decent binoculars. Back to the topic, I would choose 8x over 10x too.

 

F

falgor

New member

• Mar 22, 2009

• #11

I already have the pci 8x25 and i must say that I am satisfied with it. The optical quality is sufficient for my expectations. They are sufficiently clear and brilliant and the 8x magnification works well for me. Thank you for your advices!

Regards

 

M

mmx_4

Well-known member

• May 5, 2009

• #12

imho 8x25 or 8x26. 10x25 is very dark and shake.
or 8x28 - but 8x28 is ~400gr. weight.