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Vortex Kaibab 15x56 HD: pre and post 2013 differences? (1 Viewer)

Saxatilis

Well-known member
Hello all,
does someone know the differences (optically and externally, if any) between the older and newer (post 2013-14) version of the Kaibab 15x56 HD?
Thank you
 
Maybe I have found them:

OLDER AND DISCONTINUED
Magnification 15 x
Objective Lens Diameter 56 mm
Eye Relief 17.4 mm
Exit Pupil 3.7 mm
Linear Field of View 226 feet/1000 yards
Angular Field of View 4.3 degrees
Close Focus 23 feet
Interpupillary Distance 60-74 mm
Height 7.7 inches
Width 5.7 inches
Weight 44 ounces


NEWER AND CURRENT
Magnification 15 x
Objective Lens Diameter 56 mm
Eye Relief 15 mm
Exit Pupil 3.7 mm
Linear Field of View 215 feet/1000 yards
Angular Field of View 4.1 degrees
Close Focus 23 feet
Interpupillary Distance 60-76 mm
Height 7.7 inches
Width 5.7 inches
Weight 43.5 ounces
 
Looks as if the lowly HD Vulture is a smorgasbord of the two. Only 15 mm eye relief, yet uses the 4.3 *. What I wonder about is the close focus. Both versions of the Kaibab, and the Minox BL 15x56, are 23 feet. Why would the Vulture be 15 feet? Eyepiece design? I wanted the closer focus and of course the lesser Vulture in open box fit neatly into meager finances.

Naturally, all I received from Vortex was a design difference. I knew that already. The Vulture is approximately the same weight/length/width/power as the Kaibab. And though I do not doubt the Kaibab possessing superior glass I wonder how the close focus difference plays into their differences.

Magnification 15 x
Objective Lens Diameter 56 mm
Eye Relief 15 mm
Exit Pupil 3.7 mm
Linear Field of View 226 feet/1000 yards
Angular Field of View 4.3 degrees
Close Focus 15 feet
Interpupillary Distance 59-74 mm
Height 7.6 inches
Width 5.8 inches
Weight 43.6 ounces

They are all roofs and 15' is over one third closer focus than 23'. Everything being a compromise, what did the Vulture give up to enjoy the close focus?

Vortex Viper HD 15x50
Magnification:15 x
Objective Lens Diameter:50 mm
Eye Relief:16 mm
Exit Pupil:3.3 mm
Linear Field of View:210 feet/1000 yards
Angular Field Of View:4 degrees
Close Focus:8.2 feet
Interpupillary Distance:59-75 mm
Height:6.7 inches
Width:5.2 inches
Weight:28.4 ounces

A mere 8.2 feet, but it's using 50mm objectives.
 
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