Kevin Purcell
Well-known member
These were mentioned over on Binocular Bargains thread but this is a more general thread.
I'd not noticed the Olympus Trooper 7x35 DPS 1 Binoculars before.
Amazon have them (+ tax if you are in WA) with free shipping for $40. So that's the same price as the Chinese 7x35.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AKGWX
Buy.com may be tax free for WA folks
http://www.buy.com/prod/olympus-tro...sm-binoculars-olympus/q/loc/111/90132484.html
And what is the difference between the 1/I version and the R version (which now is unavailable?)
From an R review at Amazon.com they are (perhaps the last of the) "old school" 7x35: lightweight (22.9oz), wide FOV (9.3°), wide AFOV (65°), not very large 12mm ER, not waterproof, rubber fold-down eyecups. Plus they have an aspherical EP lens that should flatten the field (I think).
Olympus product support (e.g manual)
http://www.olympusamerica.com/CPG_SECTION/cpg_support_product.asp?id=21
http://www.olympusamerica.com/files/various_DPSI_Manual.pdf
ER is 12mm.
As a value it is excellent. It resembles the United 7x40 porros Holger Merlitz likes. I'm sure the price is a close-out, but hopefully it won't go up 50% like the Baigish 12x50 did about 6 months ago. But we are still talking $45 delivered. The shipping is cheaper if you get a 12x50 with a 7x35 so they could go below $40 each. I regularly buy Olympus Trooper 7x35s with aspherical eye lenses, and I just bought a case of Nikon 7x35 Action Extremes. These military 7x35s from China may be better overall. Beware the weight though.
I'd not noticed the Olympus Trooper 7x35 DPS 1 Binoculars before.
Amazon have them (+ tax if you are in WA) with free shipping for $40. So that's the same price as the Chinese 7x35.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AKGWX
Buy.com may be tax free for WA folks
http://www.buy.com/prod/olympus-tro...sm-binoculars-olympus/q/loc/111/90132484.html
And what is the difference between the 1/I version and the R version (which now is unavailable?)
From an R review at Amazon.com they are (perhaps the last of the) "old school" 7x35: lightweight (22.9oz), wide FOV (9.3°), wide AFOV (65°), not very large 12mm ER, not waterproof, rubber fold-down eyecups. Plus they have an aspherical EP lens that should flatten the field (I think).
Pros:
-my 7x35 DPS R is impressively bright, sharp and contrasty on-axis, with very low chromatic aberration. I don't know if they're all this good optically or I just got lucky
-wide 9.3º true FOV and 65º apparent FOV (when the eyecups are folded down)
-the eyepiece bridge, despite being plastic, is solid; it doesn't shift focus from eye pressure
Cons:
-slightly heavy and bulky for a non-waterproof 7x35
-the focus wheel is smooth, with the right amount of resistance, but I find its shape and placement makes it slow to quickly refocus from near to far or vice versa. Though it has a large depth of field (noticeably better than any 8x binocular I've yet used), reducing the need for frequent refocusing
-the rubber eyecups developed cracks where they fold over, a common problem with rubber eyecups. Doesn't affect performance; more of a cosmetic issue
Olympus product support (e.g manual)
http://www.olympusamerica.com/CPG_SECTION/cpg_support_product.asp?id=21
http://www.olympusamerica.com/files/various_DPSI_Manual.pdf
ER is 12mm.
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