This is my very non-scientific comparison of two binoculars: Leupold Yosemite 6x30 (natural color version; owned for about a year now) and Celestron Cypress 7x30 (green colored version owned for two days).
Leupold Yosemite 6x30 and Celestron Cypress 7x30
While reading this, please remember that I have little to no experience with binoculars. I am basically presenting my observations as a very casual user. I am basing this review on 2 hours spent with both binoculars around my neck while bird watching at one of the local nature reserve spots. So lets start.
Build and external quality:
Yosemites are a lot softer with their rubbery coating. Cypress' body is a lot more like a non-slippery plastic. I do prefer Yosemite's feel but I have noticed that the rubber skin is already separating from the body in one place.
Another difference in in the eyecups. Both binocs have eyecups that you can twist to extend. Cypress has a couple of "clicks" between closed and fully opened position. Yosemites do not. While I would think that the "clicks" that Cypress is providing should be a default feature, the constantly closing eyecups of Yosemites just drive me crazy.
Objective lens caps are better in Yosemites since they are somewhat attached to the barrels (they can still slide off but at least there is some protection against that). Cypress' lens caps are just thin rubber caps that you slip on and off. I am giving myself about 1-2 weeks before I lose them for good.
Strap is better and more comfortable in Yosemites. Cypress binocs are a bit lighter. Because of that, my kid actually prefers to hold and use the Cypress. I guess for an eight year old even one ounce makes difference. For me, a 200 lbs guy, I can't really tell that they are different weight-wise.
Cases for both binoculars are similar in shape but Yosemite's case is a lot softer. While better in feel, I think that stiffer material used for Cypress' case provides a slightly better protection. Yosemite's case has a belt loop and Cypress' case has a neck strap.
Another thing worth mentioning is that the focusing ring on Yosemite's gets very stiff. I have to work it couple of times thru the whole movement circle to loosen up. No problem with that in Cypress binocs. This creates a problem for kids when trying to focus. No way my 6 years old would be able to turn the stiff focusing ring.
Winner: Celestron Cypress
Celestron Cypress 7x30
Leupold Yosemite 6x30
Cases (fronts)
Cases (back)
Optics:
One thing I have noticed right away is that Yosemites are a bit brighter binoculars. Cypress is darker but it has more contrast. Now, there is a possibility that the contrast is better because of the Cypress being darker but like I said in the beginning, I am not an expert. Another difference that a noob like me noticed is that Yosemite has better depth of field. I did have to refocus the Cypress a lot more often.
As to the 6x vs 7x, I can't tell a difference. Believe me, I have tried. In the specs, Celestron lists wider field-of-view and has higher magnification. To my untrained eye, both binoculars provide the same magnification and FOV. So there is a small difference in the optics but both binoculars provide a very good image. It is possible that if I had the Cypress first, I would be thrown off by Yosemite's a bit washed out picture.
I am not going to try to determine softness at the edges, chromatic aberration, etc because I am not skilled enough to do so. Remember that those are sub-$100 binoculars that I have purchased to use by kids on a trips and for bird watching. Honestly, both binoculars provide nice and clear picture with Yosemite's taking the edge because I think they would be brighter in less optimal lighting conditions.
Winner: Leupold Yosemite
Final word:
I have to be honest that in the beginning (first 5-10 minutes with both binocs), I wasn't crazy about Cypress. Mostly due to the slightly darker image and those cheap objective lens covers. But, at the end of the 2-hour long bird watching trip, I have totally changed my mind. While I have to say that there is something really cool about Yosemites and their bright image, the Cypress is not far behind. Actually, I really got used to the more contrast image presented by Cypress and at the end of my trip, I was reaching for them more often than for the Yosemites. I am still torn between deciding if Cypress is a darker binocular or Yosemite being a bit washed out. The "clicking" (locking) eye cups and smooth focusing ring of Celestron's made a positive impression on me. So since I like the Cypress and my kid approved them, they are staying. They are also a bit cheaper than Yosemites which is a good thing if you are on a budget and planning to give the binoculars to the kids. You know that they are going to be bumped a lot more.
That's it. If I have omitted something that I should write about, please just ask and I will post an update.
Forgot to add that this is sort of a continuation of this thread: Need recommendation for budget binoculars for kids
Leupold Yosemite 6x30 and Celestron Cypress 7x30
While reading this, please remember that I have little to no experience with binoculars. I am basically presenting my observations as a very casual user. I am basing this review on 2 hours spent with both binoculars around my neck while bird watching at one of the local nature reserve spots. So lets start.
Build and external quality:
Yosemites are a lot softer with their rubbery coating. Cypress' body is a lot more like a non-slippery plastic. I do prefer Yosemite's feel but I have noticed that the rubber skin is already separating from the body in one place.
Another difference in in the eyecups. Both binocs have eyecups that you can twist to extend. Cypress has a couple of "clicks" between closed and fully opened position. Yosemites do not. While I would think that the "clicks" that Cypress is providing should be a default feature, the constantly closing eyecups of Yosemites just drive me crazy.
Objective lens caps are better in Yosemites since they are somewhat attached to the barrels (they can still slide off but at least there is some protection against that). Cypress' lens caps are just thin rubber caps that you slip on and off. I am giving myself about 1-2 weeks before I lose them for good.
Strap is better and more comfortable in Yosemites. Cypress binocs are a bit lighter. Because of that, my kid actually prefers to hold and use the Cypress. I guess for an eight year old even one ounce makes difference. For me, a 200 lbs guy, I can't really tell that they are different weight-wise.
Cases for both binoculars are similar in shape but Yosemite's case is a lot softer. While better in feel, I think that stiffer material used for Cypress' case provides a slightly better protection. Yosemite's case has a belt loop and Cypress' case has a neck strap.
Another thing worth mentioning is that the focusing ring on Yosemite's gets very stiff. I have to work it couple of times thru the whole movement circle to loosen up. No problem with that in Cypress binocs. This creates a problem for kids when trying to focus. No way my 6 years old would be able to turn the stiff focusing ring.
Winner: Celestron Cypress
Celestron Cypress 7x30
Leupold Yosemite 6x30
Cases (fronts)
Cases (back)
Optics:
One thing I have noticed right away is that Yosemites are a bit brighter binoculars. Cypress is darker but it has more contrast. Now, there is a possibility that the contrast is better because of the Cypress being darker but like I said in the beginning, I am not an expert. Another difference that a noob like me noticed is that Yosemite has better depth of field. I did have to refocus the Cypress a lot more often.
As to the 6x vs 7x, I can't tell a difference. Believe me, I have tried. In the specs, Celestron lists wider field-of-view and has higher magnification. To my untrained eye, both binoculars provide the same magnification and FOV. So there is a small difference in the optics but both binoculars provide a very good image. It is possible that if I had the Cypress first, I would be thrown off by Yosemite's a bit washed out picture.
I am not going to try to determine softness at the edges, chromatic aberration, etc because I am not skilled enough to do so. Remember that those are sub-$100 binoculars that I have purchased to use by kids on a trips and for bird watching. Honestly, both binoculars provide nice and clear picture with Yosemite's taking the edge because I think they would be brighter in less optimal lighting conditions.
Winner: Leupold Yosemite
Final word:
I have to be honest that in the beginning (first 5-10 minutes with both binocs), I wasn't crazy about Cypress. Mostly due to the slightly darker image and those cheap objective lens covers. But, at the end of the 2-hour long bird watching trip, I have totally changed my mind. While I have to say that there is something really cool about Yosemites and their bright image, the Cypress is not far behind. Actually, I really got used to the more contrast image presented by Cypress and at the end of my trip, I was reaching for them more often than for the Yosemites. I am still torn between deciding if Cypress is a darker binocular or Yosemite being a bit washed out. The "clicking" (locking) eye cups and smooth focusing ring of Celestron's made a positive impression on me. So since I like the Cypress and my kid approved them, they are staying. They are also a bit cheaper than Yosemites which is a good thing if you are on a budget and planning to give the binoculars to the kids. You know that they are going to be bumped a lot more.
That's it. If I have omitted something that I should write about, please just ask and I will post an update.
Forgot to add that this is sort of a continuation of this thread: Need recommendation for budget binoculars for kids
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