Malcolm Stewart
Well-known member
I was just about ready to order a new 8x42 HRWP, but before I sent the order off, I checked the coverage of my old Extra Wide Field Countryman 8x42 WA, and was horrified to see that I'd be losing angular coverage to quite a serious degree. 112m at 1000m, versus 143m at 1000m on the old pair.
I note that several people here use the new 8x42 HRWP and wonder how they get on with them. Checking out Opticron's specs for angular coverage doesn't seem to support the claims that the newer 8x42 HRWP combines the best of both Porro and Roof prism designs. Using the older 8x42s I certainly don't feel that the view is "Extra Wide"! (Perhaps because I'm a spectacle wearer?)
For general use I'm happy with a pair of 7x35 Porro prism bins (Minolta Activa), and they do seem to have a decently wide field - 9.3° claimed.
I note that several people here use the new 8x42 HRWP and wonder how they get on with them. Checking out Opticron's specs for angular coverage doesn't seem to support the claims that the newer 8x42 HRWP combines the best of both Porro and Roof prism designs. Using the older 8x42s I certainly don't feel that the view is "Extra Wide"! (Perhaps because I'm a spectacle wearer?)
For general use I'm happy with a pair of 7x35 Porro prism bins (Minolta Activa), and they do seem to have a decently wide field - 9.3° claimed.