[bluebird1066]

I was hoping for some advice on binoculars. I originally was lucky enough to buy what turned out to be a great pair of 8 x 21. Have consequently been bitten by the bug and so did my homework on other bins. I use them for bird/wildlife watching, but am trying to keep my weight down due to a partially able arm, so to stsrt with, will compromise on field of view where necessary and stick to 10 x or less. So when I spotted a pair of 8x25 with a Field of 152m / 1000m, compared to my current 8x21 128m / 1000m, I bought them (online). To my surprise though, when they arrived, the actual field of view ’I can see’ is less, than my 8x21.

They are a little brighter, as they should be. But my surprise was the field of view. I thought that maths don’t lie and that an 8x25 at 152m compared to a 8x21 at 128m, just had to have not only increased brightness but a larger field of view? Help I am confused. I thought I could rely upon the specification, to tell me if I will be improving on my 8x21 at 128m/100m. Can anyone explain, as I hope I am not also dependent on the quality of the bins and manufacturer? Thanks all.

[dalat]

I guess the specifications of 152 m/1000m were wrong. It would be a exceptionally large field for a 8x25, so sounds like a mistake in the specs. Which model is it?

[Tero]

Fileds of view greater than 7 degrees are best in the field
http://www.birding.com/fieldview.asp
however, in cheaper models the outer 30% tends to be blurry.

[ceasar]

I concur with Tero's comment.

This may not bother many people who are looking to save money. It's a simple matter to move the binocular slightly to center the object in view. Try one first though.

Cordially,
Bob

[spitfiretriple]

Welcome to the forum bluebird. I'm a relative newbie myself, but there's plenty of good information here and some very helpful and knowledgeable people.

I echo the comments above, we need to know the manufacturers and the models of your two bins. Meanwhile, I agree that something sounds not quite right. Like Dalat, I feel that 152m@1000m is pushing it for an 8x25.

I sense you have assumed that a x25 will automatically have a bigger FOV than a x21; this is not so. The ocular (eyepiece), prisms and the geometry are far more significant. It's not even true that a x25 will always be brighter than a x21 - though this is likely unless the x25 is of noticeably inferior quality.

Originally Posted by bluebird1066

...I hope I am not also dependent on the quality of the bins and manufacturer? Thanks all.

Oh yes you are. Oh yes you are.

[spitfiretriple]

Just found these on Ebay: Praktica Sport 8x25 DWCF Field 152m/1000m Wide binocular

Doesn't appear to be one of Praktica's current models though, so no info on the website

[Sancho]

If you find it more comfortable to use one hand holding the binos, IMHO there is nothing more comfortable than the Swarovsi EL 8x32. These are small and relatively light, and although the barrels appear long, they are superb "one-hand" bins, top-class optics and well worth saving up for.

[jmepler]

Perhaps if the 152m/1000m is correct the eye relief is very short. This is often the case with a wide f.o.v.

bluebird1066, do you wear glasses? If not, were the eyepiece rings or cups in their lowest position? If not your eye may have not been close enough to the eyepieces to see the full view.

Mike