Yes, I know, common wisdom says that zoom binoculars are usually a poor choice (given that many are cheap devices with very poor quality, narrow FOV, etc., and there are few top brands selling quality top zoom binoculars, apparently for a reason). That’s why I was puzzled to find what appears a pretty shocking combination: a 20-100x zoom with 30 mm objectives, which ranges from a 1,5 to a 0,3 mm exit pupil.
What really puzzles me is that the binoculars in question are sold by Kenko, a brand that sells otherwise decent optics in low price ranges (they have a pretty complete range); sharing some models with other brands; for example they sell a clon of the much acclaimed Sightron Bluesky, and also a compact 6/8/10x30 not very different to the Opticron Savanna and its many siblings. In fact Kenko has created an entire page within their website to explain the details of these crazy zoom binoculars, somehow like they did believe it’s a viable product
You can check it here:
Kenko Global - SG-Z 20-100x30N FMC
Anyone has any experience with these? I have tried different models from different brands of the binoculars they seem to originate (the 6/8/10x30 sold by Kenko, Vixen, Opticron, related to the Kowa, Leupold, etc.), and they were very nice for the price. But why go the 20-100x way?
After trying scopes with 60 to 80 mm objectives and magnifications up to 60x, I’m really puzzled as to why Kenko would push the "good and trusty" 30 mm compact Porro to the 100x. I mean, for someone wanting magnification, maybe something like 10 - 30 x would have already been attractive, even 10-50 x, but why going up to 100 x, only because it sounds impressive in the ad? You do see ludicrous ads from impossible products in Aliexpress and the like, but very often they don't have a brand, or are sold by unknown brands, but reading Kenko’s website you get the impression that “they know what they’re doing”, and that this 20-100x30 will deliver… Puzzling.
What really puzzles me is that the binoculars in question are sold by Kenko, a brand that sells otherwise decent optics in low price ranges (they have a pretty complete range); sharing some models with other brands; for example they sell a clon of the much acclaimed Sightron Bluesky, and also a compact 6/8/10x30 not very different to the Opticron Savanna and its many siblings. In fact Kenko has created an entire page within their website to explain the details of these crazy zoom binoculars, somehow like they did believe it’s a viable product
You can check it here:
Kenko Global - SG-Z 20-100x30N FMC
Anyone has any experience with these? I have tried different models from different brands of the binoculars they seem to originate (the 6/8/10x30 sold by Kenko, Vixen, Opticron, related to the Kowa, Leupold, etc.), and they were very nice for the price. But why go the 20-100x way?
After trying scopes with 60 to 80 mm objectives and magnifications up to 60x, I’m really puzzled as to why Kenko would push the "good and trusty" 30 mm compact Porro to the 100x. I mean, for someone wanting magnification, maybe something like 10 - 30 x would have already been attractive, even 10-50 x, but why going up to 100 x, only because it sounds impressive in the ad? You do see ludicrous ads from impossible products in Aliexpress and the like, but very often they don't have a brand, or are sold by unknown brands, but reading Kenko’s website you get the impression that “they know what they’re doing”, and that this 20-100x30 will deliver… Puzzling.
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