6 or 6.5 owners? (1 Viewer)

[normjackson]

I don't find the magnification on the Pentax Papilio 6.5 enough. It focuses close but the butterflies are a long way away. I need to go to the Natural History museum.
(with deference to the BFer whose style I'm trying to mimic).

My understanding from others' comments on BF is that the old Leupold Yosemite (not the BX-1) likely comes from same production facility as Kowa YF and Opticron Savana (not sure how the Vortex Raptor fits in). There are similar looking models (such as under the Celestron brand) which may come from elsewhere and are unlikely to be as good unless you get lucky.

In UK I'd stick with the Opticron. In USA the Kowa looks tempting under $100; not sure Opticron can match that price there yet.

 

[mgsphilip]

I own two pairs of 6x binoculars.

Leupold Yosemite 6x30 porro

Opticron Traveller BGA MG 6x32 roof prism

The Yosemite binoculars are hard to fault. They have a bright, high definition image which is without substantial chromatic aberration and colour bias. Being low powered they produce a relatively stable view. I have handed them to people unfamiliar with binoculars and on every occasion have received positive comments.These binoculars show just how good, modestly priced Chinese optics can be.

The Opticron Traveller BGA MG 6x32 roof prism binoculars at 357 grams are one of the lightest pairs of binoculars made. When comparing them to the Leupold porro prism binoculars they do not have such a detailed resolution. They are however small and light enough to fit in my jacket pocket and are the smallest full-sized ( 32mm) binoculars that I have seen. These waterproof Japanese binoculars are well made but in order to shrink the design, some minor optical compromises have been made. However these are the binoculars that I use most often when I go for a walk.

 

[ceasar]

Hello,

I have a few U.S. Army 6x30 binoculars, all individual focus. However, I do have a 6x32 Eagle Optics Platinum binocular but I rarely use it for bird watching. I find it excellent for the opera and it probably good for arenas and for stadia. Optically, it is good but not outstanding.

Happy bird watching,
Arthur Pinewood :hi:

I have this same Eagle Optics binocular and agree with Arthur here and in his later post regarding DOF and close focus. I used to keep it in my car and take it fishing. I found it quite useful. I remember one time when I had to drop off my tax returns at the accountants office. It was raining lightly and a flock of Cedar Waxwings were feeding off the berries on the hedges right in front of where I parked. I watched them through the windowshield with great pleasure for about 10 minutes.

I even used it on occasion at Hawk Mountain during migration and it was satisfactory. It has a nice wide FOV.

I'm thinking of upgrading it to their newer brighter model.

Bob

 

[Graham Osborne]

I have a pair of 6.5x32 Fury and I find them excellent. I have taken them on three trips in the last two years as my only binoculars (1. Greece - holiday with a bit of birding, 2. cycle touring - occasional birding, 3. a butterfly trip in Bulgaria with a bit of birding) and I never once felt I needed higher magnification, including when viewing a Booted Eagle in Bulgaria at a considerable distance. For butterflies and for woodland birding they are a better tool than my Zeiss FL 8x32.

Because they are so good when I had the opportunity to buy a new pair of fury 8x42 at a very good price I snapped them up. However, they are not nearly as good as the 6.5x32 IMO. In particular they seem to me to have a lot more CA than the smaller unit.

 

[Brigadier]

In UK I'd stick with the Opticron. In USA the Kowa looks tempting under $100; not sure Opticron can match that price there yet.

Thanks. Yes, Opticron does offer good value in the UK and Europe - and good customer support, so I'm told - but the brand isn't as well established in the US.

The 6x30 Savanna (http://www.opticronusa.com/Pages/savanna_wp.html) has only just been added to Opticron's line-up but at $149 is quite expensive by US standards. The £95 UK price is very competitive.

 

[Roadbike]

Yes I know 6 power or 6.5 is not enough magnification. But owners can you please come forward and discuss your 6 or 6.5?

Does anyone have or tried the Viper HD in 6, or the Meopta in 6.5? Thanks.

and Dennis I already own a few 8x32's......

I enjoy a pair of Swarovski Habicht 6x30 bins. They deliver very sharp and neutrally colored images of birds and the night sky. 6x is enough magnification if you are satisfied with the images.

 

[WiscTJK]

I have the fury 6.5 and viper 6x32 non hd. I think the view of the furys is great but I dislike the diopter adjustment on the focuser (it is too loose). It is my wifes favorite bino. The ergonomics and focuser of the viper are awesome and my favorite for glassing for long periods in thick undercover. They do have curvature and pin cushion near the edges which should be better in the hd. But they are a great value at $275 at eagle optics.

Hope this helps,

Todd

 

[Brigadier]

I enjoy a pair of Swarovski Habicht 6x30 bins. They deliver very sharp and neutrally colored images of birds and the night sky.

I do envy you the 6x30 Swarovski porros. It's such a shame they discontinued that model. With Swaro's latest coatings, it would be a truly wonderful binocular for close-in birding and in woodland.

 

[pompadour]

Kowa YF 6x30:

The review by optics4birding matches own my experience except edge sharpness is better than I expected from thier description - that it's "a bit 'mushy'" - may be there's individual variation. (Minor point - the obj. caps on mine are not loose.) Seems to be even better optically than the Leupold Yosemite - going by what I read - I have not looked through the L. Slightly lighter than the L. but nitrogen-filled waterproof unlike it. US$100. Delighted!

Added in later edits: Seems this model is generic with the L.Y. and Opticron Savanna 6x30, and possibly the Vortex and the Eagle 6.5x32s. (The O.S. has good close focus, is waterproof, and prob. about US$200.)

Waiting for a chance to see if the combination of larger exit pupil and optical quality make it better (for useful detail) in very dark situations vs the best 8x32s and 10x42s!

 

[eitanaltman]

I have the fury 6.5 and viper 6x32 non hd. I think the view of the furys is great but I dislike the diopter adjustment on the focuser (it is too loose). It is my wifes favorite bino. The ergonomics and focuser of the viper are awesome and my favorite for glassing for long periods in thick undercover. They do have curvature and pin cushion near the edges which should be better in the hd. But they are a great value at $275 at eagle optics.

Hope this helps,

Todd

agreed -- bh46118 posted a link to the comparison I made of the Viper 6x32 and the Fury 6.5x32. For $275 the 6x32 Viper is a phenomenal value as long as you aren't bothered by the field curvature or excessive eye relief. The ergonomics and build of the Viper are great and you get that ironclad Vortex warranty, plus it's a pretty riskless purchase from Eagle Optics if you want to try them out. They are super sharp and contrasty and have nice wide FOV and good DOF, very easy to use. The HD version should be even better with less CA and a larger sweet spot, but not sure if that's worth double the $$ especially if it's merely being used as a compact back-up / hiking / car bin.

 

[Roadbike]

I do envy you the 6x30 Swarovski porros. It's such a shame they discontinued that model. With Swaro's latest coatings, it would be a truly wonderful binocular for close-in birding and in woodland.

Actually the coatings on these perform very well. They were among the last produced around 1990 and that classic porro design give an up to date view. Some of the earlier versions of the 6x30 are reported to deluver views with a slight yellowish cast. Maybe a consequence of the coatings used, some deterioration or both.