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Sometimes Alpha Like Quality Hides In Plain Sight (1 Viewer)

gcole

Well-known member
United States
Sometimes Alpha Like Quality Hides In Plain Sight The Vixen 8x42 Artes J

These past two years have been a slowdown in optics purchases regarding my overwhelming desire mainly out of curiosity to try new products . Maybe its my age now or like many individuals who reach a certain time in their lives just loose interest. I would like to thank this Forum and the many friendly people who have helped keep me mentally active reading the many topics posted here. Having said this, many topics here have been on the 8x42 Binocular. .... regarding which is the best, size , price , and who really makes them. This brings me to the topic posted. The picture I have posted shows the Vixen 6x21 Artes monocular beside the Vixen 8x42 Artes J DCF ED binocular. I put the Artes monocular next to the 8x42 Artes J binocular mainly because they both appear to use the same type of ED glass. This is just conjecture on my part because of the similarity in the crisp/bright views. Now to what I think is one of the most underrated 8x42 binocular in it’s price range hiding in plain sight .....The Vixen 8x42 J DCF ED . What triggered this purchase ? I had to see if the Artes binoculars were as good as the Artes ED monocular. Then by chance I was able to use a pair of the Opticron 8x42 DBA VHD binoculars and to my surprise both the Vixen and Opticron binoculars were so similar both Physically/ Optically I then decided to buy the Vixen 8x42 ... why not it was half the price of the Opticron. The Artes is still on sale where I purchased mine at BH Photo for $319. It’s amazing what you will find hiding in plain sight.
 

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"...many topics here have been on the 8x42 Binocular. .... regarding which is the best, size , price , and who really makes them. This brings me to the topic posted. The picture I have posted shows the Vixen 6x21 Artes monocular beside the Vixen 8x42 Artes J DCF ED binocular. I put the Artes monocular next to the 8x42 Artes J binocular mainly because they both appear to use the same type of ED glass. This is just conjecture on my part because of the similarity in the crisp/bright views. Now to what I think is one of the most underrated 8x42 binocular in it’s price range hiding in plain sight .....The Vixen 8x42 J DCF ED . What triggered this purchase ? I had to see if the Artes binoculars were as good as the Artes ED monocular. Then by chance I was able to use a pair of the Opticron 8x42 DBA VHD binoculars and to my surprise both the Vixen and Opticron binoculars were so similar both Physically/ Optically I then decided to buy the Vixen 8x42 ... why not it was half the price of the Opticron. The Artes is still on sale where I purchased mine at BH Photo for $319. It’s amazing what you will find hiding in plain sight."

Gcole,

Nice find. I also enjoy testing and trying to find good binoculars in the $200 to $400 range. Not only are they useful as loaners and in travel or for situations where you don't want to lose or damage a more expensive pair but IME comparing them to Alphas is enjoyable and educational. By comparing the "apples to the oranges", I learn to appreciate both the alphas and those best bang for the buck models even more. And a lot of people have some interest in binoculars but never actually buy. Or they buy a 20 x 60 zoom model with 25 mm objectives for $5.99 and wonder why on earth people bother. So, good quality mid priced bins - when you are done with them - make good gifts for those with an interest who would never actually get around to doing the research and buying a decent pair for themselves.

Those Vixen Artes are really nice looking BTW.

Mike
 
"...many topics here have been on the 8x42 Binocular. .... regarding which is the best, size , price , and who really makes them. This brings me to the topic posted. The picture I have posted shows the Vixen 6x21 Artes monocular beside the Vixen 8x42 Artes J DCF ED binocular. I put the Artes monocular next to the 8x42 Artes J binocular mainly because they both appear to use the same type of ED glass. This is just conjecture on my part because of the similarity in the crisp/bright views. Now to what I think is one of the most underrated 8x42 binocular in it’s price range hiding in plain sight .....The Vixen 8x42 J DCF ED . What triggered this purchase ? I had to see if the Artes binoculars were as good as the Artes ED monocular. Then by chance I was able to use a pair of the Opticron 8x42 DBA VHD binoculars and to my surprise both the Vixen and Opticron binoculars were so similar both Physically/ Optically I then decided to buy the Vixen 8x42 ... why not it was half the price of the Opticron. The Artes is still on sale where I purchased mine at BH Photo for $319. It’s amazing what you will find hiding in plain sight."

Gcole,

Nice find. I also enjoy testing and trying to find good binoculars in the $200 to $400 range. Not only are they useful as loaners and in travel or for situations where you don't want to lose or damage a more expensive pair but IME comparing them to Alphas is enjoyable and educational. By comparing the "apples to the oranges", I learn to appreciate both the alphas and those best bang for the buck models even more. And a lot of people have some interest in binoculars but never actually buy. Or they buy a 20 x 60 zoom model with 25 mm objectives for $5.99 and wonder why on earth people bother. So, good quality mid priced bins - when you are done with them - make good gifts for those with an interest who would never actually get around to doing the research and buying a decent pair for themselves.

Those Vixen Artes are really nice looking BTW.

Mike

I recently purchased the Opticron DBA VHD 8x42 and now because I have had a lot more time to use it I want to clarify a few things regarding my original remarks I had about both these binoculars.
The Opticron the more I handle and use them I find they definitely give an overall impression of being a more expensive binocular than the Vixen Artes J 8x42. This is because when you visually compare the two the Opticron has a Higher END more Professional look, where the Vixen is rather plain looking. In this category Opticron really did a excellent job. I am not saying the Vixen is cheap looking because it’s not. It’s sourced from Japan just like the Opticron, it just has a much plainer look and feel when in hand. The rubber armor on the Opticron has a softer texture, giving a feeling of a higher quality than the Vixen. Here again the Vixens armor does not look cheap, just has a harder feel to it. One last thing one notices between the two and especially if you wear eye glasses, the Opticrons because of their ocular lens design combined with having 22mm of eye relief really are so much easier to bring to your eyes giving a more relaxing view than the Vixen. Having said this, the Vixen Artes J 8x42 with its 19mm of eye relief provided plenty of eye relief to my eyes. Here again I am not saying the Vixens are not comfortable or very nice to use if you wear glasses, they are. The Opticron just has that more immersive overall quality of view you would expect of a binocular costing twice as much. Optically which is sharper ? to close for my eyes. Brighter, the Opticron just popped giving me the impression the Vixen did not. Here again this is my opinion, with my eyes. Again, the Vixen does not lack in brightness or being tack sharp. Overall which is better ? Due to its overall higher quality look/feel combined with its easier to use more comfortable view, the Opticron. Before I wrote this today, I checked the current to be had price of the Vixen Artes J 8x42 here in the states. They are now being offered on the Adorama website ... For $299.99 shipped. So if you want a really nice pair of Japan sourced binoculars that comes so very close to the Opticron DBA VHD this is a screaming deal considering what they offer especially at this price point.
 
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I recently purchased the Opticron DBA VHD 8x42 and now......[/QUOTE

Pictures below comparing the Vixen Artes J to the Opticron DBA VHD
 

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Good info!

They look to be the same binocular...similar to a Leupold BX-3/4 maybe?

In my experience Opticrons are hard to beat for the price. Vixen seems to be an under appreciated brand. You've had a couple of their products you liked...

Kind of off topic.... Have you tried the current Opticron Traveller BGA ED 8X32?
 
Good info!

They look to be the same binocular...similar to a Leupold BX-3/4 maybe?

In my experience Opticrons are hard to beat for the price. Vixen seems to be an under appreciated brand. You've had a couple of their products you liked...

Kind of off topic.... Have you tried the current Opticron Traveller BGA ED 8X32?

Hi Chuck ... When I first read about the ED Travelers being brought out I was very interested, then I found out they were not made in Japan. I also read the reviews on both and from the reviews in my opinion I thought the Verano’s would be the better binocular. So when I found out that the Travelers ED were sourced out of China , I decided against purchasing a pair. Instead out of curiosity I decided to get my hands on the Japan Sourced Discontinued Opticron Verano 8x32 HD.
 
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Hi Chuck ... When I first read about the ED Travelers being brought out I was very interested, then I found out they were not made in Japan. I also read the reviews on both and from the reviews in my opinion I thought the Verano’s would be the better binocular. So when I found out that the Travelers ED were sourced out of China , I decided against purchasing a pair. Instead out of curiosity I decided to get my hands on the Japan Sourced Discontinued Opticron Verano 8x32 HD.

Thanks! :t:
 
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