7th item in the list. "Field of view at 1,000 yds/m" 113m for the 8x20, 90m for the 10x25
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Very Impressed by the Curio 7x21 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter samwise2010
- Start date
John A Roberts
Well-known member
Hi Jon (post #20),
The FOV is the field of view that's covered by the objective.
And the AFOV (Apparent FOV) is the FOV multiplied by the magnification.
So for the 10x25: 5.2° x 10 = 52° (and likewise with the 8x20: 6.5° x 8 = 52°).
As I indicated in my previous post, 52° is the nominal AFOV. The actual AFOV may vary from this for a couple of reasons
- but it's close enough as a starting point for rough comparisons.
Some manufacturers use a more complex ISO standard calculation, as shown here: Nikon | Sport Optics | Field of view
And the type and degree of geometric distortion can also influence the AFOV.
Where a manufacturer lists the FOV in degrees, they also typically list the AFOV in degrees
- I should have paid more attention to Leica only mentioning the former!
John
The FOV is the field of view that's covered by the objective.
And the AFOV (Apparent FOV) is the FOV multiplied by the magnification.
So for the 10x25: 5.2° x 10 = 52° (and likewise with the 8x20: 6.5° x 8 = 52°).
As I indicated in my previous post, 52° is the nominal AFOV. The actual AFOV may vary from this for a couple of reasons
- but it's close enough as a starting point for rough comparisons.
Some manufacturers use a more complex ISO standard calculation, as shown here: Nikon | Sport Optics | Field of view
And the type and degree of geometric distortion can also influence the AFOV.
Where a manufacturer lists the FOV in degrees, they also typically list the AFOV in degrees
- I should have paid more attention to Leica only mentioning the former!
John
Thank you!! Oh and yes, I belatedly remembered the FoV times the magnification as an approximation, but would have liked to see their claimed numbers as it's an odd thing to leave out. The VPs are 60 degrees for 8x and 10x (I wanted the 10x originally but changed to the 8x as easier to hold and very bright). I just like the feel of the wide view, others may just care about where the subject is in the centre (but those are easier to find with the former). Choices for all...
(The UltraVids were very nice to handle in use though... the Leica London people just let me take them outside, on my own, to look at stuff... you kinda just want to give your money to such nice people...)
I have Telescope eyepieces at 68, 72 and 82 degrees, which is partly why I like to see the AFOV quoted, as it is so easy to compare. Also I can bodge them into a spotting scope with a camera lens and a bunch of bits, or an actual small telescope (though some eyepieces are hand-grenade sized, so probably not a good choice). The attached is mostly lens hood BTW...
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Thotmosis
Well-known member
Now that I think of it, it’s better to be bitten by the "pocket bin" Cobra than by a real Cobra😁and also pocket binoculars take less space.
NatureLvrCanada
Well-known member
I prefer to not drag around a full-sized bin anymore and have it hang around my neck. I became a pocket bin believer when I looked thru the CL 8x25 Compact. The glass is sharp and the price is very reasonable. I plan to get the Curio next spring. Looking forward to an even more compact size and wider FOV compared the the CL 8x25 Compact. I have read several reviews on the Curio 7x21 and all seem very favourable including yours.
samwise2010
Active member
Yes it’s great. Can’t believe the view that comes out of such a small package
Color me also impressed and it's been my constant companion ever since it showed up other day. Very happy with the feel, view, twist-up eyecups, rubberized barrels and diopter adjuster.
There are a few disappointments but all in all I'm really glad to finally have them.
There are a few disappointments but all in all I'm really glad to finally have them.
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I don't wear glasses and they're pretty effortless to use. The twist-up eyecups are just one of my favorite features, along with the ease of eye alignment.
I had that problem with the zeiss too but I added some eyecup extensions and they were suddenly unbelievable (Amazon.com : Acxico 2 pcs Rubber Eye Cover Guards Binocular Microscope Eyepiece Eye Cups for 32-35mm : Electronics). My dad fell in love with them and I let him have them, giving me a chance to try the curio. The curio are much better in terms of eye relief, but for me, they are still floaters. I can touch them to my brow but can't comfortably sink into them like I do my 8x32 EL or the zeiss vp 8x25 with add-on eyecups. I like the curio a lot, but, I have thought about offering it up as a trade for a Zeiss. The ergonomics of the zeiss are much better for my hands.
I make it 105mm x 64mm x 45mm
John M Robinson
Well-known member
Yes. I just bought a pair of the 7x21 Curios a few days ago. I was looking at other binoculars to compare with my 7x35 Retrovids. The shop proprietor handed me the Curios on a whim, I humored him as I basically gave up on pocket binos years ago, so took a look. Wow, shockingly good, useful binoculars that happen to fit in a pocket.
As to using them without glasses, they work perfect for me without glasses. I have fairly deep set eyes and they are very comfortable, no blackouts.
Shockingly good is a very apt descriptor for them and I'm sure they'll continue to make a lot more converts in the future!
I also (as per user "Trinovid") have no issue with the Zeiss 8x25s without glasses, so suggest people thinking of them try a pair, they might be fine like me or have issues like you, they're great binos, so worth doing the test IMHO...
tenex
reality-based
Indeed. And if you really need this format (and VP's good FOV) despite having a problem, you may find a workaround. I was able to stabilize it by keeping the top of the eyecup against my brow; whether this slight (but continual) extra effort seems worthwhile would be a matter of individual taste. For me, no.
Tenex,
I totally agree that it is worthwhile holding the VP against the orbit near your brow, whether you have issues with blackouts or not. For me, perhaps, stability was the more important benefit of holding my small binoculars that way. There is no extra effort for me holding the VP against or near my eyebrows for stability. There is more effort, otherwise, trying to stabilize them them by bracing my arms tightly against my body.
BTW, when I had owned the Curio for a 3 week trial, I never could stabilize them well enough to avoid shaking them, no matter how I tried. Straining to hold them steady was tiresome, unless for a shorter period of time. That was the main reason I exchanged them for the VP.
Looking back, perhaps had I tried holding the Curio against my eyebrows, I might have done better with them, stability-wise. . I didn't because it wasn't necessary for blackout issues. Yet, even if I had done so with the Curio, I would have probably reduced the FOV, which woulld not have been goid.
So for me, with or without glasses, the VP just worked better.
I totally agree that it is worthwhile holding the VP against the orbit near your brow, whether you have issues with blackouts or not. For me, perhaps, stability was the more important benefit of holding my small binoculars that way. There is no extra effort for me holding the VP against or near my eyebrows for stability. There is more effort, otherwise, trying to stabilize them them by bracing my arms tightly against my body.
BTW, when I had owned the Curio for a 3 week trial, I never could stabilize them well enough to avoid shaking them, no matter how I tried. Straining to hold them steady was tiresome, unless for a shorter period of time. That was the main reason I exchanged them for the VP.
Looking back, perhaps had I tried holding the Curio against my eyebrows, I might have done better with them, stability-wise. . I didn't because it wasn't necessary for blackout issues. Yet, even if I had done so with the Curio, I would have probably reduced the FOV, which woulld not have been goid.
So for me, with or without glasses, the VP just worked better.
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hopster
Well-known member
My favourite eye cups for the VP 8x25 of the several that I have tried (including the above) are these. YMMV.
Rubber eye cups for Zeiss Victory Pocket x25
I have seen a few threads asking about rubber eye cups for this outstanding optic. It is the easiest way to enhance both image quality and ease of use at almost no cost (~£5). I have tried a few and this winged one is the nicest fit (tight and grippy but adjustable), the best match visually...
www.birdforum.net
I wouldn't touch a Curio 7x21 with a 10-foot pole now that I have seen how the focuser is attached. Mine arrived with the focuser knob rolling around in the box. The focuser knob was only attached with a very small spot of glue that looked like Super Glue.
There is no spline or anything else besides the glue holding the knob on the shaft. I consider it a very poor design, and I am sure other pocket binoculars like the Leica 8x20 Ultravid and 8x20 Trinovid use more than a spot of glue to hold them on because I have used them for years without the focusing knob detaching.
There have been several other people that have had the same problem and there is a thread on it. Just a warning. Don't turn your focusing knob too tightly when it stops, or it could come off in your hand!
www.birdforum.net
There is no spline or anything else besides the glue holding the knob on the shaft. I consider it a very poor design, and I am sure other pocket binoculars like the Leica 8x20 Ultravid and 8x20 Trinovid use more than a spot of glue to hold them on because I have used them for years without the focusing knob detaching.
There have been several other people that have had the same problem and there is a thread on it. Just a warning. Don't turn your focusing knob too tightly when it stops, or it could come off in your hand!
I'm sorry, but the Curios aren't serious bins
I'm heartbroken. The optics are great, they are handy. But if they break... Just finished a week walking the Cotswolds with my wife. Terrific birding throughout. Had these handy numbers in my pocket the entire time. Enjoyed many many great views... but by the end, loose focus knob, as...
www.birdforum.net
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