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Reviews by Kimballcorson

K
For Papilio 8.5x21 in Medium & Compact Binoculars
Recommended
Yes
Price
89$
Pros
  • focus, resolution, wide fov, weight, close focus
Cons
  • brownish cast cuts down on brilliant view, not waterproof
I have 6.5x21 version. Not a very bright view. Great focusing mechanism and good optical resolution allowing for very good sharpness. Nice wide fov. Large sweet spot. Light weight and good carrying strap and case. Small and portable. Not at all clunky. Close focusing is fun and interesting. Desirable beyond its rating by me. Still I would like a much less dark and more brilliant, lighter view.
K
For Fury 6.5x32 in Medium & Compact Binoculars
Recommended
Yes
Price
159$
Pros
  • brightness, build quality, wide fov, resolution, waterproof
Cons
  • diopter adjustment a bit in the way
A medium sized and not a compact binocular. Amazing and dazzling 8.5 degree view. Very wide and bright fov. I would rate 8.7 if I could. A absolute steal for $130 to $175. Phase coated and silvered roof prisms. Mine has fast and loose focusing without play or backlash that aids very fast and super accurate focusing. The fineness of the focusing mechanism and good optics greatly aids perceived resolution. Focus is finely dead on or not. Some have stiffer focusing I have heard, which I do not prefer. A tad heavy for 6.5x32 and a bit clunky in its case for a 6.5x32 binocular, but very comfortable to hand hold, if not carry about all day. Protruding lever on diopter adjustment could be shorter and lower. Not a problem for me, but it might bother some searching for the focusing knob. A personal favorite of mine for value and a wonderful view. For fov, not even a Swarovski Swarovison 8x32 can match the Fury (8 vs. 8.5 degrees). The fov is really big and bright, creating a significant WOW factor when you look through the binocular. Vortex should not have discontinued this binocular, especially inasmuch as it has no replacement for it.
K
For 8x32 HG in Medium & Compact Binoculars
Recommended
Yes
Price
850$
Pros
  • brightness, build quality, focusing ease, resolution
Cons
  • heavy due to build quality
Very large sweet spot. Very fine and stable focusing capability aids super resolution. Very bright and uncolored. Mechanical build quality and focusing ease well ahead of Swarovski, Zeiss and some Leicas. Weight is significant, but lends to solid feeling. Great contrast and color saturation, but a tad behind Swarovski EL 10x42 in those regards, but resolution and brightness of Nikon is greater. Focusing mechanism is much finer and better than Leica or Swarovski, especially. Optically a delight. Many prefer the Nikon Venturer/LX/HG to the Premier/LXL although difference in weight and optical quality is slight to my eye.
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