TrailSeeker 8x42 (Item # 71404)

Celestron Trailseeker 8x42

Please note: What you see below is just a very brief summary of a detailed comparative review involving the Celestron Trailseeker 8x42 and the Nikon Monarch 7 8x42. For the full review, click this link:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=280201


A short explanation first. With the first set of the Trailseeker 8x42 I ordered, I had two serious issues; therefore I ordered another set. That is why I'll sometimes mention "the first set" and "the second set".

PROs:

+ Accessories well designed and (on the whole) of reasonable quality

+ Binos look and feel very good and solid
+ Comfortable focus wheel
+ Lightweight and waterproof

+ Very good optical specifications (FOV, eye relief, near focus)
+ Good sharpness in the centre
+ Good contrast
+ Good for low light viewing
+ Virtually no rolling ball effect

+ Ten years warranty
+ Excellent value for the money, if you find a "good" set (about 250 Euros, in Middle Europe)

CONs:

- At lower temperatures, the focus wheel has quite a big play (or slack)
- The first set had a big speck of dust (or production residue) on a prism-surface; it actually caused a darkish blotch near the edge of the FOV (field of view)
- The first set had high chromatic aberration in the very centre; the second set performed much better here: CA was visible, but not a problem


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