I will do. But I am already doubtful: I understand the narrower barrels on this 8x30 (compared to Leupold Katmai 6x32 and Vortex Viper 6x32) makes the eye lenses looking larger than they are. And considering the AFOV is 66deg, it demands pretty large eye lenses to provide a satisfying view with eyeglasses on.
But I am curious so I want to try this model; only when I try it I will know if I find it satisfying for me.
I have been in a similar situation wondering about the eye relief on the M7 8x30 given I have no local stockists. As with others I have been looking for a go anywhere anytime binocular to supplement my main (Opticron DBA MG) 8x42. A trip to Innsbruck solved the problem. Miller Optic there (part of a big national chain) had them on offer for Euro 299 a bargain compared even with UK discount prices. They also do on-line delivery to the UK.
They loaned me a demo for two days to try out. There was no problem with eye relief at all. In fact I found that I could get the best eye placement and ease of view by having the eyecups one notch out. The indents felt positive and they stayed put. There seemed to be no vignetting at this setting, however I am not that bothered over a metre or two at 1000 metres. The field of view was exceptional either way. I will not comment on the optical excellence as this has been adequately described elsewhere, they far surpassed my expectation. The eye lenses seem the same size as my normal 8x42 - about 22 mm. They were very comfortable to use and of course are extremely light and compact. They compared extremely well with a demo Swarovski CL Companion 8x30 they had available, in fact I could see little difference if any, except the Cls’ were Euro 700 more.
On the subject of glare and veiling which has also featured elsewhere, I experienced every weather condition over the two days, ranging from heavy cloud and rain to brilliant sunshine. I tried all the problem conditions, staring into thick banks of trees under thin cloud (which yielded a lesser spotted woodpecker I would not otherwise would have seen), into monotone bushes under cloud (and sun), and at early light and evening looking as close to the sun as was prudent. There was only very slight glare when the sun was down near the horizon, but nothing special. On all other occasions the contrast was excellent and veiling to my view non-existent. They also handled a trip up above the snow line in clear sun extremely well again with no glare to worry about.
Needless to say I bought a new fresh boxed one there and then.
Two slight differences between the demo and the new one. The focus was somewhat stiffer on the new one, perhaps as to be expected given the handing the demo would have had, but even then my new one is extremely smooth, nicely taut and very comfortable to use. The other thing was that on the demo I needed to shift the diopter slightly to even up the sharpness (very impressive) in both barrels, despite my glasses. I did not need to do this on the new one, both barrels matched perfectly. For the record I wear quite close fitting varifocal glasses (all the time) which may explain why they work best for me with the eyecups slightly extended.
I does make me wonder whether alphas are really worth the premium if even a comparatively inexpensive small binocular such as this can produce such good results.
One final comment in light of the really nice focusing mechanism on the M7, I compared it with two Swarovski SLCs’ on display. Both had really poor focusing mechanisms, gritty and with pronounced differences in tension between turning it one way and another. The store assistant commented that this ‘lost’ them quite a lot of sales and despite their reporting it to Swarovski (the factory is only a short distance away) there seems to have been no resolution. Out of curiosity I tried two more later at the Swarovski flagship store in the town, mostly jewelry, but where they have the full range of binoculars and the same problems were found.
In contrast seemingly the M7 8x30 is Millers Innsbruck branch best-seller by quite a margin, especially to mountain walkers. They mentioned they have had no returns for glare or veiling and only “one or two” with mechanical faults.
Back in the UK a field test under mixed sunny and cloudy conditions emphasised just how good these are – in my view a bargain at the price.
Barrie
