Here's my short review of the Opticron HR WP 8x42, compared to the RSPB HG 7x42.
Ergonomics
I have trouble handling both of these. The HG is very heavy and compact, more so for me with my narrow IP. I've compared it often to having an iron bar dangling from my neck. The HR WP is lighter and hangs better, but when I hold it in the most natural position, my finger doesn't reach the focus wheel. I have to hold it with my right hand in an awkward, uncomfortable position. This wouldn't be the case for someone with bigger hands.
Ease of View
The HG is the outright winner here. Its 40mm eyepiece, 6mm exit pupil and 140m FOV provide a beautiful view. The HR WP, with its 34mm eyepiece, 5mm exit pupil and 112m FOV is perfectly pleasant to use, but it lacks the stellar quality of the HG.
Optics
This time the HR WP is the winner by a distance. The HG has always seemed to me sharp, bright and contrasty - excellent in fact. If not for the weight, I wouldn't have been looking at any other binoculars at all. But the HR WP is so much better in every respect, it just blows the HG out of the water. The Kikkert Spesialisten 8x42 review gives the following scores for resolution, contrast and brightness:
10+ 11 10+ Zeiss FL
11– 11– 10 Leica Ultravid
11– 11– 10– Swarovski El
10+ 10+ 9+ HR WP
10 10+ 10– Leica BN
This suggests the HR WP is only a hair's breadth away from the top three, and that's certainly how it feels in use, though it won't measure up ergonomically or for ease of view.
Conclusion
No overall winner for me. If I could find binoculars that married the optical qualities of the HR WP to the ease of view of the HG, but with much better ergonomics than either, a 1m close focus, a weight under 500g and a price under £400, I would have nothing more to wish for. Maybe I'm asking for better than alpha binoculars at less than gamma prices.
Michael
Ergonomics
I have trouble handling both of these. The HG is very heavy and compact, more so for me with my narrow IP. I've compared it often to having an iron bar dangling from my neck. The HR WP is lighter and hangs better, but when I hold it in the most natural position, my finger doesn't reach the focus wheel. I have to hold it with my right hand in an awkward, uncomfortable position. This wouldn't be the case for someone with bigger hands.
Ease of View
The HG is the outright winner here. Its 40mm eyepiece, 6mm exit pupil and 140m FOV provide a beautiful view. The HR WP, with its 34mm eyepiece, 5mm exit pupil and 112m FOV is perfectly pleasant to use, but it lacks the stellar quality of the HG.
Optics
This time the HR WP is the winner by a distance. The HG has always seemed to me sharp, bright and contrasty - excellent in fact. If not for the weight, I wouldn't have been looking at any other binoculars at all. But the HR WP is so much better in every respect, it just blows the HG out of the water. The Kikkert Spesialisten 8x42 review gives the following scores for resolution, contrast and brightness:
10+ 11 10+ Zeiss FL
11– 11– 10 Leica Ultravid
11– 11– 10– Swarovski El
10+ 10+ 9+ HR WP
10 10+ 10– Leica BN
This suggests the HR WP is only a hair's breadth away from the top three, and that's certainly how it feels in use, though it won't measure up ergonomically or for ease of view.
Conclusion
No overall winner for me. If I could find binoculars that married the optical qualities of the HR WP to the ease of view of the HG, but with much better ergonomics than either, a 1m close focus, a weight under 500g and a price under £400, I would have nothing more to wish for. Maybe I'm asking for better than alpha binoculars at less than gamma prices.
Michael
