A look at the Aurora 8x42 (1 Viewer)

I tried out the Aurora 8x42 in Black & Lizars in Edinburgh today. First impression was very positive; they have something of the Leica gorgeousness that I saw in a pair of Ultravid 8x32 HD later on. They seem very small and light for an 8x42 and are beautifully balanced. In use they're bright and sharp - very pleasant to look through. My only disappointment was with the close focus. This is supposed to be 1.8m, but I'm sure the one I tried was more than 2m. Still, the only reason I didn't buy them was that the eye relief was too long for me. Though the view was good with my glasses on, I wasn't seeing the whole FOV, and for £750 I couldn't put up with that.

I also tried out the new DBA and the Imagic BGA SE, both in 8x42, but after the Aurora they seemed heavy and klunky, though both had good views. Finally I tried the Minox HG 8x43 on the recommendation of the assistant but they weren't a patch on any of the Opticrons. One look was enough to make me cast them aside.

Michael

I tried the Auroras at the Birdfair. I agree that the eye relief for spec wearers is too long - I was experiencing black-outs (if that's the right term). I also thought the focusing (from close to infinity) was too slow. Optically they're excellent, but they're not for me - which is why I bought a pair of Zeiss Victory FL 8 x 32s, which I'm delighted with :t:

Have given them a further test today - generally very good in terms of brightness / design / close focus and at horizontal viewing with basic background (ie walls, shrubbery etc) absolutely fine...........tested for colour fringing - weather vane against a blue sky this afternoon, and black ridge tiles/cream mortar spacing---- not very good at all, much evidence of purples above / greens below the outline of the vane and again when checking the edges of the tiles. Double checked against a pair of Leica Ultravid HD 8 X 42 - the fringing was only just apparent. Afraid then that I cannot agree with those postings that say they are as good as a Leica BN or any of the other binos in the £1000 plus bracket such as the Zeiss FLs etc.