trashbird
Well-known member
Some dealers are starting to carry this new line.
http://www.telescopes.com/series/celestron-ultima-dx-series-binoculars-4584.html
They appear to be the same as the old Ultima line but waterproofed and armored. If this is the case, these porro binocs are very reasonably priced. The old Ultima line had very good optics.
Interesting that they are not carrying old 8x40 configuration, though. The Celestron Ultima 8x40 was as good as the old Swift Ultralite 8x42 -- some said the Ultima was better. The Ultimas and Ultralites were all made by Vixen anyway.
The old Celestron Ultima 8x32 was an excellent binocular. Tack sharp on axis, and though the resolution started to detriorate pretty rapidly in the outer part of the field, it was a HUGE field. I owned one and loved scanning the skies with it. Unfortunately, the eye relief was about 12mm -- not good enough for an eyeglasses wearer.
The new Celestron Ultima DX 8x32 is advertised as having 16mm of eye relief. But the old Ultima adverstised the same thing, even though it was about 12mm. If the new 8x32 has the same optics as the old, then I suspect the new one has only 12mm of ER as well. For a birder who doesn't wear glasses, though, the 8x32 would make a very good lower-priced porro. A poor man's Nikon EII perhaps.
The Ultima DX 10x50 looks interesting as well -- and I think it may be an entirely new design. It has a 6.5 degree field of view and good eye relief. The close focus is about 20 ft. -- but it might make for a good second glass for distance birding (and astronomy, if that's you thing). The old Ultima 10x50 didn't have nearly as wide a field, if I remember correctly.
The 9x63 and 8x56 are also interesting configurations. The 8x56 would make an excellent low-light glass.
I am curious about anyone'e experience with these new Ultima DXs.
http://www.telescopes.com/series/celestron-ultima-dx-series-binoculars-4584.html
They appear to be the same as the old Ultima line but waterproofed and armored. If this is the case, these porro binocs are very reasonably priced. The old Ultima line had very good optics.
Interesting that they are not carrying old 8x40 configuration, though. The Celestron Ultima 8x40 was as good as the old Swift Ultralite 8x42 -- some said the Ultima was better. The Ultimas and Ultralites were all made by Vixen anyway.
The old Celestron Ultima 8x32 was an excellent binocular. Tack sharp on axis, and though the resolution started to detriorate pretty rapidly in the outer part of the field, it was a HUGE field. I owned one and loved scanning the skies with it. Unfortunately, the eye relief was about 12mm -- not good enough for an eyeglasses wearer.
The new Celestron Ultima DX 8x32 is advertised as having 16mm of eye relief. But the old Ultima adverstised the same thing, even though it was about 12mm. If the new 8x32 has the same optics as the old, then I suspect the new one has only 12mm of ER as well. For a birder who doesn't wear glasses, though, the 8x32 would make a very good lower-priced porro. A poor man's Nikon EII perhaps.
The Ultima DX 10x50 looks interesting as well -- and I think it may be an entirely new design. It has a 6.5 degree field of view and good eye relief. The close focus is about 20 ft. -- but it might make for a good second glass for distance birding (and astronomy, if that's you thing). The old Ultima 10x50 didn't have nearly as wide a field, if I remember correctly.
The 9x63 and 8x56 are also interesting configurations. The 8x56 would make an excellent low-light glass.
I am curious about anyone'e experience with these new Ultima DXs.
