Roger Vine: XD 10.5x44 Review (1 Viewer)

See attached link.

"Even more than the 8x33 model, these XD 10.5x44s are virtually an Alpha binocular. They are highly recommended for non-specs wearers, but only if sufficiently discounted compared to the premium brands."

He was really not a fan of the eyecups and the shorter-than-advertised eye relief and kidney-bean blackouts.

Also not sure what "sufficiently discounted" means. Why not call it "virtually an alpha binocular" and call it a good value since it MSRP's for half of what an EL 10x42 would cost. Unless he means that it's not a good value at cost, but then why call it an alpha binocular in the same sentence. Just found it a rather peculiar way to end the review.

As a side note, I have been loving the flurry of new reviews on Roger Vine's site.

Cheers

http://www.scopeviews.co.uk/Kowa105x44.htm

He has a lot of catching up to do, the Leica 10X50 HD+ was up there for months, and I am thinking is he done with reviews.... then boom, four reviews almost at once. I do enjoy his reviews, easy reading to get an idea of a specific bino or refractor. I enjoy his other writings as well.

Andy W.

The Roger Vine review sums up nearly everything. To add a few things:

The Kowa 10.5x 44 has a wider FOV (353') than most 10x42's so I tend to think of it more as a possible alternative to an alpha 10x50. They are shorter and slightly smaller than the UV HD + 10x50 but about the same weight. The weight of the Kowa helps hold it steady. Performance against harsh light is the best I have seen, even better than the Nikon EDG series.

Right now they are only $200 less than the SW 10x42 SLC @ $1399 vs $1599. I got my Kowa about two years ago for $1100.

Mike

They do have more FOV than the 8.5X44 does, the weight was not an issue for me, however the eye-cups did not work for my facial structure. For what ever reason, the Zeiss FL series and most Leicas, and most Nikons fit my eye sockets. I have to verify others first, and it was disappointing for some models with excellent optics, and other very good ergonomic features, but the eye-cups just ruled them out. Perhaps since many of the eye-cup designs today are wide/thick, not sure if they are geared more for eyeglass users.

Andy W.

Just in case anyone was curious - I did inquire Kowa about the possibility of swapping the Prominar Genesis eyecups for the new ones on the BDii XD as they appear a little thinner on the rim.

This is not possible sadly.