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11 binocular models tested - devastating results - and other stories (1 Viewer)

T

Tobias Mennle

Well-known member
Dear binocular fans, I have published five articles on interesting binocular issues on my website -

http://www.tmfilmpro.com/alleseiten/reviews/binoculars/binoculars.html

All reviews from my perspective as a wildlife filmmaker and daily user, nonscientific and not attached to any brand.

- a test of 7 cheap and 4 lower middle class models with simply devastating results. Good luck getting a decent sample...
- and quite the contrary: a review of an absolutely fabulous Swarovski Habicht 8x30 from 1961 which is a real quality model.
- reviews of the Canon 10x42 and 10x30
- shadow of a doubt about "made in Germany - made in Japan - made in China" having a closer look at Minox 8x42BLmade in Germany limited edition and the Olympus 8x42 EXWPI made in Japan - check the images and decide for yourself
- some pretty straightforward guidelines about the process of choosing a binocular

Regards,

Tobias Mennle
 
Tobias,

Thank you for taking the time to write up those articles and for sharing them with us here. I would like to copy/paste bits and pieces of some comments I made in relation to Chinese quality control.

As for Chinese quality control being an issue, I certainly will not argue that I have run into more QC issues than non-Chinese products......

However, it isn't as if non-Chinese manufacturers are somehow immune to quality control issues. One only needs to do a little digging to find threads commenting on fingerprints on prisms, focusing tension issues and a variety of other QC concerns in non-Chinese models.

Second, nowadays, a company's name doesn't necessarily guarantee non-Chinese origin. Help me out again, where is the Nikon ED 50 spotting scope made? I don't remember hearing any quality control issues with that scope. How about the new Zeiss Terra ED? Yes, Chinese there too. Minox? Yes, some of their products are Chinese as well. I haven't heard of quality control issues being at a higher level than normal.

I think the real issue here is making conclusions about all Chinese manufactured binoculars just because they are Chinese. That broad generalization over all their products is what I have an issue with.
Click to expand...

Now that may sound a little strong and in the context it was originally posted in I think it was appropriate. The message behind the tone of the post I think applies here. I think we are all aware that Chinese quality control isn't at the level of the Europeans or Japanese "in general". There are several companies though that are producing some fantastic instruments that do have some very strict quality control standards.

If we weren't on opposite sides of the world I would invite you over to my home. I have at least 6 Chinese manufactured binoculars that not only display good quality control but also excellent image performance for the price.
 
Wow!!!

If I understand your numbers correctly in your numbers correctly 8 out of 12 in your up to 300 Euro category were unusable, primarily due to collimation issues. Though I've certainly encountered a number of mechanically faulty pairs I'd only count about 4 out of around 250 pairs I've tried in the last eighteen months as unusable due to collimation problems. I'm glad I don't have your kind of luck. ;)

Just for the record, my 80 Euro Chinese porro is as sharp and as well aligned as any pair I've tried at any price and certainly better than a number of Swarovski and Zeiss pairs I've tried. I wouldn't generalise!

David
 
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Regarding the Optolyths against the DDR 8x30, I think I would have the Zeiss every time.
When clean, the T3M Zeiss albeit a touch yellow has a wide FOV and therefor can be forgiven for its soft edges. The Optolyth Alpins are let down by as you mention the narrow fov but neutral color cast.
 
I think it´s more often the sloppy focusing mechanics than the collimation... so a specialist told me. And no, I would not generalise either. But experience is what it is. Which 80 Euro Porros do you use??? I might want to try those.
 
Help me out here. What is 80 Euros in US dollars? I am sure I can point Tpbias in the right direction.
 
David,

I have read in somebody's review that due to internal stops, the 8x40 it is effectively more like 8x30. In Holger's review of it, he doesn't mention any such issue. In his review of the 10x50 however, while complaining of its being effectively more like a 10x40, he points out that the 8x40 does not suffer any aperture loss, and that its exit pupil measures a full 5 mm.

The 8x40 is good looking and rugged looking binocular. I am glad you like yours. Your and Holger's endorsements together almost has me going for my credit card. Not that a few mm aperture loss is a big disaster when otherwise the quality is high, but how is yours for effective aperture?

Ron
 
Ron,

The one I have is labelled a 12x50, but from the EP it's really a x46. Mine is really very good in regular and particularly stopped down resolution testing, but I've not tested any others, so can't be sure if mine is a cherry or not. I think EdZ did some tests.

Having bought the 12x50 I've not seen another on sale, just the regular 7, 8 and 10x which I find odd. I'd agree the 8x40 is the one that appeals but at 1kg (35oz) it's hardly going to be a popular buy for birding, but the weight is definitely a plus with the high power. The view through the 12x is as steady in my hands as a typical 8x.

Back in 2006 Holger rated the Xi'an Vision 8x30 very highly as well. It appears to be the same as the Opticron M-3 Marine. I've only tried it briefly but was very impressed, but the £289 ($440) price tag was rather discouraging.

David
 
Tobias Mennle said:
Dear binocular fans, I have published five articles on interesting binocular issues on my website -

http://www.tmfilmpro.com/alleseiten/reviews/binoculars/binoculars.html

All reviews from my perspective as a wildlife filmmaker and daily user, nonscientific and not attached to any brand.

- a test of 7 cheap and 4 lower middle class models with simply devastating results. Good luck getting a decent sample...
- and quite the contrary: a review of an absolutely fabulous Swarovski Habicht 8x30 from 1961 which is a real quality model.
- reviews of the Canon 10x42 and 10x30
- shadow of a doubt about "made in Germany - made in Japan - made in China" having a closer look at Minox 8x42BLmade in Germany limited edition and the Olympus 8x42 EXWPI made in Japan - check the images and decide for yourself
- some pretty straightforward guidelines about the process of choosing a binocular

Regards,

Tobias Mennle
Click to expand...
Nice summary and a wonderful cautionary tale about cheap optics.
 
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