BrightIdea
Well-known member
Preface:
Let me start by saying that I am a newcomer to quality binocs and wouldnt doubt if I had the least experience looking through good glass of anyone on BF.
That said, I have a good idea in my "minds eye" for what I like and dont like. Of course I am not (yet) familiar with the terminology or myriad technical aspects. My frame of reference is also embarrassingly limited to Vortex Vipers (which I deem to be the best I have ever looked through, ever), burris & leupold rifle scopes, a number of low end bushnell porro products from my youth, Monarchs at the store, and a dismally poor simmons spotter. I also occasionally use microscopes in my job, and in "blind tests" can ID the Accuscopes vs Leica's vs Beck and Kassels just about every time. To my credit, I do find that I can articulate and identify characteristics that I dont like when viewing lower quality binocs and 'scopes.
The 6x30's:
I just bought a set of 6x30 Yosemite's on ebay advertised as gently used in "as new" condition. I bought them for my young son based upon many threads both here and on a hunting forum. It seemed they are a highly recommended choice for young viewers (IPD) who want good glass at a great price. I chose 6x30 for two reasons- I already have larger 8x42's, and I figured hand shake for my little 4y/o would be less noticeable at 6x.
Rarely have I been as pleased with a product as with these little bino's. I like the clear image, to my untrained eye it remains clear to the edges. I doubt this is the case, but I cant see the blurring.
I especially like what I think is called the depth of field. Images appear almost extra-3-D. This is difficult for me to describe, other than they have uber-depth perception. I find this phenominon to be even more so than in my larger/more costly Vipers (which, by the way, I am utterly enchanted with).
Size and weight are excellent. They are not as bright as my larger Vipers, however I didnt expect them to be. The difference is not earth shattering either, and I'd say that my impression is that they are "really bright and sharp", for what thats worth.
Negative's and nit-picking:
I'd like to have objective covers included, and eye cups that stay out a little more securely. As is there are no lens covers.
Cold weather focusing was brutal, however from what I am reading, that comes with the territory. Focusing is jsut a little less comfortable that the Vipers. This could merely be ergonomics of the wheel.
While looking straight ahead, I find that I have trouble moving my eyes to look at the edges. I see black when I do this. I had thought I would be able to move my eyes around a little more in the FOV than I can. This isnt an issue, however.
Flimsy cheap case. On the other hand, I'd rather them put $ into the glass than a good case!
This next part is a bit interesting... They are so small and light, that I almost wish they were just a little smaller so that I could use them as pocket binocs. They are really almost there... almost.
(On this last point, how do the Yosemite's stack up to the Katmai's in terms of use in low light, clarity, and this intangible 3-d quality? I've never held the Katmai's, however on paper they seem like they'd be my ultimate little pocket binoc that I could Literally take anywhere- something I can not do with the vipers and can almost do with the Yo's.)
Minor negatives and nitpicking aside, overall I am extremely pleased and feel these will serve excellent triple duty as my sons first foray into glassing, a dark woods hunting glass, and a great set of family bino's to view the numerous backyard critters.
Enormous thumbs up on these, especially for the price.
I will likely buy others as gifts in the future.
So now my question is, what will be equivalent optics in a roof prism design the size of the katmais for under $250?
Let me start by saying that I am a newcomer to quality binocs and wouldnt doubt if I had the least experience looking through good glass of anyone on BF.
That said, I have a good idea in my "minds eye" for what I like and dont like. Of course I am not (yet) familiar with the terminology or myriad technical aspects. My frame of reference is also embarrassingly limited to Vortex Vipers (which I deem to be the best I have ever looked through, ever), burris & leupold rifle scopes, a number of low end bushnell porro products from my youth, Monarchs at the store, and a dismally poor simmons spotter. I also occasionally use microscopes in my job, and in "blind tests" can ID the Accuscopes vs Leica's vs Beck and Kassels just about every time. To my credit, I do find that I can articulate and identify characteristics that I dont like when viewing lower quality binocs and 'scopes.
The 6x30's:
I just bought a set of 6x30 Yosemite's on ebay advertised as gently used in "as new" condition. I bought them for my young son based upon many threads both here and on a hunting forum. It seemed they are a highly recommended choice for young viewers (IPD) who want good glass at a great price. I chose 6x30 for two reasons- I already have larger 8x42's, and I figured hand shake for my little 4y/o would be less noticeable at 6x.
Rarely have I been as pleased with a product as with these little bino's. I like the clear image, to my untrained eye it remains clear to the edges. I doubt this is the case, but I cant see the blurring.
I especially like what I think is called the depth of field. Images appear almost extra-3-D. This is difficult for me to describe, other than they have uber-depth perception. I find this phenominon to be even more so than in my larger/more costly Vipers (which, by the way, I am utterly enchanted with).
Size and weight are excellent. They are not as bright as my larger Vipers, however I didnt expect them to be. The difference is not earth shattering either, and I'd say that my impression is that they are "really bright and sharp", for what thats worth.
Negative's and nit-picking:
I'd like to have objective covers included, and eye cups that stay out a little more securely. As is there are no lens covers.
Cold weather focusing was brutal, however from what I am reading, that comes with the territory. Focusing is jsut a little less comfortable that the Vipers. This could merely be ergonomics of the wheel.
While looking straight ahead, I find that I have trouble moving my eyes to look at the edges. I see black when I do this. I had thought I would be able to move my eyes around a little more in the FOV than I can. This isnt an issue, however.
Flimsy cheap case. On the other hand, I'd rather them put $ into the glass than a good case!
This next part is a bit interesting... They are so small and light, that I almost wish they were just a little smaller so that I could use them as pocket binocs. They are really almost there... almost.
(On this last point, how do the Yosemite's stack up to the Katmai's in terms of use in low light, clarity, and this intangible 3-d quality? I've never held the Katmai's, however on paper they seem like they'd be my ultimate little pocket binoc that I could Literally take anywhere- something I can not do with the vipers and can almost do with the Yo's.)
Minor negatives and nitpicking aside, overall I am extremely pleased and feel these will serve excellent triple duty as my sons first foray into glassing, a dark woods hunting glass, and a great set of family bino's to view the numerous backyard critters.
Enormous thumbs up on these, especially for the price.
I will likely buy others as gifts in the future.
So now my question is, what will be equivalent optics in a roof prism design the size of the katmais for under $250?