Leupold Katmai 8x32's (1 Viewer)

Waxwing@ispwest · Mar 14, 2005

Had an opportunity to look through and play with a pair of these over the weekend that belonged to a fellow birder. I was impressed with the appearance and brightness of the image. Thinking about splitting with some retirement dollars for a pair. Any comments?

elkcub · Mar 14, 2005

Waxwing@ispwest said:
Had an opportunity to look through and play with a pair of these over the weekend that belonged to a fellow birder. I was impressed with the appearance and brightness of the image. Thinking about splitting with some retirement dollars for a pair. Any comments?

Oh, no, not retirement dollars. How many would be involved?

Elkcub (ex-employed)

dwalton · Mar 14, 2005

Waxwing@ispwest said:
Had an opportunity to look through and play with a pair of these over the weekend that belonged to a fellow birder. I was impressed with the appearance and brightness of the image. Thinking about splitting with some retirement dollars for a pair. Any comments?

I preface this question by saying that I've never looked through the Leupolds in question.

Having said that, have you compared them to the Pentax DCF-SP 8x43? If not, you may want to. I just did a fairly lengthy back-and-forth comparo between the SPs and a new pair of Swaro 8.5x42's. Aside from the obvious advantages of the ELs (FOV, extra magnification), the Pentax really were excellent. Maybe I got a good pair.

elkhorn98 · Mar 14, 2005

I would also look at the Eagle Optics Platinum Ranger 8x32 . They are about the same price and are amazing. Good luck on your seach.

elkcub · Mar 15, 2005

elkhorn98 said:
I would also look at the Eagle Optics Platinum Ranger 8x32 . They are about the same price and are amazing. Good luck on your seach.

I've looked through them and concur they are very nice and bright. I think all Wild Bird stores stock them. Very cost effective. Made in Japan!

Elkcub

Waxwing@ispwest · Mar 15, 2005

elkhorn98 said:
I would also look at the Eagle Optics Platinum Ranger 8x32 . They are about the same price and are amazing. Good luck on your seach.

Just looked at the Eagle's online and now have a question. Do they have twist up eye pieces? Their info page is pretty sparse except for basic basic's.

Robert Ellis · Mar 15, 2005

Waxwing@ispwest said:
Just looked at the Eagle's online and now have a question. Do they have twist up eye pieces? Their info page is pretty sparse except for basic basic's.

They do have twist up eyecups. They are sold through the website and Wild Birds Unlimited stores. They are nice pieces, but if you can swing the extra 40 bucks I would recommend the Pentax DCF SP 8x32. Virtually identical piece, but with aspheric elements and twist and lock cups. The Rangers, without the aspherics, have a little field bowing, but not drastic.

At Eagle Optics the Rangers go for $359, the SP sells for $393.

FYI, I believe the Katmai 8x32s are related to the Pentax DCF XP 8x33, but with lesser prisms. (If you hadn't known, most Japanese made binoculars come from only two manufacturers, and are sourced slighly differently by the companies who sell them to us.

Waxwing@ispwest · Mar 16, 2005

o

Did it, went with the Eagle Rangers 8x32, am happy so far.

Leupold Katmai 8x32's (1 Viewer)

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