FrankD
Well-known member
Many of you will remember the discussion that focused around the fairly new Celestron Nature series from last summer. For those of you that don't remember it or weren't a part of it the Celestron Nature porro series was a replacement for the Celestron Ultima DX in many regards. I did own the 8x32 DX (actually several units of it) and was impressed by the overall optical performance for the price.
The Nature series, in my opinion, picked up where the Ultima DX left off. The 8x30 Nature porro performs at the same optical level but with the added benefit of being more compact and noticeably lighter. It is very much a dead ringer for the Leupold Yosemite and Eagle Optics Raptor models. Several individuals who purchased them were favorably impressed with the overall package that these binoculars provide. The icing on the proverbial cake though was the price that they are selling for....around $50 US. That price range has typically been reserved for many of the "plastic wrapper" models that one can purchase at "x-mart". Rarely did one find a solid performer at this price point.
Justifiable complaints about the binoculars quality control level did surface. At this price point one has to expect that they will. Since that time little has been mentioned about this model. Now seemed like a good time to change that.
Well, I have been out of the optics-comparison arena for a good 8-10 months. Circumstances have changed as of late and I had the opportunity to pick up another 8x30 Nature to utilize. I have been using it for the last few weeks and I am, again, impressed by the bins optical performance. The particular unit I have in my possession does not suffer from any quality control issues. Even the little orange "Celestron" sticker has stayed attached to the binocular housing. Call it luck that I have ended up with two satisfactory units.
So, after some time and thought I decided to do a little internet surfing to find out if any other experiences had been shared here or on other optic review sites. In the process I "discovered" several of the other configurations of this model currently for sale. Being a large fan of the 8x42 format I decided to order the 8x42 porro. It arrived two days ago and I have been using it extensively since.
The 8x42 model shares some similarities with the 8x30. The image quality is comparable in terms of the apparent sharpness, low level of CA and overall brightness. It differs in the level of edge sharpness and the field of view. The 8x42 offers an "average" field of view of around 7 degrees (367 feet) for a full-size 8x42 binocular. The 8x30 is listed at 430 feet.
Edge performance is better on the 8x42. Edge distortion is still there but it is not as pronounced and over a smaller percentage of the field of view. This most likely is the result of the narrower field of view/field stop.
Physically the 8x42 is significantly larger than the 8x30 model both in terms of dimensions and weight (31 oz). To put it in comparative terms it is about the same size and weight as that of the Bushnell Legend 8x42 porro. Overall performance is very similar to that model with the exception being the narrower field of view. It is a large 8x42 porro from a handling perspective but then that does allow me to hold it very steady (I have large hands).
Again, the icing on the cake is the price. It is priced at the same price as the 8x30 ($55 at several places online). Considering its optical performance I would certainly recommend it. It does compete directly with the likes of the Bushnell Legend porro, the Orion porro and the Nikon Action EX but at better than half the price.
I will see if I can post some side by side pics of both units when I have the time later.
The Nature series, in my opinion, picked up where the Ultima DX left off. The 8x30 Nature porro performs at the same optical level but with the added benefit of being more compact and noticeably lighter. It is very much a dead ringer for the Leupold Yosemite and Eagle Optics Raptor models. Several individuals who purchased them were favorably impressed with the overall package that these binoculars provide. The icing on the proverbial cake though was the price that they are selling for....around $50 US. That price range has typically been reserved for many of the "plastic wrapper" models that one can purchase at "x-mart". Rarely did one find a solid performer at this price point.
Justifiable complaints about the binoculars quality control level did surface. At this price point one has to expect that they will. Since that time little has been mentioned about this model. Now seemed like a good time to change that.
Well, I have been out of the optics-comparison arena for a good 8-10 months. Circumstances have changed as of late and I had the opportunity to pick up another 8x30 Nature to utilize. I have been using it for the last few weeks and I am, again, impressed by the bins optical performance. The particular unit I have in my possession does not suffer from any quality control issues. Even the little orange "Celestron" sticker has stayed attached to the binocular housing. Call it luck that I have ended up with two satisfactory units.
So, after some time and thought I decided to do a little internet surfing to find out if any other experiences had been shared here or on other optic review sites. In the process I "discovered" several of the other configurations of this model currently for sale. Being a large fan of the 8x42 format I decided to order the 8x42 porro. It arrived two days ago and I have been using it extensively since.
The 8x42 model shares some similarities with the 8x30. The image quality is comparable in terms of the apparent sharpness, low level of CA and overall brightness. It differs in the level of edge sharpness and the field of view. The 8x42 offers an "average" field of view of around 7 degrees (367 feet) for a full-size 8x42 binocular. The 8x30 is listed at 430 feet.
Edge performance is better on the 8x42. Edge distortion is still there but it is not as pronounced and over a smaller percentage of the field of view. This most likely is the result of the narrower field of view/field stop.
Physically the 8x42 is significantly larger than the 8x30 model both in terms of dimensions and weight (31 oz). To put it in comparative terms it is about the same size and weight as that of the Bushnell Legend 8x42 porro. Overall performance is very similar to that model with the exception being the narrower field of view. It is a large 8x42 porro from a handling perspective but then that does allow me to hold it very steady (I have large hands).
Again, the icing on the cake is the price. It is priced at the same price as the 8x30 ($55 at several places online). Considering its optical performance I would certainly recommend it. It does compete directly with the likes of the Bushnell Legend porro, the Orion porro and the Nikon Action EX but at better than half the price.
I will see if I can post some side by side pics of both units when I have the time later.