Hi every one!
I been searching long time for a 10x42 to replace an older Minox, and to add that size to my 10x32 and 10x25, both Zeiss Terra EDs.
Let's see, if I can get together what binos I had here for testing (all 10x42): Zeiss Terra ED, Vanguard Endeavor ED IV, Kowa BD II XD, Maven C1, Nikon Prostaff 7S, Nikon Monarch 7, GPO Passion ED, .....
The one Vanguard I had was very good, sharp wide to the edges, but was not centered right. I saw double for seconds after looking through these binos, and eyes hurt. After getting two replacements with other major problems I quit.
The Maven was very nice, but smelled very intense and bad, diopter was not right adjusted (15mm away from center both barrels been the same), and right barrel had clearance.
In some review about the Maven C1 someone wrote ..... buy the Athlon Midas! Never heard of Athlos, so did some research, and after that I bought the Athlon Midas 10x42 gen 2. I have to say that I do not like the look of these binos too much, I like more the Maven, Zeiss or GPO look and feel. But what counts is the image and function quality. I have to say I am very happy niw with the Midas. The sharpness is very nice, at the edges it gets smoother but only close to the edges. Diopter is perfect when on center as it should be. Focus wheel has no clearance, needs some force to get moved, but just the right amount, diopter ring is also moving just right to me, and the eye cups work well too. I never have the experience of not getting a sharp image, as it happens often with binos, when there is clearence in focus wheel, or one or both barrels. Sure you know what I mean, one time image is perfect sharp, next object you are watching image is not getting sharp, may be you overshooted and had to get back with focus.
As I do not have or had any other experience with Athlon binos, I can not say if I just had luck, or if this is the standard, when you buy this model. I would like to have the Athlon quality, and the look and feel (not the smell) of the Maven, but ..... I can live well with that, because now I finally found a 10x42 which is really fine for me.
May be you can try out an Athlon Midas gen 2 too, or include it in your choice, when searching a 10x42 or 8x42 binos.
I been searching long time for a 10x42 to replace an older Minox, and to add that size to my 10x32 and 10x25, both Zeiss Terra EDs.
Let's see, if I can get together what binos I had here for testing (all 10x42): Zeiss Terra ED, Vanguard Endeavor ED IV, Kowa BD II XD, Maven C1, Nikon Prostaff 7S, Nikon Monarch 7, GPO Passion ED, .....
The one Vanguard I had was very good, sharp wide to the edges, but was not centered right. I saw double for seconds after looking through these binos, and eyes hurt. After getting two replacements with other major problems I quit.
The Maven was very nice, but smelled very intense and bad, diopter was not right adjusted (15mm away from center both barrels been the same), and right barrel had clearance.
In some review about the Maven C1 someone wrote ..... buy the Athlon Midas! Never heard of Athlos, so did some research, and after that I bought the Athlon Midas 10x42 gen 2. I have to say that I do not like the look of these binos too much, I like more the Maven, Zeiss or GPO look and feel. But what counts is the image and function quality. I have to say I am very happy niw with the Midas. The sharpness is very nice, at the edges it gets smoother but only close to the edges. Diopter is perfect when on center as it should be. Focus wheel has no clearance, needs some force to get moved, but just the right amount, diopter ring is also moving just right to me, and the eye cups work well too. I never have the experience of not getting a sharp image, as it happens often with binos, when there is clearence in focus wheel, or one or both barrels. Sure you know what I mean, one time image is perfect sharp, next object you are watching image is not getting sharp, may be you overshooted and had to get back with focus.
As I do not have or had any other experience with Athlon binos, I can not say if I just had luck, or if this is the standard, when you buy this model. I would like to have the Athlon quality, and the look and feel (not the smell) of the Maven, but ..... I can live well with that, because now I finally found a 10x42 which is really fine for me.
May be you can try out an Athlon Midas gen 2 too, or include it in your choice, when searching a 10x42 or 8x42 binos.
