I'm a big fan of the idea behind the Opticron Traveller ED 8x32 (as I am of the Monarch 7 8x30*, which I've used for quite a while before setting in for the Opticron).
A really compact and light x32 binocular with great levels of contrast and sharpness and great handling for a very affordable price (especially when bought 2nd hand, although the Traveller is a little more difficult to come by than the M7). However, the Achilles' heel of this format seems to be its behaviour against low light (like sunset) or in very difficult light conditions, and complains about an annoying milky veil and glare are frequent. So I've been interested in the Kite Lynx HD 8x30 for quite a while. I was able to test the previous version a couple of years ago (when you could merrily take a plane and pop into an optics store to touch and experience binoculars), but at the time I was more interested in the Monarch HG 8x30, and I found the Kite inferior to that one. Luckily, I've been able to get hold of a new HD+ model and I've been comparing it against my Traveller ED. I was interested in seeing what the Lynx HD+ could offer to justify the notable price difference compared to the Opticron (around 400 € against +550 €).
I'd probably do a longer comparison when I have the time, but one area I wanted to check was specifically the famous glare issue.
In short: yes, the view through the Lynx is overall a little better than through the Traveller. I perceive a little more contrast, a little more "pop" to the image (the way the subject in focus is highlighted against the blurry background). Sharpness could be a tiny bit better too, but that's a closer call. The FOV on real life use is not as noticeable as the specs might suggest 8,2º for the Traveller vs 8,65º for the Kite). I found it to be actually one of the least noticeable differences. Weight, on the other hand can be felt beyond what the specs indicate: 452 g the Traveller vs 503 g the Kite). The Kite feels more substantial, it feels closer to 550 g actually, maybe because the barrels are a little thicker (despite housing narrower objectives, 30 vs 32 mm).
But let's go directly to the subject of behaviour in sunset.
Today the sun set at 18:30 around here, and I've conducted this test at 18:10 - 18:15, with the sun really low on the horizon.
In order to have other 8x32 to judge the performance, I've also used well known contenders from the next two price brackets, the Conquest HD 8x32 from the middle-upper class and the Swarovski EL SV 8x32 from the top-class. And, in for a penny, in for a pound, I had a just received Vixen Artes J 8x42 (with a bigger exit pupil, a narrower field of view and very good credentials), so I've also used it as a benchmark.
These are my findings. I have attached some pictures to illustrate it. Yes, I know pictures through binos are usually not the best thing to go by, but these actually depict what I've seen pretty well. I think by looking at them you can make yourself an accurate idea of what I've seen.
There are two sets of pictures, one looking at a tree, to see how the binos were able to pick up detail on the branches (it's al almond tree in bloom, so there are green leaves and white flowers, that truly represent quite a challenge under these conditions). The lower set of pictures shows the corner of an old barn with some holes and a door that give a chance to check for black tones, contrast or the lack thereof, also a pretty demanding task under those light conditions.
Opticron Traveller ED 8x32: noticeable veil, to the point of losing most details on the white flowers and the creases on the trunk of the tree. The door of the barn appeared brownish, not actually very dark, and there was a prominent reflection on the upper part of the FOV, like a crescent or light. Classical Traveller/M7
Kite Lynx HD+ 8x30: as soon as you look through it you notice a clear improvement. It retains a higher level of contrast, which in turns enables you to see more detail. Compared to the Traveller, the door and holes on the barn wall seem darker, although you can feel that the level of contrast could be better, that the reflections are taking a little from you. Looking at the pictures of the Traveller and Lynx, I'd say they show a level of difference a bit bigger than reality. Maybe looking at them you could jump to the conclusion that the Lynx is free of veil, but it isn't so. Noticeably better, but still has a weak point here.
Swarovski EL SV 8x32: a surprise (well, maybe). I know the ELSV's weakest point is exactly this, but I wasn't expecting it to perform so poorly. I use the ELSV on a daily basis, and I've got used to it's quirks, and I'd say that normally its performance is not so weak, but it seems that the conditions of this particular test have exposed the EL's weakness beyond what I usually find. There was an unacceptable level of veil under this particular sunset. It was actually worse than the Traveller. Most detail gone, no contrast, a washed image.
Conquest HD 8x32. As like everything else regarding this pair of binoculars, I'd say its performance has been solid, this thing simply delivers. While not perfect, it has been the best of the 8x32 bunch. As I said regarding the pictures of the Traveller and the Kite, the pictures of the Kite appear a little better than what they are, so in reality the difference between the Lynx and the Conquest is a little bigger than what the image shows. However, you could still see that the Conquest was struggling and you really had to get your eye position right (well, this was a constant during the test with each an everyone of the 8x32). But overall, an irreproachable performance.
And, the wild card.
Vixen Artes J 8x42. Yes, it's probably unfair to put these 8x32 against a device from other category, but I wanted to see what a "value king" could do, and I'm simply impressed. The performance of the Artes J regarding veil and glare reminded me of the famous Supertramp album from the 70s: "Crisis? What crisis?". So, while I had a +1500 € alpha drowning in veil, and the +500 € Lynx was struggling (but achieving) to justify its price against the Traveller... the understated Japanese (paid GCole 170 € for it) simply flew over the storm in complete quietness, without a single sign of veil: contrast, sharpness, detail, everything was there. Probably not at the 100 % level (say, compared to if the sunset was not in that direction, but fully operational to provide details and increase ID-ing possibilities and overall viewing pleasure).
So, in this order, best to worst:
1. Vixen Artes J. Top marks
2. Conquest HD. Best of the 8x32's
3. Kite Lynx HD+. It has proven to deliver on one of the most important aspects that interested me about it.
4. Traveller ED. You can't say a bad word about these binoculars, but simply this isn't their strongest suit.
5. Swaro ELSV. The title of the movie would be: "The Alpha who bite the dust". To be honest, I think this particular conditions played against it.
*Note: as a side note, I must draw your attention to the fact that in the past I've owned two different units of the Nikon Monarch 7 8x30, and I've used them intensively in all kinds of environments. When I got the second one, to see if I could improve on the veil issue, I actually confirmed that there is quite a remarkable sample variation, even at this price point. I was surprised to find a slight but nevertheless noticeable difference in performance between my two units. One was sharper than the other and displayed less veil, but suffered from more sudden flares/flashes (I guess reflections). This makes me think about the difference between the Traveller and the Lynx I've seen. It's useless to speak from memory, but I'd say the difference between the Traveller and the Lynx is bigger than the difference between my two M7. It's more consistent: the Lynx seems more sharp and contrasty no matter the light conditions, and has a better behaviour agains the light. However, brightness probably goes to the Traveller, although by a very slight margin, probably due to the ever so slightly bigger aperture or probably due to different colour balance (the Traveller tends more to yellow/green, while the Lynx I'd say is more magenta/cold... but that's another story for another thread).
I hope I've given you some insights as I know the Kite has stirred some interest, and the Traveller/M7 is a very well regarded device (I surely do love mine). Please feel free to add your experiences and thoughts.
A really compact and light x32 binocular with great levels of contrast and sharpness and great handling for a very affordable price (especially when bought 2nd hand, although the Traveller is a little more difficult to come by than the M7). However, the Achilles' heel of this format seems to be its behaviour against low light (like sunset) or in very difficult light conditions, and complains about an annoying milky veil and glare are frequent. So I've been interested in the Kite Lynx HD 8x30 for quite a while. I was able to test the previous version a couple of years ago (when you could merrily take a plane and pop into an optics store to touch and experience binoculars), but at the time I was more interested in the Monarch HG 8x30, and I found the Kite inferior to that one. Luckily, I've been able to get hold of a new HD+ model and I've been comparing it against my Traveller ED. I was interested in seeing what the Lynx HD+ could offer to justify the notable price difference compared to the Opticron (around 400 € against +550 €).
I'd probably do a longer comparison when I have the time, but one area I wanted to check was specifically the famous glare issue.
In short: yes, the view through the Lynx is overall a little better than through the Traveller. I perceive a little more contrast, a little more "pop" to the image (the way the subject in focus is highlighted against the blurry background). Sharpness could be a tiny bit better too, but that's a closer call. The FOV on real life use is not as noticeable as the specs might suggest 8,2º for the Traveller vs 8,65º for the Kite). I found it to be actually one of the least noticeable differences. Weight, on the other hand can be felt beyond what the specs indicate: 452 g the Traveller vs 503 g the Kite). The Kite feels more substantial, it feels closer to 550 g actually, maybe because the barrels are a little thicker (despite housing narrower objectives, 30 vs 32 mm).
But let's go directly to the subject of behaviour in sunset.
Today the sun set at 18:30 around here, and I've conducted this test at 18:10 - 18:15, with the sun really low on the horizon.
In order to have other 8x32 to judge the performance, I've also used well known contenders from the next two price brackets, the Conquest HD 8x32 from the middle-upper class and the Swarovski EL SV 8x32 from the top-class. And, in for a penny, in for a pound, I had a just received Vixen Artes J 8x42 (with a bigger exit pupil, a narrower field of view and very good credentials), so I've also used it as a benchmark.
These are my findings. I have attached some pictures to illustrate it. Yes, I know pictures through binos are usually not the best thing to go by, but these actually depict what I've seen pretty well. I think by looking at them you can make yourself an accurate idea of what I've seen.
There are two sets of pictures, one looking at a tree, to see how the binos were able to pick up detail on the branches (it's al almond tree in bloom, so there are green leaves and white flowers, that truly represent quite a challenge under these conditions). The lower set of pictures shows the corner of an old barn with some holes and a door that give a chance to check for black tones, contrast or the lack thereof, also a pretty demanding task under those light conditions.
Opticron Traveller ED 8x32: noticeable veil, to the point of losing most details on the white flowers and the creases on the trunk of the tree. The door of the barn appeared brownish, not actually very dark, and there was a prominent reflection on the upper part of the FOV, like a crescent or light. Classical Traveller/M7
Kite Lynx HD+ 8x30: as soon as you look through it you notice a clear improvement. It retains a higher level of contrast, which in turns enables you to see more detail. Compared to the Traveller, the door and holes on the barn wall seem darker, although you can feel that the level of contrast could be better, that the reflections are taking a little from you. Looking at the pictures of the Traveller and Lynx, I'd say they show a level of difference a bit bigger than reality. Maybe looking at them you could jump to the conclusion that the Lynx is free of veil, but it isn't so. Noticeably better, but still has a weak point here.
Swarovski EL SV 8x32: a surprise (well, maybe). I know the ELSV's weakest point is exactly this, but I wasn't expecting it to perform so poorly. I use the ELSV on a daily basis, and I've got used to it's quirks, and I'd say that normally its performance is not so weak, but it seems that the conditions of this particular test have exposed the EL's weakness beyond what I usually find. There was an unacceptable level of veil under this particular sunset. It was actually worse than the Traveller. Most detail gone, no contrast, a washed image.
Conquest HD 8x32. As like everything else regarding this pair of binoculars, I'd say its performance has been solid, this thing simply delivers. While not perfect, it has been the best of the 8x32 bunch. As I said regarding the pictures of the Traveller and the Kite, the pictures of the Kite appear a little better than what they are, so in reality the difference between the Lynx and the Conquest is a little bigger than what the image shows. However, you could still see that the Conquest was struggling and you really had to get your eye position right (well, this was a constant during the test with each an everyone of the 8x32). But overall, an irreproachable performance.
And, the wild card.
Vixen Artes J 8x42. Yes, it's probably unfair to put these 8x32 against a device from other category, but I wanted to see what a "value king" could do, and I'm simply impressed. The performance of the Artes J regarding veil and glare reminded me of the famous Supertramp album from the 70s: "Crisis? What crisis?". So, while I had a +1500 € alpha drowning in veil, and the +500 € Lynx was struggling (but achieving) to justify its price against the Traveller... the understated Japanese (paid GCole 170 € for it) simply flew over the storm in complete quietness, without a single sign of veil: contrast, sharpness, detail, everything was there. Probably not at the 100 % level (say, compared to if the sunset was not in that direction, but fully operational to provide details and increase ID-ing possibilities and overall viewing pleasure).
So, in this order, best to worst:
1. Vixen Artes J. Top marks
2. Conquest HD. Best of the 8x32's
3. Kite Lynx HD+. It has proven to deliver on one of the most important aspects that interested me about it.
4. Traveller ED. You can't say a bad word about these binoculars, but simply this isn't their strongest suit.
5. Swaro ELSV. The title of the movie would be: "The Alpha who bite the dust". To be honest, I think this particular conditions played against it.
*Note: as a side note, I must draw your attention to the fact that in the past I've owned two different units of the Nikon Monarch 7 8x30, and I've used them intensively in all kinds of environments. When I got the second one, to see if I could improve on the veil issue, I actually confirmed that there is quite a remarkable sample variation, even at this price point. I was surprised to find a slight but nevertheless noticeable difference in performance between my two units. One was sharper than the other and displayed less veil, but suffered from more sudden flares/flashes (I guess reflections). This makes me think about the difference between the Traveller and the Lynx I've seen. It's useless to speak from memory, but I'd say the difference between the Traveller and the Lynx is bigger than the difference between my two M7. It's more consistent: the Lynx seems more sharp and contrasty no matter the light conditions, and has a better behaviour agains the light. However, brightness probably goes to the Traveller, although by a very slight margin, probably due to the ever so slightly bigger aperture or probably due to different colour balance (the Traveller tends more to yellow/green, while the Lynx I'd say is more magenta/cold... but that's another story for another thread).
I hope I've given you some insights as I know the Kite has stirred some interest, and the Traveller/M7 is a very well regarded device (I surely do love mine). Please feel free to add your experiences and thoughts.
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