Even a Senior might like the My Junior 7x28! These new Swarovski My Junior 7x28 binoculars which are targeted at children just might work for a senior if you want a small, lightweight binocular in the unusual format of 7x28, which is the secret sauce behind their great performance. For $500 you are getting a 4mm EP with superb Swarovski glass, which normally you would have to pay at least $2000 for to get something like an NL 8x32 with the same EP. They are about the same size and weight at 16oz. as most 8x30's, but they will be brighter in low light because of the bigger EP and also have easier eye placement. These don't have the huge FOV of an NL, instead having a rather average 7.2 degree FOV. The FOV is also less than the 7.7 degree FOV of the Curio 7x21 which I compared them too but with the bigger 4mm EP instead of the 3mm EP as in the Curio they are brighter, have easier eye placement. The My Junior's are equal to a lot of 8x32's in brightness because the EP at 4mm is the same. The AFOV though falls short of most 8x32's like the EL 8x32. To keep things simple and the cost down, they do not have a diopter adjustment. These are also very glare resistant for a smaller aperture. Swarovski says they have 89% light transmission.
What is surprising is how sharp the edges are at this price point. They are not EL sharp, but they are close, and the colors are amazingly neutral like an EL. They have very little CA in the center and slightly more than Swarovski's top binoculars like the NL on the edge. CA is well controlled though for not having ED glass. The FOV seems as big as the Curio 7x21, even though the Junior's FOV is 7.2 degrees and the Curio is 7.7 degrees. If you don't need the pocketability of the Curio and want something that is brighter, a little bigger and has easier eye placement, the My Junior 7x28 is a good choice, and it is also $300 less expensive than the Curio. If you think about it, a 7x28 is equal to a 8x32 in brightness, but it has a better DOF, and it is easier to hold steady. The My Juniors have a nice rain guard for the eyepieces, a nice removable strap with no irritating FP and a well padded case with attached strap,the armor feels very nice to the touch, and they are waterproof to 5ft., nitrogen purged and sealed. If you want a smaller, compact 7x, I can't think of a better one for the low price of $500. I just buy these binoculars because I enjoy testing them, and I may not choose to keep them, but then they will be in the classifieds for a considerable discount for Bird Forum members benefit.
Nikon M7 8x30 next to the Swarovski My Junior 7x28
What is surprising is how sharp the edges are at this price point. They are not EL sharp, but they are close, and the colors are amazingly neutral like an EL. They have very little CA in the center and slightly more than Swarovski's top binoculars like the NL on the edge. CA is well controlled though for not having ED glass. The FOV seems as big as the Curio 7x21, even though the Junior's FOV is 7.2 degrees and the Curio is 7.7 degrees. If you don't need the pocketability of the Curio and want something that is brighter, a little bigger and has easier eye placement, the My Junior 7x28 is a good choice, and it is also $300 less expensive than the Curio. If you think about it, a 7x28 is equal to a 8x32 in brightness, but it has a better DOF, and it is easier to hold steady. The My Juniors have a nice rain guard for the eyepieces, a nice removable strap with no irritating FP and a well padded case with attached strap,the armor feels very nice to the touch, and they are waterproof to 5ft., nitrogen purged and sealed. If you want a smaller, compact 7x, I can't think of a better one for the low price of $500. I just buy these binoculars because I enjoy testing them, and I may not choose to keep them, but then they will be in the classifieds for a considerable discount for Bird Forum members benefit.
Nikon M7 8x30 next to the Swarovski My Junior 7x28
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