Eyeskey Diamond ED 8x42 (1 Viewer)

[jonnyboyc]

i have ordered a set of these on Amazon

Eyeskey Diamond ED

They look good on paper at least, especially the FoV.

Has anyone else tried them?

About this item

High performance - ED glass for superior color reproduction, superior quality Phase Corrected BaK4 prisms with Dielectric Coating. Fully Multi-Coated lenses and up to 8x magnification for high definition image brightness, minimal distortion, excellent view!
Easy to Use - Large Metal central focus wheel brings easy focus. And don't worry if you wear glasses, the twist up (down) eyecups help you see crystal clear even your viewing is miles away! Wide field of view 425ft at 1000 yards or 142m at 1000m.

DURABLE - Nitrogen-charged and O-ring sealed, these binoculars waterproof and fogproof to take on challenging weather conditions. PREMIUM QUALITY parts precision manufacturing and assembly assures your binocular will work AMAZINGLY for years to come.

Design - Unique open-bridge design that's comfortable to use, durable rubber armored body With Special anti-slip stripes. The precisely placed thumb grooves give these binoculars “just the right” texturing and all-over lightweight body ergonomics.

NO FAULT WARRANTY - These excellent binoculars carry a 30 days money back guarantee and lifetime warranty which is totally risk-free buy. Click the orange button to order now!

 

[jonnyboyc]

I have also been doing some further digging into the supply chain of these chinese bins and their other options.

They provided me with a spec sheet of their full range.

I have uploaded a screenshot. They say their 2 models on the last 2 columns are the best.

 

[jonnyboyc]

I have now also found out from them, that they are supplying Avalon Binoculars.

They have confirmed that the Eyeskey in my original post is exactly the same as Avalon's 8x42 Titan ED model, which retails for £949

https://avalonoptics.co.uk/avalon-8x42-titan-ed-binoculars/

 

[PYRTLE]

How can two " exactly the same " binoculars have a 1:4 price range difference, beggars belief. Belief being the key word.
The " unique " open bridge design is indeed far from that, this design being commonly copied from the Swarovski EL binocular since the late 1990s by hundreds of similar looking binos with attractive sounding brand names.
As long as you're happy with your purchase that is all that really matters, rather than just looking good on paper.

 

[jonnyboyc]

How can two " exactly the same " binoculars have a 1:4 price range difference, beggars belief. Belief being the key word.
The " unique " open bridge design is indeed far from that, this design being commonly copied from the Swarovski EL binocular since the late 1990s by hundreds of similar looking binos with attractive sounding brand names.
As long as you're happy with your purchase that is all that really matters, rather than just looking good on paper.

Yeap, I think what Avalon are trying to do is build a brand based on a slick website and video ads etc. But ultimately their product is coming from the Kunming Mayvin Optical Instruments Ltd, in China.

I was chatting to one of the Kunming sales reps on Alibaba and they seem to be a good wholesale manufacturer producing a decent product.

He is willing to send me a sample of their top tier binocular (as per the spreadsheet above) for $177 /£135, which I think is worth a punt. I have attached some photos of that model XT-8x42.

The Eyeskey Diamond ED in my original post have already shipped, so will be here in a few days to try out compared to my Viking ED-FF. I bought them through the Eyeskey store on Amazon, so if they are rubbish, then they can go back.

The question really is can you get a set of Bins from China for £150 or so that will rival £500 bins in the shops?

 

[Rotherbirder]

You're a brave man jonnyboyc. I don't trust anyone that doesn't know the difference between 'losing' and 'loosing'! The Avalon website makes for an entertaining waste of a few minutes.

RB

 

[jonnyboyc]

You're a brave man jonnyboyc. I don't trust anyone that doesn't know the difference between 'losing' and 'loosing'!
RB

I don't understand? Why am I brave? Did I write "losing" somewhere? LOL

 

[Ratal]

With the money you spent, you could have had the Hawke APO and be do e with your binocular hunt.

But it is your money, so will look forward to your review

 

[Binastro]

The variation in quality from one sample to another can be so great in Chinese binoculars that one can be lucky and get a good binocular or unlucky and get a dud.

Or somewhere in between.

Or one barrel can be fine and the other rubbish.

I have had a brand new Chinese waterproof binocular with extensive fungus internally.

The problem is that quality control can be almost entirely lacking.

Similar to BMC motor cars, where the customer was the quality control.
Even later on, the engine fell out of our Maxi and my Austin 1800 was starved of oil cornering fast so needed new pistons and the upgrade to stop this happening with the sideways engine. After the modification it performed well.

B.

 

[jonnyboyc]

With the money you spent, you could have had the Hawke APO and be do e with your binocular hunt.

But it is your money, so will look forward to your review

What is the Hawke APO?

If the Eyeskey are duds, I’ll be returning them, so always interested in other options.

Are Japanese binoculars better?

 

[Binastro]

On average Japanese binoculars are more likely to have better quality control than Chinese binoculars.
They are also likely to last longer.

Buying as per post#1 I'd say is similar to going into a casino and playing red or black.
About 50% chance of getting a good binocular.

B.

 

[jonnyboyc]

On average Japanese binoculars are more likely to have better quality control than Chinese binoculars.
They are also likely to last longer.

Buying as per post#1 I'd say is similar to going into a casino and playing red or black.
About 50% chance of getting a good binocular.

B.

In other words, I might be safer buying a set of Nikon Aculons or something porro, if I want cheap and cheerful?

 

[Binastro]

The Aculons are not waterproof, but I have found 85% or so to be good.
They are good for astronomy.

But for birdwatchers maybe not as suitable as a waterproof binocular.

There are the somewhat more expensive waterproof Aculons, maybe called all terrain or something.
These are well regarded in certain magnifications by birdwatchers, but I haven't used these.
To make Porros waterproof there may have stiffer focus wheels.

B.

 

[WJC]

There's more than one "WATERPROOF." :cat:

Bill

 

[Rotherbirder]

I don't understand? Why am I brave? Did I write "losing" somewhere? LOL

No, but the learned souls who produced the Avalon website did! If you stumble around trying to buy a good binocular via your method, you'll spend a fortune on return shipping but, as Ratal says, it's your money!

RB

 

[Ratal]

https://www.fotosense.co.uk/catalog...awke-frontier-apo-8x42-binocular-green-38-510

 

[jonnyboyc]

https://www.fotosense.co.uk/catalog...awke-frontier-apo-8x42-binocular-green-38-510

Are they good?

 

[jonnyboyc]

Anyone actually tried/reviewed the APO yet?

 

[normjackson]

The Eyeskey looks a dead ringer for the old Eagle Optics Ranger ED. Possible NOS of that model here :
https://www.wilkinson.co.uk/eagle-optics-8-x-42-ranger-ed-roof-prism-binoculars/

 

[cottonbase]

i have ordered a set of these on Amazon

Eyeskey Diamond ED

They look good on paper at least, especially the FoV.

What was the verdict?