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Help pick binoculars for my sister, b-in-law, and kids in South Africa
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<blockquote data-quote="JohnJos" data-source="post: 1350540" data-attributes="member: 58536"><p>orbitaljump,</p><p></p><p>I have the Pentax 8x32 DCF SP. I also have the Browning 8x32. I also have the Kowa BD 8x32, although it is in for repair at the moment. Here are a few quick comparisons.</p><p></p><p>I believe the Pentax and the Browning may be the same bin underneath. They share many of the same properties and appear to me to be essentially identical except for the rubber armoring. Both are nearly identical in size & weight, close focus, field of view, eye relief & exit pupil. Both focus near to far counterclockwise (which I consider 'backwards' from most bins). The focuser behaves and feels the same, a bit tight and becomes tighter as the temperature drops. The view is effectively the same to me. The hinge looks identical in each. I see no difference in the coatings just based on visual inspection.</p><p></p><p>That being said, I like both but I may like the Brownings more because of their ergonomics. I hate the depressed thumb areas on the Pentax bins and the eyecups just don't feel quite right. Both perform optically very well though. Very pleased with the view. Clear, crisp & bright.</p><p></p><p>I only had the Kowas a short time before I had to send them in for repair to fix a faulty eyecup that tended to collapse during use. I should have them back late next week (none too pleased with Kowa's customer service). Much lighter than the previous two 8x32 bins; otherwise again nearly identical specs. But the hinge is indeed different. And, while focus wheel also is 'backwards', it is smoother and quite easy to use. I don't recall it tightening up in the cold but I may not have used it in colder temps. The view is on par or maybe slightly better than the Browning & Pentax 8x32s. I did compare the Browning to the Kowa for flare because that is the one negative the Brownings have been noted for. The Kowa did do a better job at controlling lens flare although I'm not really bothered by it when using the Browning.</p><p></p><p>I'll keep the Browning. One of the other two will probably be sold once I get more time to compare the Kowa vs. the Pentax SP. I got good deals on all three but the best deal on the Brownings which cost me half or less of the purchase price of the other two. Unfortunately the Brownings are no longer available based upon a recent Internet search (gone the way of the Nikon EIIs which I also haven't been able to track down but would buy without hesitation if I found a pair for sale in either 8X or 10X at a decent price).</p><p></p><p>I'll report back to this thread once I get the Kowas back and do a bit more testing on them.</p><p></p><p>Anyway, that's my non-expert comments on these three 8x32 bins.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="JohnJos, post: 1350540, member: 58536"] orbitaljump, I have the Pentax 8x32 DCF SP. I also have the Browning 8x32. I also have the Kowa BD 8x32, although it is in for repair at the moment. Here are a few quick comparisons. I believe the Pentax and the Browning may be the same bin underneath. They share many of the same properties and appear to me to be essentially identical except for the rubber armoring. Both are nearly identical in size & weight, close focus, field of view, eye relief & exit pupil. Both focus near to far counterclockwise (which I consider 'backwards' from most bins). The focuser behaves and feels the same, a bit tight and becomes tighter as the temperature drops. The view is effectively the same to me. The hinge looks identical in each. I see no difference in the coatings just based on visual inspection. That being said, I like both but I may like the Brownings more because of their ergonomics. I hate the depressed thumb areas on the Pentax bins and the eyecups just don't feel quite right. Both perform optically very well though. Very pleased with the view. Clear, crisp & bright. I only had the Kowas a short time before I had to send them in for repair to fix a faulty eyecup that tended to collapse during use. I should have them back late next week (none too pleased with Kowa's customer service). Much lighter than the previous two 8x32 bins; otherwise again nearly identical specs. But the hinge is indeed different. And, while focus wheel also is 'backwards', it is smoother and quite easy to use. I don't recall it tightening up in the cold but I may not have used it in colder temps. The view is on par or maybe slightly better than the Browning & Pentax 8x32s. I did compare the Browning to the Kowa for flare because that is the one negative the Brownings have been noted for. The Kowa did do a better job at controlling lens flare although I'm not really bothered by it when using the Browning. I'll keep the Browning. One of the other two will probably be sold once I get more time to compare the Kowa vs. the Pentax SP. I got good deals on all three but the best deal on the Brownings which cost me half or less of the purchase price of the other two. Unfortunately the Brownings are no longer available based upon a recent Internet search (gone the way of the Nikon EIIs which I also haven't been able to track down but would buy without hesitation if I found a pair for sale in either 8X or 10X at a decent price). I'll report back to this thread once I get the Kowas back and do a bit more testing on them. Anyway, that's my non-expert comments on these three 8x32 bins. [/QUOTE]
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Help pick binoculars for my sister, b-in-law, and kids in South Africa
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