Intrigued by the Vixen Hoop 8x25 WP (1 Viewer)

[yarrellii]

I'm always in the lookout for nice compact binoculars, be it true pocket binoculars or simply very small and easy to carry compacts, be it reverse porros or single hinge (I usually dislike double hinge due to the finicky usability and the narrow eyecups they tend to have to maximize -well minimize- the size savings). Anyway, I'm really intrigued by the Vixen Hoop 8x25 WP. I tend to like Vixen binoculars, and not that long ago I bought a quirky 6x18 pocket binocular that left me in awe due to the size/price/performance ratio. Vixen seems to have a good eye for quality binoculars and it usually offers good value for money. Furthermore, its offering in small models is quite catchy, but in the case of the Hoop 8x25... I just don't know.

Official website here



I haven't been able to find any reviews or reliable information beyond the pure specs. And what puzzles me is that retail prize I've found in shops like Astroshop is a whooping 339 €. For context, this is more expensive than the much acclaimed 8x25 Zeiss Terra ED at 333 € (the Terra is thought by many to punch above its prize and deliver a stunning performance). In fact, the Hoop is also way more expensive than other solid options in the 8x25 configuration like the Kowa BD (257 €), Meopta Meosport (189 €) or Hawke Endurance (229 €).

But then, if you compare the specs of the Vixen Hoop and the Zeiss Terra: the FOV of the Vixen is narrower, it also weights more, close focus distance is worse, IPD is worse, eye relief is smaller... and yet it's more expensive, even though it comes from a brand like Vixen that, while appreciated among the astro folks, is nowhere near Zeiss in terms of prestige and status. So, where's the catch? Is the Hoop simply a design exercise where value lies on its form? Or is it a true sleeper delivering a better performance than the Zeiss Terra and we should all be running to get one asap?

I am really very curious, if anyone has tried or has any information, I'd be grateful

 

[[email protected]]

They are cool looking, but I have never tried them or even seen them before. I couldn't find any information on them anywhere, either. The best thing would be to buy a pair and try them and if you don't like them hit the return button.

 

[Canip]

I'm always in the lookout for nice compact binoculars, be it true pocket binoculars or simply very small and easy to carry compacts, be it reverse porros or single hinge (I usually dislike double hinge due to the finicky usability and the narrow eyecups they tend to have to maximize -well minimize- the size savings). Anyway, I'm really intrigued by the Vixen Hoop 8x25 WP. I tend to like Vixen binoculars, and not that long ago I bought a quirky 6x18 pocket binocular that left me in awe due to the size/price/performance ratio. Vixen seems to have a good eye for quality binoculars and it usually offers good value for money. Furthermore, its offering in small models is quite catchy, but in the case of the Hoop 8x25... I just don't know.

Official website here

View attachment 1597900

I haven't been able to find any reviews or reliable information beyond the pure specs. And what puzzles me is that retail prize I've found in shops like Astroshop is a whooping 339 €. For context, this is more expensive than the much acclaimed 8x25 Zeiss Terra ED at 333 € (the Terra is thought by many to punch above its prize and deliver a stunning performance). In fact, the Hoop is also way more expensive than other solid options in the 8x25 configuration like the Kowa BD (257 €), Meopta Meosport (189 €) or Hawke Endurance (229 €).

But then, if you compare the specs of the Vixen Hoop and the Zeiss Terra: the FOV of the Vixen is narrower, it also weights more, close focus distance is worse, IPD is worse, eye relief is smaller... and yet it's more expensive, even though it comes from a brand like Vixen that, while appreciated among the astro folks, is nowhere near Zeiss in terms of prestige and status. So, where's the catch? Is the Hoop simply a design exercise where value lies on its form? Or is it a true sleeper delivering a better performance than the Zeiss Terra and we should all be running to get one asap?

I am really very curious, if anyone has tried or has any information, I'd be grateful

I have one on order, was intrigued by it like you, so should get it in a few days.

 

[yarrellii]

@Canip This is great!!! Thanks so much for chiming in so timely. I am really looking forward to reading your findings about such an intriguing model.

Given that Vixen sells binoculars made by Asian manufacturers also sold under other brands, I wonder if this model is sold with other brand sticker (Opticron, Leupold or Kowa, for example, share some other models with Vixen).

Thanks again, let's hope this is another revelation by Vixen!

 

[[email protected]]

I have one on order, was intrigued by it like you, so should get it in a few days.

Yes, definitely write a review on it. It is interesting, especially for the price. The FOV is a little narrow at 6.3 degrees compared to the Zeiss Victory 8x25's 7.4 degrees. That would be a negative for a lot of people, but it is close to the Leica UV 8x20 which is 6.5 degrees and most of the smaller compacts.

 

[Canip]

@Canip This is great!!! Thanks so much for chiming in so timely. I am really looking forward to reading your findings about such an intriguing model.

Given that Vixen sells binoculars made by Asian manufacturers also sold under other brands, I wonder if this model is sold with other brand sticker (Opticron, Leupold or Kowa, for example, share some other models with Vixen).

Thanks again, let's hope this is another revelation by Vixen!

Okay ...
To say this up-front: I found the Hoop not as much a "revelation by Vixen" as I had hoped (the "@six" at the time was more of a positive event for me). But let's see why ...

What's in the nice silvery box (first pic):
Hoop 8x25, the usual instruction leaflet, a neckstrap, a padded linnen pouch (quite nice actually). No eyecaps, no objective covers.

The hoop is bigger than I would have expected from the pictures on the internet. Overall, the Hoop with its shiny silver tubes combined with black eyecups and hinge looks stylisher than any of my other seven 8x25 binos, including the premium ones.

Picking up the hoop, first surprise: heavier than expected. 371 g with strap, that's more than the CL Pocket, the Victory Pocket or the Terra.
Massive aluminium tubes; everything feels and looks very well finished! Firm rubber-coated single (!) hinge, smooth focuser (bigger than on other 8x25s), tightly-operating eyecups, tight diopter adapter on right tube; everything makes a solid impression. However:
Focusser works anticlockwise from close to infinity, which I don't find ideal. Then, my sample exhibits a bit of play when changing focusing direction, which I also don't find ideal (I hate it actually).

Optics in a nutshell - this is my initial impression after comparing the Hoop briefly with the Terra ED, Victory Pocket and CL Pocket (hereafter the "competitors" - actually, in terms of price, only the Terra is direct a competitor to the Hoop, Victory and CL are almost double the price):

• almost no CA, as good as the competitors
• decent central sharpness, slightly inferior to the three competitors
• quite good off-axis sharpness, but the narrower field of view is noticeable
• image brightness okay, comparable to Terra, lower than in Victory
• color fidelity is good, comparable to CL
• stray-light appears well controlled; a bit of glare can occur when sunlight falls directly on the objectives, but can be avoided with slight change of holding position

Second pic attached shows relative sizes of Hoop, Terra, Victory and CL Pocket.

If I had to rank the four in overall terms of optics, it would be

1. Victory Pocket
2. CL Pocket
3. Terra
4. Hoop

The Victory beats all of them with its wide FOV and crystal clear image. The CL and the Terra share same size FOV and pleasantly sharp image. The Hoop is excellent in terms of CA correction, otherwise slightly inferior in most categories.

One could say that the Hoop shines more with its good looks than with its optics.

Some data:

BaK-4 prisms
FOV 6.3 degrees = 110m (acc. to specs.)
AFOV 47.5 degrees (acc. to specs.)
Near focus 3m (acc. to specs.)
Eye relief: 14.5 mm (acc. to specs.)
Usable eye relief: 12.5 mm (measured)

P.S. the Hoop is made in Japan.

fwiw Canip

 

[dries1]

Canip, can you get your $$ back?

 

[Canip]

I won‘t. The Hoop will be part of my collection (it‘s by far not the worst 8x25 I have).

 

[dries1]

I won‘t. The Hoop will be part of my collection (it‘s by far not the worst 8x25 I have).

You are a binocular trooper for sure.

 

[yarrellii]

Thanks so much for the review @Canip, it is really informative and revealing. You are such a great asset for BF!!

I didn't know the Hoop were made in Japan, that's quite intriguing as well. I don't know how many brands get their 8x25 manufactured in Japan, but my guess is not that many due to the most likely higher costs than getting them made in China, Philippines, etc. This made me instantly remember another MIJ 8x25, this time by Bynolyt, a model which has gathered a very positive review by Gijs van Ginkel, as published in his review for House of Outdoors comparing different 8x25 models. It can be read here (the link takes you to a PDF file).

I wonder if the Bynolyt and the Hoop have any relationship at all, given that both seem to come from Japan, be well made and have nice optics (the Bynolyt in the image is 10x25, but the design is shared with the 8x25).


Both have a relatively sleek design, with pure straight lines and a chunky focus wheel that rises up to where the eyecups start. The bridge and hinge however are quite different.

Comparing the stats is not conclusive, quite typical for the format.
Bynolyt/Vixen
FOV: 113/110 m
Eye R: 14,5/14 mm (official)
Close focus 2,45/3 m
Weight: 340/302 g

As for my interest in the Hoop, the pictures comparing the eyecups with the other models show that the inner diameter is quite similar to the Terra that I had, and it's unfortunately just too narrow for me, a common downside of compact and pocket binoculars, with some exceptions (namely the 8x25 Travelite and the 7x20 CF III, both reverse Porro, both by Nikon). I guess that being single hinge, the viewing position will be easier (or less finicky) on the Hoop, but still.