Is Banner Cloud(SRBC) 8 x 42 APO really that good!? (1 Viewer)

[dries1]

I was not impressed with the resolution of the SRBC, tried the 8/10X42 nice wide FOV but I found the NL superior. I may have tried bum samples, (belong to a fellow optic fanatic) but as the saying goes did you get a good sample. Time will tell how they do, however the size/weight will deter many birders like some glass from the big three has.
Additionally, shipment back to China is expensive from the US for any service, not sure how they will sell in the EU. APM I think has a clone available in 8/10X42 and they might do well there.

 

[jackjack]

I was not impressed with the resolution of the SRBC, tried the 8/10X42 nice wide FOV but I found the NL superior. I may have tried bum samples, (belong to a fellow optic fanatic) but as the saying goes did you get a good sample. Time will tell how they do, however the size/weight will deter many birders like some glass from the big three has.
Additionally, shipment back to China is expensive from the US for any service, not sure how they will sell in the EU. APM I think has a clone available in 8/10X42 and they might do well there.

yes NL is superior in resolution then all of the SRBC sample I have tried. even 10x32 ones
It is not an NL killer yet.

 

[Conndomat]

... not sure how they will sell in the EU. APM I think has a clone available in 8/10X42 and they might do well there.

Basically, business with large astrobinos is going quite well at Markus, here too, many astronomers don't use handheld binoculars, at best to find an object, i.e. as a viewfinder.

In fact, the topic here also runs under the radar, that SRBC was mentioned 2-3 times, a few posts and bye.

Europe is difficult to conquer, at least when it comes to binoculars, Nikon also failed...
And whether the small number of astronomers who buy an SRBC can really keep the store running ... hmmm?
You should also keep in mind that the next horse has already started running.

The SRBC will certainly find some friends, but I don't believe in a banner world.

Andreas

 

[has530]

Regarding after sales service, (which many are concerned about) I cannot think of a $500 roof binocular that is serviced, most of them are replaced.

My Bushnell Legend M were serviced. Contacted them and said the focus was too stiff, they told me to send them in and about a month later my same pair came back to me with a new focus mechanism all covered under warranty.

 

[jackjack]

A very useful observation. Is this because the focus is too slow (like NL), or do the optics just not "snap" clearly into focus in the way one would like? And is it all BC models or just some?


This is one of many indications that they weren't (initially) trying to do that, as some suppose.

in South Korea. which is geometrically closer to China then Europe and America, there are couple of companies that have been already improting optics and doing after service from KU inculdng Skyrover. So, they also have managed to import and sell SRBC in reasonable price.
So, Korean can visit shop and look with their own eyes before they buy it, and get refund or exchange of the defected product easily if they buy without seeing them.
much better situation then western countries.


one thing I can say clear,
negative or suspicious prediction of SRBC have been continually decreasing after more and more Korean get their hands on the actual bino and see for themselves.
there are some manias disappointed for part such as argonomics, QC, but it's impact is enough to influence all the bino market in Korea inculding Big 3 companies.

 

[jackjack]

I was not impressed with the resolution of the SRBC, tried the 8/10X42 nice wide FOV but I found the NL superior. I may have tried bum samples, (belong to a fellow optic fanatic) but as the saying goes did you get a good sample. Time will tell how they do, however the size/weight will deter many birders like some glass from the big three has.
Additionally, shipment back to China is expensive from the US for any service, not sure how they will sell in the EU. APM I think has a clone available in 8/10X42 and they might do well there.

yes I'm also waiting for 32mm BC. because they have to use downsized ocular then 42, 50, 56mm SRBC, it's going to take time to make 32mm SRBC. maybe It didn't have that enough sweetspot like bigger ones too.

32mm Vortex UHD managed to deliver more then 70degrees fov but it is very big size bino for 32 and according to allbino article, failed to have a nice corrected view.

If SRBC manage to introduce 32mm, I think the gap between NL is bigger then it's big brothers. especially in 10x32 formet.

I think demends for 32mm or lighter bin is bigger in South Korea then western. because Korean birder sociaty possibly have more percentages of women then western countries.
also many put more effort on taking photo then just watching so many people don't want to spare more much weight to Bino.

 

[rajas]

jackjack, thanks for all your comments. The report on QC doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. I guess it's a lottery when you buy.

 

[jackjack]

jackjack, thanks for all your comments. The report on QC doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. I guess it's a lottery when you buy.

practically not that harsh as lotterly, but to big 3 or high end MIJ bino users, it will be quite an annoying experience.

I have many experiences for under 300$ MIC bino, so I'm not getting surprised easily to minor quality difference between samples.

but I didn't expect this level of QC differ to 500$ MIC bin that practically being best MIC bino ever.

it is a fantastic bino for price but no need to over praise it because of these certain situation.

if they have manage to maintain the same quality through all market sample 99% same or better then the sample I reviewed (my sample have slight diopter issue)
I will reconsider my opinion of it.

 

[rajas]

For someone like me, currently on a Celestron Trailseeker ED, and looking for my next level-up (no rush), SRBC is a contender but I hesitate due to the weight and now QC. I had the Opticron Aurora and MHG also as contenders.

 

[jackjack]

For someone like me, currently on a Celestron Trailseeker ED, and looking for my next level-up (no rush), SRBC is a contender but I hesitate due to the weight and now QC. I had the Opticron Aurora and MHG also as contenders.

Aurora's image sharpness is also a gem of Japanese. it was the sharpest 8 power MIJ bino I have seen. but it's build quality and brightness is inferior then MHG and SRBC...

I don't like selestron. I have used outland, nature dx, nature dxed and trailseeker ed. nothing suits my expectations...which was not that high.

low transmission & color fidelity and build quality for it's price.... you will see a new world with SRBC.
SRBC will beat trailseeker even it's edge sharpness degrades under 50%

but please mind the weight. Celestron is one of the lightest bino for it's size.

even 100 grams can be crucial through long time dynamic birding.

 

[albie...]

If the Chinese are planning to develop a long term leadership franchise, it makes perfect sense to Cadillacs at Pinto prices.

Really reaching with that one. I hope your lanyard is in good shape .

 

[Scott98]

Will be interesting to see how popular these are among the birding people. When I go on birding tours it's about 50% Nikon Monarch 5 or Monarch 7's, about the same price as these and 22-23 ounces. That's a big difference for a someone who carries these all day. I don't see many NL Pures yet either, it's EL's if they have Swaros

They have sharper edges and less CA, but is it worth the extra weight for people??

 

[jackjack]

Will be interesting to see how popular these are among the birding people. When I go on birding tours it's about 50% Nikon Monarch 5 or Monarch 7's, about the same price as these and 22-23 ounces. That's a big difference for a someone who carries these all day. I don't see many NL Pures yet either, it's EL's if they have Swaros

They have sharper edges and less CA, but is it worth the extra weight for people??

to birders, maybe not. in south korea majority of big 3 is swaro and majority of swaro is NL pure especially 10x32. secondary swaro is cl pocket. el usually seen in 10x32 formet.

I think among big 3 company, almost 90 percent of korean briders are using swaro instead of leica and zeiss.

I have seen dozens of NL, but zero NV and SF

zeiss and leica is really rare except for 20, 25mm leica UV pocket

mid price bino around 500$ is almost devided by nikon M7 and Kowa BD2

my main birding format is 8x32. using ELSV and CHD for 8x32
over 700g is indeed stressful for my neck

and SRBC's characteristics is for astronomy not for birding.

 

[rajas]

to birders, maybe not. in south korea majority of big 3 is swaro and majority of swaro is NL pure especially 10x32. secondary swaro is cl pocket. el usually seen in 10x32 formet.

I think among big 3 company, almost 90 percent of korean briders are using swaro instead of leica and zeiss.

I have seen dozens of NL, but zero NV and SF

zeiss and leica is really rare except for 20, 25mm leica UV pocket

mid price bino around 500$ is almost devided by nikon M7 and Kowa BD2

Interesting! Here in Toronto, most birders seem to use Vortex or Nikon, with some using Swaro. I've only ever seen one other birder using Celestron.

 

[jackjack]

Interesting! Here in Toronto, most birders seem to use Vortex or Nikon, with some using Swaro. I've only ever seen one other birder using Celestron.

Celestron naturedx and outland was imported by one korean telescope shop. so I have seen some using it.
vortex is really rare. I have seen only two diamondback 8x32 and couple of raptors.

around 100$, about 90% is using Korean brand Sanju and recently Svbony sv202 8x32 is growing on.

Kowa yf1 & 2 8x30 is most famous in 150 ~ 200 price range.

under 300, MIC bin BW8 8x32 and 8x42 is most popular because they are optically par with 500$ bin. (but mechanically not)
and I seen some nikon 3S, 7S, P3, P7 around.
and some kowa sv too

Swarovski was really cheap at Korea. about six month ago, we can get NL 42mm under 2800$ in local distributor, and EL 42 under 2100$
there are some price rose, but NL is still cheaper then SF and NV

so that's why swaro is dominant in market among big 3 in Korea