New Pentax VD Series Binocular/monocular (4 Viewers)

[Paskman]

I see that Pentax have just introduced a binocular that converts to both a monocular and a telescope. It's an interesting concept that follows on from their Papillo's

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/binoculars/v-series/special/vd4x20sp.html

 

[PeterPS]

Interesting and original concept indeed, but I am not sure if many people are going to find it useful in practice. Also Pentax binos have rather narrow FoVs and the new 4x20s have an AFoV of only 40*.

 

[lmans66]

Interesting....I like this idea. I can see someone interested in stars, nature...niking etc....as this would be a perfect portable little gadget.....

 

[pbjosh]

Interesting product, and it's nice to see a new / different concept. Perhaps I'd rather have a center focus 4x20 with a good field of view, the 40 degree AFOV and (apparently not fixed but rather) independent focus makes these less interesting...

 

[John A Roberts]

This is one of 2 new V series products recently released by Pentax (there is also a 6x18 monocular/ 18x microscope)
see at: http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/binoculars/v-series/

It’s a 4x20 roof prism binocular that separates to become:
- two 4x monoculars, or
- one 16x monocular

For convenience I've attached a copy of the specifications and some images


John

 

[Canip]

Initial brief review (in German) here:

Kurzeindruck Pentax VD 4x20

Canip

 

[jring]

And Mr. Google made a quite ok translation...

Kurzeindruck Pentax VD 4x20

[www.ricoh-imaging.eu] HW

translate.google.com

Joachim

 

[mmx_4]

Anyone tried this VD 4x20 ?
How much CA in center/edge, sharpness ?

 

[Canip]

Anyone tried this VD 4x20 ?
How much CA in center/edge, sharpness ?

My 2 ct:
no CA in center, very little at the edge.
Good sharpness over almost the entire field.
The use as a monocular (I mean 2 monoculars😉) is equally satisfactory.
The use as a 16x20 telescope is restricted to bright daylight, plus the image exhibits some CA.
Canip

 

[mmx_4]

Good sharpness over almost the entire field.

What about eye placement and overall comfort ?
Many mono 's with 2-3 exit pupil has problems with it.

 

[Canip]

I have zero problems with eye placement. Overall comfort and handling is good; what is slightly unusual is that you focus individually at the front end of the tubes, not at the eyepieces. But focusing works fine, and at 4x, I have to refocus less often than with a 6x, 7x or 8x bino.

The stable and sharp image of this 4x bino was a revelation. We are not used to 4x anymore (remember the wonderful early „Carl Zeiss 4-fach“?). Of course, you would today not use a 4x to replace your usual birding bino (it‘s ironic that two weeks ago, I had only the VD with me when I had my first sighting of a pair of kestrels mating in a cherry tree about 150 meters ahead of me - at least, the 4x was sufficient to firmly identify the birds).

fwiw Canip

 

[mmx_4]

What's size of ocular (eye) lens ?

(remember the wonderful early „Carl Zeiss 4-fach“?)

yes. (Soviet copied versions of it too).

Of course, you would today not use a 4x to replace your usual birding bino (it‘s ironic that two weeks ago,

I has Zen-Ray ED 7x36 & 7x43 , image is nice, with low CA, but weight & size is not for small bag.

 

[Canip]

What's size of ocular (eye) lens ?

Diameter of eyelens is 15 mm.
Some other relevant data, incl. usable eye relief, can be found here:

Pentax VD 4×20 – Binoculars Today

Canip

 

[mmx_4]

Diameter of eyelens is 15 mm.

thanks.
(Ofc, I read specs, but diameter of eyelens is absent in official specs.)

 

[mmx_4]

May be, anyone tested, what's maximum diopter correction (minus dptr.) in this VD 4x20 on infinity ?

 

[Swedpat]

Diameter of eyelens is 15 mm.
Some other relevant data, incl. usable eye relief, can be found here:

Pentax VD 4×20 – Binoculars Today

Canip

Thanks for info. Useable eyerelief 17mm means it should work good with eyeglasses.

 

[Magnitude7]

Old thread, but prospective buyers might find this info helpful:

The Pentax 4x20 is bright, comfortable, & sharp across the field. Not to mention very compact, so it's easy to carry around on hikes. Very relaxing views, with minimal shakes. It sees a lot of use in my day-to-day activities.