Arrived Sporter 8x36
My two Sporter 8x36 arrived yesterday.
The first impression is a reliable quality instrument. One could believe they are waterproof with the rubbering but they are only water resistent.
Sporter 8x36 is quite a large sized glass as well the outer format as the huge eye glass lenses of the eyepieces. The body size is like a typhical 8/10x42.
Using a transparent mm ruler I find that the eyepiece lenses have a diameter of close to 24mm, undoubtly one of the largest eyepiece lenses any binocular included.
The holding is good (but not that great grip as the Swarovski) and the size and weight of the body makes me feel like holding a larger aperture binocular than 36mm.
As I mentioned above Sporter 8x36 has some similarities with Swarovski SLC 7x42. The large eyepiece lenses provide a very open view with excellent eye relief.
So good that I actually experience blackouts with the eyecups placed at the bottom level though I am quite demanding when it comes to eye relief with eyeglasses! I get the best viewing with the eyecups wristed up 2-3mm. I find the image to be good over a large area and the image is sharp quite close to the edges, though not really as good in this respect as Swarovski SLC 7x42.
The apparant field of view is stated the same 56 deg.
When one have been used to really good phasecoated roof-binoculars the lack of phasecoating becomes obvious. Sporter 8x36 has not that very brilliant and contrasty image as Swarovski (of course), neither Leupold Katmai, though I experience sharpness is very similar to the Leupold Katmai 6x32.
The internal reflections of Sporter 8x36 is significantly stronger than as well Katmai 6x32 and SLC 7x42, which becomes obvious when looking at dark objects close to bright areas.
When I shine into the objective lens I can see at least one white reflecting surface which I suppose is an uncoated prism surface.
(In comparison Swarovski 7x42 provides a noticable brighter image even daytime, which also prove the difference of light transmission between them).
The image is very flat and I have hard to notice any neither barrel or pincusion distorsion.
My impression of Sporter 8x36 is as you Frank said, in certain characteristics, reminding of Nikon Venturer. The relatively large sweet spot of this glass coupled to the "open view" as a result of the large eyepiece lenses makes me feeling like it would just need a bit improvement of sharpness and contrast and I will have that high-grade instrument.
Last year I ordered Nikon Monarch 8x36 which is a much smaller sized bin than Sporter. The dissapointment was big. Eye relief wasn't adequate, and the image quality wasn't nearly comparable to my experience of Monarch 8x42. I send it back.
Though I have not been able to compare Sporter and Monarch 8x36 side-by-side I consider Sporter 8x36 as absolutely superior to Monarch 8x36, though the lack of phase coating.
My question is why didn't Nikon improved the Sporter with phasecoating and even better coating instead of making the Monarch? Maybe they thought that the size and weight was to big for the aperture?
Conclusion: I will definitely keep one of the Sporters. They have their shortcomings but are well worth even their normal price, in my opinion.
I will bring it with me in situations I don't want bring with me the Swarovski or Leupold. Many people have not any binocular (or many have some cheap junk model). If I want to go out in the nature for naturestudies/birdwatching/astronomy with friends I can use the Swarovski and I can also offer some of them their own loaner bin. And all of my binoculars are well suited for eyeglass wearers.
If you find Sporter/Buckmaster 8x36 for £60 as I did, or $100, clinch the deal! :t:
Hope this little review will be appreciated, though it's not very professional made.
Regards, Patric
