Product Review: Svbony SA 205 8 x 42 Flat Field ED (1 Viewer)

[Dipperdapper]

Morning All,

Please find a link to my review of the Svbony SA 205 8 x 42 Flatfield ED binocular:

Product Review: Svbony SA 205 8 x 42. | Neil English.net

I hope you find it informative!

PM me if you have any questions, as I no longer respond to comments on Birdforum.

Best wishes,

Neil

 

[Dipperdapper]

NB:

 

[has530]

Although I do agree on some points (enjoying the diopter system and nice easy eye placement), much of what I read in that review was demonstrably false.

Examining the exit pupils while looking at a bright daylight sky also showed excellent dark hinterlands around them

I guess the reviewer didn't have the light source at the right angle because as shown in my review there were severe reflections and a false pupil.



The reviewer also claims:

it’s razor sharp across the entire field

This was absolutely not the case. It did have better edge correction than the SV202 but suffered from moderate astigmatism at the field edges. The reviewer also states:

The arrival of this new high-performance binocular represents still more compelling evidence that Chinese-manufactured optics are now rapidly approaching those produced by European manufacturers. Even seasoned binocular users will be hard pressed to see any shortcomings in the images delivered by this high-tech instrument.

This is absolutely false. I found in most ways it did not even measure up to the Nikon Monarch 7, let alone "those produced by the European manufacturers". I sincerely hope the reviewer just has poor vision but it is hard not to think that they are being deceitful with ulterior motives (possibly for monetary gain?).

 

[Central CO Mark]

The reviewer certainly may have gone a bit overboard. They do sound miraculous.

My SA205s might be very good sample, not razor sharp to the edge but very sharp with a superbly smooth and light focuser. They are a great value for the price. They're still out there at $156 or so. The focuser sure beats my Monarch HG, and my Sky Rover Banner Cloud 8x42 (which is optically stunning).

I'm glad I bought this SvBony binocular (especially at $132 del'd). Should have bought a couple more as car bins.