FrankD
Well-known member
Eitan,
My guess on the "outline" difference is possibly the thicker rubber armor. Maybe the thickness of the rubber armor is wider at the objective end than at the ocular end. Just a guess but like I said, I will compare next weekend. I can also compare it to the Nikon M7 8x30 which I have yet to handle. Nikon will be there too and I am sure they will have the 8x30 on hand.
It will be interesting to compare the Leupold to the Nikon for all the reasons you illustrated. For the time being I have been comparing it directly to the Sightron. It would seem that all my comparative comments between the Sightron and the Opticron would apply here. The Leupold is the better binocular in my opinion and for a few reasons.
1. The image does appear more color neutral in the Leupold and therefore it appears slightly brighter than the Sightron (which is bright for a relatively inexpensive 32 mm roof).
2.The field is slightly flatter in the Leupold.
3. The sweet spot is larger in the Leupold.
4. The overall feel of build quality in the Leupold is slightly better.
Now keep in mind I have no issues with any of the above in the Sightron so to say that the Leupold is better in each of this categories is really saying something.
It would now seem that we almost have to have a different "reference standard" for 8x30-something class binoculars at almost every $100 price point. The Sightron can be found for $180, the Leupold at $280 and the Nikon at $380.
My guess on the "outline" difference is possibly the thicker rubber armor. Maybe the thickness of the rubber armor is wider at the objective end than at the ocular end. Just a guess but like I said, I will compare next weekend. I can also compare it to the Nikon M7 8x30 which I have yet to handle. Nikon will be there too and I am sure they will have the 8x30 on hand.
It will be interesting to compare the Leupold to the Nikon for all the reasons you illustrated. For the time being I have been comparing it directly to the Sightron. It would seem that all my comparative comments between the Sightron and the Opticron would apply here. The Leupold is the better binocular in my opinion and for a few reasons.
1. The image does appear more color neutral in the Leupold and therefore it appears slightly brighter than the Sightron (which is bright for a relatively inexpensive 32 mm roof).
2.The field is slightly flatter in the Leupold.
3. The sweet spot is larger in the Leupold.
4. The overall feel of build quality in the Leupold is slightly better.
Now keep in mind I have no issues with any of the above in the Sightron so to say that the Leupold is better in each of this categories is really saying something.
It would now seem that we almost have to have a different "reference standard" for 8x30-something class binoculars at almost every $100 price point. The Sightron can be found for $180, the Leupold at $280 and the Nikon at $380.