Sightron "Blue Sky" II 8x32 (1 Viewer)

[FrankD]

Just wanted to offer a few brief comments as I now have the Kenko version of the Sightron SII Blue Sky 8x32 in hand. Thank you Mooreorless for lending it to me to compare/review.

They are the same binocular for the most part. The exterior of the housing is slightly more streamlined with the Kenko and there are slightly different coatings utilized on each binocular which, subsequently, leads to slightly different color bias/representation. Other than that I cannot see any difference. I can even feel that solid "stop" when turning the focusing knob completely in either direction. No other binocular I have owned/used has that feeling.

More to follow.

 

[SteveTS]

From the information gathered by various forum members it appears that Kenko actually has the plant that the produces the Sightron Blue Sky models.

For those interested this may help :

http://www.kenkoglobal.com/about-us/group-company-chart.html

I've also attached the Kenko company profile in pdf.

All the best,

 

[Walter David]

Just wanted to offer a few brief comments as I now have the Kenko version of the Sightron SII Blue Sky 8x32 in hand. Thank you Mooreorless for lending it to me to compare/review.

They are the same binocular for the most part. The exterior of the housing is slightly more streamlined with the Kenko and there are slightly different coatings utilized on each binocular which, subsequently, leads to slightly different color bias/representation. Other than that I cannot see any difference. I can even feel that solid "stop" when turning the focusing knob completely in either direction. No other binocular I have owned/used has that feeling.

More to follow.

Interesting Frank.

I did get the Sightrons and I've been enjoying them very much.

I've compared them to my Minox BD19x44 BP internal focus Porros and the view is very similar.

I took photos of an album cover through each and will post the pics. The Minox are pretty good and appear slightly sharper towards the edge in photos. I think that is to be expected though considering the more narrow field of view. I really cannot see the difference though visually.

But on my Sightron sample, while the infinity extreme had a definite stop to it, the extreme close stop is mushy; not a hard stop as yours is. So the two extreme stops in mine vary between infinity and close limits. I'm guessing the samples are not all the same.

Everything else is great and I do not mind the raised logo. They feel darn good in my hand. The ergos and the build quality are perfect and the focus wheel is smooth but maybe slightly stiffer than my Minox.

The Sightron and the Minox will both accompany me on my upcoming Alaskan cruise!

 

[FrankD]

Great comparison Walter. Thank you for sharing your experiences and have fun on the cruise!

Interesting Frank.

I did get the Sightrons and I've been enjoying them very much.

I've compared them to my Minox BD19x44 BP internal focus Porros and the view is very similar.

I took photos of an album cover through each and will post the pics. The Minox are pretty good and appear slightly sharper towards the edge in photos. I think that is to be expected though considering the more narrow field of view. I really cannot see the difference though visually.

But on my Sightron sample, while the infinity extreme had a definite stop to it, the extreme close stop is mushy; not a hard stop as yours is. So the two extreme stops in mine vary between infinity and close limits. I'm guessing the samples are not all the same.

Everything else is great and I do not mind the raised logo. They feel darn good in my hand. The ergos and the build quality are perfect and the focus wheel is smooth but maybe slightly stiffer than my Minox.

The Sightron and the Minox will both accompany me on my upcoming Alaskan cruise!

 

[Josh Exmoor]

I put a price watch on these like a year ago and a pair actually showed up on Amazon for a price I couldn't resist. Apparently open-box like-new (from a 3rd party seller). Looking forward to finally seeing what the hype is about.

 

[ElllieBaltimore]

I just wanted to say thank you. I was looking for an inexpensive not too heavy not too large upgrade from my Bushnell H2O 8x25 Waterproof Binoculars (13 oz) that I bought back in Dec '08 for $37. I found this thread in my research and eventually purchased the Sightron binoculars from OpticsPlanet for $153 (with $15 off coupon). No surprise for any of you but I'm thrilled by the difference comparing to my old ones. Weigh 17.05 oz and are very easy for me to hold. Thanks again.

 

[Ratal]

I just wanted to say thank you. I was looking for an inexpensive not too heavy not too large upgrade from my Bushnell H2O 8x25 Waterproof Binoculars (13 oz) that I bought back in Dec '08 for $37. I found this thread in my research and eventually purchased the Sightron binoculars from OpticsPlanet for $153 (with $15 off coupon). No surprise for any of you but I'm thrilled by the difference comparing to my old ones. Weigh 17.05 oz and are very easy for me to hold. Thanks again.

Welcome to Bird Forum! FrankD sure found us a gem of binocular, and the pair I have, I'll never sell or swap for anything. They are absolute keepers.

Enjoy and happy birding!

 

[ElllieBaltimore]

Thank you for the welcome. I've enjoyed reading a lot of threads besides all of this one - 8x42 vs 8x32 comparisons and other 8x32 options. I'm a casual binoculars user but was looking to upgrade for an Alaska cruise this summer. My SO has been using the Bushnell for years when he kayaks and he recently joined our local bird club so these new ones will get regular use.

I think my biggest surprise is how much more comfortable these are to hold than the compact 8x25s. My last 3 fingers fit perfectly in the open area - I have small stubby female hands. As a newbie with no previous comparisons I'm still amazed at how much better the view is going from my omega Bushnells. I was pretty happy with them but don't think they'll be used much now.

Can anyone recommend a rainguard for these? Would these fit? I saw there were questions earlier (saw 39mm) but didn't see any answers if someone wanted to buy a new one. thanks!

http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-RAINGU...d=1461188503&sr=8-1&keywords=vortex+rainguard

 

[fstop]

I have really enjoyed this discussion, thanks for sharing this discovery. I have taken the liberty of adjusting the pictures you provided so that they are oriented correctly, and the amber cast removed. I applied enough contrast to remove the gray and used precisely the same measurements for each picture, so they are identically processed. Unfortunately contrast can't be compared with these since I altered that measure. I did not sharpen, or alter in any other way. I hope this will be useful.

I read a few of the new posts earlier this afternoon but did not have a chance to fiddle and respond until now.

I had only a brief amount of time this evening but I did take four bins out of the proverbial case and attempted to take some pics with each of them.

In order...the Sightron...the Bushnell Excursion 8x28...the ZR 7x36 ED2 and the ZR 7x43 ED3.

Before anyone goes crazy critiquing the pics, they were handheld and the best of several attempts. If I had some serious time I would repeat the procedure but with a universal digiscoping adapter, the timer on the camera and natural daylight. What you have to settle for now is the previously mentioned handheld shots with a typical room lamp and today's newspaper.

Have at 'em....

 

[Walter David]

Thank you for the welcome. I've enjoyed reading a lot of threads besides all of this one - 8x42 vs 8x32 comparisons and other 8x32 options. I'm a casual binoculars user but was looking to upgrade for an Alaska cruise this summer. My SO has been using the Bushnell for years when he kayaks and he recently joined our local bird club so these new ones will get regular use.

I think my biggest surprise is how much more comfortable these are to hold than the compact 8x25s. My last 3 fingers fit perfectly in the open area - I have small stubby female hands. As a newbie with no previous comparisons I'm still amazed at how much better the view is going from my omega Bushnells. I was pretty happy with them but don't think they'll be used much now.

Can anyone recommend a rainguard for these? Would these fit? I saw there were questions earlier (saw 39mm) but didn't see any answers if someone wanted to buy a new one. thanks!

http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-RAINGU...d=1461188503&sr=8-1&keywords=vortex+rainguard

Congrats on your new Sightrons! I also bought a pair for an Alaskan cruise. If you see someone on your cruise walking around with a pair, that'll be me.

I also have very much appreciated this thread topic on a relatively inexpensive set. I have way too many hobbies that cost $ to dedicate a lot of $ on binoculars so this price range at 1/10th the cost but maybe 75% the performance of a name brand high end set is a great thing!

Regarding the rain guards...I'm amazed that some companies can't get this detail right. Considering all the design, plans and tooling that goes into the production of the product, they couldn't have spent just a little more time and cost to provide a simple piece of plastic? Maybe it's tougher than it looks.

 

[ceasar]

Thank you for the welcome. I've enjoyed reading a lot of threads besides all of this one - 8x42 vs 8x32 comparisons and other 8x32 options. I'm a casual binoculars user but was looking to upgrade for an Alaska cruise this summer. My SO has been using the Bushnell for years when he kayaks and he recently joined our local bird club so these new ones will get regular use.

I think my biggest surprise is how much more comfortable these are to hold than the compact 8x25s. My last 3 fingers fit perfectly in the open area - I have small stubby female hands. As a newbie with no previous comparisons I'm still amazed at how much better the view is going from my omega Bushnells. I was pretty happy with them but don't think they'll be used much now.

Can anyone recommend a rainguard for these? Would these fit? I saw there were questions earlier (saw 39mm) but didn't see any answers if someone wanted to buy a new one. thanks!

http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-RAINGU...d=1461188503&sr=8-1&keywords=vortex+rainguard

Eagle Optics has 8 pages of binocular accessories; over 90 of them, at good prices. See this link:

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binocular-accessories?page=1&sort=best-selling&specials=all

I believe you will find some rainguards on the 1st page. I like mine to fit loosely, it is annoying when they stick on the oculars. Check out the Zeiss rainguard on page 3. I find that design to be very useful.

Bob

 

[ElllieBaltimore]

Thanks, Bob. I found a bunch... the problem with the original ones is they're so loose they fall right off... was hoping for something a bit more 'sticky'. Didn't want to buy others that were too big.

 

[FrankD]

Great discussion folks. I am glad to see that these binoculars continue to make people happy. I still have mine and look forward to comparing it with the Kenko model shortly.

 

[ElllieBaltimore]

I guess I should clarify that I still have no idea which ones would fit without just falling off. Hoping someone that bought a rainguard will be able to help with suggestion. thanks!

 

[Walter David]

I had some fun the other week taking pics with my iPhone 6 through my Minox and my Sightrons. The Minox is 10 power and Sightron is the 8 power and it's obvious which is which by virtue of the field of view. I was sitting approx 10 feet away from the album. Really, the color of the image is the same.

I've attached a photo before but really can't remember how I did it! But I think these are viewable.....

 

[fstop]

I had some fun the other week taking pics with my iPhone 6 through my Minox and my Sightrons. The Minox is 10 power and Sightron is the 8 power and it's obvious which is which by virtue of the field of view. I was sitting approx 10 feet away from the album. Really, the color of the image is the same.

I've attached a photo before but really can't remember how I did it! But I think these are viewable.....

I hope this helps, they're a lot faster to look at as JPGs!

 

[Ratal]

Those pics, the Sightron against the Minox 10x44 BD Porro prism?

See, they are worthy of every single penny and dollar spent.

 

[Walter David]

I hope this helps, they're a lot faster to look at as JPGs!

Hey Thanks fstop! I struggle with file conversions.

 

[Walter David]

Those pics, the Sightron against the Minox 10x44 BD Porro prism?

See, they are worthy of every single penny and dollar spent.

Yep. The Minox vs the SIghtrons. Although, I like to think they are working together rather than against each other.. HaHa

But the view or photo, from taken through the Minox do show a slightly more hint of green. Not sure if that's possible or not. Or maybe it just looks that way because the Sightrons are slightly more red?

While the pics are easiest to see, the PDF's are a lot clearer.

The field of view on the Minox are way more narrow and the edges are slightly less distorted but I think that goes with the territory of the narrow filed. You give up the wide field for the sharper edges. The Minox are made in Japan. Not too shabby for these Philippine made Sightrons! I've been going back and forth between the two and I really love both for different reasons or attributes.

I will be toting both to Alaska soon where I'll really get a good amount of experience with both. Where I live, I have very limited views.

 

[FrankD]

Great comparison fstop. I always end up looking for either resolution differences or sweet spot size differences. A little difficult comparing the former because of the magnification differences but still worth the comparison. Nicely done.