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

[fstop]

Yep.

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

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.

I have to agree about the PDFs. When I do unasked for photographic things like this, I am always very hesitant about making any sort of correction at all, such as sharpness or contrast, for fear of introducing a false element to the findings. I figured that if someone was interested enough they could take a look at the PDFs for the whole story. I'm glad you shared the pictures, they have added to the discussion.

Enjoy your vacation, it sounds terrific!

 

[Ratal]

What I absolutely love about this binocular is its fast but tack sharp precise focus wheel that turns with an absolute buttery water on oil smoothness.

Best I've ever, ever used, and I've owned Opticron, Vanguard, Hawke, and even Bushnell ED 8x36.... And this pair I have are by a country mile the best.

Take today for instance: Woodland glade, fast female capercaillie bursts out. On it, sharp, joy to watch. Then, four miles of moorland, hanging round neck and they melt away as they are so light. Just ready to use when you are.

That to me is worth their price alone, and they are the first pair I've ever owned that I've ever just slung round my neck and enjoyed all day without hassle.

 

[Ratal]

.....and did I say the crisp, detailed high contrast view over the moors was an absolute jaw dropper?

Yeah, finally found a pair I'd never let go of. Proper keepers.

 

[FrankD]

Ratal,

I get the impression you really like these bins....

 

[Ratal]

Ratal,

I get the impression you really like these bins....

You hit 2 for 2.

My Sightrons and MM3 with a fixed 18x lens. For me, weight is crucially important. I've shaved 4lbs off my hill kit with stunning yet tiny optics. Less kit means more birds, more distance.

Sightrons will be my ONLY pair until I save for the Swaro 8x32. Even then, I'm not too sure I'm bothered if that saving up takes longer than anticipated, such is my love for my Sightrons.

(Just for the record, I've owned opticron, Hawke, Bushnell, Vanguard, all had weird faults that I don't have with the Sightrons. Even my Hawke Frontiers, that I loved, wouldn't get a second look now. Yes, my set are that good.)

 

[Nixterdemus]

I pulled mine out viewing birds/flowers in the backyard tack sharp even as I dissecting dandelions at twenty-two feet





looking through the screen door...

 

[FrankD]

You hit 2 for 2.

My Sightrons and MM3 with a fixed 18x lens. For me, weight is crucially important. I've shaved 4lbs off my hill kit with stunning yet tiny optics. Less kit means more birds, more distance.

QUOTE]

Your kit is very similar to mine. There are often times, particularly when I know I will be walking much, when I have only grabbed the Sightrons and the MM3 50. You don't miss anything in comparison to larger bins or a higher mag scope with this combination and the optics are excellent.

 

[jgraider]

Not sure if this belongs here, or in the binocular bargains thread. Go to jet.com, sign up, search and find the SII 8x32, use promo code triple15, and you can buy this glass shipped TYD for $143.00. Seems to be a steal of a deal.

Question I'm asking myself.....I have in my hands a Euro (Meopta) 8x32HD, so why would I want this SII? Can't explain it but I do!

 

[Nixterdemus]

Perhaps bino bargains thread would technically be the better thread, but this is the SII thread and you cannot go wrong there. I've used the Jet code and it works. Shipping is standard, so might be an extra day or two though the price at 15% off is usually a killa deal.

 

[NDhunter]

Not sure if this belongs here, or in the binocular bargains thread. Go to jet.com, sign up, search and find the SII 8x32, use promo code triple15, and you can buy this glass shipped TYD for $143.00. Seems to be a steal of a deal.

Question I'm asking myself.....I have in my hands a Euro (Meopta) 8x32HD, so why would I want this SII? Can't explain it but I do!

That may be a good price, and try one for yourself. I did a while back,
and I found it a nice binocular but nothing special, and mine had some
dust inside, so it went back.

With the optics you own, you may find you will not use it much.

Jerry

 

[Ratal]

Not sure if this belongs here, or in the binocular bargains thread. Go to jet.com, sign up, search and find the SII 8x32, use promo code triple15, and you can buy this glass shipped TYD for $143.00. Seems to be a steal of a deal.

Question I'm asking myself.....I have in my hands a Euro (Meopta) 8x32HD, so why would I want this SII? Can't explain it but I do!

Both of my pairs have serial numbers starting 5xxxxxxxxx and they are crisp. Light, crisp, astounding contrast to the image, all round beauties. I may buy other bins in the future but only a top tier alpha. Even then I'd not be too worried if that never happened.

I'd not sell or trade mine, period.

 

[chill6x6]

Not sure if this belongs here, or in the binocular bargains thread. Go to jet.com, sign up, search and find the SII 8x32, use promo code triple15, and you can buy this glass shipped TYD for $143.00. Seems to be a steal of a deal.

Question I'm asking myself.....I have in my hands a Euro (Meopta) 8x32HD, so why would I want this SII? Can't explain it but I do!

Don't worry I do this all the time! Usually my "why do I want/need a _______?" cost me more than $143.00!! :eek!:

Every once in a while, it's fun to scratch an itch though!

 

[sb11]

Hi all,

these look like some nice lightweight bins.

Has anyone compared them to the Kite Lynx (or the Maven B3)? Both the Kite and the Maven seem to have the better specs (in terms or FOV, size, weight and close focusing) but are much more expensive. How do they compare in terms of optical performance?

Thanks for your feedback and best regards,
Sebastian

 

[typo]

Hello Sebastian,

Welcome to the forum.

How do they compare in terms of performance? The simple answer is you are likely to see exactly the same level of detail in the centre of the view with all of them. However the Lynx, B3 and indeed the Nikon Monarch 7, are rather more sophisticated designs which widen the view, extend the area of sharp focus, and reduce the chromatic aberration. These are things that can definitely be seen by many, but for some of those at least, don't make sufficient difference in practice to merit paying the higher premium. Others would disagree. The Kite and the Maven are made in Japan and feel to me to be engineered to a higher standard and have better warranty support in Europe than the Nikon or Sightron.

The Sightron (Kenko/Pentax) is good value, particularly at US prices. I'd say the Kite/Maven are better in many ways but everyone is likely to have a different opinion on whether they are worth the extra. I should point out that the Kite/Maven do not have sufficient eye relief for spectacle wearers.

David

 

[Walter David]

Well, tomorrow I will be going to my Alaskan cruise with my Sightrons and my Minox BP 10x44.

This is a family trip and I influenced my brother-in-law to purchase the Sightrons as well!

He told me he went into a store and tried the M7 and was super impressed! As we all know, Sightrons are never in the case next the name brands to sample. Nevertheless, he bought a pair of BS II and is very happy despite his M7 sampling. At $200.00 to $300.00 dollars more for either the M7 8x30 or 8x42 or possibly more for the B3, I'd say if you have the money go for it. Otherwise, the BS is hard to beat.

Right now my Minox and Sightrons are in my carry on back pack awaiting departure! Traveling light this time; no tripod or 15x70 or scope.

 

[Walter David]

Oh, and just above is a comparison shot I took between my Minox (original price of $500.00 -ish) vs the Sightrons. Thumb Nails (curtesy of fstop). I'd say they are VERY close in performance with maybe a slight advantage given to the Minox in edge-sharpness but with less field of view.

 

[devans1]

Has anyone done a side by side comparison between the Sightron and the Kenko Ultraview EX OP 8x32 DHII?

I have read (maybe even on this thread somewhere) that they are pretty much the same optically and in the UK the Kenko are currently available for £120, which is very tempting.

I've been interested in the Sightrons for a while now but the cheapest I can find them for is just under £200 with postage. If the Kenko is basically the same then I'll give them a go instead.

David

 

[NHBoy]

Re: Eyepiece lens covers

I have recently purchased the BS II 8x32 bins and the quality of the view is exceptionally good for such modestly priced bins. That said, the eyepiece lens cover is useless; the objective lens cover is flimsy but functional. What have any of you BS II afficionados used as replacement eyepiece (and objective) lens covers? I will use these bins for hiking and field work, and would feel more comfortable having better lens covers.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[mooreorless]

Has anyone done a side by side comparison between the Sightron and the Kenko Ultraview EX OP 8x32 DHII?

I have read (maybe even on this thread somewhere) that they are pretty much the same optically and in the UK the Kenko are currently available for £120, which is very tempting.

I've been interested in the Sightrons for a while now but the cheapest I can find them for is just under £200 with postage. If the Kenko is basically the same then I'll give them a go instead.

David

http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=3385183&postcount=1362

 

[Bobby Marlene]

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!

I would also like a functional rainguard a good pair of lens covers. I like the optical performance of these bins but the lens covers and especially the rain guard are useless.
Thanks for your help, best, Bobby