by Michael and Diane Porter
CHARTS OF SCORES AND SPECIFICATIONS
HIGH END POCKET BINOCULARS $527 to $819 |
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High-end binoculars L to R: Zeiss Victory Pocket, Swarovski CL Pocket, Leica Ultravid Compact, Kowa Genesis 22, and Nikon Premier LX L | ||||||||||||||||||
Model & Link to Review |
Size | Street Price |
Hinge Design |
Water proof |
Weight (oz.) |
Length (in.) |
Eye Relief (mm.) |
Close Focus (ft.) |
Reso-lution Score |
Field of view (ft. @ 1000 yds.) |
Optics Score |
Focus Knob Score |
Diopter Score | Hand Feel Score |
Strap Lugs Score |
Eyecups Score | Ergo-nomics Score | Overall Score |
Zeiss Victory Pocket | 8x25 | $750 | One Side | Yes | 10.2 | 4.4 | 16.5 | 5.9 | 10.0 | 397 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 9.8 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 9.5 | 9.9 | 9.9 |
Swarovski CL Pocket | 8x25 | $819 | Both Sides | Yes | 12.2 | 4.4 | 17.0 | 7.8 | 10.0 | 357 | 9.9 | 10.0 | 9.7 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 9.9 |
Leica Ultravid Compact | 8x20 | $729 | Both Sides | Yes | 8.6 | 3.6 | 15.0 | 6.3 | 10.0 | 337 | 9.8 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.7 | 9.7 |
Kowa Genesis 22 | 8x22 | $750 | Both Sides | Yes | 11.2 | 4.1 | 15.0 | 4.7 | 9.6 | 394 | 9.6 | 9.0 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 10.0 | 9.5 | 9.4 | 9.5 |
Nikon Premier LX L | 8x20 | $527 | Both Sides | Yes | 9.6 | 3.8 | 15.0 | 6.9 | 10.0 | 357 | 9.9 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 9.5 | 8.3 | 9.1 |
MID-PRICED POCKET BINOCULARS $140 to $299 |
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Mid-priced binoculars L to R: Zeiss Terra ED, Vortex Diamondback, Opticron Aspheric, Alpen Wings, and Opticron Oasis | ||||||||||||||||||
Model & Link to Review |
Size | Street Price |
Hinge Design |
Water proof |
Weight (oz.) |
Length (in.) |
Eye Relief (mm.) |
Close Focus (ft.) |
Reso-lution Score |
Field of view (ft. @ 1000 yds.) |
Optics Score |
Focus Knob Score |
Diopter Score | Hand Feel Score |
Strap Lugs Score |
Eyecups Score | Ergo-nomics Score | Overall Score |
Zeiss Terra ED | 8x25 | $299 | Both Sides | Yes | 11.2 | 4.4 | 16.0 | 4.8 | 8.7 | 360 | 8.8 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 8.3 | 8.5 |
Vortex Diamondback | 8x28 | $140 | Std Center | Yes | 14.0 | 4.6 | 18.0 | 11.4 | 8.3 | 340 | 8.3 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 9.5 | 8.6 | 8.4 |
Opticron Aspheric LE | 8x25 | $175 | Both Sides | Yes | 10.2 | 4.3 | 16.0 | 4.7 | 7.9 | 283 | 7.7 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 10.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 8.4 |
Alpen Wings ED | 8x25 | $176 | Both Sides | Yes | 8.2 | 3.9 | 16.0 | 5.4 | 7.9 | 349 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 10.0 | 9.5 | 8.6 | 8.3 |
Opticron BGA T PC Oasis | 8x24 | $289 | Both Sides | Yes | 7.6 | 3.7 | 15.0 | 6.6 | 7.0 | 317 | 7.1 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.6 |
LOW-PRICED POCKET BINOCULARS $70 to $99 |
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Low-priced binoculars L to R: Vanguard Orros, Kowa SV Series, Opticron Explorer, and Celestron Nature DX | ||||||||||||||||||
Model & Link to Review |
Size | Street Price |
Hinge Design |
Water proof |
Weight (oz.) |
Length (in.) |
Eye Relief (mm.) |
Close Focus (ft.) |
Reso-lution Score |
Field of view (ft. @ 1000 yds.) |
Optics Score |
Focus Knob Score |
Diopter Score | Hand Feel Score |
Strap Lugs Score |
Eyecups Score | Ergo-nomics Score | Overall Score |
Vanguard Orros | 8x25 | $80 | One Side | Yes | 10.4 | 4.0 | 12.5 | 8.8 | 8.3 | 332 | 8.3 | 10.0 | 6.0 | 9.5 | 10.0 | 6.0 | 8.6 | 8.4 |
Kowa SV Series | 8x25 | $99 | Both Sides | Yes | 9.6 | 4.0 | 15.0 | 5.3 | 7.4 | 320 | 7.5 | 9.5 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 10.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 8.3 |
Opticron Explorer | 8x21 | $79 | Both Sides | No | 6.8 | 3.6 | 14.0 | 6.0 | 7.4 | 326 | 7.5 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 9.0 | 10.0 | 7.0 | 8.5 | 8.0 |
Celestron Nature DX | 8x25 | $70 | Std Center | Yes | 12.4 | 4.4 | 14.0 | 6.5 | 8.7 | 346 | 8.7 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.9 |
Please call us toll free 800-779-7256 for advice on choosing binoculars or other birding products.
FAX 641-472-7256
Email: dporter@lisco.com
Birdwatching Dot Com Store
2197 236th Blvd.
Fairfield, IA 52556
All text and photos copyright Birdwatching Dot Com.