Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Box of binos results....

I spent about 90 minutes this evening giving Rick's binos, which includes Nikon 10x42 Monarch ATB's, Olympus 10x42 and 8x42 EXWP I's, Pentax 10x42 DCF HR II's, and Minox BL 10x42 BR's, a workout. I also included my own Bushnell 10x43 Elite's and my Father-in-law's Pentax 10x43 DCF SP's. I tried to get a hold of a buddies Zeiss 10x40 ClassiC's, but he's out scouting for deer until Monday.

The tests consisted of viewing the paperwork Rick included (A paragraph from the Constitution in progressively smaller fonts) at 60 ft., and a test of my own design that I use to evaluate binos. My test consists of viewing two utility boxes that are 78 and 105 yds. from my front porch and seeing how well I can read the serial number placards on the front. This test gives me a good opportunity to test binos in a position that's similar to what I use most in the field, in that I'm able to rest my back against something solid and rest my elbows on my knees, which makes for a steady perch.

The end results of both tests were pretty much identical, but one thing that shakes out from my test is depth of field because the first thing I do is try to read both boxes without making adjustments to the focus wheel. A bino with a good depth of field requires very little adjustment between the two distances, but some are completely out of focus when viewing one box to the other. A binocular with poor depth of field drives me absolutely crazy.

Here's the overall results in order of how I'd rank the binos tested and a few comments about each. There were a couple that really surprised me, and one that I was a little dissapointed in.

1. Bushnell 10x43 Elite (Refurbished):
7 lines @ 60 ft.
Crisp, easy view. Super bright.
Great depth of field for a 10x bino. Set the focus and pretty much forget about it.
Great deal at $530.00.
Best case of those tested, but the objective lens covers suck.
Easily competes with the best of the best.
FOV: 314 ft. @ 1000 yds.
Weight: 23.3oz.
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2. Minox BL 10x42 BR:
7 lines @ 60 ft.
Excellent, bright view clear to the edges. Good depth of field. Doesn't require much adjustment when panning between objects.
The best feeling bino in the bunch, including the Elite's.
Great binos for the money.
FOV: 315 ft. @ 1000 yds.
Weight: 22.9 oz.
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3. Olympus 10x42 EXWP I
7 lines @ 60 ft.
The view through these really surprised me. They're easy on the eyes and have that feeling where they just "snap" into focus. Depth of field is ok, but not quite as good as the Elite's or Minox.
By far, the best value of those tested.
FOV: 314 ft. @ 1000 yds.
Weight: 23.3 oz.
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4. Pentax 10x43 DCF SP's
7 lines at @ 60 ft., but it took some real concentration to do it.
Good view in the center of the field, but soft around the edges. Lousy depth of field. Objects even a few feet away from point of focus were distorted. This is something I've noticed before with the SP's, and to me, is their biggest fault.
Best objective lens covers of those tested.
FOV: 315 ft. @ 1000yds.
Weight: 24.3 oz.
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5. Olympus 8x42 EXWP I
5 lines @ 60 ft.
Again, these surprised me with their nice, easy view. Maybe just a little soft around the edges, but they have that "picture window" effect that 8x are known for.
Great depth of field. Set the focus and forget about it.
The only reason I rated thes behind the Pentax DCF SP's is because they're hampered by their 8x magnification when viewing the paper posted at 60 ft. Otherwise, the overall view through them is better, and easier on the eyes.
FOV: 330 ft. @ 1000 yds.
Weight: 22.9 oz.
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6. Nikon 10x42 Monarch ATB
5 lines @ 60 ft. and it was a struggle to read it.
I had a hard time getting these to focus and the view is not very sharp. Also somewhat dim.
Poor depth of field. Objects even a few feet away were out of focus when panning from one object to another.
I consider these the bottom level of phase corrected roof prisms that are acceptable for hunting.
FOV: 314 ft. @ 1000 yds.
Weight: 21.1 oz. (Lightest tested, and I consider them too light for 10x as they're difficult to steady even with a fairly solid rest).
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7. Pentax 10x42 DCF HR II
5 lines @ 60 ft., but required a lot of effort. Hazy view, dim.
Lousy depth of field.
Not impressed with these at all, and there's probably good reason they've been discontinued.
FOV: 315 ft. @ 1000 yds.
Weight: 27.5 oz. (Heaviest tested)
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Numbers one and two were pretty much a given, but the Olympus EXWP I's were a surprise, and I thought the Pentax DCF SP's would've fared better. If nothing else comes from these tests, it shows me there's some really good binos on today's market for not a whole lot of money.

Note: I have pretty good eye-sight, but I've never had it officially tested. I don't wear eye-glasses or contacts. All binos were tested with the eye-cups in the fully extended position. Testing began at 7:30pm, under sunny skies.

I should also note that each bino came with a decent rainguard, but all but the Pentax DCF SP's have junk for objective lens covers. I didn't bother to evaluate the neckstraps because most are still sealed in the package, and I figure the majority of people would probably replace them with something better or a harness system anyway.

Keep in mind, these are just my observations, and are not scientific in nature..... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks GW. It sure would be nice to test those elites with the big 3. I also wonder about the eye releive. For us eyeglass wearers out here it's a real issue. Got any safety glasses laying around? WDO

That's a pretty good writeup. Objective lens covers aren't often taken into account when the average Joe is bino shopping, but they are something I throw into the mix in any evaluation. Eagle Optics sells them in a few sizes to help that problem, though.

I agree with whitedogone; it would have been interesting to have one or more of the big players involved in your testing.

I've found that the ability to focus out objects on one plane allows me to see more clearly through cover when still hunting. In other words, a shallow depth of focus can be an asset. I've never found it to have much bearing on the ability to see detail.
I've also found that I need to be really steady, to the point where I do not touch the binos at all in order to really see the differences in those that are very close optically. I gather you didn't stack them ?
It strikes me that seven binos in 90 minutes as the light is fading is going pretty fast. That and the light as it fades looses some of your ability to see fine details.
I would suggest you test some more during the middle of the day.
Otherwise, thank you for going to the trouble to test them. This adds to our general knowledge that will help all of us spend our limited finds more wisely.

GW, thanks very much for sharing your findings with us. Testing objectively often reveals surprises in the world of optics. As such, the often praised Pentax SP's. Having short focus windows is never a good thing for hunting and as you observed is exaggerated as binocular power increases. My time behind the Elites (8x) is somewhat limited, however, I found them to be exceptional as well. Again, thanks for taking the time.

Thanks for the review, I sent you a PM regarding the Minox 10X42s...........

MtnHtr

I think you did a fabulous job detailing your observations and thoughts.

Congratulations, and thank you.

Thanks for the info, sounds like fun. I have a question. Did you happen to notice how large the sweet spot is on these glasses? Even some of the top brands will have considerable 'softness' for up to the outer 1/4 of the field.

I just got my Bushie Elites the other day, and did some comparing with my Swaro 8x30's. The Bushnell does in fact have a similar great view in the sweet spot, but falls off towards the edges faster than the Swaro. I hear people say their binos are 'sharp right to the edge', but none of my 6 pair of glasses are truly sharp out to the edge. It's probably not even possible. It usually isn't bothersome if not too pronounced, but it's something I look for when comparing binos.

For what it's worth, of my binos the Swaro's and Minox ASPH's seem to hold their focus farther out to the edge than most.

Dan C

Thanks for the reviews. I'd like to test those Elites myself. It's nice to find equipment that works at a level much higher than it's price tag.....

If I would have known you were doing this I would have sent you my 10x42BA's to throw in the mix.
Dave

Daveh,

I don't know what kind of waiting list Rick has, but maybe I could send the box to you to compare. I sent him a PM asking who's next, but he must be outta town as I haven't heard back. If you're interested, I'll see what I can do...

Thanks Daryll but no need, seen most of them and agree with you. Just wish you could had some Leica to compare to the Elite's.

Dave,

Box 'em up about the third week in September and I'll compare the two in the field while chasing bullwinkle... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I spent last night at my in-law's cabin, which gave me a good opportunity to play with the Elite's. I was sitting on the deck enjoying the sunset when I heard something russling in the brush down the hillside. Turns out it was blue grouse. I spent the last few minutes of daylight watching it through the undergrowth and was amazed at the detail I could see.

I won't quite say the Elite's are the best I've seen, but they're so close to the big four that it's not even funny..

PM me your address and remind me and I'll send them. Can't hurt to have a spare set on a hunt of a lifetime.
Dave

Dave,

I know you'd send them, but I was just kiddin'. I'd feel less guilty about seeing nekkid pictures of a guy's wife than using his binos, but I certainly appreciate the offer...

GreatWaputi

Nice review, thanks for your time.

GW,
Thanks for the useful info and good job on the write up. I have never looked through an Elite, but I agree completely the way you rank the Minox BR asph. over the Pentax DCF SP.

To whoever may be interested, my eyes found the Minox BR 7x42 aspherical to have sharper resolution than their newer 8.5x43 HG model. Has anyone else compared the Minox BR to the Minox HG?