Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Pentax binoculars

When it comes to binoculars, does Pentax make good stuff? You almost never hear about them on hunting forums, although you sometimes see more on birding forums.

Have a Pentax 8x42 DCF HRII roofs I've had since about 2005. Very crisp, clear. They've done everything I needed from them. Damn good glass. Don't hunt any longer, so, they pretty much stay in a drawer with my Swift "Ultra Lite's". Desert use get the Bushnell Legends out. Like those Pentax binocs.

I have Pentax DCF SP 8X32 that I bought after JB mentioned their quality. I initially bought them for using in the dark timber and I have Leica 10X42 for more open areas. I actually seem to use the Pentax a lot more than I thought I would.

I have been very impressed with the quality of the Pentax bino's. Super clear and very well made. I'd buy them again in a heartbeat. Lotta glass for the money.

You mentioned birders, don't know if you have seen this review:

https://www.optics4birding.com/pentax-dcf-sp-binoculars-review.aspx

Don't know if the same is still true today, but 20 years ago Asahi one of the largest glass manufacturers in the world made the glass for Pentax, they were top of the mark for Autoglass, not so good for sport optic glass. I got a set of Pentax bino's back then and no regret when they were gone

Have a Sp 8x43 that I've had for years. they will hang very well with high $ binos

I’ve got a pair of 8x42, made in Japan. bought in early 2000’s.

I liked them. But those were the best i had at that point.

Are they the same as my meopro euros or Kahles? No.

But ~$200 on clearance , they were great.

I have Pentax, Leopold and Zeiss.. all 10 power. The pentax was the cheapest and is the oldest of the bunch. Every bit as good as the other two... Don't be afraid to buy Pentax.

I have several Pentax binos. Several DCF SP, and DCF WP and a DCF ED - they punch heavy for their weight class and when they came out you had to spend a lot more to improve significantly over them. I have sent some Meostar’s and Trinovids down the road because the Pentax weren’t lacking much in comparison.

The SP was very good glass for the money, the middle range models not as good... so depends.

I still use my 8x32 dcf sp as my dedicated 8x.

Kent

Years ago they were middle of the pack... they have not gotten better... everyone else has...

I have 2 sets of 10x50s, one from 20 years ago and a more recent set. The older are better, but I like both. For some reason I get less fatigue using these than I get with other moderate priced outfits. Pentax has a beef with the blood sports and won't sell at stores where scopes are sold.

One thing I appreciate is that Pentax offers several options even in their cheaper range that aren’t made in China. They are sort of like Sightron in this regard, although both companies unfortunately have China made models as well.

I do worry they aren’t keeping their products competitive with the changing market.

I've got two of the earlier PCF series, an 8X40 and a 10X50. Both are trouble free and optically very nice after 20 years.

I admit, I didn't even know they were still around making binos.

Kent

I have a Pentex. It has been good.

Have a pair of the DCF SP 8x43s. Before I picked up my Swaro 8.5x42 ELs, I compared the Pentax to the Swaro 8x30 SLC and the Kahles 8x42. The Pentax were every bit as good as both so I sold those two. Only bought the ELs when a local shop had a good sale, plus the price cut Swaro had. Saved about a third so I have the ELs.

The SPs definitely don't compare with the ELs, but they do hit above the price I paid for them back in the early 2000s.