A Work Commenced July 2 2025

Product: Leica Ultravid HD Plus 8 x 32

Country of Manufacture: Portugal

Chassis: Magnesium Alloy and Titanium covered in black Vulcanised Rubber.

Exit Pupil: 4mm

Eye Relief: 13.3mm

Field of View: 135mm @1000m(7.74 angular degrees).

ED Glass: Yes-Schott Fluorite

Other Notable Glass: Schott HT

Dioptre Compensation: +\- 4

Close Focus: 2.1m advertised, 1.91m measured

Hydrophobic Coatings on Outer Lenses: Yes, AquaDura

Fogproof: Yes

Waterproof: Yes/5m

Accessories: Objective lens covers, rain guard, neoprene neck strap, lens cleaning cloth, padded soft case, test certificate, warranty card and user manual

Warranty: 10 Years

Weight: 535g advertised, 534g measured

Price(UK): £1499

The Leica Ultravid series is one of the longest continuously manufactured binoculars by the prestigious German company, Leica. Introduced in the Black Rubber (BR)form back in 2003, the series was upgraded to the HD series in 2007, which featured Schott Fluorite glass for improved colour fidelity and Leica’s innovative AquaDura hydrophobic and anti-scratch coatings. Finally in 2015, the company introduced the latest version: the Ultravid HD+ series which incorporated Schott HT glass in the prisms which increased light transmission to an impressive 92-3 per cent. In all Leica offer the HD+ series in 8 and 10 x 32, 7, 8 and 10 x 42 and two larger models – the 10 and 12 x 50. This review will discuss the smallest HD + model; the 8 x 32.

My first experience with this series came a couple of years back when I had the pleasure of looking through the 10 x32 Ultravid (UV)HD+ observing birds out on the water of Loch Carron, just a few miles from my home. The owner was so impressed with the binocular that he bought a second 10 x 32 for his daughter. It was here that my concerns about the small size were put to rest, since I was able to hold them very comfortably in my medium-size hands. 

The 8 x 32 is an amazingly small and compact model, only 11cm from the end to end with the eyecups kept down. Tipping the scales at 534g, it’s super light weight.

The focus wheel is disproportionately large, making it very easy to manoeuvre using one or two fingers. While there is some inertia getting it moving , focusing is very precise with no free play. This is an improvement over their entry-level model, the Trinovid HD 8 x 32, the focus wheel of which had a small amount of free play. Just over one full revolution clockwise brings you from closest focus to a little bit beyond infinity. The dioptre compensation is accessed by pulling up the top part of the focus wheel, turning the wheel and pushing it back in. 

The eyecups can be used in three positions: fully retracted or pulled up through two click stops. Like I said many times before, Leica’s eyecups are amongst the best in the industry. They are supremely comfortable and click rigidly into place.

Eye relief is quite tight on the 8 x 32 though, especially for eye glass wearers. I did test them using my spectacles and I could just see the entire field but it’s certainly not a comfortable experience especially during prolonged field use. Luckily, I don’t wear glasses using my binoculars so it was really a non-issue for me. 

Unlike the larger UVHD+ models, the underside of the barrels on the 32mm models have no thumb indents. Over the years, I’ve cultivated a strong disliking for these anyway, so not having them is a bonus in my books!

The objective lenses are nicely recessed with excellent knife-edge baffles to minimise glare  when glassing against the light. The coatings are immaculate: giving a faint purple bloom when examined face on but present more of a tobacco hue when seen at more oblique angles.

In the hands, the little Leica UVHD+ 8 x 32 is very firmly held thanks to the textured black rubber armouring, though it’s a magnet for dust, pollen and other airborne matter.
I can wrap my little fingers round the front of the barrels while using my ring- and middle-finger to do most of the focusing. It’s also a supremely handsome binocular with a strong retro accent I very much like.

Optics:

Looking at an intensely bright light source from across the room through the Leica UVHD+ showed no internal reflections but I did pick up a moderate diffraction spike. The same was true when I turned the binocular on a distant street lamp after dark. 

Next I examined the exit pupils while the instrument was aimed towards an indoor room light. As you can see below the result was excellent: exemplary in fact! Just nice round pupils surrounded by complete darkness!

Credit where it’s due: the view has real ‘gestalt:’ beautiful, arresting: razor sharp, wonderfully contrasted, with vibrant colours. Chromatic aberration is absent in the centre but does show up as lateral colour in the outer part of the field. Being used to larger, flatter fields, I was half anticipating that the 7.74 degree field would be rather restrictive or ‘tunnelled,’ but I did not get that impression. The view is extremely relaxed, especially for a compact model like this.

The Leica UVHD+ 8 x 32 does have more pincushion distortion than I would have liked and the edge sharpness could be better. Finally, when glassing with bright sunshine directly behind me, I noted some annoying reflections off the ocular lens. Thankfully this can be remedied simply by placing a finger over the side of the eyecup. 

Notes from the Field:

Make no mistake about it; the Leica UVHD+ 8 x 32 is a study in miniaturisation. A true marvel in both mechanical and optical engineering!

But it ain’t perfect.

Close focus was measured to be 1.91m, closer than the advertised 2.1m, but not nearly as impressive as the super close 0.95m I measured on the Trinovid HD 8 x 32. There are two aspects to the image of the UVHD+ that are noteworthy compared with my main binocular, the superb SRBC 8 x 42: colour saturation and resistance to glare of all kinds.

In the centre of the image, sharpness in both is quite comparable but the colours generated by the SRBC optical system are a little more neutral than in the UVHD+, the latter of which has a noticeably higher transmission to wavelengths in the 600-700nm range, which renders a warmer image. Where the UVHD+ betters the SRBC is in suppression of glare, both veiling and general glare when glassing against the light. And while an 8 x 32 is no match for a larger 8 x 42 of equal quality, I found the performance of the UVHD+ to be excellent in summer twilight, where the Schott HT glass boosts light transmission in the 400-500nm range, which allows the darker adapted eye to perceive objects in the blue part of the visual spectrum that little bit better.  I refer the reader to Holger Merlitz’s The Binocular Handbook page 10 for details.

Conducting some observations of the bright summer star, Vega, the little Leica glass showed perfect collimation and quite a flat field. Only in the outer 20 per cent of the field or so could I detect a bit of field curvature which could be focused out, but there remained a small amount of astigmatism right at the field stops.

Though I did not do a side by side comparison, I would rate the optical quality of the Leica UVHD+ to be higher than the Zeiss SFL I tested some time ago. It just has a more relaxed view compared with the Zeiss, with the warmer colours and superb glare suppression, pulling it ahead. But this is bound to be rather a subjective impression.

One thing’s for certain though, the Leica UVHD + is much more in keeping with a pocket glass philosophy than either of the current Alpha glasses offered by Swarovski or Zeiss, as exemplified by the design of the NL Pure and SF 8 x 32 models, respectively. These are considerably larger in comparison, and so can’t really be considered to be in the same portability class, at least size-wise. In contrast, the little UVHD+ certainly can fit in an average coat pocket. 

Value for Money?

The Leica UVHD+ 8 x 32 is an expensive piece of kit that’s for sure. But when I compare it to the optically excellent  SRBC  8 x 42,  which retails for one third of the price of the Leica, it gives me serious grounds for pause in recommending it, especially as an auxiliary travel glass. In addition, with the soon introduction of smaller 32 mm class of SRBCs offering the same excellent quality optics in ultra-flat fields fully twice the size of the Leica UVHD+ and at a fraction of its cost, it may render these smaller glasses by Zeiss, Swarovski and Leica all but obsolete. In the end, you vote with your wallet.

Dr Neil English is author of Choosing & Using Binoculars: A Guide for Stargazers, Birders and Outdoor Enthusiasts.

De Fideli.

A Work Commenced April 6 2025

Want a really great binocular that exudes class and pedigree? A binocular that delivers in spades optically but won’t break the bank? Then look no further than this late model Nikon E 8 x 30!

I picked this up from EBay for about £150 plus import duties from Japan, so about £200 all in. It’s in absolutely mint condition despite being about 40 years old based on its late serial number(#922372). Indeed, when I examined the original receipts I got with the instrument, I could see that it was originally made in 1985:

These models had an advanced single coating on all glass surfaces including the prisms. The Model E was updated in the late 1980s to the Criterion model Es (discussed in my 2024 book, Choosing & Using Binoculars)which had full multi coatings. These are easy to distinguish from each other by the colour of the bloom of the ocular and objective lenses: the older Es having a purple tint while the newer Criterion models possessing a greenish bloom.

Mechanically, the Nikon E is beautifully built, in a robust magnesium alloy housing. Indeed, having tested it extensively on field trips, it is arguably true that the build quality of these classic E series was a little higher than the later Criterion and even the most recent EII incarnations.

My unit has a smooth focuser that exhibits a fair amount of friction. And while it’s harder to turn than the most recent EII model, it will likely last longer than the latter because the plastic is tougher than the softer synthetic rubber found on more recent models. 

Optically, the Nikon E 8 x 30 sports a wide 8.3 degree true field- very large for its time and still very generous by today’s standards. The view is extremely comfortable and immersive – maybe a little more comfortable even than the venerable EII. It’s a very sharp optic with a great big sweet spot. Contrast is excellent with very good control of colour fringing. The outer field shows moderate pincushion distortion to minimise the dreaded rolling ball effect. Colour tone is ever so slightly yellowish which is not at all distracting to my eyes.Close focus is a very decent 2.5 metres.

I did pick up a few internal reflections aiming the binocular at some bright light sources after dark though, and on the Moon, but they were far less injurious than I had expected given its single coated specification.  Performance against the light is also impressive. 

Having compared it to a late model E. Leitz Binuxit 8 x 30, also in pristine condition, and dating from about 1960, it is clear to see the improvement in light transmission in the Nikon E. Coating technology had very clearly evolved for the better in that quarter of a century!

In short, I was very pleasantly surprised by this classic 8 x 30 from the Japanese optics giant. If you’re on a budget and want a piece of optical and mechanical excellence from yesteryear, but can still deliver beautifully clear and sharp views, I’d strongly recommend this model. It’s likely that the later model Es had better coatings than the earlier versions so be on the look out for units with serial numbers from the 700,000-950,000 range. I guarantee you’ll be impressed!

Read more about great modern classic glass in my book, Choosing & Using Binoculars: A Guide for Stargazers, Birders and Outdoor Enthusiasts.

De Fideli.

A Work Commenced October 12 2024.

Product: Opticron Discovery SP 7 x 28

Country of Origin: China

Chassis: Aluminium & Polycarbonate overlaid by protective rubber

Exit Pupil: 4mm

Eye Relief: 18mm

Field of View: 136mm@1000m(7.8 angular degrees)

Dioptre Compensation: +\-4

IPD Range: 52-72mm

Coatings: Fully multicoated.

ED glass: No

Waterproof: Yes

Nitrogen Purged: Yes

Close Focus: 3m advertised, 2.76m measured

Tripod Mountable: Yes

Dimensions:15.4 x 10.5cm

Weight: 345g advertised, 380g measured

Accessories: Soft padded carry case, objective covers, ocular rain guard, padded neck strap, microfibre cloth, instruction manual

Warranty: 5 Years

Price(UK): £69.00

I’m delighted and excited to provide my initial impressions of a charming little Porro prism binocular newly launched by Opticron: the Discovery SP 7 x 28. I ordered a unit from the Birder’s Store, Worcester for £69, who I highly recommend, and two days later the package arrived. A small blue box greeted me inside, containing the instrument tucked safely inside a soft padded black case, together with a logoed neoprene neck-strap, rubber ocular rain guard, and tethered objective caps, a lens cleaning cloth, instruction card and warranty (5 years) details. Tipping the scales at just 380g, it weighs scarcely more than a typical pocket binocular, yet delivers a much more satisfying and comfortable optical experience than any pocket glass I’ve personally encountered. 

The accessories provided were all excellent too – something I rarely see in products costing many times more!

The Discovery SP 7 x 28 is small, sleek and good looking, with a very well armoured, thick rubber substrate protecting the aluminium and polycarbonate chassis. The central hinge is strong and holds your ideal IPD very well. It features modern, twist-up eyecups that work well for those who wear glasses and those who don’t. Three positions are offered and all lock in place firmly. The large, ribbed focus wheel on my unit operates smoothly with a fair amount of friction, turning through 1.5 revolutions anticlockwise from closest focus ( a decent 2.76m) to well beyond infinity. This will therefore be good news for those with very short sightedness!

The right eye dioptre is located under the right eyepiece, and is reassuringly stiff, ensuring it won’t easily move out of place during field use. There is also provision to mount the instrument on a tripod if required.

I detected only the smallest amount of play in the focus wheel which didn’t detract much from my visual impressions after testing it in dull, overcast conditions and in bright, sunny conditions. The view is very impressive: bright, accurate colours, tack sharp in the centre and only a little softer at the edges of its 7.8 degree field. Depth of field is also noticeably better than an 8 x 30 glass. Star testing showed precise collimation as well as excellent, pinpoint stars nearly all the way to the field stops, with only a trace of field curvature and astigmatism creeping in at the extreme edges. 

What really surprised me was the darkness around the exit pupils: truly remarkable for a binocular costing so little! Indeed, they were substantially better than those exhibited by the Kowa YF II unit I recently showcased. Control of internal reflections was also very impressive, as judged by observing a very bright light source across a darkened room. In addition, when I turned the glass on a bright gibbous Moon on the night of October 14, it showed a very impressive image, with Saturn just a few degrees away from it. Lunar details were crystal clear and sharp, showing remarkably little chromatic aberration, and with only a moderate amount of ghosting that didn’t bother me that much.

Briefly comparing the Opticron to the Kowa YF II, I formed the distinct impression that these were cut from the same cloth, so to speak, with similar build quality and overall optical performance, showing only moderate levels of pincushion distortion off axis. 

Like the venerable Kowa YF II, the Discovery SP feels great in the hands. It provides a very comfortable, stable and pleasant viewing experience, with its generous 4mm exit pupil. While the AFOV is noticeably smaller than the Kowa YF II( 55 vs 60 degrees), it never felt constrained to my eyes. Performance against the light is surprisingly good – even a tad better than the Kowa costing twice as much!

It is small enough to slip into an ordinary coat pocket.

I captured a few hand-held images through the Opticron Discovery SP 7 x 28 using my Canon Powershot Zoom monocular giving a power of 8.4x( See below):

It’s exceptionally easy to capture images with this feather light instrument.

Conclusions & Recommendations

Cor, Blimey!

What a delightful little instrument!

Who says you have to cough up a lot of dosh in order to enjoy a pleasant optical experience? Those days are well & truly behind us!

With its generous IPD range, the Discovery SP is ideal for kids and those with smaller faces. Optically very impressive and surprisingly well built, most anyone would be pleased with this little instrument. It’s an ideal travel binocular with its pocket-glass weight and diminutive physical dimensions, ideal for stowing away in a small space. Opticron has hit the ground running with this new arrival,  and I think it will prove to be very popular!

Very highly favoured!

Neil English delights in bringing exceptional binocular bargains to the masses. Please support his ongoing work by purchasing a copy of his latest book: Choosing & Using Binoculars: a Guide for Stargazers, Birders and Outdoor Enthusiasts.

De Fideli.

A Work Commenced September 21 2024

Product: Kowa YF II 8 x 30

Country of Manufacture: The Phillippines

Chassis: Polycarbonate overlaid by protective rubber

Exit Pupil: 3.75mm

Eye Relief: 16mm

Field of View: 132m@1000m(7.5 degrees)

Dioptre Compensation: +\-4

Coatings: Fully broadband multicoated, KR Hydrophobic coatings on ocular and objective lenses

ED glass: No

Field Flatteners: No

Waterproof: Yes

Nitrogen Purged: Yes

Close Focus: 5m advertised, 2.9m measured

Tripod Mountable: Yes

Dimensions:16.5 x 17cm

Weight: 475g advertised, 476g measured 

Accessories: Soft padded carry case, objective covers, ocular rain guard, padded neck strap, instruction manual

Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty

Price: £159.95(UK)

Arguably the most charming binoculars are embodied in the small and versatile 8 x 30 Porro instruments. Small enough to take everywhere, they’re easy to make well and deliver excellent views even in compromised lighting conditions. That together with their modest pricing compared to roof prism models, render them a compelling choice for the budget savvy consumer. I was once again reminded of these facts when I tested Kowa’s YF II 8 x 30 over a few weeks. What follows is a summary of my findings. 

Ergonomics:

The unit I ordered up proved to be a perfect sample. Assembled in the Philippines, its twist up eyecups locked firmly into place and has generous eye relief for eye glass wearers. The focus wheel has small depressions to assist in its rotation. It proved to be very smooth with zero free play. It’s neither too fast or too slow: just perfect in fact! I love the thick, textured rubber armouring of the chassis which is easy to grip. It feels great in my medium sized hands.

Tipping the scales at just 476g , it’s featherlight but completely waterproof and dry nitrogen purged for complete reliability in adverse weather conditions. Kowa applied their proprietary KR hydrophobic coatings to the outer lenses to help keep the lenses clear of condensation on the wettest days.
The Kowa YF II features fully multicoated optics, which were perfectly applied to the lenses and prisms for bright, crisp images. Though you’ll probably not need to mount the instrument owing to its low weight, it can be mated to an adapter for use on a tripod or monopod.

Just like the very similar Opticron Savanna 8 x 30 previously reviewed, its lower minimum IPD of 50mm makes it ideal for those of us who have small faces.
All in all, I was very impressed with its well thought through ergonomics: something I’ve come to expect from a well established spirts optics firm like Kowa. 

Optics:

The Kowa YF II responded well to my bright light test, revealing some very minor internal reflections and no diffraction spikes. Examining the exit pupils gave decent results with perfectly round pupils. I did note some  minor light leaks around the exit pupil however which would introduce some glare in low light conditions. However, considering its modest retail price, and since this would not be of much use in such situations, it’s quite an acceptable compromise.

The view is quite excellent, sporting a decent 7.5 degree field. It’s tack sharp inside its generously wide sweet spot. Objects take on a vivid three dimensionality in the middle distance thanks to its traditional Porro design. Contrast and colour rendering are also top notch. Despite not having field flatteners, edge of field performance is very good with only very mild field curvature creeping in in the outer 15 per cent of the field, as affirmed by monitoring the quality of star images after dark. Close focus was much better than advertised too: I measured 2.9m as opposed to 5m in the specifications. 

In summary, the Kowa YF II offers exceptional value for money, delivering very high quality views in a brilliant, light weight package. It will serve as a fine birding and travel binocular and is an excellent choice for children.

Highly Recommended !

Read much more about budget-friendly binoculars in my latest book, Choosing and Using Binoculars: a Guide for Stargazers, Birders and Outdoor Enthusiasts.

De Fideli.

A Work Commenced September 10 2024

Product: Nikon Prostaff P7 8 x 30

Country of Manufacture: China

Chassis: Polycarbonate overlaid by protective rubber

Exit Pupil: 3.75mm

Eye Relief: 15.4mm

Field of View: 152m@1000m(8.7angular degrees)

Dioptre Compensation: +\-4

Coatings: Fully broadband multicoated, Phase corrected Schmidt Pechan prisms, Hydrophobic coatings on ocular and objective lenses

ED glass: No

Field Flatteners: No

Waterproof: Yes

Nitrogen Purged: Yes

Close Focus: 2.5m advertised, 2.28m measured

Tripod Mountable: Yes

Dimensions:12.5 x 13cm

Weight: 485g advertised, 476g measured 

Accessories: Soft padded carry case, objective covers, ocular rain guard, padded neck strap, microfibre cloth, instruction manual

Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty

Price: £189.00(UK)

The Japanese sports optics giant, Nikon, has firmly established itself as one of the most successful marketers of binoculars in the modern world. What sets them apart from the European manufacturers of sports optics is their excellent bang for buck. Another distinguishing feature of all the Nikon products I’ve tested is their excellent quality control. But, as we shall see, there are apparently limits to this.

In the last few years,   Nikon gave their entry-level and mid tier binoculars – the Prostaff and Monarch series- a makeover, incorporating more advanced features into these models that would have been quite out of the question only a decade ago. In this review I’ll be discussing my thoughts on the new Prostaff P7 8 x 30, the successor to the original Prostaff 7S 8 x 30 I reviewed back in 2020.

So What’s New?

Quite a few things actually. There’s a new hydrophobic coating applied to the lenses, which causes condensation to bead and slide off the optics in damp weather conditions. The right eye dioptre is now lockable and the field of view is substantially wider, going from 6.5 degrees to a whopping 8.7 degrees! And while it’s about 60g heavier than the first-generation Prostaff 7S, it still tips the scales at a featherweight 476g. The rubber armouring is also new with a more textured grippy feel than the original model.

I liked how it feels in my medium-sized hands. The textured rubber affords a good grip and the barrels protrude far enough beyond the bridge to allow your fingers to securely wrap around the instrument. But other things about its ergonomics niggled me. For one thing, the central hinge was too loose, so much so that I had to keep adjusting the IPD while in field use. The focus wheel is covered in thick black rubber with deep ridges. It turns smoothly enough but my unit had a small amount of play which detracted from the overall viewing experience. 
The eyecups are excellent, clicking firmly into well-established detents.
I’m not really a fan of lockable dioptre mechanisms, especially the designs used by Nikon and Vanguard. I find them overly delicate and a bit flimsy to say the least. And while the dioptre locked well enough on this unit, I was always left wondering when it was going to snap. In this capacity, a simple rotatable ring under the right ocular lens, like that exhibited on the less expensive Prosfaff P3 would have been more welcome …. and more durable I suspect!

Optics
Examining how the instrument handled a bright light source from across my living room showed up a few significant internal reflections as well as a small diffraction spike, which also showed up on a bright sodium street lamp after dark.

Daytime views are very good: it’s got a great big sweet spot, with excellent central sharpness and contrast owing to its phase corrected roof prisms and highly effective multilayer coatings. Colour tone looked neutral to my eyes, and its performance against the light proved to be above average. Testing on the brighter stars of summer in a twilit sky showed good off-axis control of aberrations with only mild field curvature slightly bloating the stellar images in the outer 20 per cent of the field. That said, what most impressed me about the little Prostaff P7 8 x 30 was its huge field of view: an enormous at 8.7 degrees! It really has to be seen to be believed! Indeed, it’s noticeably wider than the more expensive Monarch M7 8 x 30. 

1.3 revolutions clockwise takes you from closest focus(a decent 2.28m)to infinity. But there was not much ‘beyond infinity’ focus in my test unit. Eye relief is decent but nothing to write home about: I struggled to see the entire field using glasses with the eye cups fully retracted.

Conclusions & Recommendations

Clearly, the little Prostaff P7 8 x 30 has a lot of things going for it. It sports very good optics and a huge field of view. But in my unit at least it was let down by a somewhat dodgy focuser and a loose central hinge. The presence of internal reflections and a diffraction spike on bright light targets after dark didn’t endear it to me either. Maybe I got a bad sample? Maybe if I bought another unit it would turn out fine? If you purchase from a reputable retailer capable of checking these features prior to dispatching, then you might win the jackpot. All in all, I would cautiously recommend this binocular to the community and hope Nikon can iron out some of these mostly mechanical issues in newer batches. It downright deserves that much at least!

Dr Neil English is the author of Choosing and Using Binoculars: A Guide for Stargazers, Birders and Outdoor Enthusiasts, first published earlier this year.

De Fideli.

A Work Commenced August 24 2024

Preamble 1

Preamble 2

Product: Zeiss SFL 8 x 30

Country of Manufacture: Japan

Chassis: Magnesium alloy overlaid by protective rubber

Exit Pupil: 3.75mm

Eye Relief: 18mm

Field of View: 142@1000m(8.1 angular degrees)

Dioptre Compensation: +\-4

Coatings: Fully broadband multicoated, Phase corrected Schmidt Pechan prisms, LotuTec coatings on ocular and objective lenses

ED glass: Yes, UltraHD

Field Flatteners: Yes

Waterproof: Yes, 4m

Nitrogen Purged: Yes

Close Focus: 1.5m advertised, 1.57m measured

Light Transmission: 90%

Tripod Mountable: Yes

Dimensions:12 x 10.7cm

Weight: 460g advertised, 462g measured

Accessories: Soft padded carry case, objective covers, ocular rain guard, padded neck strap, microfibre cloth, instruction manual

Warranty: 10 Years

Price: £1299(UK)

Back in 2014, Zeiss launched their new flagship binoculars embodied in the Victory SF, which were offered in both 8 x and 10 x 42 configurations. Then in 2020, two smaller models were launched, the Victory SF 8x and 10 x 32. While these offered class leading optical performance, they were rather long (15cm)and heavy(over 600g) in their compact class. The demand for something smaller and more lightweight impelled Zeiss to re-imagine their Victory SF series, and to create a new line of instruments offering top-notch optical performance in a more diminutive and lightweight package. In 2022, Zeiss answered their fans with the new SFL series, first introduced in 8 x and 10 x 40 configurations, but followed soon after with their smallest compact models yet developed: enter the 8x and 10 x 30 SFL.

Just like in the Zeiss Victory line, the SF stands for “ smart focus” while the L designates its light weight. So what did they do? Under the aegis of a newly head-hunted optical engineer from Swarovski, they made the lenses a little bit thinner(2mm) and smaller, which allowed them to be mounted in a shorter tube assembly. They also jettisoned the centrally placed locking dioptre mechanism to shave off even more weight, with the result that the new SFL 8 x 30, for example, tipped the scales nearly 150g lighter than the Victory SF 8 x 32. But there were other changes to the optics. The Ultra FL glass was replaced by Zeiss’ proprietary Ultra HD( UHD), of slightly lower grade. The field of view shrunk a bit too. Compared with the Victory SF 8 x 32( 8.8 degree field), the 8 x 30 SF sports an 8.1 degree field. In addition, while the SFL line does have field flattening optics, it’s not the ultra-flat system exhibited by the Victory SF series, as I was to discover during field testing. Light transmission took a small dive too: down from 92 percent in the case of the Victory SF to 90 in the case of the SFL series. The reader will note that these SFL binoculars are not made in Germany, but in Japan, under the supervision of Zeiss. In this capacity, they share that distinction with the Zeiss Victory Pocket series. Here, I’ll be taking a close look at the Zeiss SFL 8 x 30 model.

Ergonomics

This is one small binocular. Check it out compared with the Zeiss Conquest HD 8 x 32.

Despite its small size, the Zeiss SFL 8 x 30 is surprisingly easy to handle.  Its short bridge allows the barrels to protrude enough to enable the user to wrap their fingers round them for a secure grip, although those with larger hands may struggle a little with it. The black rubber armouring is lightly textured which also helps with gripping the instrument. The eyecups are well made and very comfortable to view through for prolonged periods. They can be unscrewed from the eyepieces to assist cleaning, though I did discover that if they’re not screwed in securely they can be accidentally unscrewed while extending the cups upwards.

A little extra care is definitely required here. It’s not an issue for me, as I leave the cups permanently extended. There are four positions, each of which locks into place firmly with an audible ‘click.’ Eye relief is plenteous: I can easily engage with the entire field while wearing my eye glasses. 

The focuser is excellent: big and easy to engage with. Just 1.4 revolutions clockwise brings you from closest focus to infinity and beyond. I was delighted to see that there’s a decent amount of ‘post infinity’ travel too which will be music to the ears of those of you who have extreme short-sightedness. A single finger can rotate it smoothly and accurately. Just a slight turn of the wheel brings objects into sharp focus from close up to far off. While there is no play or backlash in the movement, it does show some resistance to movement near the end of its anticlockwise travel. 

I really like the right eye dioptre on the SFL. It’s got excellent resistance to movement. Simply rotate it into your preferred position and leave well alone.  

Zeiss claim that the SFL is watertight to 400mbar water pressure. Why they use millibar units is a bit of a mystery to me. Isn’t immersive depth much more accessible to the average Joe? Both Swarovski and Leica publish depths and not pressure. Quite sensibly I’d say. Indeed I note that the two well known binocular reviewers linked to in the preambles above parrot this nomenclature too. C’mon guys: a bit of high school physics will clarify this for your readers. Follow this procedure: 

Optics

Examining how the binocular coped with shining a bright white light source from across a room showed very good results. Internal reflections were well controlled and unlike the Zeiss Conquest HD I tested it against, it didn’t show a prominent diffraction spike. I did however pick up some faint ghosting when examining the blue super full Moon shortly after local midnight on August 21. 

Examining the exit pupils showed excellent results as you can see below.

Optically, the view is very impressive: wide, bright, tack sharp within its generous sweet spot, with plenty of high resolution details on display. It is significantly better, for example,  than the image served up by the Conquest HD 8 x 32 I tested along side it. Glare suppression is excellent against the light. Colours are vividly but naturally portrayed.

There is some mild pincushion distortion off axis and I detected some softening of the images near the field stops. The nature of this edge-of-field softening became all too clear when I monitored the bright star, Vega, high overhead. The bright white luminary remained tightly focused within the inner 60 per cent of the field or so but thereafter began to distort. At the field edge it was quite noticeably bloated. Because I was able to focus much of this out showed it was field curvature in the main. The same was true when I trained the SFL on a waning gibbous Moon in the wee small hours of August 24. While it was tack sharp within its sweet spot, it became quite blurry near the field stops. Which brings me to the subject of field flattening optics. Clearly not all field flatteners are created equal. Comparing it to the ultra flat field of my full size Sky Rover Banner Cloud 8 x 42 APO, for example, which showed pinpoint stars right across a significantly wider field from edge to edge, the result for the Zeiss SFL was rather disappointing, especially considering its rather steep retail price.

Chromatic aberration was essentially absent from the centre of the field but crept up as I moved my test subjects off axis. Near the edge of the field, the images of dead tree branches against a uniformly bright overcast sky showed significant lateral colour. It was noticeably more pronounced than in my control binocular(the Banner Cloud mentioned above). Again this was a bit disappointing as I know of much cheaper binoculars that have much better colour correction. These results were also clearly seen when examining a silvery white Moon.

Notes from the Field

Close focus was measured at 1.57m: very good indeed, though I was half expecting it to be a tad shorter, based on all the comments I read or heard about during my researches, which almost invariably claimed sub 1.5 m close focus. The view is very comfortable: perhaps the most comfortable compact I have personally experienced. Panning showed up no rolling ball effect which I attribute to the influence of Dr Holger Merlitz, whose research findings were taken into consideration by Zeiss in the overall optical design of the SFL series. 

The big selling point of the SFL series, of course, is their light weight, and at 462g it certainly is light! But this can be somewhat of a disadvantage in some circumstances, as I discovered when I brought it out during a blustery spell prior to the arrival of Storm Lilian during the third week of August. With strong winds whipping by me in the open air, I found it much more challenging to hold steady compared with a full size 8 x 42 under the same conditions.

Conclusions & Recommendations

Without question, the Zeiss SFL is a premium compact binocular that excels in many areas: feather light, small size, a comfortable wide field of view and razor sharp optics within its sweet spot, but it doesn’t quite reach the dizzying heights of optical performance seen in the current line of ultra-flat field APO binoculars in the 32mm format. It will appeal greatly to daytime birders and those who like to travel.

Still, for me at least, like all compact binoculars I’ve gradually discovered, it leaves something to be desired compared to the more immersive and engaging views garnered by top quality full-size instruments. So something to bear in mind.

Very highly recommended!

Dr Neil English is the author of Choosing & Using Binoculars: a Guide for Stargazers, Birders and Outdoor Enthusiasts. Please support his ongoing work by purchasing a copy of the book.

De Fideli.

A Work Commenced May 5 2024

Product: Opticron Verano BGA VHD 8 x 32

Country of Manufacture: Japan

Chassis Material: Rubber over Aluminium/ Polycarbonate

Eye Relief: 18mm

Exit Pupil: 4mm

Field of View: 131m@1000m(7.5 angular degrees)

Coatings: Fully Broadband Multicoated, Oasis Phase coatings on Schmidt-Pechan prisms.

ED Glass: Yes

Close Focus: 2m advertised, 2.23m measured

Dioptre Compensation: +\- 3.5

Waterproof: Yes

Nitrogen Purged: Yes

IPD Range: 56-75mm

Weight: 531g advertised, 554g measured

Tripod Mountable: Yes

Accessories: Padded soft case, rubber rain guard and tethered objective caps, padded neckstrap, instruction card with warranty.

Dimensions: 12.4 x 13cm

Warranty: 30 Years

Price(UK): £300-350

If you’ve been following my reviews or reading my new book, you’ll already know that I have cultivated a great admiration for the UK-founded company Opticron. Over the years, the company has brought an excellent selection of compact and full-size binoculars to the market that offer very good optical performance at prices that many consumers can afford. I’ve already highlighted their impressive range of Porro prism binoculars, as well as their most excellent flagship roof prism model, the Japanese-designed Aurora BGA VHD in 8 x 42, which delivers sensibly perfect images across a flat 8.1 degree field. In this review, I’ll be discussing another Japanese-made model from Opticron; the Verano BGA VHD 8 x 32, kindly lent to me by the very experienced binocular enthusiast. Gary Murphy, from Northern Ireland. 

The name ‘Verano’ derives from the Spanish for ‘Summer,’ and as luck would have it, I received the package right at the end of another academic year, preparing my students for careers in maths and the physical sciences. And though summertime has not quite arrived yet, the longer hours of daylight proved ideal for testing this binocular.

First Impressions

The instrument arrived safely, well packaged, inside its original box. Tucked away inside the black soft carry case, I was immediately taken by the very small and chunky body of the Verano 8 x 32. It’s almost as wide as it’s long, at just 12.4 x 13cm making it almost as tiny as the Leica Ultravid HD Plus 8 x 32 (11.6 x 11.6cm), the most compact 8 x 32 I have personally experienced. Tipping the scales at just 554g, it’s almost as lightweight as the Leica glass too.  The chassis is overlaid by a thick black rubber armouring which offers excellent grip. The large, central focus wheel rotates very smoothly and easily, taking two full turns clockwise from one end of its focus travel to the other. I detected no backlash in the focus mechanism in either direction of travel.

The objective lenses have very evenly applied antireflection coatings which exude a green colour in natural daylight but renders the lenses almost invisible when looking at them head-on. They’re also very decently recessed to protect them from peripheral light and the elements. 

The eyepieces are decently large and easy to engage with, and comfortable to press one’s eyes against during prolonged periods of viewing. The right eye dioptre is adjusted using a subtly protruding lever which has an excellent amount of friction, ensuring that it won’t wander while in field use. The twist-up eyecups are rather large and provide 4 positions. I found my optimal setting by twisting the cups down a few millimetres from fully extended which set them in an intermediate position between two locked settings. It was a minor irritation finding and maintaining these settings, but after some practice it came as second nature to me. 

Eye relief is generous. I was able to access almost the entire field with my spectacles on and while the cups were fully retracted. 

I personally found no difficulty in handling the instrument stably, although those endowed with larger hands might find the little Verano a little cumbersome to use. 

In summary, the Opticron Verano BGA VHD 8 x 32 is a joy to handle with a sensible, ‘no frills’ body design that the majority of people will find convenient to use. Good job Opticron!

Optics:

The Opticron Verano 8 x 32 displayed excellent control of internal reflections. I detected none of any significance. Nor was there any diffused light around an intensely bright light source. These results are as good as I’ve seen on any quality optic. Examination of the exit pupils showed great results too: nice dark regions surrounding the circular pupils. From these results I fully anticipated better than average control of glare and stray light. And, as I shall shortly divulge, that’s exactly what my field tests revealed too!

I took an instant liking to the images served up by this binocular: bright, very sharp within a generously wide sweet spot, very accurate colours and excellent correction of off-axis aberrations, particularly pincushion distortion. Glare suppression is also well above average on this unit.  Qualitatively, I formed the opinion that the Verano images were very similar to the company’s more expensive Aurora model. Looking back on my notes of the latter showed it had an edge over the Verano in getting rid of that last residual of glare against the light, and had a wider, flatter field owing to its built-in field flattening optics. Indeed with its very conservative field size (7.5 degrees), the Verano can dispense of the need for field flattening optics as the view remains quite sharp even near the field stops. I was able to verify this under the stars when the bright stellar luminary, Vega, remained decently sharp even when placed at the edges of the field. I’m certainly confident that the Verano was indeed assembled on a genuine VHD platform like the Aurora, Opticron’s flagship offering.

Notes from the Field

8 x 30/2 is my favourite binocular format, with a strong preference for Porro prism models over their roof prism counterparts. So it took a little bit of getting used to using a compact roof like the Opticron Verano in the field again, learning how best to hold it in my hands, but practice makes perfect.

The Verano has a very smooth and responsive focus wheel but what I found quite remarkable was the amount of travel it exhibited beyond infinity – more than one full revolution(so more than half its focus travel in fact) – allowing users with severe myopia to engage with the instrument without wearing spectacles. Indeed given this fact, I was especially delighted to see that its close focus distance was a little over 2 metres. For the record, if this feature is not required the focuser could be recalibrated to accommodate much closer focusing distances. 

Testing the Verano in a variety of lighting conditions, the quality views  kept coming. Its excellent central sharpness allowed me to view small migrant birds such as Pied and Grey Wagtails, at long distance, foraging in sheep fields or combing the shores of my local river, respectively.

I conducted some visual comparisons of the Opticron Verano with my Zeiss Victory Pocket 8 x 25( a £650 retail value), sporting the same true field of view. The comparisons were very instructive. The Verano displayed very similar central sharpness to the Zeiss. In good light, I perceived the sweet spot in the latter to be slightly larger and had slightly better optical  performance against the light but the differences were subtle at best. However, in dull evening light, the greater light gathering power of the Verano pulled it noticeably ahead of the Zeiss, giving it distinct advantages over the smaller instrument under these conditions. These observations served only to consolidate my opinion that the 30/32mm format is more versatile than smaller aperture glasses. 

Conclusions & Recommendations

I thoroughly enjoyed test driving the Opticron Verano BGA VHD 8 x 32. I note that this high-quality instrument can be acquired new at values below £300 if you shop around. That represents excellent value for money. What’s more, with Opticron’s 30-year warranty on this product, you can be assured of receiving first class attention should you hit any snags with it. I note also that there are 42mm options from the same series should you prefer this larger format.

Highly Recommended!

My thanks to Gary Murphy for kindly lending me the binocular for field testing.

Read about many more binocular models, from the very large to the very small, in my new book: Choosing and Using Binoculars: A Guide for Stargazers, Birders and Outdoor Enthusiasts.

De Fideli.

A Work Commenced February 20 2024

Product: Swarovski Habicht 8 x 30 W

Country of Manufacture: Austria

Exit Pupil: 3.75mm

Eye Relief: 12mm

Field of View: 136m@1000m(7.8 angular degress)

Dioptric Compensation: +\_ 5

Close Focus: 3m advertised, 2.68m measured

IPD Range: 56-72mm

ED Glass: No

Light Transmission: 96%

Waterproof: Yes(4m/13 feet)

Fogproof: Yes

Operating Temperature Range: -25C to +55C

Weight: 540g advertised, 536g measured

Accessories: Cordura carry case, neck strap, rain guard, lens cloth, instruction manual.

Warranty: 10 Years(+1 year if product registered online)

Price(UK): £875.00

Anyone with an interest in binoculars and their history will undoubtedly be familiar with the Swarovski Habicht Porro prism binoculars, the company’s oldest continuously developed product line, which began production immediately after WWII.  This review will concentrate on arguably the most popular of the Habicht line: the compact and lightweight 8 x 30 W.

First Impressions:

The instrument was bought from a reputable dealer: The Birder’s Store in Worcester. The instrument was dispatched via expedited delivery and arrived within 24 hours of purchasing. The package was delightful: a nice presentation box with a beautiful alpine scene. The instrument was found encased in a lovely green Cordura case together with its rain guard. The package also contained a logoed neck strap, instruction manual and microfibre lens cleaning cloth.

The instrument was immaculately presented with a serial number beginning with the numerals 12 indicating that its year of manufacture was 2022. The rubber eyecups are very comfortable but afford minimal eye relief at 12mm. This didn’t present a problem for me as I don’t wear spectacles while glassing. However, some folk have endeavoured to acquire the longer rubber eyecups that accompany the more heavily armoured GA model for better eye relief. 

The focus wheel moves smoothly and very precisely. Just over one revolution clockwise takes you from closest focus to a little bit beyond infinity. Unlike quite a few other reports, I do not consider the focuser on the 8 x 30 W to be overly stiff. Indeed, I very much liked it right out of the case! What I especially appreciated though was the + and – markings on the side of the focus wheel facing the ocular lenses: which allow the user to dial in the approximate focus for objects close at hand and in the middle distance without ever having to look through the instrument! 
I was very relieved to see the dioptre compensation ring moves with a fair amount of tension. This means little to no wandering while operating in the field. Indeed it is just about as good as that found on the Nikon EII 8 x 30.

The leatherette armouring on the 8 x 30 W seems more organic to me, less artificial, than that found on the Nikon EII body. It is slightly more elastic and grippy too. It didn’t take me long to find the best way to handle the instrument, which is a joy to hold in one’s hands. Being intimately acquainted with the haptics of the EII 8 x 30, I would say the only significant difference between the two models is the slightly wider spacing between the barrels and the central shaft of the Habicht, making it easier to wrap one’s fingers round. The latter is also a bit more streamlined than the former: a fact confirmed by comparing their weights – 565g for the EII and 536g for the Habicht 8 x 30 W.

The ocular lenses are a little smaller than those found on the Nikon EII and thus are ever so slightly harder to engage with.

The 30mm objective lenses have immaculately applied coatings and are recessed a few millimetres from the binocular frame.

The leather neck strap is a real work of art it must be said, and an absolute pleasure to use. Beautifully crafted from traditional materials it’s adorned with the fetching silvered avian Swarovski logo on either side. Indeed I have yet to see a better neck-strap than this one!

Although I elected not to store the instrument in the supplied green Cordura case for everyday use, it will serve as an excellent travel case when I need it.

All in all, the Habicht 8 x 30 W is a most charming and impressively designed instrument with a great deal of attention to detail immediately in evidence!  

Optical Testing:

My first optical tests were to check the collimation and look for internal reflections. Collimation was spot on as my star testing revealed. Directing an intensely bright beam of light from across my living room into the binocular revealed excellent results: just two very insignificant reflections noted with no diffused light or diffraction spikes( the standard result for a Porro). This was a most excellent result indeed!

This was confirmed by glassing a bright, waxing gibbous Moon in the February sky and a bright yellow sodium street lamp after dark, both of which showed the same great results.

Next I took some shots of the exit pupils, which you can see below:

As you can see, both pupils are perfectly round with very little in the way of any false pupils in their vicinity. You can however make out some light leaks well beyond the exit pupils which may be responsible for manifesting some glare and off axis flaring. More on this later.

The view through the Swarovski Habicht is simply out of this world! In careful tests involving my EII 8 x 30, Zeiss Victory Pocket 8 x 25 and a Leica Ultravid HD Plus(UVHDP)8 x 32, it was the clear winner in terms of sheer central sharpness, brightness and contrast. Really quite incredible!

Particularly memorable was a shootout I conducted with a new villager, Davey, who had just completed building a new home overlooking Loch Carron, just a few miles from my home. He recently acquired both an 8 x and 10 x 32 Leica UVHDP, as well as an older Leica Trinovid BN 8 x 32, and invited me up to his place to have a look around. Observing the loch and the surrounding forests from his porch, he got a good chance to compare the views in both the Habicht and his 8 x 32 with their similar sized fields. We both declared the Habicht to have the superior optics but his jaw dropped when I told him that the Habicht was half the price of the Leica!

It makes for wonderful viewing in any kind of lighting conditions, but really excels in dull, overcast lighting where its extraordinary light transmission(an astonishing 96%) pulls it readily ahead of all the competition. Comparing it most carefully to the EII 8 x 30 I would describe the Habicht as peeling off that last layer to reveal its subjects in breathtaking clarity. The field stop in the Habicht is very nicely defined also.

I do want to mention another brief test though. My former student and astrophysics graduate, Joe Stearn, joined me one afternoon with his dad’s Oberwerk SE 8 x 32. Joe reckoned his dad’s instrument was sightly better than his own unit which he left back home in rural Massachusetts. We compared the views and decided they were very close; with the nod going to the Habicht in ferreting out low contrast detail in dull overcast. Like I said before, the Oberwerk SE 8 x 32 with its ED objectives is an exceptional performer but at 800g it’s not a glass you want to carry round your neck all day!

Chromatic aberration is  better controlled in the Habicht compared with the EII, particularly off axis, but this might be due to the former’s smaller field of view(7.8 compared with 8.9 degrees in the EII).  Pincushion distortion is also vanishingly low in the Habicht, even at the extreme edges of the field, rendering it a most excellent instrument for studying architectural features. The sweet spot on this unit is quite generous: maybe covering the central 60 per cent of the field, after which gentle field curvature gradually distorts the outer part of the field of view. The Habicht has a very uniformly illuminated field though. Moving the gibbous Moon from the centre of the field to the edge revealed little in the way of light drop off. Some lateral colour and a touch of astigmatism were also in evidence by studying the bright star Procyon as it was gradually moved from the centre to the field stops.   
Notes from the Field:

Several Habicht 8 x 30 W users have reported that the instrument suffers from excessive glare. I can report that this is grossly exaggerated. Yes, it behaves less well against the light than the Nikon EII or Zeiss Victory but I have never perceived it as excessive with the worst cases easily improved by shielding with an outstretched hand over the objectives. The Habicht does exhibit strong off axis flaring however. Just placing a bright Moon just outside the field of view reveals this fairly easily. 

Close focus was measured to be 2.68m: better than the advertised 3m but this can actually be improved owing to the large beyond infinity reach of the existing focus wheel. By resetting the position of infinity closer to the end of its travel, a significantly better near focus value could be obtained. I am aware of a binocular repair company that can provide such a service. For others, the extra focus travel beyond infinity will help severely myopic individuals achieve good infinity focus without wearing glasses.

I have not had any issues with the focus wheel on the Habicht. Reports that it can’t be used for extensive birding activities because of the sluggish movement of focus wheel are also untrue in my experience. I’ve been able to track birds flitting from nearby bushes to trees in the middle distance with no problems at all. In short, it’s called skill and practice makes perfect!

Depth of focus and the wonderful stereoptic view only provided by Porro prism instruments are very similar in both the EII and the Habicht. Indeed they render roof prism models decidedly ‘flat’ in comparison.

Storage:

I elected to store the Habicht 8 x 30 W in a dry box: just like all my other non/waterproof Porros. It’s much easier to access the instrument using this set up compared with storing it in the zipped Cordura case supplied with the instrument.

Closing Remarks & Conclusions:

The Swarovski Habicht 8 x 30 W exhibits the best optical performance I have personally experienced in the 30mm/ 32mm binocular format, with ergonomics that don’t fall far behind it. If anything it underscores my conviction that compact alpha roof models are a profligate waste of money.  If you’re after world class optics in a small, lightweight and weather resistant chassis, check this binocular out! It will delight its owners with years of peerless optical and mechanical performance.

Very highly favoured!

Neil English’s new book, Choosing and Using Binoculars: A Guide for Stargazers, Birders and Outdoor Enthusiasts, is now available for purchase.

De Fideli.

A Work Commenced December 27 2022

 

 

Product: Nikon Aculon A211 7 x 35

Country of Manufacture: China

Exit Pupil: 5.00mm

Eye relief: 11.8mm

Field of View: 164m@1000m(9.3 angular degrees)

Coatings: Multilayer coated

Close Focus: 5m advertised, 2.35m measured

ED Glass: No

Waterproof: No

Nitrogen Purged: No

Tripod Mountable: Yes

Accessories: logoed padded neck strap, plastic rain guard and objective covers, soft padded carry case, instruction manual, warranty card

Dimensions: 11.9 x  18.5cm

Weight: 686g advertised, 684g measured

Warranty: 10 years

Price UK: £104

 

 

While it is generally true that you get what you pay for, it’s also true that you can pick up very decent optics for not a lot of money. I was very much reminded of this when I test drove the Nikon Aculon A211 7 x 35. This is yet another cost-effective Porro prism binocular from Nikon having a good black rubber armouring, twist-up eye cups and a large central focus wheel. Though it’s not quite as well armoured as Nikon’s more expensive and waterproof Action EX 7 x 35, it is considerably lighter, tipping the scales at just 684g. Indeed, I had no trouble carrying it round my neck for several hours while completing a 10km trek near my home.

 

The instrument is multicoated ensuring a high light transmission. Indeed, according to tests carried out by allbinos.com, light transmission is close to 80 per cent. Right out of the box, this little Aculon impressed. I had a wee bit of trouble adjusting the dioptre setting as the ring under the right ocular was quite stiff but it eventually yielded. The image is bright and sharp within its sweet spot, which  covers the inner 50-60 per cent of the field depending on your degree of accommodation. Contrast is very good too. But what’s most impressive is its huge field of view: 9.3 angular degrees. That’s ideal for surveying landscapes. Eye relief is tight though: that wasn’t a problem for me as I don’t wear glasses while looking through binoculars, but when I did try to engage the view with eye glasses on, I could not see the entire field.

I found that the Aculon had a small amount of glare when the eye cups were fully extended upwards but I was really surprised to discover that I could comfortably access the entire field of view without glasses when they were fully retracted! This will obviously reduce the wear on the eyecups, so extending their functional longevity. But it also had the effect of removing much of the glare I encountered in the open air.

The focus wheel is silky smooth and easy to turn with no backlash or free play. Indeed it felt considerably better than the Action EX 7x 35 I reviewed some time ago. Moreover, of all the different brands of binoculars I’ve tested over the years, Nikon focus wheels have been consistently excellent. The ease with which I could move the focus wheel made this binocular a very enjoyable birding binocular. Indeed, I spent some time watching flocks of Long Tailed Tits flit from tree to tree across the valley. Their mode of flight – in fits and starts – reminded me very much of the way Wagtails navigate during the warmer months of the year. It was so easy to keep up with them, even as they moved off into the distance. The impressive depth of field meant refocusing was an infrequent affair. And that’s got to be a good thing for any birder.

I was impressed by its close focus distance – less than half of the 5m advertised value. The enhanced 3D views through the Nikon Aculon A211 were very memorable, especially when scanning for signs of life inside a densely forested patch near my home. The field curvature actually helps keep closer objects at the bottom part of the field tightly in focus, creating a heightened sense of spatial awareness. This little 7x 35 was a much better fit in my hands than the larger 8 x 42 Aculon I tested prior to acquiring this smaller instrument. Does it have any flaws? Yes. When I turned the binocular on a bright streetlamp after dark I picked up significant internal reflections. It was the same when I glassed a bright, waning gibbous Moon. Bothersome? Yes, a little, but didn’t really detract from the nice, relaxed views I enjoyed during the day. And while the internal reflections detract somewhat from the aesthetic of Moon watching, it’s quite an impressive stargazing binocular. By studying the image of the bright, first magnitude star Rigel, I could see that field curvature and coma are strongly apparent near the field stops but to be honest, there is plenty enough field to thoroughly enjoy the view. Lateral colour was also strong at the edge of the field but nowhere near as bad as what I saw testing the larger 8 x 42 Aculon A211.

I spent 30 minutes enjoying the glories of the Winter sky on Christmas Day. Orion looked magnificent riding high on the meridian, sweeping east into Monoceros where the binocular easily showed the somewhat overlapping NGC 237 and NGC 2244 and even the 8^th magnitude M50 to the south was faintly discerned. I also enjoyed sweeping up the three Messier open clusters high overhead in Auriga. The large, expansive field of the little Nikon Aculon 7x 35 made light work of framing all of them inside the same field. I also spent some time in a zero gravity chair sweeping through the wonders of Perseus, Cassiopeia and Cygnus, now sinking low into the northwest sky.

For a binocular that you can acquire for about £100 or less, it’s probably a best buy in my opinion. It does lots of activities well and is great fun to use. If you’re on a tight budget and want decent optical performance in a portable package, go check them out. Indeed, as a firm Porro prism binocular fan, this is such a good bargain that I decided to prepare another ‘Sacrophagus’ for the Nikon Aculon A211 7 x 35; a simple water tight Tupperware container with lots of activated silica gel desiccant inside. This will also render them fog proof, as my tests on higher-end Nikon Porros have shown

Recommended!

 

Dr Neil English is busy writing a book dedicated to binoculars. Choosing & Using Binoculars: A Guide for Stargazers, Birders and Outdoor Enthusiasts, which will hit the shelves in late 2023.

 

De Fideli.

A Work Commenced September 8 2021

Preamble 1

Preamble 2

Preamble 3

Preamble 4

Product: Nikon Monarch HG 8 x 30

Country of Manufacture: Japan

Field of View: 145m@1000m (8.3 angular degrees)

Eye Relief:16.2mm

Close Focus: 2m advertised, 1.81m measured

Exit Pupil: 3.75mm

Chassis: Textured rubber armoured Magnesium alloy

Field Flattening Optics: Yes

ED Glass: Yes

Light Transmission: 92%

Coatings: Fully broadband multi-coated, dielectrically coated  and phase corrected Schmidt Pechan  prisms, hydrophobic and scratch resistant coatings on outer lenses.

Dioptre: Lockable +/- 4 dioptres

Waterproof: Yes 10 mins at 5m depth

Dry Nitrogen Purged: Yes

Weight: 450g

Tripod Attachable: Yes

Dimensions(L/W): 11.9/ 12.6cm

Warranty: 10 years

Accessories: high quality clamshell case (zip closed), high quality logoed padded neck strap, rubber ocular and objective lens caps(2 types supplied), warranty card, instruction manual.

Price: £780- £825(UK)/ $950(US)

The Japanese camera giant, Nikon, also manufacture an extensive range of binoculars and spotting ‘scopes for the growing sports optics market. Much of their less expensive models have now been transferred to China but they still manufacture their best gear in Japan. In this blog, I’ll be providing a comprehensive review of one of Nikon’s top tier binoculars – the Monarch HG – and in particular the 8 x 30 compact model. The binocular was purchased(£840) with my own cash and I have no association with any optics company, so what you’ll get here is a completely impartial opinion on its properties.

Packaging & Ergonomics

The Nikon Monarch HG 8 x 30 arrived in a rather plain looking brown box. Inside, the binocular was nicely housed inside a really high quality zipper-closed clamshell case. Everything was packed away nicely and I was surprised to see that Nikon included two different kinds of objective covers. The first has caps that can be firmly pressed into the objective. The other option is to go without them. In this case, Nikon provide the user with simple rubber covers that protect the ends of the barrels but do not include the tethered ends. Since I’m no fan of tethered caps, I elected to replace them with the sleek rubber covers.

The binocular itself is very nicely finished in a leather-like textured rubber that is quite reminiscent of the BL offerings from Leica. The strong Magnesium alloy body provides light weight(just 450g) but enough mechanical strength to meet the tough demands of outdoor work, yet I was left feeling that the armouring was a bit too meagre compared with the thicker rubber offerings found on the very popular Monarch 7 line. I began to wonder just how durable this covering would be going forward, especially while negotiating thick brush and brambles. Personally I would have sacrificed some of the obvious aesthetic appeal of this armouring in favour of something a little bit more practical and bulky.

The right eye dioptre is very nicely engineered. To adjust it, simply push it up, rotate to the desired position and push it back down to lock it. Unlike less expensive models which possess a similar kind of lockable dioptre, Nikon’s solution is very firm. And unlike what some of the reviewers above have mentioned, I never experienced a situation where it popped up by accident.

The focus wheel is a work of art. Taking just over one revolution to go from one end of its travel to the other, it is silky smooth and completely backlash free, enabling one to easily use just a single finger to execute precise focus. Neat!

While there are no thumb indents on the underside of the binocular, I found I never really desired them. The longish barrels are easy to get my medium sized hands around and the instrument feels solid and stable to man handle. The stiff, single bridge design works perfectly well with a binocular of this size too, and I was able to engage with it using one hand without any difficulty, thanks to the fairly long barrels. Having said that, I’m not a fan of glassing this way, as two hands are always more stable than one!

The eye cups are properly machined metal, with a soft rubber overcoat. They have three positions and lock firmly in place. That said, I have seen similar quality eyecups on much more economically priced binoculars, such that I didn’t consider those of the Monarch HG to be exceptional in any particular way. For example, I felt they were similar in quality to the Celestron Trailseeker  8 x 32 I reviewed some time ago. With an eye relief of 16.2mm, I could image the entire field without glasses, but couldn’t see all the way to the field stops with my eye glasses on, and with the cups fully retracted.

Optical Evaluation: 

Collimation was spot on, as judged by examining the images of a far distant vista in both barrels. Inspecting the exit pupils, I was less than impressed with the amount of light around the eye box of each ocular, as seen in the images shown below.  I expected a little better attention to these details in a binocular marketed as ‘premium.’ For further commentary on this, see the remarks made by the reviewer in Preamble 3 above.

Performing my simple iphone torch test, I directed an intense beam of white light into the binocular and examined the image. I was disappointed to see a fairly pronounced diffraction spike although internal reflections were very well controlled, with no sign of diffused light around the light source. The same spike was present when I turned the binocular on a bright sodium street light after dark. My control binocular – the Barr & Stroud Series 5 ED 8 x 42 – in comparison, showed no diffraction spikes and even better control of internal reflections.

Right from the get go, I was extremely impressed with the brightness and sharpness of the image of the Monarch HG 8 x 30 in bright sunlight and its enormous field of view ( 8.3 degrees checked on the stars). The image sparkled with high resolution details on everything from flowers, tree trunks and distant hills. The image was unusually immersive. Indeed, comparing it to my Series 5 8 x 42 ED, which exhibits a similar true field size(8.1 degrees), I came away with the distinct impression that the HG was delivering a slightly higher magnification than it really was. I have no explanation for this rather wonderful optical illusion but I witnessed it on too many occasions to discount it as not entirely illusory! The image remained impressively sharp across the vast majority of the field thanks to the built-in field flattening technology, with only a minor amount of distortion seen at the field edge. Looking through many layers of fresh mature Sycamore leaves under a forest canopy against a bright overcast sky, revealed virtually no chromatic aberration. Only at the extreme edges of the huge field of the HG did I detect a trace. Depth of focus was very good in the Nikon Monarch HG 8 x 30 but not quite as good as my Leica Ultravid 8 x 20.

Glare was exceptionally well controlled on this unit – better than my control Series 5 binocular in this regard – and that was also the case for veiling glare. This is best tested by looking at some under growth with the Sun immediately above it. Here too, the Monarch HG 8 x 30 bested my Series 5 control – but it wasn’t like a night and day difference.

But despite scoring very high marks optically in many departments, the little Monarch HG 8 x 30 was not without its issues. The most immediate problem I encountered was blackouts, that is, spherical aberration of the exit pupils. I found it very annoying. Indeed, it was not only present while panning with the binocular but it also showed up quite often as I moved my eye around the enormous field while glassing a fixed target. And while one can learn to minimise these blackouts by paying more attention to proper eye placement, I could never really ‘make it go away,’ as it were. Furthermore, the effect was noted by my wife, as well as by several of my students. Looking through my notes on the Leica Trinovid HD 8 x 32, I also recorded some blackouts but they were few and far between in comparison to this Nikon binocular. Nor was this entirely caused by the small exit pupil (3.75mm), as my little Leica Ultravid 8 x 20, with its smaller exit pupil of 2.5mm, is virtually devoid of this problem. I concluded that these pronounced blackouts must have something to do with the special, wide-angle eyepiece design of the Monarch HG. Indeed, the same blackouts were also mentioned by the reviewer in Preamble 4 above using a 10 x 42 Nikon Monarch HG. In addition, I never encountered these blackouts through a Nikon Prostaff 7s 8 x 30, which, despite its identical  magnification, objective diameter and exit pupil size to the HG, has a simpler eyepiece design and smaller field of view.

Less serious was the observed rolling ball effect I noted for the first time in my binocular testing career, a consequence of artificially flattening the field. It was quite apparent while panning the edge of a forest at a distance, and gave me somewhat of a queasy feeling. That said, I’m confident I could unlearn this effect with more sustained use.

Further Notes from the Field

Close focus of the Nikon Monarch HG 8 x 30 is very good. While advertised at 2m, I measured a significantly closer focus of 1.81m. The vast majority of targets from 20 feet away all the way out to infinity snap to focus merely by moving the focus wheel through about one quarter of a turn of the wheel. Because the focuser is so soft and smooth, I found this activity to be particularly enjoyable. It really is quite impressive!

The image through the HG is impressively bright, with good enough transmission to allow one to continue to glass well into twilight, but ultimately proving inferior to a decent 8 x 42 in similar low light conditions. Nikon claims a light transmission of 92 per cent, but two spectrophotometric measures on the 8 x 30 and 10 x 42  show slightly lower values of 90.1% and 88.3%, respectively. That said, the light curves look almost identical and show a nice, flat profile over the most important visual wavelengths, peaking in the red.

Astronomical Tests

The 8 x 30 format is about the minimum aperture required to really enjoy the night sky. Smaller binos are all well and good for the Moon and some of the brightest deep sky objects, but you go a whole lot deeper moving from 20-25mm up to 30mm. The Moon looks very sharp, bright and colour free through the Nikon Monarch HG 8 x 30, but I did notice a trace of the 4 diffraction spikes emanating from the Moon during waning gibbous under good, transparent conditions.

Testing on a rich star field like the Alpha Persei Association afforded a good opportunity to test for field flatness/curvature. Canvassing the help of a former student of mine and keen amateur astronomer, we noted that the field is not perfectly flat to the field stops in the Nikon Monarch HG. Stars remained very tight out to about 75 per cent of the field, with distortion increasing rapidly in the last 25 per cent of the field. That said, in most situations, the stars remained acceptably sharp over the entire field, so should be an enjoyable companion under the starry heaven.

Moving a last quarter Moon from the centre to the edge of the field of the HG did reveal a small but significant darkening of the maria which provides strong visual evidence for a drop off in illumination in the outer 20 per cent of the field. I found it very difficult to discern these changes during tests conducted in broad daylight.

Conclusions

For some folk, the Nikon Monarch HG might well be a birder’s dream binocular, with its very sharp, contrast-rich and extremely wide and flat field of view. For me though, I feel the blackouts are a major issue which would make me somewhat leery of paying the relatively steep retail price for these binoculars. This concern isn’t just confined to the Nikon Monarch HG though, as another reviewer mentioned how the same phenomenon completely put off his daughter while testing the Zeiss Victory SF 10 x 32, so any potential buyers will be strongly advised to try them out before buying. I find it a little alarming that some of the reviewers presented at the beginning of this blog never even mentioned this effect! What’s more, the small size of the Nikon Monarch HG 8 x 30 may not suit those who have large hands. In addition, the rolling ball effect, while mild in this binocular, may deter others in favour of models that do not have field flattening technology. In the end, the decision lies with you!

Thanks for Reading!

Dr Neil English is the author of Chronicling the Golden Age of Astronomy, celebrating four centuries of visual telescopic astronomy.

De Fideli.