comparing binoculars?

Q from Michael: I'm debating between three higher end binoculars to purchase. They will be used for nature observing, birding and general outdoor use. I DO wear eyeglasses

and my PD is 57 1/2mm.

Im looking at either the Meopta Meostar B1 10 x 42, or the Zeiss Conquest B

T* 10 x 40, or Pentax DCF ED 10 x 43.
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A: Both of these binoculars are great at their price, but I'd have no problem pointing you in the directon of the Meopta or Pentax ED as far as overall quality at price point. The Zeiss Conquest is a great binocular in the under $700 price range, but I wouldn't put it in the same class as the Meopta and Pentax.

It's hard to say what would feel better in your hands. The Meopta is a bit less bulky than the Pentax, but you may like the thumb grooves and feel of the Pentax.

Swarovski SnapShot Adapter

From Annabeth:

Q: Can the Swarovski S1-8 Snap Shot Adapter be used on other brand binoculars? I have a Leupold 8x32.

A: Thanks for the inquiry. Unfortunately, no, the Snap Shot Adapters from Swarovski are custom designed to fit their binoculars. Due to the different eyecup design of Leopold's binoculars, the Swarovski adapter will not fit.

compact binocular questions

From Julia:

Q: I am in the market for a pair of compact binoculars. I do not use glasses. My sister has a pair of Minox BV10X25 BRW. I have to hold her binoculars away from my eyes in order to have the lenses at the proper distance. Instead of being up in the eye socket like my Leitz 10X40's are, the compact binocs are barely touching my eyebrows.

Is this a question of eye relief? If so, what value of eye relief do I need in order to have the eye cups on the compact binocs closer to my eyes. I find the compacts difficult to use if they do not rest in my eye sockets. Light comes in from the side, and it is difficult to hold them at the right distance.

A: It sounds like the problem you are experiencing has to do with correct use of the binocular eyecups. Without eyeglasses on, you want to be sure the eyecups on the binoculars are fully extended, which will allow you to put the binoculars against your face without getting the lenses too close to your eyes.

With the eye-cups fully extended on any binocular, they should prevent your eyes from getting too close to the lenses, regardless of the stated eye relief. A binocular's eye relief is going to be more significant for people who do wear eyeglasses. Eyeglass wearers will want at least 15mm of eye relief.

binocular harnesses

Q from Charles:
Hi. I am looking at the possibility of getting a Binocular Harness. My binoculars have only a small slit for the strap attachment. Is there some sort of strap attachment which will feed through the strap attachment points and then allow the large spring fastener on the harness to hook onto this attachment point? If so, does it come with the harness, or can it be bought seperately?

Please straighten me out.

A: Good question, Charles.

The Eagle Optics, Vortex, and ABA harnesses all attach via a zip tie and metal O-ring. You will then clip the harness onto the metal O-ring. These harnesses will fit virtually any piece of equipment with two strap attachments.

IPD measurement for Pentax 10x50 SP

Q, from Henry: My wife has just started having fun birding with friends that reccommend your store, and one of them uses audubon binoculars that she likes and fit my wife who tried them and likes the click-adjust eyecups and the eyepieces go close enough together for her narrow eyes and the 10 power is good and the 42mm is enough to give more color to birds than the 10x25 cheapy minoltas I got here because they are narrow enough for her eyes. A little searching found me the very intriguing Pentax DCF SP 10 x 50, which offer excellent eye relief and power and clickable eyepieces and sound nice, except they say only 2.3-2.5 eyepiece closeness, Just measured my wife at 2.25 eyepiece centers, could you measure them and verify, or recommend something? thanks so far!


A: Henry, the IPD for the 10x50 SP is minimum 61mm and a maximum of 73mm.

IPD is measured in millimeters, but translated to inches, you're looking at around 2.4 inches minimum, 2.8 inches maximum.

You could look at something like the Eagle Optics Ranger 10x50 or Vortex Viper 10x50, both of which will have a minimum of 58mm, and will have a better chance of working against her IPD of 57mm. Thanks and good luck!

Pentax HRc vs. Nikon Monarch

Q: From Bill: I ordered binoculars from Eagle Optics a few years ago, and was very pleased with the service and the Swift Ultralites I received. Unfortunately, the Swifts were broken recently, and I need to buy a new pair. I am a few hours drive from a store where I could try out a decent selection, so I was wondering if someone could email me back with an opinion. I am interested in the Pentax 8 x 42 HRc, the Nikon 8 x 42 Monarch ATB and some other roof prisms in that price and performance range. Is there a model that is sharper? Is the wider field of view on the Pentax worth more than say the Nikon's handling? A: As far as overall quality goes, I would recommend the Nikon Monarch over that particular Pentax. The Monarch is sharper and brighter, and has a nicer build quality overall. You could compare the Monarch well with the Eagle Optics Ranger if you're looking for another option. The Ranger will have a more comprehensive warranty coverage than the Monarch.

Minox BV 8x25 BRW vs. Vortex Vanquish

From Jay in Ohio:

Q: Between these do you have a recommendation?
Minox BV 8X25 BRW binocular or Vortex Vanquish 8X26 binocular.

Any other options in a waterproof compact that I should consider?

A: Jay: This is a good comparison. They're pretty comparable as far as having good
eye relief and being lightweight.

The Vortex is a bit heavier, and will feel different in your hands because of its shape.

Other than that, they will be very similar optically.

The only other main difference is that the warranty on the Vortex is far more comprehensive.

The Minox will be covered for 30 years of coverage for manufacturing defects, and will go to Minox if you have any problem.

The Vortex will come to Eagle Optics for any service, and for the lifetime, it is covered against anything except theft and loss, for free. We will fix or replace it for no cost.

Atlas Optics Radian IPD

Q: Can you tell me the maximum and minimum interpupillary distance for the Atlas Optics Radian 8x42 Binocular?

A: Thanks for your question. The Radian's minimum IPD is 55mm and its maximum is 73mm.