Poll: Binoculars Style

[ZRS-8x42]

It's not a scientific poll as I haven't talked to my statistician yet. If you have multiple pairs of binoculars, please pick one of your most favorite.

[Ray]

How about describing the techno part 

I don't know the difference between Porro, Reverse Porro, Roof, Open Hinge. Do you happen to have any pictures for the low brow folks like me?

[ZRS-8x42]

How about describing the techno part 

I don't know the difference between Porro, Reverse Porro, Roof, Open Hinge. Do you happen to have any pictures for the low brow folks like me?

Sorry, I should have explained before starting the poll.

Porro and Roof refer to two different prism systems that erect the image in the binoculars so you can see the object upside up, instead of upside down like astronomer telescope.  The prisms also serve to fold the optical path so we can make the binoculars more compact.

Porro binoculars has its distinctive Z-shape. Our Neptune giant binoculars are Porro type. http://www.zen-ray.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_76&products_id=210


Reverse Porro reverses the shape of traditional Porro binoculars with Objective lens closer than eyepiece. This is seen on compact binoculars.


Roofprism binoculars are more streamlined in design. Zen-Ray VISTA and Nikon Monarch both belong to this category. Typically, if the objective lens is larger than 40mm, it is called fullsize. Below it, it will be either compact or medium size.

The open hinge binoculars is different roofprism style. Swarovski EL is one example. Here is one picture of an open hinge design

[columbiaman]

The open hinge binoculars is different roofprism style. Swarovski EL is one example. Here is one picture of an open hinge design

This one looks great! Will I look more like a birder than a hunter with this? 

[columbiaman]

I like my Nikon Monarch and Zen-Ray VISTA. Both should fall into the fullsize roofprism. They are both nicely balanced in light weight, ruggedness, and brightness.  I would like to get a compact pocket binocs in the future so I can take it wherever I go.

[BIGBULLBALLS]

Swarovski SLC 10x42 roofprism.  The best glass on the market, second only to the EL.  IMO

[Charlie]

Bausch & Lomb Elite 10x42 roof prism.

[MountainWalk]

Swaro SLC's, whatever they are.

[270Shooter]

I use Ziess 8x30 conquests.

[ZRS-8x42]

wow.. 34% voted for open hinge design. We will be coming out with ZEN with ED glass next month. It has 65 degree AFOV, which delivers 426 ft field of view at 1000 yards for an 8x model.  More details can be found here http://www.zen-ray.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=240

We are also running a special promotion for forum members here.

[270Shooter]

Hey ZRS-8x42,

Are you guys going to be making a spotting scope with ED glass?

[ZRS-8x42]

Hey ZRS-8x42,

Are you guys going to be making a spotting scope with ED glass?

Short answer is "Yes". But it might take a while! We are not too happy with the prototype ED spotting scopes the engineers come up with. Optically, they are excellent. But it is little too heavy. So tweaking those details will take some time.  From my own experience, ED glass in binoculars provide more benefit than the one in spotting scope.  Scopes typically have long focal length that are excellent for color aberration.  Adding an ED glass will see some improvement on color fidelity, but not as much as on the short focal length binoculars.

[270Shooter]

Thats cool. So if you had a choice would you get a scope with ED glass or not? Is it worth it?

[ZRS-8x42]

I have seen some spotting scopes on the market with two models in one series: one with ED and one without ED. In those cases, there is no major optical system change between those two models other than changing out objective lens with ED glass.  I would not spend more on ED version on those scopes because the benefit is minimal. 

However, there are some excellent ED scopes that have superior optical design.  What you get is not only the color fidelity, but also the overall image quality and resolution.  My favorite is Kowa TSN-770.  They are more expensive too.  This is the type of ED scopes I would spend my money on and also it is the type we are working to make them more affordable.

[Steve C]

Charles,

Interesting comment about focal length and ED glass.  I had it pretty much in my head that the lower magnification of the typical hand held binocular received less benefit from ED glass than the higher power of the more typical spotting scope.  In other words, what I had always heard was that the ED glass benefit occurred with increase in magnification.  I wonder if you could comment a little further there?  I'm much more of a binocular guy and prefer a relatively higher power binocular on a tripod when I want to look long.  Less strain on my eyes and I can see better with a 12x+ tripod mounted binocular than I can from 25x spotting scope.

As to the poll, I have and use all of the types, so there is no good answer for me.  However I have come to really like the full size roof prism with open bridge, like the ZEN ED (and others) and have always liked mid sized porros like the Yosemite.  I have a wish for a dream roof prism binocular in 7x35, with ED glass and about an 8.5* fov.  I have a Swift Eaglet 7x36 which is really close to the ideal, but not quite.