EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
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package arrived last night
Vixen Foresta 7x50 porro (they also make a Foresta roof)
I first saw this binocular at NEAF when Daniel Mounsey walked me over to introduce me to Mike Fowler from Vixen. Daniel picked up this binocular and said, this is the brighest binocular I've ever seen.
Well now that I have one in hand, I'll run it thru the complete set of tests that all the other small binoculars have been subjected to and I'll include it in my article on 7x50s. It will have some stiff competition from the Nikon Prostar.
I said it before, but I'll say it again, holding this binocular is like hoding a Nikon SE. This Vixen Foresta 7x50 is similar in feel and shape to my Nikon SE 12x50. Considerably smaller in heft than the Nikon Prostar 7x50 and the WO 7x50 ED.
Weighs only 33 ounces (930g.), by far the lightest weight 7x50 I've used. Body is aluminum. It's only 60% of the weight of the WO7x50ED. Most of the other 7x50s I've used weigh over 50 ounces (1.4kg.). The Captain's Helmsman is much larger, but is the closest next lowest weight 7x50 at 41 ounces (1160g.).
Loupe/scale measured aperture shows between 48-49mm. Caliper measured exit pupil at 6.9mm confirms very close actual to specified. So, I'd say very close to 7x49. No internal baffles infringing on light path.
Standard specified AFOV of 50°, similar to all the other 7x50s in this test.
Has long eye relief. needed to twist eyecups out one click for best placement and still see the entire fov while wearing my eyeglasses.
triplet Objectives - we'll see what correction they provide in future testing.
It's waterproof, fog-proof, nitrogen-purged, and has a very tactile rubber coating. FMC. $269.
we'll find out much more about it in coming weeks.
First impression - very nice.
edz
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 12901
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Sounds promising Ed .
Does one detect a slight increase in appreciation of what the humble 7 x 50 can offer ? :-)
Kenny
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If everyone is thinking the same thing , no-one is thinking - General George S.Patton
Zeiss 7 x 42 BGAT
Captain's Helmsman 7 x 50
Nikon 10 x 42 Superior E
Swift Audubon Kestrel 10 x 50
Helios 15 x 70 Observation
Strathspey 20 x 90
Televue 76 APO
Zeiss 85 Diascope
Helios 102 f5 refractor
Various eyepieces barlows tripods mounts etc.
Panasonic Lumix DMC - TZ5 digital camera
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Rick
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FWIW, I see nothing in the Vixen Japanese website/brochure that indicates it is a triplet. It does say it is "fully multicoated" which on Vixen's coating scale is a notch below their PFM "perfect fully multicoated" available on the 2-3 remaining bins in their ULTIMA line. Basically means the prisms are not multicoated.
TFOV is listed as 7.1° (124m@1000m) with an AFOV of 49.7°. Eyerelief is 20mm with close focus of 6m. "Waterproof" but no indication to what JIS standard. No indication of being Nitrogen purged unless it is written on the prism housing?
I would be interested to know if your sample has perfectly round exit pupils. That has been an issue for many of the small Vixen porros I have seen.
clear skies,
Rick
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www.japanastro.com
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
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I obtained my info from the Vixen Japan website and from OPT a Vixen dealer in CA.
I tested the objective with a green laser pointer. It does indeed appear to be a triplet.
the prism surface facing the objective end is multicoated. I doubt they would multicoat one prism and not the other.
The exit pupils are perfectly round. There is one very slight edge of prism seen when looking down into the barrel. It is imperceptible in the exit pupil.
edz
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Rick
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Vixen Japan has recently done a pretty good job of translating most their Japanese site into English. You can see the Foresta Porro page here and their glossary for specs including coating technology here.
Rick
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www.japanastro.com
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
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Quote:
Sounds promising Ed .
Does one detect a slight increase in appreciation of what the humble 7 x 50 can offer ? :-)
Kenny
Yes it does.
Every good binocular needs to be judged on its own merit.
edz
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Patrik Iver
sage
Reged: 07/29/03
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Loc: Kaarina, Finland
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Quote:
It's waterproof, fog-proof, nitrogen-purged, and has a very tactile rubber coating. FMC. $269.
Checked out the Vixen-Europe website. The European price of the binoculars is given as EUR 349,-. Corresponds to $543, which is more than twice the Americal price... Including 16 % sales tax, but still...
Generally prices for Vixen equipment have been "reasonable" in Europe compared to prices of many other brands. Apparently no more...
I did not mean to hijack the thread, but I just had to tell you guys on the west side of the Atlantic how lucky you are when it comes to product availability for reasonable prices...
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Best regards,
Patrik Iver
60°N, 22°E
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Rick
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I had a chance to look through these today at the Tokyo Bird Festival. They seem to have pretty nice optics. Don't care for the cosmetics but they are VERY lightweight and easy to hold. Very different design from the old Foresta porro I had. I wanted to ask the reps more about them but the wife was pressuring me to feed her.
clear skies,
Rick
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www.japanastro.com
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
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tested aperture with laser this morning. maximum aperture is 48mm. Light beam is perfectly centered and perfectly balanced, a very good sign. Has a very narrow range (~5%) across the center of the objective that transmits 100% of the entire 5° wide beam. The average of the best binoculars have an area ranging from 20-30% wide across the center of the objective that transmits the entire 5° wide beam.
edz
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Wes James
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EdZ-
Could you describe in further depth the laser test you're describing above?
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Wes
Atlantic Beach, FL
Some bino’s from Miyauchi 5x32 Binon's up through Garrett 20x110 Signature's,
Some telescopes from a Stellarvue 80mm NHNG up through a couple of 8” reflectors…
And a wonderful 4.25" Delmarva Shiefspiegler!
Some good friends, made here on C/N.
Oh- several cats and a wonderful wife!
Anyone want a cat???? :-O
"When your work speaks for itself- Don't Interrupt" -Gamble Rogers
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
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It's completely described in the Small binocular posts - Aperture. It takes too much effort to describe it again.
edz
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RichD
professor emeritus
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"I did not mean to hijack the thread, but I just had to tell you guys on the west side of the Atlantic how lucky you are when it comes to product availability for reasonable prices... "
You guys in the States do indeed have great choice and prices over there.Here in the UK we seem to pay on average around 75-100% more for the same item.
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Clear skies
Rich
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
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Quote:
It's completely described in the Small binocular posts - Aperture. It takes too much effort to describe it again.
edz
here's a link. Perhaps you will remember this discussion from before.
Small binoculars - Exit Pupil & Aperture
also discussed in these tests
GO Gemini 20x80 and Oberwerk 25x100 ?Aperture?
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Wes James
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Thanks for the links, EdZ- I appreciate it. There is so much information there that sometimes I forget- or can't find it. I have been trying to just peruse through there frequently when I have some spare time so I can keep familar with what's in there.
Wes
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Ragaisis
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I'll be interested in seeing the final report. I'm ready to drop a little cash (up to $500) in order to upgrade my old Celestron 10x50 Outland LX porros. I'm looking for the ability to hand hold the glasses (the Celestron's don't work that well in that department for me), have a decently wide field, center focus, and be waterproof and fairly rugged. Oh, and better optics than the Celestron would be a bonus. 
I'd pretty much convinced myself to go for the Vortex Viper 8x42. It seems to fit all my criteria. And along comes the Vixen Foresta 7x50 and it sounds good...and less expensive.
I'll eagerly wait for your report, EdZ.
Chris
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Televue TV85 APO on a Half-Hitch alt-az mount
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
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Checked field sharpness. Aprox measures - 60 arcsec seen out to 75% of field, about 120 arcsec total aberration at 100%. About equal with the Oberwerk Mariner. Better than all the other 7x50s except for the Prostar (which is on the order of 4x-5x better).
At 70% out about half to 2/3rds of aberration is curvature. At 100% about half to 40% is curvature. At edge seems like mostly astigmatism, but compared to all others is well controlled. Overall, I'd say field sharpness rates very well.
Checked resolution. Normal resolution = 11.5 arcseconds line pairs. that's 80 arcseconds apparent res. Excellent, equal with the few better results obtained, puts it into the top ten. Equalled the Prostar. the WO7x50 exceeded that resolution. Boosted 6x resolution also very good, 4.8 arcsec, in the top 12 best.
Rechecked light beam transfer. Very well balanced, no tilt. However, shows the least area of 100% full beam of all 7x50s tested. Out of 15 different 8x40/42s and 7x50s, 10 show a wider area of the objective lens that projects a full 100% beam into the exit pupil. The Fujinon BFL 8x42 shows a full 100% of a 5° beam transfered into the exit pupil from every position anywhere with the center 50% diameter of the objective lens. The Prostar shows the full beam from the center 30% of diameter. The average of all binoculars is 20%. Half of all the roofs show 0% to 10%. The Foresta shows only 5%.
Almost fast focus from 30m to 100m, with 75° of focus dial turn. Very slow focus from 30m to 4m, almost 1 complete dial turn.
edz
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Wes James
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Quote:
Rechecked light beam transfer. Very well balanced, no tilt. However, shows the least area of 100% full beam of all 7x50s tested. Out of 15 different..., 10 show a wider area of the objective lens that projects a full 100% beam into the exit pupil. The Fujinon BFL 8x42 shows a full 100% beam transfered into the exit pupil from every position anywhere with the center 50% diameter of the objective lens. The Prostar shows a full beam from 30% of the center diameter. The average of all binoculars is 20%. Half of all the roofs show 0% to 10%. The Foresta shows only 5%.
EdZ-
This is a confusing test (to me, at least). Can you amplify on what you're saying- or explain in different terms? It sounds like you're saying that up to 50% of the area of the objective is about the maximum of any bino's that transfer 100% of their light through to the exit pupil- all the way down to 0 to 5%? How can that be?
Wes
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
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Once again, I would encourage you to read all the previous explanations of these tests. Frankly, it gets complicated to try and explain this stuff over and over, which is why I have documented all this stuff elsewhere in this forum. Sorry that you may not have been present for the weeks of lengthy discussions, but it's all out there for the reading. I've been posting these test results for several years and there were months of discussions in hundreds of posts. It simply takes way to much time to get involved with all that time and time again. This is all documented under the vignette tests, and has been refined several times along the way.
Read illumination of the exit pupil in Small Binoc Series tests.
Small Binoculars - Illumination of the Exit Pupil
To quickly answer your one burning question here, as an example, some binoculars have so much vignette that perhaps only 20% of the light entering at the outer reaches (edges) of the objective lens reaches the exit pupil. Just because a binocular has a nominal size of 20x80 and shows an exit pupil of 4mm doesn't mean that the 4mm exit pupil is evenly illuminated. It will always be brighter towards the center and dimmer towards the edges. Some binoculars show a drop off of two full magnitudes from center to edge.
edz
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
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Quote:
Checked field sharpness. Aprox measures - 60 arcsec seen out to 75% of field, about 120 arcsec total aberration at 100%. About equal with the Oberwerk Mariner. Better than all the other 7x50s except for the Prostar (which is on the order of 4x-5x better).
At 70% out about half to 2/3rds of aberration is curvature. At 100% about half to 40% is curvature. At edge seems like mostly astigmatism, but compared to all others is well controlled. Overall, I'd say field sharpness rates very well.
Hmmm, checked field sharpness again last night. this time with specific placement measures.
Actual TFOV was measured at 7.1°, equals specified fov.
Has 60 arcseconds of total distortion between 65%-70% out from center. Has about 100 arcseconds distortions at about 90% out and no more than 120 arcsec at 100% out. At 50% out distortion is negligable. I'd estimate it at 10-15 arcseconds.
So within the central 50-55%%, the correction is excellent. At 65% out it begins to approach the average correction of most other good-better binoculars, but not the best. By 80-90% out it is average.
The amount of curvature measured at 70% out was half of the total distortion. So curvature is responsible for approx 30 out of 60 arcseconds distortion at 70% out. By 90% out most of the distortion was caused by other than curvature, seems like mostly astigmatism, and could not be focused out.
Net sharp fov for detail (to 1 arcmin distortion) is 5.0°. Net usable fov could be considered wider for scanning, perhaps 6.0°.
edz
edz
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
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Had the 7x50 Vixen out last night for some viewing. So I compared them to a few other binoculars.
Vixen Foresta 7x50
Nikon Prostar 7x50
Oberwerk Mariner 7x50
Fujinon FMT-SX 10x50
Sky was about mag 5.1/5.2. I could easily see the mag 5.05 star in Sagitta
On the star cluster field IC4665, including the vertical 5-6 star string to the west
Vixen saw 20 stars
Nikon saw 20 stars
Ober saw 19 stars
Fuji saw 23 stars
On M71, a very faint globular cluster in Sagitta
Vixen very difficult averted
Nikon just seen directly
Oberwerk not seen
Fuji seen direct easily
On NGC 6934, a faint globular south of Delphinus
Vixen saw averted
Nikon saw averted
Ober saw averted just barely
Fuji saw direct
on Cr399, the Coathanger, testing limiting magnitude
Vixen several at 9.1, suspected 9.3, could not see 9.2
Nikon several 9.1, saw 9.1/9.3 pair, glimpsed 9.5
Ober fewer 9.1, could not see 9.3
Fuji all 9.1/9.3/9.5, 9.8/9.9 easy, saw two at 10.0/10.1, suspected 10.3
not quite enough variety in either the cluster for counting, or near the LM range of 9.1 to 9.4.
Earlier while waiting for deeper darkness, I observed the half moon
Vixen, slight false color on axis, CA band gets broader nearer edges, green towards extreme outer fov edge on right (fully lit edge of moon, not terminator edge), red on inner edge of moon (fully lit edge of moon) with moon towards left edge of fov.
Ober very little false color on axis, CA band gets less nearer edges, slight green towards extreme outer fov edge on right, more red on inner edge of moon with moon towards left edge of fov.
Nikon little to no false color on axis, thin yellow band towards extreme outer edge of fov with moon towards right, no CA noticed with moon towards left.
Fuji no false color noticed on axis but same as Vixen near edges of fov.
Towards the end of my evening, I spent some time simply scanning around Cygnus. First time I've observed in a few weeks. Very nice night, got better as the night got late, but by midnight I was just to tired to stick with it. Looked for the North America nebula in the Fuji and Vixen, but could not see it in either one. All in all an enjoyable night.
edz
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ronharper
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/14/06
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Nice report Ed. Even though you were wearing the white lab coat of reason, the excitement comes through. Going deep and hitting the limits, that's the stuff. Makes me wish it would fair off.
Ron
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rookie
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 01/14/06
Posts: 878
Loc: St. Petersburg, FL
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Very nice report. Wish I had those dark skies.
Thanks Ed.
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SV
Scope: Celestron CPC8
Binoculars: Garrett GT80~45, Fujinon 16x70, Regals 10x42, Ultima 9x63, Nikon AE 8x40
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
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forgot to mention that I must have seen at least a dozen satellites pass thru my binoculars last night. Two passed right thru or next to IC4665 while I was trying to do star counts. Totally distracted me and I had to start over, but hey, thought it was pretty neat. Then another one later on passed right along side Cr399 while I was reaching for LM stars. Saw a beautiful meteor also (naked eye), passed right thru Sagitta the Arrow.
edz
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Falcon Birder
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Quote:
No internal baffles infringing on light path.
edz
edz, how do you check the internal baffles infringing? Thank you.
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Zen-Ray SUMMIT 10x42 WP
Swaroski 8.5x42 EL
Leica 8x32 Ultravid
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
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by several different methods that I use to verify aperture. read the lengthy descriptions in the Small Binocular Series on checking aperture.
For starters easist way is look down thru the objective lens. If you can line up the edge of the lens with the edge of the prism, there is no baffle in the way. If you can't line them up, then there is a baffel in the way. Not precise, but very telling.
Checking Aperture
edz
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Falcon Birder
super member
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Thanks Ed. So, if I looked through the exit pupil from ocular side and the circle is not perfectly round (like an edge being cut off), there is an internal baffle, right? I have been to a sports store and checked several identical pairs of binoculars from the same model. Some of them have perfectly round exit pupil, while few of them have the edge being cut off. Is that caused by poor assembly, or prism size too marginal, or combination of both? thanks again
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Zen-Ray SUMMIT 10x42 WP
Swaroski 8.5x42 EL
Leica 8x32 Ultravid
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LateViewer
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/17/05
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Loc: Westchester NY
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Do you guys think that this bino the Foresta 7*50 porro is best at this price point?
I looked at the Nikons and they were way more moeny than the Vixens.
I am in the market to buy before going to Acadia National Park in Aug.
Al
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12.5" Discovery Mirror String Truss Dob
DSV-1 Alt-Az Mount
WO 66mm Petzval
Orion 127mm Mak with WO 2" Dielectric Diagonal
C9.25"
Celestron CG-5 GoTo
8.8, 14, 18, and 24mm Meade UWA Series 5000 EP
32, 40mm Orion Optiluxe EP
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
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When compared to other 7x50s and 8x40s between 229 and 299, I'd put the Vixen Foresta near the top of the list. Optically it is near best in resolution but a step behind in outer filed sharpness. Its light weight ease of use could be the thing that pushes it to the top.
edz
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LateViewer
scholastic sledgehammer
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Well I thought I would break open my piggy bank, and I mean that literally, and find a dealer for the Vixens on my break yesterday in NYC but that was not to be.
There are several dealers but no one had a pair on their shelves.
So much or instant gratification, I ordered a pair from OP and they will be here in a week or so. I will let you know my impressions of them though I fear not nearly as well or as thoroughly as edz here.
Al
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12.5" Discovery Mirror String Truss Dob
DSV-1 Alt-Az Mount
WO 66mm Petzval
Orion 127mm Mak with WO 2" Dielectric Diagonal
C9.25"
Celestron CG-5 GoTo
8.8, 14, 18, and 24mm Meade UWA Series 5000 EP
32, 40mm Orion Optiluxe EP
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James S
member
Reged: 07/10/08
Posts: 57
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Ed, I got a quick question for you. Are these binoculars center-focus or IF?
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
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center focus
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LateViewer
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/17/05
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Loc: Westchester NY
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My Foresta's were waiting for me when I got home last night. It was clouded over so I did not unpack them until this morning.
So far I really like them. The low power was just what the doctor ordered for seeing the hummers on the feeder and other birds around the house.
These are the nicest Bino's I own now. I am taking them to Arcadia National park on Sat and will get back to you all with how they work out.
Al
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12.5" Discovery Mirror String Truss Dob
DSV-1 Alt-Az Mount
WO 66mm Petzval
Orion 127mm Mak with WO 2" Dielectric Diagonal
C9.25"
Celestron CG-5 GoTo
8.8, 14, 18, and 24mm Meade UWA Series 5000 EP
32, 40mm Orion Optiluxe EP
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vincentdsnt
super member
Reged: 03/16/08
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Loc: Ellijay, Ga.
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Excuse me for this question , would the model number on the Binoculars in question be Mod # 14504....? Discribed as Vixen Foresta ZCF.
Thank You
Vincent
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
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Model number is 14504, but they are described as Foresta 7x50 BCF WP
edz
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vincentdsnt
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Thank you Ed.
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Littlegreenman
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Quote:
Model number is 14504, but they are described as Foresta 7x50 BCF WP
edz
Now I'm confused (more than usual !  )
On the Vixen site the 14504 is listed as Model 7x50 ZCF.
And over on the OPT site the 14504 is listed as model 7x50 ZWCF !?!
No mention of WP on either site.
I hope we are not seeing a resurgence of an old marketing dysfunctional practice. In the 1960'-70's era phonograph cartridges had unique model numbers for the big retailers to prevent comparison shopping.
LGM
Vixen's site
OPT site
Edited by Littlegreenman (09/11/08 04:21 AM)
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
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In the new Vixen catalogue, they are listed as 14504 - 7x50 CF
nitrogen filled waterproof
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Norrman
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EdZ: Did you get a chance to look at the Vixen Foresta 10x42 CF? If I understand Vixen correct the 7x50 Foresta is the only binocular in the Foresta serie that make use of triplet lenses?
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
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Quote:
Did you get a chance to look at the Vixen Foresta 10x42 CF?
Looked at it. Didn't test it.
edz
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Mary
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Reged: 01/29/08
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Quote:
If I understand Vixen correct the 7x50 Foresta is the only binocular in the Foresta serie that make use of triplet lenses?
I own a pair of these and they are absolutely supurb! They have become my favorite instrument to observe with, and I do have a few play toys to choose from.
Mary
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2156
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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Quote:
If I understand Vixen correct the 7x50 Foresta is the only binocular in the Foresta serie that make use of triplet lenses?
http://www.vixenoptics.com/binoculars/foresta.htm
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Celestron Traveler 8x25 & B. & H. 8x40 FC JAPAN & Revue 10x50 CF Porro FC JAPAN &
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II FMC & Pentax 16x60 PCF WP FMC &
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II FMC & Orion 12x63 Mini Giant FMC JAPAN &
SPECTRUM I 20x65 FC JAPAN &
Orion 15x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN & Orion 20x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN
Orion 16x80 Giant FMC JAPAN & Orion 30x80 MEGAView FMC JAPAN
Barska 30x80 X-Trail LW FC & Burgess Optical Series II 20x90 FMC
Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
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Mary
sage
Reged: 01/29/08
Posts: 224
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Quote:
Quote:
If I understand Vixen correct the 7x50 Foresta is the only binocular in the Foresta serie that make use of triplet lenses?
Please note that on the Vixen Website, these binoculars appear to cost more than what I paid for mine, which seem to be the same thing. I paid $279 for mine and I am including a link to OPT (not where I bought mine from), so that the price I paid can be viewed.
http://www.optcorp.com/productList.aspx?mid=82&uid=108-110-647-771-773
Mary
http://www.vixenoptics.com/binoculars/foresta.htm
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 14731
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Quote:
Quote:
If I understand Vixen correct the 7x50 Foresta is the only binocular in the Foresta serie that make use of triplet lenses?
http://www.vixenoptics.com/binoculars/foresta.htm
thanks for the link, but ?? it doesn't really confirm that the 7x50 is the only one that is a triplet. It doesn't mention anything about the 10x42 or 8x42.
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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Mary
sage
Reged: 01/29/08
Posts: 224
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I guess it is assumed that if it doesn't mention triplet lenses, then that particular binocular doesn't have them. At least, that is how I interpret it.
Mary 
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2156
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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I sent them an e-mail inquiry, I will pass along any additional info as soon as they respond. Ain't advertising grand? 
--------------------
Celestron Traveler 8x25 & B. & H. 8x40 FC JAPAN & Revue 10x50 CF Porro FC JAPAN &
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II FMC & Pentax 16x60 PCF WP FMC &
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II FMC & Orion 12x63 Mini Giant FMC JAPAN &
SPECTRUM I 20x65 FC JAPAN &
Orion 15x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN & Orion 20x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN
Orion 16x80 Giant FMC JAPAN & Orion 30x80 MEGAView FMC JAPAN
Barska 30x80 X-Trail LW FC & Burgess Optical Series II 20x90 FMC
Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2156
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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Quote:
I guess it is assumed that if it doesn't mention triplet lenses, then that particular binocular doesn't have them. At least, that is how I interpret it.
Mary
That was my take on it, as well, but, never assume ANYTHING. 
--------------------
Celestron Traveler 8x25 & B. & H. 8x40 FC JAPAN & Revue 10x50 CF Porro FC JAPAN &
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II FMC & Pentax 16x60 PCF WP FMC &
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II FMC & Orion 12x63 Mini Giant FMC JAPAN &
SPECTRUM I 20x65 FC JAPAN &
Orion 15x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN & Orion 20x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN
Orion 16x80 Giant FMC JAPAN & Orion 30x80 MEGAView FMC JAPAN
Barska 30x80 X-Trail LW FC & Burgess Optical Series II 20x90 FMC
Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
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Mary
sage
Reged: 01/29/08
Posts: 224
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I think if they had triplet lenses, it would definately be included in the product description.
Holy Cow Hallelujah! Do you have a "few" pairs of binos or what!
Mary
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2156
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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MARY,
NOT SO LOUD, I keep telling my wife that it's no different than collecting butterflies, or coins, or stamps. So far she doesn't seem very convinced.
I keep telling her to just think of it as 'furniture', or knick knacks, maybe one of these days she'll get use to everything. 
Edited by hallelujah (01/09/09 04:34 PM)
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Mary
sage
Reged: 01/29/08
Posts: 224
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Whoops! Shhhhhh.... I agree, a bino collection is no different than any other collection. Tell her it's like having more than one purse. You need a different one for each outfit (purses, not binos) and each one is a different size.
Mary
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2156
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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Mum's the word. 
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/251850.html
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Celestron Traveler 8x25 & B. & H. 8x40 FC JAPAN & Revue 10x50 CF Porro FC JAPAN &
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II FMC & Pentax 16x60 PCF WP FMC &
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II FMC & Orion 12x63 Mini Giant FMC JAPAN &
SPECTRUM I 20x65 FC JAPAN &
Orion 15x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN & Orion 20x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN
Orion 16x80 Giant FMC JAPAN & Orion 30x80 MEGAView FMC JAPAN
Barska 30x80 X-Trail LW FC & Burgess Optical Series II 20x90 FMC
Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
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hallelujah
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/14/06
Posts: 2156
Loc: Rocky Mt. High Colorado
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I heard back from Mike at www.vixenoptics.com and he said the 7x50 is the only one that he is aware of that has the triplet.
--------------------
Celestron Traveler 8x25 & B. & H. 8x40 FC JAPAN & Revue 10x50 CF Porro FC JAPAN &
Pentax 12x50 PCF WP II FMC & Pentax 16x60 PCF WP FMC &
Pentax 20x60 PCF WP II FMC & Orion 12x63 Mini Giant FMC JAPAN &
SPECTRUM I 20x65 FC JAPAN &
Orion 15x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN & Orion 20x70 Little Giant II FMC JAPAN
Orion 16x80 Giant FMC JAPAN & Orion 30x80 MEGAView FMC JAPAN
Barska 30x80 X-Trail LW FC & Burgess Optical Series II 20x90 FMC
Hallelujah! For the LORD God Omnipotent Reigneth
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I would think Mike would know. I've met him about 2 years ago or so and he really is a great guy! I'm hoping he pays another visit to the local scope shop again soon!
Mary
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BobinKy
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/27/07
Posts: 1683
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Does anyone have first hand experience comparing the Vixen Foresta 7x50 to the Fujinon Polaris FMT-SX 7x50?
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Bob
38°N
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Mary
sage
Reged: 01/29/08
Posts: 224
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Bob,
I have not compared them, but I have looked at the Fuji's before, granted in the store and in the daytime and I really liked them. A little on the heavy side, but that seems to be typical Fuji. At that time, I did not have the money for them, or I probably would have bought them.
Mary
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Keithdrengen
sage
Reged: 02/20/08
Posts: 254
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How is the bridge quality, and how smooth is the focus on the Vixen Foresta 7x50?
The measured vignetting ("5%") mentioned by EDZ, how much have you guys noticed this in an observing situation?
Another Question:
Are the Vixen Foresta the topmodel over the Ultima/Geoma?
Here in Europe the Foresta is slightly more expensive than the Ultima/Geoma. The Ultima/Geoma is even lighter and its aparent field is down at 46 degrees(7x50).
CJ
Edited by Keithdrengen (06/12/09 02:37 PM)
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Mary
sage
Reged: 01/29/08
Posts: 224
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Keith,
This is one well made bino. The focus is easy although since I use mine for astro viewing, I rarely have to use the focus because once I set it, it stayed there so I rarely have to play with it. The bridge quality is excellent and I really have not noticed much if any, vignetting. This is really an excellent binocular.
Mary
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