bcuddihee
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/04/06
Posts: 935
Loc: Cincinnati Ohio
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I have read good things about the Nikon AE but sharpness across the field has not been one of them. The first generation Pentax PCF WP's have had better reviews on this but give up a bit of FOV, but because of sharpness across the field, actually have more usable FOV than the Nikons. I have read reviews that the new PCF 2'S are not quite up to the level of the first level PCF's. Is this info correct?
Does anyone have any experience with the new Pentax binos, and how do they stack up against the Nikons...or should I just wait and try to find a used pair of Pentax PCF'S.
Thanks
BC
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B Cuddihee
On the quest to find the best for the least!
--------------------------
1968 Jason Empire 60X700mm refractor (my buddy from way back)
Celestron Nexstar8SE(a remarkable 8" grab and go)
Feathertouch Microfocuser
Stellarvue 50mm "Sparrowhawk" finder
Denk bino's with Power x switch
Pair of 26m Celestron Silvertop Plossls
Pair of Smart Astronomy 19 EF's
Pair of Smart Astronomy 16 EF's
Agena 38 SWA
Agena 26 SWA
Garrett 2" 2x ED Barlow
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zuzu
newbie
Reged: 10/03/07
Posts: 1
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Did you see eagle optics sale on the 8x40 pcf wp @$79 shipped?
Can't speak to your ? on comparison,but have an original wp pair of these and they're not bad.
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12592
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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If you haven't already you can read comparison of the 8x40 PCF WP II to the 8x40 AE and also 10x50 WP to the 10x50 AE. See Small Binocular Series published to CN Reports
edz
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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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Randy Cordell
super member
Reged: 09/16/07
Posts: 196
Loc: Cedar Rapids IA
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Zuzu,
Thanks for the tip!
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Randy Cordell
Meade StarFinder 10" F/4.7 Dob, Telrad, Craford, Fans
Bogen 3040 and 3050 Tripods with Orion Paragon-Plus Parallelogram or 3047 head
Oberwerk Mariner 7x50
Pentax PCF WP 8x40
Garrett Optical Gemini 15x70 WP-IF
Laptop running Kubuntu and Stellarium 0.9.1
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Nick Lloyd
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/24/06
Posts: 1641
Loc: cincinnati
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Where is a review/comparison of the PCF WP?
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"The best scope is the one you use." -rcg
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12592
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Quote:
Did you see eagle optics sale on the 8x40 pcf wp @$79 shipped?
Well, they haven't made the PCF WP in several years, but AFAIK, old binoculars don't go stale. that's a very good price.
edz
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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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Nick Lloyd
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/24/06
Posts: 1641
Loc: cincinnati
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Goodbye $79... Hello Pentax!
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"The best scope is the one you use." -rcg
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12592
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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http://www.cloudynights.com/documents/nikon.pdf
includes Pentax PCF III 12x50 and Nikon AE 12x50, 10x50 and 8x40 among other 10x50s
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1761
CN Report: Small Binocular Reports A Dozen 8's
includes Garrett Apo 8x42 roof, Celestron Regal 8x42 roof, Fujinon BFL 8x42, Nikon Action Extreme 8x40, Nikon Action 8x40, Pentax PCF WP II 8x40, Bushnell Legend 8x42 roof, Oberwerk Mariner 8x40, Garrett Classic 8x45, Nikon SE 8x32
http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1770
Small Binocular Reports: The 10 x 50s
includes Nikon SE 10x42, Garrett Genesis 10x50, Pentax PCF WP 10x50, Orion Ultraview 10x50, Nikon AE 10x50, Oberwerk 10x50, Bushnell Legend 10x50, Nikon Action VII 10x50, Leupold WR Mesa10x50, Oberwerk Mariner 10x60, Fujinon FMT-SX 10x50
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
Edited by EdZ (05/19/08 11:28 AM)
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Nick Lloyd
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/24/06
Posts: 1641
Loc: cincinnati
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Thanks. I was looking for the PCF WP 8x40?
By the way, they are now out of stock on the sale binos.
Sorry! 
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"The best scope is the one you use." -rcg
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12592
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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I figured they'd be out by the end of day!!
edz
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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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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12592
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Nick, I just got a call. You and I got the last two.
edz
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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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Randy Cordell
super member
Reged: 09/16/07
Posts: 196
Loc: Cedar Rapids IA
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Quote:
Nick, I just got a call. You and I got the last two.
edz
Cool ed. I wasn't paying very close attention when reading your CN Report on the 8's and didn't realize you were comparing the Pentax PCF WP II. Maybe you could tell us the difference when you get your pair. I guess I'm glad I was rushing through though since I was able to snag a pair instead of missing out due to over-analyzing it as usual.  Afterwards I Google'd a bit for reviews of the originals and didn't find anything except they are considered a "classic" bino and seem to have a positive reputation.
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Randy Cordell
Meade StarFinder 10" F/4.7 Dob, Telrad, Craford, Fans
Bogen 3040 and 3050 Tripods with Orion Paragon-Plus Parallelogram or 3047 head
Oberwerk Mariner 7x50
Pentax PCF WP 8x40
Garrett Optical Gemini 15x70 WP-IF
Laptop running Kubuntu and Stellarium 0.9.1
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12592
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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I wouldn't ecpect to see much difference between the WP and the WPII.
edz
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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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Randy Cordell
super member
Reged: 09/16/07
Posts: 196
Loc: Cedar Rapids IA
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Quote:
I wouldn't ecpect to see much difference between the WP and the WPII.
edz
Ed,
Oh. Okay. That isn't what I would have expected but will be glad if it's true. Kind of the difference between The Nikon Action and AE is what I was expecting since the price difference is comparable. What did the PCF WP's go for a year ago? Do you know?
Thanks!
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Randy Cordell
Meade StarFinder 10" F/4.7 Dob, Telrad, Craford, Fans
Bogen 3040 and 3050 Tripods with Orion Paragon-Plus Parallelogram or 3047 head
Oberwerk Mariner 7x50
Pentax PCF WP 8x40
Garrett Optical Gemini 15x70 WP-IF
Laptop running Kubuntu and Stellarium 0.9.1
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Nick Lloyd
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/24/06
Posts: 1641
Loc: cincinnati
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bcuddihee just missed it!
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"The best scope is the one you use." -rcg
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12592
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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I don't think there is a price difference between the WP and the WP II.
The WP 10x50 sold for $179
the WP II 8x40 sold for $149
I've already owned the WP16x60 and
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
Edited by EdZ (05/20/08 05:18 AM)
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bcuddihee
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/04/06
Posts: 935
Loc: Cincinnati Ohio
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Ed how would you rate the WP 10X50'S?
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B Cuddihee
On the quest to find the best for the least!
--------------------------
1968 Jason Empire 60X700mm refractor (my buddy from way back)
Celestron Nexstar8SE(a remarkable 8" grab and go)
Feathertouch Microfocuser
Stellarvue 50mm "Sparrowhawk" finder
Denk bino's with Power x switch
Pair of 26m Celestron Silvertop Plossls
Pair of Smart Astronomy 19 EF's
Pair of Smart Astronomy 16 EF's
Agena 38 SWA
Agena 26 SWA
Garrett 2" 2x ED Barlow
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12592
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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I'd recommend both the WP and the WP II
I wrote about the 10x50 WP here
Small Binocular Reports: The 10 x 50s
and here
http://www.cloudynights.com/documents/nikon.pdf
includes Pentax PCF III 12x50 and Nikon AE 12x50, 10x50 and 8x40 among other 10x50s
edz
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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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bcuddihee
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/04/06
Posts: 935
Loc: Cincinnati Ohio
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Thanks Ed, this bino topic is a bit new to me. I guess I'm a bit torn between the 8x40's and the 10x50's..trying to see what will service me the best for handheld use, fov and sharpness.
BC
--------------------
B Cuddihee
On the quest to find the best for the least!
--------------------------
1968 Jason Empire 60X700mm refractor (my buddy from way back)
Celestron Nexstar8SE(a remarkable 8" grab and go)
Feathertouch Microfocuser
Stellarvue 50mm "Sparrowhawk" finder
Denk bino's with Power x switch
Pair of 26m Celestron Silvertop Plossls
Pair of Smart Astronomy 19 EF's
Pair of Smart Astronomy 16 EF's
Agena 38 SWA
Agena 26 SWA
Garrett 2" 2x ED Barlow
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12592
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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In addition to reading the articles above to get the specifics, which can really matter a lot, being different for each individual, maybe this will help
Small Binoculars - The Score
edz
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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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Nick Lloyd
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/24/06
Posts: 1641
Loc: cincinnati
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First light with the Pentax PCF WP 8x40:
(this isn't scientific at all)
Clunky design. The eyepieces don't sit in-line with the rest of the body, like most binos. The focus-lock feature is nice. The click-stop right diopter is annoying.
Narrow AFOV. Stars were showing signs of mis-collimation. I covered up one side of the binocular to check out individual images. Same flaring/seagull images at focus and outside of focus.
Returned the binocular to Eagle Optics.
Still searching for a handheld upgrade from my Nikon Action 8x40... 
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"The best scope is the one you use." -rcg
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12592
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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checked mine. they are keepers.
edz
--------------------
Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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Randy Cordell
super member
Reged: 09/16/07
Posts: 196
Loc: Cedar Rapids IA
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I like mine too. They are shaped a little different than most binoculars, probably the first thing I noticed, but I didn't find impact on function or comfort. It took a while to figure out the eye cups snap into place when extended. So they are in or out only - kind of like standard rubber ones are. They have 50% more focus travel than my 7x50 Mariners. The Mariners still have a wider FOV. So I don't know if this means the Pentax' are less than 6.3* or that my Mariners have closer to their stated 7.1* than the 6.3* Edz measured. Definately lighter and smaller than the Mariners. Lot of overlap between these two but some major differences too.
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Randy Cordell
Meade StarFinder 10" F/4.7 Dob, Telrad, Craford, Fans
Bogen 3040 and 3050 Tripods with Orion Paragon-Plus Parallelogram or 3047 head
Oberwerk Mariner 7x50
Pentax PCF WP 8x40
Garrett Optical Gemini 15x70 WP-IF
Laptop running Kubuntu and Stellarium 0.9.1
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12592
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Here's a few more things I checked on the Pentax.
Pentax PCF WP 8x40
has much more balanced light beam (laser test) than WP II
has more reflective coatings than WP II
measures 7.5x
weighs 29 oz.
has push/pull eyecups and seems to stay at intermediate positions
right diopter is clickstop twist hard eyecup assembly
Pentax PCF WP II 8x40
has a bit finer resolution than WP
light bam (laser test) shows significant tilt in optical axis
has less reflective coatings than WP
has greater total light transmission (light meter)
measures 7.9x
weighs 31 oz
has twist out hard eyecups with one intermediate notch
right diopter is clickstop sliding lever assembly under eyecup
internal barrel baffeling in both is identical
prism housing/ shelf assemblies are identical
IPD is identical 56.5-74
very little pincushion is identical
both measure 38-39mm of utilized aperture
fov is identical or at least nearly so
So, it appears the major changes from the WP up to the WP II were; upgraded coatings, slightly different eyepieces changed power, completely different right diopter mechanical function, different eyecups and a slight weight gain.
edz
--------------------
Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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