Telescope Reviews: 'Norwest' 10x42 / W.P. / Bak -4 / FMC

Charen,

Thanks for the photo of this unusual, and apparently hard to find above the equator, binocular (makes me wonder why they are not called SouEast :-).

I assume that the NorWest is not p-coated, or do we have a new world record for the least expensive p-coated roof made? They are getting absurdly cheap compared to how much p-coated roofs USED to cost back in ye olde days (10 years ago). Are these made in China?

If they are not p-coated, you might find them less than optimal for stargazing (check bright stars for spiking and CA).

The ergonomics look great. Top roof makers could learn a lesson from this design. The Nikon full-sized LX/LX L has excellent ergonomics for a closed-bridge roof; however, I felt that the designers put the Dromedary hump in the wrong place (near the objectives instead of at the center of the barrel), and there was no "backstop" near the EPs like the 32mm model (sculptured winged strap connectors) to anchor my hands while I twiddled my staggered thumbs underneath the barrels.

Thumb indents may have helped, but they are tricky if not impossible to design for all sized hands.

The shallow part of the hand is in the center of the palm, therefore the bulge/hump/raised bars should be near the center of the barrel and tapered at each end to allow for different size hands. An example of this Shallow Hal Hump design is the 10x50 Swaro SLC (though, at the end of the day, no matter how great the ergonomics, the weight of a 40 oz. roof, is going to feel like a lead weight).

With the NorWest, the Bactrian double humps give the user the flexibility to move his hands up or down the barrel for the best grip. How that would actually work out for my large hands, I'd have try to find out, but it looks good on "paper."

The other nice design point is the half-ball campfering near the front near the EPs, similar to my Nikon SEs. It should allow your index finger in the right position to focus.

Roofs, and particularly slimline roofs, are hard for me to hold, because I have to grip them by pushing inward from the sides rather than supporting them from underneath like a porro. Thus, a bulge, ripple, or raised feature (PENTAX) on the sides of the barrels will help with the grip.

I prefer roofs designs with sculptured "winged" strap connectors near the EPs such as the 32mm LXs and 42mm Stokes Broadwings. Provides a much needed "anchor" for my hands and also prevents the connector from digging into the flesh between my thumb and forefinger. Ouch!

What I would like to see is a roof that is THICKER on the outside of the barrels than on the inside to extend the width for larger hands. Smaller handed folks can stick to the plethora of slimline roofs.

Yes, that's right, I'm suggesting that like hands, bins should come in more than one SIZE. Of course, this would add expense, just as it does when I buy from the Big and Tall catalogues.

But if the designer was clever, he/she could make an optional prosthesis that attaches to the side of the barrel to accomodate different size hands and with a adjustable "hump" that could be moved up or down the barrel to achieve the best balance. Considering that low-mid-priced Chinese roofs almost all look alike, these extensions may work for a variety of brands.

What a great idea. Darn! The patent office is closed on the weekend. I will call them on Monday.

Here's a view of the NorWest 10x42 from the front where you can see the built-in compass (click on second photo): NorWest 10x42

Btw, are these the ones you bought? I see they didn't sell the first time around.

The only thing left to ask you is when you look at Orion, is Betleguese redder from Orion standing on his head? :-)

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Oscar Zoroaster Diggs
"O.Z."

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