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Anonymous
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Does anyone know of a quality pair of 6x30mm binoculars available for less than $100? I've been impressed with the views I get through my 6x30 finderscope, and thought this might be a fun size. I assume 8x40mm and similar sizes are mostly better, but I want to get the largest field of view I can, and I've also found that I have trouble holding such small binoculars still, so 6x30 is a good size for me. I'm not in any great hurry, but eventually I think I'll want a pair of this size. I don't need a *huge* AFoV, but if at all possible, I would like something around 65*- only if it doesn't hurt the quality of the inner FoV though; 8 degrees is definitely enough for me.
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holger_merlitz
sage
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 282
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Hi Daniel,
I guess the Russian Kronos 6x30 EWA were a good choice for you. They can be found e.g. here:
http://www.iteastronomy.com/products/binoculars/guide.php?cat=SA%20BINOC
Don't expect a great construction for this price - the focusing wheel is usually too loose and the device is not waterproof. But the optical performance is surprisingly strong, and the angle of view is really great - the right one to go for a walk along milky way :-)
The 7x35 and 8x40 versions of the Kronos are also decent - the 10x50 I won't suggest. With increasing tube-lengths, these binos become prone to stray light, and with the 8x40 the tolerance limit is reached.
With regards,
Holger
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Daniel
A left-field option is to pick up a pair of WW2 Government surplus 6 x 30s on Ebay. I used to have a pair. They are ruggedly constructed with individual eyepiece focussing. They were fun to use, as long as you don't mind the range-finding reticule on the right ocular, which isn't obtrusive (at least I never found it to be at night).
They were made in the thousands during the War and made by various companies including Bausch and Lomb and Universal Camera Corp.
Bruce
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Erik D
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 2570
Loc: Central New Jersey, USA
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We discussed this model on the Astromart astrobino forum a few month back. Someone posted a photo of one in response to my comments. Unfortunately the threads on astro bino forum are not kept for very long. Impressions of my brief encounter with this pair at NEAF 2003 again:
I have had a pair of 7X50 Celestron NOVA with 10 deg FOV for many years. A few years ago I become aware of the 12.5 deg EWA Russian binos offered by ITE. (I was looking for a source for the Giro-2 DX Alt-az mount for my 6" refractor and ITE was one of the few stocking dealers in the US..) I was intrigued by the idea of having Super Wide Angle binos that can show 56% more sky than my 7X50 NOVA.
When I learned ITE was going to exhibit at NEAF last year I made of point of checking out this pair. I was NOT impressed! In fact, I walk right by them a few times without realizing those binos with the cheap camo paint were the ones I was looking for. They looked like $29.99 imports you find at a flea market. I took a careful look thru the 6X30s and I was not impressed. I thought the very inexpensive Burgess and Celestron Outland Roof Prisms at the show offered crisper, brighter views. Furthermore, the 6X30mm did NOT give me the EWA feel I was expecting from a pair wiht 75 deg APFOV. If anyone is prepared to spend $129+15 for EWA binos there are other alternatives:
1. The Minolta Activa 7X35. Weatherproof/Fogproof. FOV 9.3 deg. ER 19mm. $115.
2. The Orion Expanse SWA. 14 Deg FOV! ER 10 mm. $119
I have not tried either myself but know of two experienced bino users who purchased the Orion Expanse last year after I mentioned them on the astro bino forum. Both confimed the FOV is close to advertised but some internal reflection. Optics are NOT FMC.
Erik D
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KennyJ
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 10163
Loc: Lancashire UK
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Holger,
A warm welcome to this forum !
I wonder how many readers recognise your name ?
Your knowledge , experiences and binocular reviewing skills could be an invaluable source to many people on this forum.
PLEASE keep in touch !
Go on -- attach your review page link to your next post :-)
Kind regards -- 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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brocknroller
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/16/03
Posts: 1517
Loc: Liberal, Kansas
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Daniel,
"Good quality" and "less than $100" is a tall order, though I have read some good reviews of the Kronos 6X30s. If you plan to use them as a "finder" then you will probably be happy. However, if you want to use them as a primary instrument for low-power wide field views of the Milky Way, then saving a few more schekels for the "best" out there, the Fujinon 6X30 FMTR-SX, might be worth it. I had this model, and it was one of the best bins I've used, sharp almost to the edge of a very wide FOV (8.3*), VERY sharp centerfield resolution like the rest of the FMT series, very low distortion flat field (telephone poles were almost straight near the edge), and they have excellent depth of field for daytime use. They do have IF EPs and a 20ft close focus so they're somewhat limited for birding, but excellent for astronomy and boating (WP). ER is 20mm, good for eyeglass wearers. The impression when you look through this bin is that you are looking into a window on the sky, the edges of the field stop can barely be seen, if at all. I should add that they are built to mil specs so you could probably run them over with a tank. This model was discontinued two or three years ago, but there are still a couple online stores (AAA binoculars) that sell the bin for about $350.
--------------------
Oscar Zoroaster Diggs
"O.Z."
#########################################
"And remember, my sentimental friend....a heart is not judged by how much you love,
but by how much you are loved by others."
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Thanks very much for the help Holger, Bruce, Erik D, and Brock! This gives me quite a bit to think about.
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holger_merlitz
sage
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 282
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Hi Kenny,
nice to see you and - wow - thanks for the welcome ceremony :-) I was browsing this forum a little bit these days and found lots of useful information. Hopefully, from time to time I will be able to add a few little pieces and definitely I shall profit by the huge amount of collective experience of this community.
Have a nice day,
Holger
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holger_merlitz
sage
Reged: 02/08/04
Posts: 282
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Hi Eric,
The variation of different opinions on the Kronos is puzzling to me. It almost seems there are different versions of them on the market, or the quality standards are scattering substantially from one production run to the next. The one I have used (and I am still using) looks in fact cheap (camo paint) but has got a bright and high contrast image - the coating is fine indeed. Also, it doesn't really feel cheap: All metal body, large sized prisms which illuminate the field to the edge. The field of view may in fact be smaller than specified - but close to 70 deg apparent field are there for sure. But I agree that the 129 $ are a bit on the high side - here in Germany they cost 69 Euro and this is what I would call a bargain.
If anybody wants to read a somewhat lengthy review I have written once upon a time, it is here:
http://de.geocities.com/holger_merlitz/kronos6x30.html
A short description of the larger models (8x40 and 10x50) is given on Fan Tao's page:
http://binofan.home.att.net/zomz.htm
With regards,
Holger
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lighttrap
Reged: 02/06/04
Posts: 3833
Loc: cloudy, foggy, humid NC, US
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Holger! Glad to see you here. You don't know it, but your reviews have saved me $$$ bidding on various Eastern Euro binos.
I, too, am very curious about whether there aren't a whole variety of different QC standards for various models marketed under the Kronos brand. I've tried several of the older, leatherette covered Kronos binoculars ranging from 7x50 to 10x50 to 20x60. They've been mechanically questionable, but optically pretty good, in the way that a lot of Russian optics are. And all were bargain basement priced. I kept the older 7x50s, despite their being relatively huge and clunky, just because they are so good at spotting game at the wood's edge in twilight.
I'm curious about the 6x30EWAs, but not so curious as to wish to pay what those go for in the US.
Regards,
Mike Swaim
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18" Starsplitter II f/4.5
8" Hardin Dob f/6
C5 workhorse mini SCT f/10 or f/6.3
70mm TV Ranger dual purpose birding/astro
77mm Leica Televid APO
16x70 Fujinons on UA Deluxe Mt.
12x50 Nikon SE
8x30 Nikon E2s
and many others
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