Telescope Reviews: New Zeiss Fluorite Binos

Up until recently, I was of the same opinion as Mike about ED glass being overkill at lower powers (less than 15X) and apertures smaller than 60mm. I based this on comparing an 8.5X44 ED to a non-ED Audubon (very close) and the 9.5X44 Celestron ED I had, which didn't knock my socks off. However, I recently purchased an Eagle Optics 10X50 Voyager ED, which was made by Celestron. Physically, it looks very similar to the 9.5X44 model, except black armoring instead of gray. Optically, it's much better than the 44mm model (although I may have had a bad unit, the quality was inconsistent from what I've heard).

I compared the 10X50 Voyager ED to a Nikon 10X42 SE, and it compared more favorably than I expected, almost as sharp, and the color saturation is noticeably better. The ED has a "snap" to the image, like Fuji color film gives autumn foliage photos.

The ED has a smaller FOV (5*) than the SE (6*). The edges are decent though not as good as the SE, which are sharp to the edge, and the ED shows more distortion across the field. But boy, that color saturation looks great on Cardinals, which appear almost luminescent. Can't wait until the colorful migrant birds return (I thought I heard a Robin today, though it seems unlikely). However, I did see some chipmunks for the first time this year (and saved one from the jaws of my neighor's cat!).

I was expecting the Voyager to be about the same quality as the Ultima, with less false color, but the clarity and color saturation are exceptional. It also has great depth of field, though a long close focus (about 20 ft.). For astronomy, I like the SE better, because of the flatter field and better ergonomics (the ED is front heavy so I have to shift my hands forward). On the Moon, the SE's on-axis color correction is very good, on par with the ED, but for birding, the EDs produce more vibrant images, which seems to enhance the feather detail. Even grayish snowbirds seemed to have more zip, so did the evergreen tree I was vieiwing them in. Also, no false color against snow. This bin was a prototype, I'm told. Don't know why EO decided not to sell them.

Now that I've lowered my limit for ED bins to 10X50, I'm curious about the new 10X42mm flourite Victory (esp. if Zeiss replaced the smelly rubber tire armor). The body looks like a hybrid between the Classic and the Victory II. But since it costs over $1,000 more than my Voyager ED, I'll just have to remain curious!

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Oscar Zoroaster Diggs
"O.Z."

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"And remember, my sentimental friend....a heart is not judged by how much you love,
but by how much you are loved by others."