Telescope Reviews: Re: Browning 8X42's first light

My new binoculars arrived yesterday and I thought I'd tell you about them. I will make no attempt to write a formal report due to that fact that a) such a report should be conducted over many observing sessions; b) this is a discontinued model that Browning doesn't even list on its website anymore and the other binocular websites note it as discontinued and no longer for sale; and c) I'm probably not competent to perform a proper technical binocular review anyway.

I begin by quoting the product information above that Joe was kind enough to post here. The information appears to be accurate.

So, first impressions out of the box: the build quality of these binoculars appears to be excellent. Rubber armored with a "checkered" patch on each barrel for a good grip. Ergonomics are probably typical for a full size roof prism binocular, but at any rate I find it to be very comfortable to hold, just with the fingers and not the palms. This isn't the lightest roof prism available, but at 29 oz. it is light and comfortable in the hands. (For those who care about such matters: it is a quietly handsome instrument too: flat black with tastefully gold lettered brand name and logo.) A good quality soft case and padded neck strap come with the binocular.

Coatings show a slight greenish tint. Looking straight down the barrels I barely see the glass at all (it nicely disappears). At an angle I can just make out the outline of my face, but no facial features (and this isn't because of the beard!)

Eye relief is as advertised. I've never owned a binocular with such generous eye relief. It reminds me of a Swarovski of similar size to this one I once looked through. Like that instrument, I can hold the binoculars well away from my eyes and get the full field of view. Using these reminds me of the Swaro, but I am not doing a side by side and otherwise cannot make any comparison.

The binocular has twist-up eyecups that work smoothly. The right diopter locks.

The focus wheel is sturdy and smooth, coming to a sharp focus easily at 6 feet (I've never seen birds so nicely), and at infinity. The manual does an especially good job of explaining how to achieve best focus and set the diopter.

There is plenty of IPD range.

I was able to view briefly last night, just before and just as the moon rose. First: the binocular arrived in collimation! Though the skies were already getting washed out with lunar light, I had a fine view of the North America nebula: at 8X I could take in the whole thing, and I've never seen it all at once through optics. To my surprise, I had no trouble picking out the Pelican either. I swung over to Sagittarius and clearly made out the Eagle, the Swan, and the Lagoon. The moon was competing, and I can't wait to have a darker sky look tonight as the moon wanes.

Stars were sharp (what I mean is that I could detect no distortions and they looked like points). Were they sharp to the field stop? I forgot to check last night. I'll check tonight. I can say that the entire view was pleasing, though.

Jupiter was a bit hard to hit a sharp focus on. I'll work on it again tonight. I did see moons.

I think I split Albireo, but possibly not. I didn't have much time and I'll check again tonight.

The moon, even on the horizon, was splendid. 8X is probably the top magnification I can handhold without ruinous jiggling, and while I'm not at the point where I can get the moon to hold entirely still, I could detect a sharpness of detail that I've only seen before with my mounted 100 mm. A very very slight tinge of yellow on part of the rim (and then again, maybe not): in other words, little to no CA on this brightest of night objects.

I also got these for my wife's birdwatching, and she is thrilled with them. I am too. Daytime viewing is very nice, with close focus and infinity equally sharp. The view is sharp and clear and bright (please note that I am refraining from making any comparisons: my descriptions decribe what I have experienced, not objective technical data). Terrestrial color values look natural to my eyes. I may not be as sensitive as others, but I see no "yellowish" tinge or any other sort of color distortion. Just looks like naked eye but sharper.

In short, I am very pleased with this binocular. While one cannot always credit claimed "list prices" (who knows if this thing ever really listed at $424), I do believe that this binocular does hail from that price range in which one can expect a high level of performance. Having gotten them for $159.99, I feel I have a binocular that I won't be afraid to take with me wherever I go or hike, which makes for an optimal balance of expenditure and performance for me. Frankly, I would worry too much about a premium priced premium glass to use it as it deserves.

Bottom line: I am a happy camper so far.

Post Extras