Telescope Reviews: Quick Report: Olympus 8x42 Magellan EXWP I

A pair of Olympus 8x42 Magellan EXWP I roof prism binoculars arrived last week. I used to have a pair of Orion Savannah 8x42 roof prisms, but left them at a baseball game hanging on the back of the seat in front of me. I wanted a mid-priced pair of 8x42 roof prisms for sporting events, birding and camping, but given my track record with day-use binoculars, didn't want to spend more than about $300.

I considered Nikon Monarchs, Canon 7x42 non-ISs and a few others, then stumbled on the Olympus Magellan EXWP Is. The specs sounded very nice - phase and multicoated, BaK-4 prisms, waterproof, fog proof, generous 19mm eye relief, etc. I could see from some of the online photos that these were made in Japan ("Japan" is printed on the front cap covering the tripod mounting adapter thread-in port). The suggested retail price, however, was a bit rich - $359.

Sometimes it pays to shop around. I located them for approximately $160(!). Having used them for several hours over the last few days, I can only say that I am delighted. Perhaps the best deal in binoculars I've ever had.

Regards,

Jim

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"The Cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be. Our feeblest contemplations of the Cosmos stir us — there is a tingling in the spine, a catch in the voice, a faint sensation, as if a distant memory, of falling from a height. We know we are approaching the greatest of mysteries." - Carl Sagan

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