I continue to be amazed at the level of quality that has been achieved in moderately priced waterproof, phase coated roof-prism binoculars over the past few years. It wasnt long ago that I couldnt honestly recommend any roof that sold for under $900. It hasnt been all that long, in fact, since the introduction of phase coating finally put even $900 roofs on an optical par with the best $300 porros. And here we have it today, when for under $500 you can buy a perfectly serviceable, and optically excellent, roof prism glass from any number of vendors.
The latest incarnation of the Celestron Regal Lss is a case very much in point. Celestron has always provided exceptional value in the birding market. After a short sojourn (captivity?) as a wholly owned subsidiary of Tasco, they are now back under their original management and very interested once more in courting the birding market.
The Regals are available in three full-sized models: 8x42, 10x42, and 10x50. They are, if I am not mistaken, close relatives of some of the Leupold Wind River glasses, and some of the Swift models, and very likely, given the realities of the market these days, any number of other makes, but, as usual, Celestron has given them their own character, and perhaps tweaked the specifications a bit. The body armor is comfortably sculpted to fit the hands, and the pop-up eyecups, while not the equal of the screw-ups/down units on some competing glasses, are still much more functional than roll down rubber cups. These are relatively compact units, with weights that are easy on the neck and hands. All three focus reasonably quickly, with a smooth, precise motion, and close focus is admirably close.
Celestron offers two 10x Regal Ls Binoculars |
All three glasses are exceptionally sharp and bright, with good contrast, and even fields of view. This is the precisely the kind of view that amazes: it is easily the equal of any roof made five years ago, and of most roofs made today. The 42 mm models are not as bright as the new Victory IIs from Zeiss of similar magnification, but they are easily as bright as any other glasses on the market. The field of view is relatively wide on the 42 mm models (6.5° for the 8s, and 6° for the 10s), and adequate on the 10x50s (at 5°*).
Once more, these are waterproof roofs that any birder would be satisfied with
day in and day out in the field. When you stop to consider that I found all
three selling for less than $400 on the internet with just a casual search,
that makes them not only wonderful birding glasses, but wonderful bargains!
There is no longer any reason that the birder who likes the look and feel of
roofs, and needs a high degree of weather protection, should have to settle
for less. Get yourself a Regal Ls. You wont regret it.
Note: again I am reminded by these 10x50 Regals that I really do like 10x50
glasses. As you can see from the photo here, the 10x50s have the same exit
pupil (that
little bright circle floating in the eyepiece) as the 8x42s, and that makes them
just as easy on the eyes as the 8x models (unlike the 10x42s). The extra objective
size also increases resolution of fine detail and brightness and makes the $400
Regal Ls the optical equal of any 10x42 on the market, except, that is, for field
of view. At 5° the field in the 10x50s doesnt feal pinched, but it
is
definitely not as wide as the best 10x42s. Still, in a situation where I knew
the extra power would come in handy, I would choose the $400 Regal 10x50s to
carry over even the most expensive 10x42s. If you are fan of high power, test
this out. Id be interested in some other birders perspectives on this.
*(to translate fields of view in degrees to feet at 1000 yards, you multiply
the degrees by 52.5. 6°=315 ft. @ 1000 yds., 6.5°=341.5, 5°=262.5.