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Feedback on Pentax PIF binos?

Started by Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_* , Nov 21 2003 09:23 PM
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4 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 21 November 2003 - 09:23 PM

Has anyone had a chance to evaluate a pair of Pentax PIF series binoculars?

They come in a 7x50 (7.3 degree FOV) and a 10x50 (6.5 degree FOV) and are both waterproof to 5m, have military grade construction, and claim to have field flattener lenses (specs state the eyepiece configuration as 6 elements in 4 groups).

Given that they have field flatteners, is this likely to mean a good image to the edge?

Given that these cost around $450US how would they compare to others in this price range?

Frilby :winky:

#2 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 21 November 2003 - 09:29 PM

I saw a pair of 10x50 PIFs on eBay today for under $100...go look for them... These are supposed to be the industrial grade of the binos

#3 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 05 December 2003 - 08:28 PM

I have the Pentax 10x50 PIF. The field really is very flat with near pinpoint stars to the edge. The multicoatings appear to be top notch. The main thing I don't like about them is that the eye relief is about 14-15mm, not enough for comfortable use with glasses though probably OK without glasses. Also they are very heavy. They are very high quality but I wouldn't recommend them for everyone for the reasons above. I believe they are discontinued so if you want one, you'd better buy it while you still can.

For a 10x50 I would probably prefer a Fujinon FMT-SX which is supposed to have 20mm of eye relief and the same FOV as the Pentax. But I've never seen one. Anyone tried it?

#4 brocknroller

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Posted 15 December 2003 - 12:53 AM

Not only does the 10X50 FMT-SX 2 have better ER but it's also much lighter than the Pentax PIF. I corresponded with Markus Ludes from APM Telescopes, Germany, about the 10X50 SX-2 during the summer. He was selling them for $635.

According to the techie I corresponded with at Fujinon USA, the 10X50 SX 2 will not be marketed in the US. So that leaves the warranty in question.

The one review I've read on them was very favorable:
http://de.geocities....jinon10x50.html

Brock

#5 Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*

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Posted 17 December 2003 - 06:29 PM

Greetings,
Boat-Us.com is clearing the 10x50's out on Ebay, 2 already sold for about 200.00
Back to Binoculars

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