34 replies to this topic

[plyscope]

Just noticed this new product.

 

http://www.myastrosh...sp?id=MAS-039A2

 

Apparent field of view would seem to be less than 60 degrees but it may be a nice binocular anyway.

[garret]

USA price $450.=

Impressive list of specs for 450 bucks... 7 layer ar-coating, phase coating and... long eyerelief. 

I found not one review of this bino with Google.

 

Garret

[edwincjones]

Potentially interesting

I like the 150m - or maybe 157m-FOV

can someone here buy and review?

 

Looks like an extension of the SG 2.1x42 line for wider field astronomy,

but I wonder for birding and sports events.

 

edj

Edited by edwincjones, 24 December 2016 - 07:33 AM.

[junomike]

Potentially interesting

I like the 150m - or maybe 157m-FOV

can someone here buy and review?

 

Looks like an extension of the SG 2.1x42 line for wider field astronomy,

but I wonder for birding and sports events.

 

edj

B&H lists them as an Astro-Binocular

 

Mike

[edwincjones]

reading closer, these are  "no focus" in B&H specs

but how practical is this for different user eyes?

 

edj

Edited by edwincjones, 24 December 2016 - 09:02 AM.

[garret]

 

reading closer, these are  "no focus" in B&H specs

but how practical is this for different user eyes?

Vixen calls it 'Variable speed focusing system' see the info on the Vixen USA distributor website: http://www.vixenopti...lar-p/19173.htm

This system is likely the first on a binocular.

 

Garret vd Veen

[Mad Matt]

Nope, both my Minox HG have this. It is actually pretty cool and great for birding

[Mark9473]

6 m close focus, I'd call that a design error. Who's going to buy these if they are compromised for daytime viewing?

[edwincjones]

Nope, both my Minox HG have this. It is actually pretty cool and great for birding

 

sounds interesting but how does this work-focus for individual eyes

 

[garret]

 

6 m close focus, I'd call that a design error. Who's going to buy these if they are compromised for daytime viewing?

It is designed for astro use.

[ianatcn]

Just noticed this new product.

 

http://www.myastrosh...sp?id=MAS-039A2

 

Apparent field of view would seem to be less than 60 degrees but it may be a nice binocular anyway.

No reviews yet because they are just out. Back in October I asked Vixen UK if they were considering bringing out any more astro binoculars of similar quality to the 2.1 SG and they said the 6.5 was the next astro binocular Vixen would be introducing. A very interesting specification and one that I am considering trying. I may well get in touch with Vixen UK after the holidays and discuss further.  

[GlennLeDrew]

A close focus distance capability does not necessarily compromise performance at optical infinity. If it's merely a matter of moving the eyepieces farther rearward, while the optics are corrected for an infinite object conjugate, then no issue results from that larger range of eyepiece movement.

[Bob Myler]

"The focus becomes more precise as you approach infinity...."

 

The question is - using a single focusing knob - how?

[Mad Matt]

Nope, both my Minox HG have this. It is actually pretty cool and great for birding

sounds interesting but how does this work-focus for individual eyes

They have normal central focusing. Locking ring for right diopter adjustment. I believe other manufactures have this to.

Instead of a constant pitch helical thread there are multiple pins that run inside slots with varying pitch. Actually a pretty simple but effective construction.

Edited by Mad Matt, 24 December 2016 - 03:10 PM.

[jrbarnett]

6 m close focus, I'd call that a design error. Who's going to buy these if they are compromised for daytime viewing?

Probably the astronomers at whom they are targeted?  

 

"Vixen Optics 6.5x32 WP ED Astro Binocular"

 

I'd be more concerned with the small aperture for astronomy, actually.  That and wondering what these offer that a pair of garden variety wide field porro 7x35s do not.  For $60 (versus $450) you can pick up a pair of 7x35 Aculons.  You gain 0.3 degrees FOV, 3mm in aperture, and 0.5x in magnification.  You probably lose some off axis correction (the Aculons show a goodly amount of FC).  And the Vixens are definitely more ergonomic with 20mm of ER.  Dunno if the value prop for astronomy is there, though.  And if the stuffy ER on Aculons bugs you, for $120 the Action Extreme 7x35s give you the same FOV with better eye relief and waterproofing.

 

- Jim

[RLoret]

Curious that it uses BK7 prisms.  Wonder if that's geared to astro use.

[Mark9473]

 

6 m close focus, I'd call that a design error. Who's going to buy these if they are compromised for daytime viewing?

Probably the astronomers at whom they are targeted?  

 

"Vixen Optics 6.5x32 WP ED Astro Binocular"

 

I'd be more concerned with the small aperture for astronomy, actually.  That and wondering what these offer that a pair of garden variety wide field porro 7x35s do not. 

 

I think you're making my point there, Jim.

IMHO these do not have a sufficiently unique spec to make them a prominent choice as an astro-only binocular. Not to me at least.

I might hypothetically be interested in a pair to stuff in a backpack for trips and hikes, but then they need to be more daytime-viewing-friendly. YMMV of course.

[Mike G.]

A 32 mm objective 'astro' binocular?  As Big Daddy Don Garlits once said, "There ain't no substitute for cubic (square) inches".

[Tamiji Homma]

I have one of those for a few months.

 

According to Japanese Vixen web site, it is designed for people who like SG 2.1x42

 

I was hoping that it performs better at edge.

Build quality is good but I see room for improvement in flattener if they had one in eyepiece.

Maybe, my eye isn't good enough to accommodate field curvature any more.

 

It is IF not CF.  It would be hard to use for fast moving target (birding).

 

I think that 6.5x32 mm, 9 degree TFOV binoculars are very good astronomy binoculars IMHO.

 

Tammy

[CAAD9]

Potentially interesting

I like the 150m - or maybe 157m-FOV

can someone here buy and review?

 

Looks like an extension of the SG 2.1x42 line for wider field astronomy,

but I wonder for birding and sports events.

 

edj

I was going to ask for someone to do the same.

 

I'm looking for a small pair of wide field binos for constellation hopping to go with the 10x42IS. 

 

Per Jim's post #15 on paper the Nikon seem to be the better solution for a fraction of the cost.  Albeit these have a weight advantage. 

[plyscope]

I am very pleased to read Tammy's comments. My curiosity about this new binocular is satisfied.

 

I have a 7x30 porro Steiner that works well for astronomy. Very light and easy to hold steady. Not as wide a FOV as the new Vixen but then I also enjoy using a Nikon 8x30 EII.

[Tamiji Homma]

Here is similar size binoculars side by side.  Ahh, I forgot to add Nikon 8x30 EII.  It is very good binoculars, too.

 

Canon 12x36 III and Vixen SG 6.5x32 WP:

 

 

Miyauchi 5x32 and Vixen SG 6.5x32 WP:

 

ZenRay ED 7x36 and Vixen SG 6.5x32:

 

Tammy

[CAAD9]

Thanks for posting the photos Tammy. Gives a good indication just how compact they are.

 

Forgive the newb nature of the next question:  just how big a difference do folks here feel the ED glass makes to binoculars?  

 

Thanks in advance.

[SMark]

Thanks for posting the photos Tammy. Gives a good indication just how compact they are.

 

Forgive the newb nature of the next question:  just how big a difference do folks here feel the ED glass makes to binoculars?  

 

Thanks in advance.

 

I think it makes more of a difference to birders than to astronomers. Birders find it quite desirable to have the colors perfectly correct and perfectly sharp. It's not quite that important to most astronomers, though many will still pay the difference in price anyway. Different story, of course, for telescopes. 

 

$0.02.

[garret]

 

Forgive the newb nature of the next question:  just how big a difference do folks here feel the ED glass makes to binoculars?

The very expensive SF binocular line from Zeiss use Fluorite lenses, still there is some chromatic aberration in the center of the field. 

You can lower the chromatic aberration if you take the optical path in the prism into the optical calculation.

This has be done in 'our' favorite big binocular the APM 100 ED APO, this bino shows virtual zero chromatic aberration in the center even at 110x. 

This bino use only basic ED glass in a doublet design and has a very fast F# of 5.5.

 

Garret vd Veen