I thought it might be a good idea to start a new thread to continue the discussion of the Dakota Elite series binoculars from the Binocular Bargains thread. For those of you that did not read the thread these binoculars are a Ritz Camera house brand that have been on clearance through Wolf Camera's clearance center on Ebay. Several individuals on the forum have ordered the 7x28s with a few picking up the 8x32s. Nobody that I am aware of has purchased the 10x42s at this point.
I purchased two pairs but not at the same time. A second batch of the 7x28s showed up a couple of days ago and I ordered my second pair (along with an 8x32 that is due to show up on Monday). I took the two pairs and compared them side by side outside just a bit ago. The two binoculars have an identical exterior with one key change....the color of the reflections in the eyepiece. One pair has a pure "purple" reflection. The other pair has a purple/green combination. The view through both is very good but I did notice that the overall color representation, and possibly apparent sharpness, is different. The unit that displays a purple/green reflection has a slightly brighter image and seems to have a more relaxed view. The sweet spot appears slightly larger and I feel like it provides slightly more detail than the other unit.
After my recent experience comparing the Zen Ray ED2 and ED3 and their subsequent changes in antireflective coatings I have learned a thing or two about how much those changes can affect the view through a specific binocular model. The ED3 appears brighter with slightly more detail because the antireflective coating change is designed to key in on that portion of the light spectrum that gives us the perception of a bright image. It also keys in on what I would consider a more neutral color bias to the entire image. I feel that much the same is occurring here with my two specimens of the Dakota Elite 7x28s.
Comments, thoughts, suggestions are welcome.
Frank,
While you were posting this mine arrived. I went back out and checked coating colors and on mine the eyepieces are purple but the objectives are green. Admittedly I've only given them a 5 minute check out outside but I'm not finding CA or edge issues of any consequence. So apparently unlike Steve and Henry, I've scored a "good" pair. Bottom line and again with very preliminary handling, I'm pleased.
Also now looking for a wrist strap for these as the neck strap seems like overkill given the small pocketable size.
I haven't pull the accessories out of the box yet Bob so I wasn't aware of the neckstrap issue. Will check shortly. I will say that I did like the custom box they came in as well as the carrying case provided with them.
I do wonder what the distribution is of those that received the solid purple versus the purple/green eyepieces. Both of mine have green objectives.