Cameras and Lenses

Compact Reverse Porro 8x26ish bins

On another thread ...

[QUOTE=NWBirder;1275991]has anyone tried Brunton's new 8x28 reverse Porro?[/QUOTE]

I'd not noticed them before.

Brunton Echo 8x28 Reverse Porro (BE)
http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=561

Product Specifications
* Power: 8x, 10x depending on selection
* Objective Diameter: 28 mm.
* Weight: 10 oz.
* Frame Material: Polymer
* Close Focus Distance: 13 ft.
* Exit Pupil: 2.8/3.5 mm
* Eye Relief: 17.5mm
* Eye Relief Type: Standard
* FOV at 1000 yds.: 330/262 ft. depending on selection
* Prism Coating: Standard
* Prism Glass Type: BaK-4
* Lens Coating Type: Full-multi
* Waterproof / Fogproof
* Nitrogen Filled
* Tripod compatible
* Warranty Type: Limited Lifetime

No, I've not tried them.

So that makes three in the $100ish compact reverse porro prism

Vortex Vanquish 8x28 (= VV)
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=4833
http://www.vortexoptics.com/binocul...x_vanquish_8x26

Field of View 352 ft./1000 yds.
Eye Relief 15mm
Close Focus 7.6 ft.
Weight 12.7 oz.
Dimensions (HxW) 4.7 x 4.4 in.
Weatherproofing Waterproof/Fogproof

and

Bushnell Legend 8x26 Reverse Porro Prism (= BL)
http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=5375

Field of View 290 ft./1000 yds.
Eye Relief 15 mm
Close Focus 10 ft.
Weight 14 oz.
Dimensions (HxW) 4.1 x 4.8 in.
Weatherproofing Waterproof/Fog Proof

Brunton Echo = BE

Commonalities

Size. BE doesn't have dimensions. It may be a fraction bigger but it's very similar in size. Not much you can do with 8x27ish reverse porro.

Weatherproofing. All are waterproof and fogproof. To which JIS level is not specified.

Price. Street prices are all around $100. BL is $50 in a refurb at Eagle Optics right now. http://www.eagleoptics.com/index.asp?pid=5375

Optics. All BaK4 prisms and fully multicoated optics.

Exit pupil They all have about 3.5mm exit pupil (obviously!).

Differences

Weight. BE is lightest at 10oz. The VV is 12oz. The BL is 14oz. Heavier is good for shake but worse for pocket carrying a compact.

Eye Relief. BE claims a couple of mm more (17.5mm) than VV or the BL at 15mm.

Field of View. BL is narrowest at 290ft or 5.5 degrees (44 degree AFOV). BE is 330 ft or 6.3 degrees (50 degree AFOV). VV is widest at 352 ft or 6.7 degrees (54 degree AFOV). So none are wide but the Bushnell's are a bit narrow.

Close focus. VV is closest at 7.6ft (how good is the overlap this close?). BL is 10ft. BE is worst at 14ft.

Individual Differences

The BE is Tripod/monopod Adaptable. I think that's unique.

The Bushnell has a hydrophobic Rainguard lens coating.

The Vortex has the (best? least hassle) VIP warranty.

From the spec's I think the VV looks the best but I do have a refurb Bushnell coming to be (after I returned the Hurricane to Eagle Optics). I'll write up some comments when I get it. FrankD has tried it but sent it back and didn't write it up (bad, Frank ).

So someone has to go out and check out the Vanquish! Or any of these (how is the stray light? flare?).

FWIW I have Nikon 8x25 ProStaffs.

Field of View 330 ft./1000 yds.
Eye Relief 15.5mm
Close Focus 9.2 ft.
Weight 12.5 oz.
Dimensions (HxW) 3.9 x 4.5 in.
Weatherproofing Waterproof/Fogproof

They're pretty darn good for minis. Don't know how they'd stack up against the others.

My thumbnail sketch:
Waterproof, twist up eyecups (that seem to stay put), great ergos, sharp, prone to flare, and focus doesn't "snap to" like great bins. Good little case also.

Mine cost $115 off *b*y. Expect them to be about $130. or so.

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