After ordering the Vixen Foresta 8x32 roofs I did a little diggin' around the Vixen selection on several websites. There are several interesting models and I have seen discussions in the past about the Vixen Foresta 8x32 porro. However, I also noticed the Vixen Geoma 8X32 ZWCF Binoculars. It looks like a "throwback" to the classic porro designs of the past but with modern antireflective coatings. I did a google search for it and searched the forum archives here as well. There are some casual references to it but I have not found a single post where someone actually owns one.
Have any of you tried it and/or if you have then what are your thoughts/experiences with it?
Specs:
Geoma 8x32 ZWCF
8.3° degree field of view
436 / 145 feet/meters at 1000 yards
15 / 4.5 feet/meters close focus
15mm of eye relief
16 ounce / 520g physical weight
$259 most places
It looks a bit like the Nikon E II but with a different position to the focusing knob.
Frank...For what I know,or perhaps imagine ,this binocular is the original Vixen-celestron Ultima. It shares the exact body,and I would say same optics,since specifications coincide ,With the adition,perhaps,of upgraded coatings.I do have the Swift version,the ultralite 8x32 ,also the same binocular,and it is an amazing little porro..They did have state of the art AR coatings at the time,so if the GEOMA has better coatings,I think it will be very good
The one that really interestes me,and I will buy as soon as I have a chance,is the NEW Foresta 8x32 waterpoof porro.I love the Swift Ultralite,It has a better view than the Zeiss FL,and amazing handling,but is not waterproof,So the New Foresta could be an affordable option to get top views in a WP bino
Minus the armoring, the Opticron SR GA 8x32 appears to be the same as the Geoma, and I believe both Opticron and Vixen (at least the Japanese models) are made by Kamakura (as is the Orion Ultraview). Quality stuff.
Frank, thanks for bringing renewed attention to these. Perhaps there are the poor man's EIIs.