I have a question regarding the eye relief of the Zeiss 8x42 FL compared to the Nikon 8x42 LXL. The Eagle Optics website lists 16mm of eye relief on the Zeiss and 20mm for the Nikon. Since this is a critical feature for me, I was leaning toward the Nikons (though I'm not crazy about the ergonomics).
I have not had a chance to try either one, since the local shop just tells me week after week that they're on order and will arrive any day. The problem is, the Cornell Lab binocular review in Living Bird gives the Zeiss a perfect 5 for eye relief and eyecup quality, and they give the Nikons a 4.8. Since I have an old pair of Zeiss 10x40 B/GA T bins with 16mm of eye relief (which isn't close to adequate for me), I was really surprised that the Cornell reviewers gave the new Zeiss a perfect score when they only have 16mm of eye relief.
So, are there any eyeglass wearers out there that have the Zeiss or Nikon 8x42 and can comment on the eye relief?
Thanks,
Bruce
PS: I have tried the 7x42 and 8x42 Leica Ultravids and would have seriously considered them if it wasn't for the awful focus mechanism, so they're out of the running.
I can't comment on those models but I can tell you my eyes are comfortable, with glasses on of course, with an eye relief from 14mm to about 16mm. At 20mm my eyes are too close to the eyepeices and I get blackout. There is such a thing as too much eye relief. I wear glasses that fit fairly within my eyesockets, not protruding anypast my eyebrow ridges.
The conclusion, or, how this relates to your question: the Cornell reviewers may have had similar glasses to mine, possibly because they are used to older bins with less eye relief than the newer crop, and so found that 20mm was a bit too long on average for the group.
If the 16mm you have experience with is not enough, pay no heed to the Cornell review, you already know it does not work for you. You can't adjust the FLs any longer than 16, but you could adjust the Nikons down a bit to 18 or so if 20 was a bit long.
PS, on the Leica focusing. They are designed to work without lubricant, so at normal temps they are not a silky as the others, but the feel does not worsen at any temperature, whereas lubricated mechanisms can (even the best to a small degree). It is a tradeoff. Average but always or silky most of the time.
I have the Zeiss 10x42 FL. I believe it is listed with 16mm of eye relief. It works well for me and I wear eye glasses. I was surprised because I usually need 18mm of eye relief.
Rich