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Reviews by J
Good All-Around Binocular
Written on May 12, 2022
Review for
Vortex Viper HD 8x42mm Roof Prism Binoculars
I was looking to upgrade my Opticron Explorer 8x32 and tried these out.
Some reviews said the Viper’s did everything slightly above-average, And I have to say, that’s a spot-on description - in a good way.
They are satisfactory (solid) in almost every area: sharpness, FOV, edge-to-edge clarity, color, exterior armor, ergonomics, weight, user friendly, ect.
While they don’t ‘wow’ in any particular category, (except warranty) they don’t really compromise anywhere either. This makes the total experience better than other binoculars I’ve used. It’s a well-executed, mid-range binoculars.
I did have one gripe about these though - but thankfully there’s a simple fix!
The eyecup resistance in the intermediate positions were barely usable. They can collapse to a different position while viewing if you put a lot of pressure on them (which I do). But to fix that, just put a small hair tie on the eyepiece barrel. It will prevent the eyepiece from moving down to the other positions no matter how hard you press.
(Note: This is NOT an issue when the eyecups are fully extended. This is ONLY for those intermediate positions.)
Overall I’m really happy with these. This was the upgrade I was looking for - An all-rounder that can do a bit of everything.
Some reviews said the Viper’s did everything slightly above-average, And I have to say, that’s a spot-on description - in a good way.
They are satisfactory (solid) in almost every area: sharpness, FOV, edge-to-edge clarity, color, exterior armor, ergonomics, weight, user friendly, ect.
While they don’t ‘wow’ in any particular category, (except warranty) they don’t really compromise anywhere either. This makes the total experience better than other binoculars I’ve used. It’s a well-executed, mid-range binoculars.
I did have one gripe about these though - but thankfully there’s a simple fix!
The eyecup resistance in the intermediate positions were barely usable. They can collapse to a different position while viewing if you put a lot of pressure on them (which I do). But to fix that, just put a small hair tie on the eyepiece barrel. It will prevent the eyepiece from moving down to the other positions no matter how hard you press.
(Note: This is NOT an issue when the eyecups are fully extended. This is ONLY for those intermediate positions.)
Overall I’m really happy with these. This was the upgrade I was looking for - An all-rounder that can do a bit of everything.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful.
Great Quality With One Drawback
Written on Dec 01, 2021
The Opticron Explorer 8x32 are lightweight binoculars that offer great viewing experiences for birders and nature lovers! The image clarity is nice and sharp. It has a good Field of View which makes you feel immersed in the image. The edge-to-edge sharpness is very good, and the color and brightness look natural. The exterior armor is good quality and comfortable. The strap is alright, but the case is a little too small to be used practically. One hidden highlight is the close focus. While listed as 8.2 ft, I can focus on objects just under 7ft. (not a must-have feature, but it is a nice-to-have!)
The drawback is the blackouts you can get when using them. (Blackouts are fluttering shadows at the edge of the image that can distract from the view)
When I first got the binocular, I couldn’t just put them to my eyes and get perfect results. I had to work with them to find the right positioning for my eyes that minimized the blackouts. This makes it a less user-friendly experience and is why I wouldn’t recommend them for beginners. (The Nikon Prostaff 7s 8x30 would be a better user-friendly option for beginners)
With that said, My wife and I still enjoy using them to view birds and nature. It’s a great tool to capture the fine detail of God’s handiwork!
In conclusion, if you are willing to work with them, The Opticron Explorer 8x32 are great quality binoculars that rewards you with a sharp and immersive image. But it isn’t the most user-friendly experience.
The drawback is the blackouts you can get when using them. (Blackouts are fluttering shadows at the edge of the image that can distract from the view)
When I first got the binocular, I couldn’t just put them to my eyes and get perfect results. I had to work with them to find the right positioning for my eyes that minimized the blackouts. This makes it a less user-friendly experience and is why I wouldn’t recommend them for beginners. (The Nikon Prostaff 7s 8x30 would be a better user-friendly option for beginners)
With that said, My wife and I still enjoy using them to view birds and nature. It’s a great tool to capture the fine detail of God’s handiwork!
In conclusion, if you are willing to work with them, The Opticron Explorer 8x32 are great quality binoculars that rewards you with a sharp and immersive image. But it isn’t the most user-friendly experience.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful.
Great Beginner Binoculars
Written on Dec 01, 2021
The Nikon Prostaff 7s 8x30 Binoculars offer a great user-friendly experience that everyone can enjoy.
From what I’ve read, 8x30s/8x32s can suffer from blackouts. (Fluttering shadows at the edge of the image which can affect the viewing experience). This problem leads to people having to figure out how to properly place the eyecups to their eyes to minimize the blackouts. This can be a bit of an annoying process.
But this isn’t the case with the Prostaff 7s. Anybody can put it to their eyes and share the same experience with no issues. They are much more user-friendly than my Opticron Explorer 8x32s in this regard (which are $100 more). This is easily the number one feature in these smaller sized binoculars and is why they make a great option for beginners. (Note: I don’t wear glasses, so I can’t speak to how these would handle with those who do wear them).
The other positive I noticed while using the Prostaff was the brightness. While the colors seemed fine, the brightness popped out to me when compared to my less expensive pair.
The small size and weight are a plus when it comes to portability. It weighs less than a pound and is easy to carry on a hike.
Another great feature is the close focus. While listed as 8.2ft, I was able to focus on objects just under 6ft. (~5.9ft in my use). A lot of fun for getting up close to bugs or nature.
Now let’s talk about the negatives.
The big one here is the sharpness. While it’s not bad, It’s not great either. I would say it’s de
From what I’ve read, 8x30s/8x32s can suffer from blackouts. (Fluttering shadows at the edge of the image which can affect the viewing experience). This problem leads to people having to figure out how to properly place the eyecups to their eyes to minimize the blackouts. This can be a bit of an annoying process.
But this isn’t the case with the Prostaff 7s. Anybody can put it to their eyes and share the same experience with no issues. They are much more user-friendly than my Opticron Explorer 8x32s in this regard (which are $100 more). This is easily the number one feature in these smaller sized binoculars and is why they make a great option for beginners. (Note: I don’t wear glasses, so I can’t speak to how these would handle with those who do wear them).
The other positive I noticed while using the Prostaff was the brightness. While the colors seemed fine, the brightness popped out to me when compared to my less expensive pair.
The small size and weight are a plus when it comes to portability. It weighs less than a pound and is easy to carry on a hike.
Another great feature is the close focus. While listed as 8.2ft, I was able to focus on objects just under 6ft. (~5.9ft in my use). A lot of fun for getting up close to bugs or nature.
Now let’s talk about the negatives.
The big one here is the sharpness. While it’s not bad, It’s not great either. I would say it’s de
1 of 1 found the following review helpful.
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