PLEASE NOTE: This is a re-edited and up-dated version so please do not go by previous low rates!
TERMS USED IN THIS REVIEW
OBJECTIVE LENS DIAMETER: "The size of the lens through which light enters the binoculars the larger this number, the brighter the image in the binoculars will appear, but the larger and heavier the binoculars will be to carry."{Which.Co.UK
PORO/ROOF PRISM: "A 'roof prism' design tends to be more compact, making it more useful for walking tours, or holidays, or for kids to use...may also not work well in low light..'Poro prism' binoculars...still have good image quality at lower cost...unlike roof-prisms, tend to be adjustable to fit the distance between your eyes."{Which.Co.UK
FIELD OF VIEW: "Real field of view is the angle of the visible field, seen without moving the binoculars, measured from the central point of the objective lens. The larger the value is, the wider the view field available." {Nikon.Com
CLOSE FOCUSING DISTANCE: This indicates the distance to the nearest point that can be focused. Generally, binoculars are used to make distant objects appear nearer. However, you can also enjoy magnified images from a close distance. {Nikon.ComTHE EFFECTIVE DIAMETER: "The inside diameter of the objective lens frame."{Nikon.Com
~//~THE COMPANY ~ IN BRIEF~//~
In 1887, a precision carpenter, Richard Hüttig, besides successfully copying French and English cameras, also developed new models, even setting up a factory.
The firm snowballed in success, continuing numerous innovative lines in lens and camera features. Well over a century later, mergers, take-overs and expansions, the company now boast a wide variety of quality products. The UK site comments, "Praktica (UK) Ltd. is the sole UK distributor for the comprehensive PRAKTICA ranges of digital cameras and compact binoculars" {http://www.prakticadirect.co.uk
~//~'CONTACT LENS' ~ REASON FOR PURCHASE~//~
I bought these binoculars to share with my grand-son, who loves examining flora and fauna! The telescope we had initially purchased turned out to be pretty useless, unable to replace due to expense, I decided on the lesser amount for a pair of binoculars.
~//~'ZOOM IN'~//~
The binocular has an 8 to 21 zoom. As tripods usually accommodate telescopes, there isn't an issue with the 'shaky hand' syndrome! But, being these binoculars are handheld, I didn't realise until after purchase that it's important to choose a binocular with magnification 8x or less. As this is from 8x zoom capacity it's fairly satisfactory for myself. But when my grand-son holds the gadget, the images tend to be out of focus as his little hands tend to shake even with this lighter version of binoculars. The up-side is that it's a strong enough zoom to magnify things greatly! Therefore, I have decided that although I'm happy to use the tool for viewing such creatures as birds etc., I will be investing in a suitable telescope for my grand-son, but please Ssshh as it's a surprise!
~//~'BATHED IN LIGHT'~//~
For a really useful tool, one needs as much light to pick up good viewing so it's fundamental to obtain the largest objective lens diameter one can carry.
Again, through lack of research at the time, I didn't realise this fact. This device has a fair 21mm objective lens (the lens furthest from the eye). For me and my grand-son, the range seems suitable enough for viewing imagery on a medium scale but expert enthusiast will want to go for anything up to and beyond 9x63; a tripod will be required though! Furthermore, a roof prism would have been far more suitable for my young grand-son to handle as opposed to this rather cumbersome poro prism design. But, as the poro features adjustable eye width, it is more beneficial to accommodate little faces!
~//~ 'POINT OF VIEW'~//~
These standard binoculars have a 90-48m {90 x magnification and 48 effective diameter of the objective lens field of view) along with a 5.2o-2.8o angle of view. One would think as I did when I first purchased this item, that the higher the magnification the better. In fact, as the magnification becomes higher, the field of view will actually be narrower, added to this, movement from trying to hold the product steady presents out of focus imaging together with insufficient lighting coming through the small lens; presents difficulty in viewing objects.
The field of view, although not the highest, still gives problems. But, by carefully turning the adjustable focus features and adopting the correct stance and appropriate length on object focus, this furnishes satisfactory vision for catching scenery up close such as in parks. Recently, we managed to see all the diverse autumn colours on the leaves of various trees without even having to enter the gates of our local park, thanks to the extraordinary unaffected lighting that time of day. This enthused my grand-son as presently his class are collecting leaves to make a collage scene; It proved very handy in locating the objects we were looking for as my grand-tot picked out the tree he wanted to collect leaves from and we had a lovely afternoon stroll collecting, focusing, collecting...
The binoculars have a minimum of close focusing view of 3m which is excellent for my grand-son to view insects, his favourite! We have looked closely at ants in the garden. My grand-son was so excited by the magnification of these industrious little creatures that I ended up investing in a child's Ant Farm kit! We have got 'up close and personal' with spiders, of which delighted my young explorer. The binoculars effective zoom for magnifying small objects furnished my grand-son with the most amazing view of a spiders web and moth cocoon. This evolved into a remarkable teaching aid as then we visited a local second-hand book store and picked up an insect book which noted the various life stages of insects.
~//~'MEASURED VIEW'~//~
These zoom silver and black binoculars afford suitable clear viewing which are good for bird watching and alike. I even took them to watch my grand-children's sports day events. These binoculars are for standard usage. At 200g they are light-weight enough to hang around one's neck using the lengthy strap or fairly compact to place in the pocket for ease in mobility.
But, I did find that my grand-son found them somewhat burdensome and awkward to carry after a short while.
The device has neat rubber fold-down eyecups for folks that wear glasses, although I didn't need to use this, my grand-child felt it is an added toy to amuse him whilst awaiting for that golden shot of a view!
Therefore, the soft small lens cleaning cloth included in the kit proved most useful.
The field glasses come with handy simple to understand manufacturer notes and durable carry case to hold the product in safely. These binoculars include a remarkable full ten year warranty. Purchased for £14.99 on-line; buying direct from the manufacturer's can result in being charged the full price of £30 plus but on-line sites such as Amazon can cut that cost by half or more!
~//~'ROSE-COLOURED GLASSES' ~WOULD I RECOMMEND?~//~
Yes~ if you're looking for a standard, easy to operate, functional binoculars for basic to medium range viewing at an affordable price
No ~ if you are looking for high-tech astronomical and similar viewing whereby money, tripods, weight and expertise poses no problem
I give these top points for a grand-parent's sentimental value as the first binoculars shared with my own amazing mini David Bellamy!
And four stars for all the details and fun we gained from this practical tool that has led onto many more projects.
Thank you for taking the time to read and rate my review.
'A Sight For Sore Eyes'! ~ Praktica W8 21x21 
