Advantages: excellent optics and view
Disadvantages: size and weight

...Giant Navy binoculars"Kronos" 20x60 binoculars. First the technical specifications Magnification 20x Angle of field of view 3.34' Linear field of view 1000m: 62 Exit pupil diameter 3mm Eye relief 11 mm Overall dimensions 265x218x77mm Weight 1.45kg (3.6lbs) Made in Russia Traditional style centre focus. Right ocular dioptre compensation. Z-style aircraft grade aluminium alloy body, Can be clamped to a tripod with a tripod mount separately purchased. These are superb optical observation instruments that are designed for wildlife, sporting events, Night sky and other low light situations and any other open air event. They are capable of a short range focus (25-30yds) but are also capable of rapid adjustment to a far object. Thus you can focus on a small bird in a nearby bush and swiftly look... Read review

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Advantages: Light, compact, excellent optical quality
Disadvantages: compromises have still been made

...I wanted a pair of compact binoculars to keep in my pocket or glove compartment of the car - OLYMPUS with their reputation for high quality optical instruments provided a very effective solution. My trusty East German Jenoptem binoculars had suffered long enough and it was time for something a little less chunky. From an emotional perspective I have always been very comfortable with OLYMPUS optics - see my previous opinions on analogue and digital cameras. In general, they offer well designed and manufactured products which tend to occupy the middle of the price range, and give years of use. I bought mine for £49.95 from my local ARGOS store, and because I bought something else at the same time taking my total purchase over £50, I got a £5 gift voucher - obviously these offers are only available at certain times... Read review

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Advantages: Superb optical quality,light,well built.
Disadvantages: Price may put people off.

...I just had to write a review about these outstanding binoculars. Actually it was my friend who inspired me as he had borrowed mine for the day and I was using his old pair. As we walked around our favourite local 'birding' area after five minutes of using them he said,"…….", well actually I cannot write what he said as I would not wish to offend. Needless to say his exclamation was one that I took as approval of the binoculars. These binoculars are not cheap, as they will set you back in the region of £600 unless you can pick up a second hand pair. They are well worth the money if you will get the use out of them. A new pair will come with a 30-year guarantee that I thought was pretty confidence building. While we are on the subject of buying can I recommend visiting some local nature reserves as retailers often hold open days... Read review

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Advantages: Price, good low light performance
Disadvantages: None that I can think of

...I've had these binoculars for 2 years now, and they've been extremely useful. They were bought for me as a Christmas present, so I don't know exactly how much was paid for them, although a quick browse on the web shows a price around £40. At this price, I reckon these are an absolute steal. By coincidence, at the same time as I was receiving these, I was giving the same person a pair of binoculars in return, the only difference being that they were getting a pair of Leica Trinovid 10X25, which cost over 5 times as much (USD$384 to be precise). I've therefore had a good opportunity to compare the 2, and I think I wasted my money. There's no doubt that the optical quality of the Leica binoculars is slightly better, especially in very poor light, but if you just want a really good product for birdwatching, sports spectating, general... Read review

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Advantages: Awesome build quality, easy to handhold,very high overall sharpness of image,neutral colour balance of image
Disadvantages: Close focus disappointing, some colour fringing in extreme contrast situations

...Having owned a pair of Leitz 10 x 40 BA/N Binoculars and sold them I had always wanted to own a pair of the newer style Trinovids. The catalogue issued by Leica waxed lyrical about the numerous improvements which had been made over the previous Leitz models. Obviously the first thing noticed was the improved shape and ergonomics,easy to handhold and focus.Now I'm comparing two different types of binocular as I'd previous owned a pair of 10x40 as opposed to the 8x50's. The main reason for a change was the ability to hold the 8x more steady than the 10x-but that is really the only comparison I have. Now the business side of things-the optical performance. Leica had clamed big things for it's new range of Binoculars involving new glasses and lens coating and also something called Phase-Correction coating of the prisms. Did... Read review

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Advantages: Focus down to .5 metres, Rugged, beautiful, excellent optics, light
Disadvantages: The case doesn't attach to the strap

...Simply the best Xmas present we have ever had. The Papilio is very well built and cleverly designed. The image quality is superb. The USP is the ability to focus down to .5 metres. Never understood why it would be important until we went on a guided Fungus walk. We thought binoculars were for seeing things that are far away - how wrong! To see stuff in incredible detail whilst standing next to it is a sensation. We have bored all our friends with them. Clever touches that make these not only great binoculars but a joy to own and use as a product in it's own right are ….. Cyclops lenses that are easy to clean and make you look like Laila from Futurama, Clip on strap that is just superbly and cleverly engineered, Rubberised cover that feels very sexy(!!), Solidly made - adjust the width and they just melt into the right position... Read review

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Advantages: Lightweight, easy to use, fairly compact, eye cups alter for spectacle wearers.
Disadvantages: Plastic body not waterproof

...I wanted to replace my old binoculars which had got tatty and were not working properly, for some decent, but not too expensive ones. In other words the best I could afford. I took some advice from the sales guy, who seemed to know what he was talking about and settled on these Minoltas. I like the clarity, the accuracy of the colours and the brightness of the image. The eye-cups spring in and out which helps if you wear spectacles, and there is a lens cap. Also in the box, a fairly run-of-the mill case with belt loop and neckstrap. I was a little concerned that the body is plastic, rather than rubber coated, as I spend a fair amount of time outdoors, but they are so compact, they easily fit into a coat pocket anyway, even if you don't have the case to hand. All in all I am very pleased with these good quality "budget" (£60... Read review

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Advantages: Clarity, choice of lens, colour, brightness and price
Disadvantages: Avoid the zoom eye piece...

...view anyway. A range of options Nikon have provided 8 different eyepieces to couple with the scope. Since my original purchase I have acquired the 30x, the 38x and the 50x fixed eyepieces. The results from these move the scope to another level entirely. Gone are the field of view problems of the zoom, the image is truly 'punchy' and the field of view is much, much wider. The glass Nikon use fluorite ED glass to help reduce chromatic aberration and give superb colour rendition. The multi-layer coating produces superb optical results. The 82mm objective ensures that the image is bright. Conclusion The ED82 is simply the best scope for the money, there are better but you'll have to double your money to beat it. Avoid the zoom unless you have extra cash, the flat depth of field will produce too much frustration. I... Read review

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Advantages: Image adjustments to give great view, waterproof, adjustable eye-relief
Disadvantages: fixed magnification, average build and design quality

...Binoculars are mainly used by bird watchers as to get a closer look at them. Many people also use binoculars for occasions such as holidays where they travel to destinations of natural beauty. Using a binocular enables them to see the scenic beauty from a better and closer perspective. The Olympus 8X25 WPI is labeled professional, but can obviously be used by everyday and ordinary people. These particular binoculars have an 8x magnification ability. This is simply the power of magnification on the binoculars, the 8x magnification means that the object or area you view through the binoculars is going to appear 8x larger or closer. The 8x magnification also means that this is the maximum and minimum magnification power of the binoculars. You cannot view an object or place with a lesser or higher magnification than 8x... Read review

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Advantages: Lightweight, Good Image Quality, Compact, Cheap.
Disadvantages: The Case.

..., as the case includes a belt loop on the back, due the flimsiness of the case, the binoculars lull down and move about a lot on the strap. The second problem with the case is that it is not waterproof, like the binoculars, meaning they will get wet if a downpour occurs. Also the case would be no use in protecting the binoculars if you were to drop them, its just too thin and doesn’t include any padding. (See Fig 3) I would strongly recommend that you invest in a more sturdy waterproof case to prolong the life of the binoculars, especially when using outdoors. I keep the binoculars in my camera bag (Lowepro), as its much sturdier and most of all waterproof. ~~~~ Technical Spec ~~~~ ~ 10x magnification. ~ 25mm lens diameter. ~ Auto focus: No. ~ Type of Prism: Porro. ~ Type Standard/Compact: Compact. ~ Water protection: Not Waterproof... Read review

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