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A new comparison with bizarre results

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Rich Coyle View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rich Coyle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: A new comparison with bizarre results
    Posted: May/18/2011 at 06:56
5/17/11

The new “Can you read this?” optics chart came today. After stapling it to the pump house 127 yards away, I compared the Bushnell 6500 4 ½-30X50, Swarovski z5 5-25X52, Tasco World Class 4-16X40, Weaver 6-24X40, rifle scopes. As far as binoculars go I got out the Minox 13X56, Nikon 7-15X35, and the Vortex 6.5X32. Also I included the Leica LFR 1200 SCAN.

With the Minox I could read line 1 with ease but not quite distinguish line 2.

The Tasco allowed me to read line 1 on 12X but even on 16X I couldn’t quite read line 2.

On about 10 1/2X or maybe 10 3/4X I could read line 1 with the Swarovski. 25X allowed me to easily read line 3 and almost make out line 4.

10X was all I needed to definitely read line 1 with the Bushnell. When turned up to 30X I could easily read line 3 but not quite make out line 4.

With the Weaver on 12X I could read line 1. On 24X I could barely read line 3.

The Nikon 7-15X35, which to me are the best carry around binocular value on the market, I could read line 1 on 11X. When turned up to 15X I could barely, but could read line 2.

I tried the Leica LFR 1200 SCAN but could not make out the first line. Same thing with the very delightful 19 ounce Vortex 6.5X32 binocular. I purchased them to replace the 30 ounce Nikon 7-15X35 to lighten my hunting load. But, by the end of the first hunting season I went back to the Nikon because of the ability to crank up the power without resorting to the rifle scope. As you can see I was able to read line 2 with the Nikon on 15X but could not read line 2 with the Minox. That has to say something good about the Nikon. They have a place in the bino-buddy until something better comes along.

The Bushnell allowed me to read on the lowest setting. Next was the Nikon bino then the Swarovski followed by the Weaver and Tasco. Variables are so nice!

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tpcollins View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tpcollins Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/18/2011 at 07:14
Could one make their own charts on an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper? I would think if you just changed the font size and BOLD the print it should come close.  What are the line heights on your chart? Thanks.
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brodeur272 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote brodeur272 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/18/2011 at 10:32
Will you be testing them at sunset in the near future?
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Rich Coyle View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rich Coyle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/18/2011 at 15:53
tpcollins,
 
This page looks to be about 8 1/2X11.  I typed the number 72 in bold like you said and held the paper up to it so I could see the print behind.  It is bold 72.  The next appears to be 48, then 36, then 26, then 22 then 18.
 
The lamination is 10 mil, so it pretty nice.
 
To bad I sold the Nightforce 12-42X56.  I bet I could read line "6" with it.  Alas I needed and still need money.
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Rich Coyle View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rich Coyle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/18/2011 at 15:55
brodeur272,
 
Testing at sunset sounds like fun.  I will try to get that done soon.
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Rancid Coolaid View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/19/2011 at 07:41
What this test tells me (and all it tells me) is that one with night blindness  - and questionable daylight vision - should not use a Leica range finder to read 72-font sentences printed on laminated sheets of paper taped to pump houses 127 yards away in daylight - much less in darkness.

Other than that, I'm not sure there is a takeaway.


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tpcollins View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tpcollins Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/19/2011 at 10:54
The font increase (or decrease) isn't exacly on a liner taper but that will work. The 72 font size prints out at about 11/16" and is the same size as the 3rd line on the Snellen chart that I printed as well.  I taped the Snellen chart on a board, set it on my deck, and wandered up the street to 127 yards away. With my Leica CRF 900 I could make out the top line A on the chart that was 1 13/16" high, I couldn't make out the second line due to hand shake.
 
I went back to the house and got my shooting stick and still couldn't make out second line - 1 1/16" high, but I could with my Zeiss Victory 8x42.  So like Rancidcoolaid said, a Leica rangefinder can't read a 11/16" letter at 127 yards - (but it read 127 yards everytime).
 
That said, a month ago I was at the range sighting in my new .204 with a 6-24x42 Sightron II Big Sky. At 100 yards, I could easily see the .20 caliber holes, but I cheated and had the AO set dead nutz. I think I could have seen mosquitoes mating on the target - it was a rather clear. But I'll take my chart the next trip to the range.


Edited by tpcollins - May/19/2011 at 10:56
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Chris Farris II View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Farris II Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/19/2011 at 12:15
I'll take the Minox over the Nikon for a lot more reasons than being able to read print on a paper at 127 yards. The glass is subsantially better and in my opinion discerns more detail. They are also a lot more rugged, as switchview or zoom binoculars are more prone to fail. I personally think the Minox feel better in your hands and after extended use the Minox are much easier on the eyes than the Nikon Actions. To each his own I guess.
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Cope6.5/284 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cope6.5/284 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/19/2011 at 12:22
The Minox Binoculars must have been out of focus. I also wasn't aware that rangefinders were designed to discern the maximum amout of detail either. Leica rangefinder sub $1,000, Leica binos far much more money. Probably because the quality of the glass in a binocular far exceeds that of what a rangefinder consists of. Leica rangefinders are good to go, my .02. Use them for their inteded use and they function fine. If you want a rangefinder that has image quality of binos get the Leica Geovids.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/19/2011 at 13:50
What was the goal of this test?

What are the conclusions?
-Matt
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Cope6.5/284 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cope6.5/284 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/19/2011 at 14:23
Originally posted by Rich Coyle Rich Coyle wrote:

tman1965,
 
Maybe you could tell us all why both of the Z5 needed more magnification than the Bushnell to show me the lines clearly.
Originally posted by Rich Coyle Rich Coyle wrote:

Maybe the best performance for the moiney.  None of the Swarovsks at the shooting range I have compared the 6500 with were as sharp or as bright on the same setting. 
 
Originally posted by Rich Coyle Rich Coyle wrote:


On about 10 1/2X or maybe 10 3/4X I could read line 1 with the Swarovski. 25X allowed me to easily read line 3 and almost make out line 4.

10X was all I needed to definitely read line 1 with the Bushnell. When turned up to 30X I could easily read line 3 but not quite make out line 4.

I have attached two of your previous posts stating that Z5 needed more magnification to do the same thing as the 6500 or that the 6500 out performed it and now you are stating your results were almost the exact same with the Swaro on only 25x and the 6500 on 30x. Hmmmm....... Just pointing out facts. Not even mentioning that the Swaro is better or my opinion I am just pointing out your statements.


Edited by Cope6.5/284 - May/19/2011 at 14:25
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