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Bino comparison: Swaro, Pentax, Kahles and Zen Ray

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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 Topic: Bino comparison: Swaro, Pentax, Kahles and Zen Ray
    Posted: June/06/2010 at 17:24
Was on my way home the other nite and thought I would take all four of them out for a test drive a bit before sunset til about 15 minutes after sunset.  It was partly cloudy out and these observations are based on my eyes.  Your eyes may have different results.

Binos tested were the Swarovski SLC 8x30, Kahles 8x32, Pentax 8x43 SP and Zen Ray 10x42 ED.  Ranges viewed were 100-400 plus yards on a field that had some patchy trees, farm equipment and a treeline at the far end.

First up were the Zen Rays.  Largest of the bunch.  Came with a nice soft case.  They were easy to set up for my eyes and had good image quality, but with my eyes, I seemed to run out of focus adjustment at the longer ranges.  On the edges the clarity appeared to suffer a bit.  Colors were good and before sunset the clarity was pretty good.  Clarity started to suffer as the available light was reduced in the post sunset time.  Field of view was adequate for a 10 power.

The Kahles were next.  One of the smaller binos, the "plastic" coating on them felt cheap compared to the others.  They were one of the smallest, as should be with 32 mm objectives.  Color was good, about the same as the Zen Rays.  Clarity was just a bit behind the ZR, but they were clear out to the edges.  Color and clarity dropped off as the sun disappeared.  Field of view was larger than the ZRs by a bit, which would be expected.

Following the Kahles were the Pentax.  For an 8x43, they were not much larger than the Kahles.  When I looked through them, I was impressed.  Granted, they let in more light than the other two, having a 5.4 compared to a 4.2 and 4.  Color was good and the images were crisp.  Definitely better than the Kahles and the images were clear from edge to edge.  Field of view was about the same as the ZR 10x, which I found interesting.  Same as the Kahles and ZRs, the image started to suffer as the clock ticked past sunset.  But these definitely were one of the better tested so far.

Last came the Swaros.  The SLCs were the smallest and lightest of the group.  The rainguard was the nicest over the eyepieces.  It wasn't just a plastic cover.  It fit the eyepieces, not tight, but snug.  The image was about the same as the Pentax, which surprised me.  Edge to edge was good.  They did start to suffer, compared to the Pentax, as the sun went down.  Field of view was about the same as the Kahles and smaller than the Pentax.  The design did exude quality.  When I made an adjustment, you could feel it.  Focus knob is on the forward part of the hinge, atypical of the other three.  It actually felt easier to use.

For sunset and later, my choice would be the Swaro or the Pentax, depending on budget available and size required.  Keep in mind that the SLCs were only about 4 ounces lighter and less than an inch shorter overall.  For the price, the Pentax SPs can't be beat in my opinion.  Wish I was able to test the 8x32 SPs.

When I get a chance to take them out during the day when it isn't raining, I'll try and get another review out.

I hope this helps...
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SVT_Tactical View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/07/2010 at 07:06
good review
"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
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ckk1106 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ckk1106 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/07/2010 at 10:28
Thanks for the review.Thunbs Up
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abailey54 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote abailey54 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/08/2010 at 08:00
Great review.  I have owned all 3 and you are own the money. Thanks again.
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stephen b View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stephen b Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/08/2010 at 22:25
Nice review!

Pentax's are impressive. And this review was done with the SP's; if you really want to see impressive glass-check out the ED's. They really give the Swaro SLC a good run and the EL's. I compared the 8x32 Pentax ED's and the 8x30 SLC Swaro's and the 8x32 Swaro EL's and the Pentax ED's more than held there own. 
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