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Eye Strain

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Raghorn View Drop Down
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Joined: May/25/2005
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Raghorn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Eye Strain
    Posted: May/25/2005 at 13:44

What causes it, and what features should one look for in mid range roofs to avoid it.   My main use will be hunting the west, glassing for up to two or three hours at a time in all light conditions.  Do I really need to spend upwards of a thousand bucks.  Is there a big difference between the mid range ( $500 to $800 ) roofs and the high end stuff ?

I'm considering;

Pentax DCF "SP"

Minox

Wind River "Pinicle"

Kahles

All 8X by 40 to 42mm

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SteveSF View Drop Down
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Joined: May/17/2005
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SteveSF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/25/2005 at 14:06

The more frequent posters will give more definitive responses, but, ... to get the discussion rolling:

 

Causes: 

Design-wise:  excessive eye-relief (if you don't wear eyeglasses while viewing) makes viewing to see the image circle very sensitive (thereby cause black-outs, or "kidney-beaning").  It then becomes very sensitive to eye position behind the lens, as well width-wise spacing to match you interpupillary distance.

Defects:  barrel alignment, alignment of prisms and lenses, other mismatches between the barrels' optics.

Usage:  interpupillary alignment; right-eye "misadjustment".

 

If you don't use eyeglasses, I would suggest choosing a binocular with only moderate eye-relief (12 - 16 mm).  But, even that doesn't guarantee relief.  Overall, it is best to try them out before you buy.

 

All the models you're considering should be capable of the quality you're looking for.  Since there is unit-to-unit variability in quality, trying before buying is again recommended.  The "high end stuff" is only marginally better, relative to image quality, not a significant amount (unless you're really picky in the extreme about image quality).

 

I would also suggest that you consider some porro prism models.  If you don't need close-focusing, some individual focusing models are capable of great quality at less-than-roof prism prices (e.g., Fujinon 8x30 FMTR, IOR 8x30, IOR 7x40).  An excellent center-focus model is the Swift 8.5x44 ED (or regular version) Audubon porro prism.  The Nikon E2 series (8x30 and 10x35) are also excellent.

 

Other posters will have their say, I'm sure. 

 

Good luck.

 

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Stud Duck View Drop Down
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Joined: May/20/2005
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Stud Duck Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/26/2005 at 08:53

I used the Wind River Pinnacles last year on a whitetail hunt in West Texas. I glassed several hours for two days before tagging out. For the price the Pinnacles were great, no eye strain with sharp clear images.

 

I compared my Pinnacles to my brother in laws' $1600 Brunton Epochs. After the comparison, the only thing good I could say about the Bruntons' was "nice camo finish."

 

For the money, Leupold got it right.

 

I spoke with customer reps from Leupold & Brunton on these particular models & the Pinnacles had a higher % of light transmission than the Bruntons.

 

 



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swilkens View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote swilkens Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/26/2005 at 16:22
I am also considering sone of the above mentioned binoculars (Kahles, Pentax SP, Pinnacles, Alpen Apex)  Suggestions on which of these are the best for the money would be appreciated.  Pros and Cons of each.
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