Almost perfect
Written: Jul 29 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Superb optics, low price.
Cons: Inadequate strap.
The Bottom Line: The 8x23A are your best choice for your first binoculars.
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| NetDanzr's Full Review: Canon A (8x23) Binocular |
Canon 8x32A are a fine piece of binoculars. Combining decent magnification, above-average field of view, compact design, exceptional optics and unbeatable price, these binoculars should be on the shopping list of every amateur hiker, bird watcher and sports enthusiast.
The specifics
The 8x23A are porro prism, center-focusing binoculars, with aspehical multi-coated lenses and nitrogen-filled construction.
Magnification – 8x
Objective diameter – 23mm
Exit pupil – 2.9mm
Field of view – 338ft at 1000 yards (6.4 degrees)
Now that I confused the hell out of you, let me explain what I have just written (and apologize to those few who know and miss a few other numbers that I did not deem important).
The binoculars are very compact, creating a nearly perfect (filled) rectangle with the eyepieces protruding. Because the binoculars are so compact, the eyepiece and the objective cannot be set in one straight line; instead a set of mirrors creates a step-like structure inside (porro prism setting). The asperical lenses (multi-coated for better quality) offer superior sharpness throughout the field of view, including the edges. The nitrogen-filled construction prevents the binoculars, which are not waterproof, from fogging.
The binoculars enlarge all objects eight times, enough for the amateur birdwatcher, and more than enough for a hiker or a tourist who wants to close up on something. The exit pupil indicates how much light passes through the lenses, and is directly related to your eye’s pupil diameter. On a sunny day, your pupil diameter is between 1.5mm and 3mm; at night it’s up to 7mm, in order to capture more light. A 2.9mm exit pupil indicates that these binoculars are better for daytime operation, even though I have had almost no problems using them at dusk as well. The field of view tells you how much you are going to see at a distance. As a general rule, more is better here, as it captures a larger area, making seeking out a certain point easier and keeping it in context.
Some things cannot be covered by a set of numbers. The most important thing here is ergonomics. The binoculars are very easy to hold – their shape is more like a shape of a computer mouse – they fit into your hand perfectly. Because all lenses are set deep inside the case, they are relatively well protected from sudden impacts. The binoculars are matt-black, having no reflecting surfaces that may be distracting, yet look quite fashionable. The eye balance adjustment is located on the right eyepiece, and is firm enough to stay in place once adjusted (this adjustment is necessary if your own eyesight is not aligned). The center focus is large enough to offer support for two fingers, and offers just enough resistance for the binoculars not to go out of focus by accident.
Who are these binoculars for?
You may have guessed the answer by now. They should be operated during daytime, are compact and light (about one pound, including the carrying case they are shipped with), they offer relatively low-end magnification, but a great field of depth. They are aimed at a target audience consisting of a mix of hikers, amateur bird watchers and tourists. The binoculars look good enough for you not to be ashamed to look through them in the middle of a large crowd, let’s say at the statue of liberty. I personally use them for getting great view when hiking, and for some bird watching (just a few days ago I saw a group of six hawks in a single view; that one sight was fully worth the price of the binoculars).
Can anything negative be said?
Actually, yes. There are three things that I didn’t quite like about these binoculars, cumulatively contributing to one star off my rating. The biggest problem lies with the provided strap. It is hopelessly short, and has a very basic design. The strap is barely enough to pull the binoculars over my head with a baseball hat on, and its edges are rough enough to scratch your neck during prolonged use. I would advise you to get a better strap as soon as possible. Second, the eyepieces are not set deep enough, and when I push my eyes against the binoculars, I tend to make the lenses dirty very quickly. The last problem is my personal rant, applicable to 95% of binoculars. The 8x23A does not have a socket for a tripod or a monopod (missing on most other binoculars as well). While at a magnification of 8x the picture is still relatively stable, my hands tend to shake after a climb up a mountain, and a tripod socket would be very helpful.
How does it compare to competition?
While there are many cheaper binoculars, the Canon 8x23A blows most of the off by superior lens work. These are the main competitors you may consider and discard as inferior:
Bushnell 8x21 Poverview Select. Comparable price and comparable statistics with a better field of view, they offer a little darker image and vastly inferior lenses.
Bushnell 7-15x25 Poverview Compact Zoom. The advantage of these binoculars is that you can regulate the magnification. However, the field of view, as well as the lens work is inferior to the Canon. In addition, I found the binoculars a little hard to operate while looking through them. This may have improved if I used them for longer than a day, though.
Swift 8x25 Aerolite. These are basically the no-name version of the Canon 8x23, with inferior lenses.
Nikon 8x25 Travelite V. They cost twice as much and offer a field of view that’s 13% smaller, which is quite significant.
However, there is one pair of binoculars that is a better buy than the Canon 8x23A:
Pentax 8x21 UCF M. While offering a slightly smaller exit pupil, they offset this deficiency by higher-quality lenses (the BaK-4 prisms), which let in more light. These binoculars offer a larger field of view than the Canon (and any other model in this category), and cost only $10 more than the Canon. (In case you were wondering, I have not bought them because I think they are ugly.)
Conclusion
The Canon 8x23A is worth every dollar you pay for it, providing you pay $60 and not the manufacturer suggested price of $110. While they are only the second best in their category (in my opinion), they are more readily available and look better. If you are a hiker, like to watch birds, watch what your neighbors are doing (during day or with their lights on) or like to go on sightseeing tours, these binoculars offer what you need – adequate magnification, very good field of view and a superb set of optics. If I didn’t already own a pair, I’d go buy them right now, and so should you.
Recommended:
Yes
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NetDanzr
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