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Canon 8x32WP Waterproof Binoculars with Case & Neck Strap
These are a great value with good eye relief (18 mm, important for use with glasses), easy to hold and focus, good sized exit pupil (8/32 = 4 mm), wide field of view (395'), and not too heavy (26 oz.) A large exit pupil is important on a moving boat; it's easier to keep the image in view. They appear to be rugged; I and several other people used several pairs of these for several years, and none of them went out of alignment. Minuses are: (1) they do not focus close (minimum 19 feet), which is a major drawback for bird and butterfly watching but fine for boating, (2) the optics are not phase corrected so images are a bit soft, (3) the eyecups on the ones I used roll up and down which is tedious if you often switch between use with glasses and without, and may eventually cause the rubber to crack. However, the photos of the newer models suggest they now have rigid eyecups that pull or twist up or down, which are much better.
Birders and other serious users should look at slightly more expensive waterproof roof prism models that all focus closer (5-6'), are phase corrected, have a bit more light and larger exit pupil (5 mm), and have eyecups that click up & down: the Celestron Regal LS 8x42 or Eagle Optics Ranger Platinum 8x42 (both made by Celestron) or the new Nikon ATB 8x42. All cost between $300-$400 at discount and weigh about the same as the Canon 8x32. I own the Celestrons and they are great. There is also a Pentax 8x42 DCF waterproof with similar specifications but it costs a bit more.
Exceptional Quality for the Price
Rating: 4/5
I repaired optical equipment for the Navy for 15 years and am quite particular in regards to the optical equipment I purchase. I found these Binoculars to be an outstanding value. The binoculars are constructed very well. The rubber coating makes them very comfortable to hold but kind of on the heavy side. The brightness was quite impressive despite only having a 32mm objective lens. The eye relief is acceptable for those who wear glasses. I have used them in all kinds of weather and in the short time I have owned a pair I have found they can take quite a beating. Granted with optics you always get what you pay for but for the price of these binoculars I don't feel that you can beat them.
Ranger Platiunum NOT made by Celestron
Rating: 4/5
The above review is actually ABSOLUTELY INCORRECT! Ranger Platiunum Class binoculars are NOT made by Celestron. They are made by Eagle Optics independently. Call them and ask! :-)
Minuses are:
(1) they do not focus close (minimum 19 feet), which is a major drawback for bird and butterfly watching but fine for boating,
(2) the optics are not phase corrected so images are a bit soft,
(3) the eyecups on the ones I used roll up and down which is tedious if you often switch between use with glasses and without, and may eventually cause the rubber to crack. However, the photos of the newer models suggest they now have rigid eyecups that pull or twist up or down, which are much better.
Birders and other serious users should look at slightly more expensive waterproof roof prism models that all focus closer (5-6'), are phase corrected, have a bit more light and larger exit pupil (5 mm), and have eyecups that click up & down: the Celestron Regal LS 8x42 or Eagle Optics Ranger Platinum 8x42 (both made by Celestron) or the new Nikon ATB 8x42. All cost between $300-$400 at discount and weigh about the same as the Canon 8x32. I own the Celestrons and they are great. There is also a Pentax 8x42 DCF waterproof with similar specifications but it costs a bit more.