Video and review of KOWA YF II 8x30 (1 Viewer)

[BikeNovember]

Thank you yarrellii for the comparo. My 6x30s showed up and unfortunately my experience was the same as pepitogrillo in that there were bad focus stops and the wheel itself felt like a child’s toy. I did like the size and handling characteristics however. In the end I sent it back and am revisiting my old Bushnell Powerview 7x35 binos for this role.

 

[Paultricounty]

I did t read through the whole thread, so sorry if it was asked. Has anybody compared these to the APM 6x30’s?

Thank you
Paul

 

[yarrellii]

I did t read through the whole thread, so sorry if it was asked. Has anybody compared these to the APM 6x30’s?

Thank you
Paul

While not exactly the Kowa YF model (or the new, albeit nearly identical YF II), Canip/Pinac did an extensive review of the prototype that lead to the current APM 6x30 and compared it to a number of low mag binoculars, including a sibling of the Kowa YF, the Vixen Atrek 6x30. I've had the Atrek and found it to be every bit as good as the YF.

Canip says that the APM «easily outperformed the Vixen Atrek» in contrast and sharpness. So that seems very promising. But then, the original price of the YF was way lower than the APM, so an improvement in performance is to be expected.

You can find the entire review/comparison here:

APM 8x30 ED and 6x30 Porro Binoculars (Prototypes) - Binoculars - Cloudy Nights

Page 1 of 3 - APM 8x30 ED and 6x30 Porro Binoculars (Prototypes) - posted in Binoculars: On September 22, 2108, Markus Ludes had announced two new small porro binoculars. Originally planned as individual focus instruments, further work and some discussions on the CN forum have now led to a...

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