So anyone not quite sure what binoculars I'm talking about can see them here, as they are only sold online by Eden Webshops.
Edenwebshops.de in German
Edenwebshops.co.uk in English
Initial Impressions:
The amount of detail that I can see is really more than I expected. There is a small smoke stack about a kilometer from my apartment, and with the Eden 8x56, I can make out the individual bricks. The Zen-Rays 8x43 are close in details in terms of view, but with them you get more of a sense of the patterns of bricks than the individual bricks themselves. Same thing with the two clock towers in the city center about 2 km from here- the 8x56 gives a very sharp view of the numbers, while using the zens give a slightly less detailed view. HOWEVER- this is hand held and not steadied with a tripod. I shake more using the smaller binoculars, and this will CERTAINLY affect my view. That being said- if a binocular can steady my hand and give me a better view because of that, it is certainly worth noting.
Another thing- Using the Eden 8x42 and Zen-Ray ED3, I thought there was a ladder that went up the side of the smoke stack with a platform on top. Using the 8x56, it became pretty obvious that what I thought was a ladder was actually a cell phone tower some distance behind the stack.
Darker Weather
The last few days have been rather cloudy, and a 7 a.m. this morning, it was especially gloomy. In these conditions, it really becomes apparent that the 8x56s are in their element. I was watching a bunch of swallows way out across the field behind my place and the 8x56s had a clear view, sharp almost to the edges, and they really have a big sweet spot. I can pan my eyes and not lose the image. I really enjoy looking through these binoculars, a lot.
I then compared the Zen-Ray ED3s as well as the smaller Eden 8X42s to the 8x56 in the dark and gloomy conditions this morning- the Zens really had a lot of darkening around the edges, as well as did the smaller Edens; this really contributed to a more restricted view in both the smaller binoculars. The Zens remained nice and sharp in the middle.
Weight- 1140 grams of bicep building madness
After having used the 8X56s this morning, the Zen ED3s felt like they weighed as much as a feather in my hands, and the smaller Edens felt like they floated weightless. The Eden 8x56 do weigh quite a bit, but I find the extra weight really helps to dampen any shaking, and the size and balance really fits my hand well, so the extra weight is not really a noticeable issue, at least not in my hands.
I will say that binoculars this size probably require a strap that is wider than the one included. Even though it's fairly comfortable for an hour or so, I'd like some more support, so eventually these 8x56s are going on a harness. I know many people really need lighter binoculars or more compact binoculars, but for me the extra pound has not been an issue.
Misc. Optics Stuff
As far as night time performance goes, well, let's just say that I can hold them steady enough in my hands to look at Jupiter and see the Galilean moons. Our moon is very, very bright and the craters well defined. M31- very bright, which impressed me considering that these are binoculars and not my telescope.
I see a lot of discussion about exit pupils on the forums, and about it being wasted on our increasingly limited ability to dilate our pupils as we get older, as well as having read that a larger exit pupil makes positioning binoculars easier and promotes a relaxed view. With my big, thick glasses, it seemed like positioning was everything with the 8x42s, and it was very important to keep them centered. The 8X56s, well, much easier to just put up to my eyes and look, so I have to agree with the relaxed view opinion and the easy positioning. As far as wasted exit pupil goes, I donate all my extra light and unused view to charity.
CA
The only thing I will say that I haven't like so far is that there is a bit of some chromatic aberration in high contrast situations. I tried looking at a tiny little bird from about 150 feet, crawling up a chimney, and the sky was white with clouds; it was pretty difficult to get a clear view of the bird. However, this was pretty much the only situation that I've seen it in- usually it's fairly unnoticeable. So tiny birds crawling up a black chimney against a white sky- not the 8x56's strong suit.
Good Build Quality
As far as the fit and finish of the 8X56s goes, they are very similar to the 8X42 that has been reviewed by myself and others on this forum. The black rubber coating isn't smooth and is easy to hold. The included eye caps attach to the binocular, and tend to stay on well, but not as well as on the 8x42. I would say that they failed my backpack test- the lens caps popped off in my bag.
The eye cups twist up- but they feel a bit looser that the Eden 8x42 and the Zen-Ray 8x43. Seems like the same rubber over hard plastic/metal eye cups as the 8x42.
The focus is quite a bit slower and not as smooth as the Eden 8x42 or the Zen-Ray. It seems that the knob rubs on something a little bit- not a big deal. The resistance of the knob during focus changes a little during the focusing- maybe other binoculars do this too? I don't have a lot of samples to compare it to. One thing I will say- there is no play at all in focusing- nice and tightly constructed.
The diopter doesn't lock on this model, but it's not going to move unless you try to turn it. The diopter ring has the same grippy rubber texture as the smaller binoculars.
Eye Relief, Field of View, Glare
These binoculars have a huge amount of eye relief. I have to use the eye cups, and my glasses are really, really, really thick. There are 4 settings: up, down, and two intermediates. I use either one or two clicks up. As I said, the eye cups are a bit loose compared with the other binoculars, and I tend to have to look and make sure they're still in position. Honestly, this is easily cured with a piece of tape.
The field of view is listed as being 6.5 degrees- it seems like a really big 6.5 degrees and I think that's because the image is so clear and detailed across the entire field. The 8x56 doesn't have that gigantic 'fill the entire eyepiece' view of the Zen ED3, but the view you do get is not hindered by darkening at the edges, fogginess, blur or anything like that. The sweet spot is, well, pretty much the entire image. There is a tiny bit of darkening right at the very, very edge of the image- a couple of thin, dark rings. I can catch them under the right conditions out of the corner of my eye.
The glare in these binoculars aren't as pronounced as in the Eden 8x42, which is really nice. However, there is a little bit, but it is certainly not blinding like in it's little sister.
Conclusion
Considering that we are starting to shift into autumn here in Europe, I think that the 8x56 has arrived just in time. Overall, I have a very favorable opinion of the Eden Quality XP 8x56. Actually, not favorable- I think they are great, at least when using them in the crummy weather we've had all week. But unless they totally fail in sunny weather, and I have no reason to expect them to, then my opinion will remain that I think these are great.
I think that one thing that the 8x56 really has going for it is versatility- and perhaps that is influencing my opinion a bit. But here's a pair of binoculars that can be easily used sunrise until dark, can be used for astronomy, has a relaxed view, has great detail, steadies my jitters and smells good. In conditions which the limitations of the smaller aperture binoculars that I have start to show, the view quality through the 8x56 is as good as mid day. Really, the view doesn't relent- even at night there isn't a time where part of the image becomes blurred or darker; it stays clear across the field.
I'm not sure of how much I've observed is the nature of the 8x56 beast, and how much is because Eden has made a good pair of binoculars here, but I don't think it matters because the overall package is great.
Edenwebshops.de in German
Edenwebshops.co.uk in English
Initial Impressions:
The amount of detail that I can see is really more than I expected. There is a small smoke stack about a kilometer from my apartment, and with the Eden 8x56, I can make out the individual bricks. The Zen-Rays 8x43 are close in details in terms of view, but with them you get more of a sense of the patterns of bricks than the individual bricks themselves. Same thing with the two clock towers in the city center about 2 km from here- the 8x56 gives a very sharp view of the numbers, while using the zens give a slightly less detailed view. HOWEVER- this is hand held and not steadied with a tripod. I shake more using the smaller binoculars, and this will CERTAINLY affect my view. That being said- if a binocular can steady my hand and give me a better view because of that, it is certainly worth noting.
Another thing- Using the Eden 8x42 and Zen-Ray ED3, I thought there was a ladder that went up the side of the smoke stack with a platform on top. Using the 8x56, it became pretty obvious that what I thought was a ladder was actually a cell phone tower some distance behind the stack.
Darker Weather
The last few days have been rather cloudy, and a 7 a.m. this morning, it was especially gloomy. In these conditions, it really becomes apparent that the 8x56s are in their element. I was watching a bunch of swallows way out across the field behind my place and the 8x56s had a clear view, sharp almost to the edges, and they really have a big sweet spot. I can pan my eyes and not lose the image. I really enjoy looking through these binoculars, a lot.
I then compared the Zen-Ray ED3s as well as the smaller Eden 8X42s to the 8x56 in the dark and gloomy conditions this morning- the Zens really had a lot of darkening around the edges, as well as did the smaller Edens; this really contributed to a more restricted view in both the smaller binoculars. The Zens remained nice and sharp in the middle.
Weight- 1140 grams of bicep building madness
After having used the 8X56s this morning, the Zen ED3s felt like they weighed as much as a feather in my hands, and the smaller Edens felt like they floated weightless. The Eden 8x56 do weigh quite a bit, but I find the extra weight really helps to dampen any shaking, and the size and balance really fits my hand well, so the extra weight is not really a noticeable issue, at least not in my hands.
I will say that binoculars this size probably require a strap that is wider than the one included. Even though it's fairly comfortable for an hour or so, I'd like some more support, so eventually these 8x56s are going on a harness. I know many people really need lighter binoculars or more compact binoculars, but for me the extra pound has not been an issue.
Misc. Optics Stuff
As far as night time performance goes, well, let's just say that I can hold them steady enough in my hands to look at Jupiter and see the Galilean moons. Our moon is very, very bright and the craters well defined. M31- very bright, which impressed me considering that these are binoculars and not my telescope.
I see a lot of discussion about exit pupils on the forums, and about it being wasted on our increasingly limited ability to dilate our pupils as we get older, as well as having read that a larger exit pupil makes positioning binoculars easier and promotes a relaxed view. With my big, thick glasses, it seemed like positioning was everything with the 8x42s, and it was very important to keep them centered. The 8X56s, well, much easier to just put up to my eyes and look, so I have to agree with the relaxed view opinion and the easy positioning. As far as wasted exit pupil goes, I donate all my extra light and unused view to charity.
CA
The only thing I will say that I haven't like so far is that there is a bit of some chromatic aberration in high contrast situations. I tried looking at a tiny little bird from about 150 feet, crawling up a chimney, and the sky was white with clouds; it was pretty difficult to get a clear view of the bird. However, this was pretty much the only situation that I've seen it in- usually it's fairly unnoticeable. So tiny birds crawling up a black chimney against a white sky- not the 8x56's strong suit.
Good Build Quality
As far as the fit and finish of the 8X56s goes, they are very similar to the 8X42 that has been reviewed by myself and others on this forum. The black rubber coating isn't smooth and is easy to hold. The included eye caps attach to the binocular, and tend to stay on well, but not as well as on the 8x42. I would say that they failed my backpack test- the lens caps popped off in my bag.
The eye cups twist up- but they feel a bit looser that the Eden 8x42 and the Zen-Ray 8x43. Seems like the same rubber over hard plastic/metal eye cups as the 8x42.
The focus is quite a bit slower and not as smooth as the Eden 8x42 or the Zen-Ray. It seems that the knob rubs on something a little bit- not a big deal. The resistance of the knob during focus changes a little during the focusing- maybe other binoculars do this too? I don't have a lot of samples to compare it to. One thing I will say- there is no play at all in focusing- nice and tightly constructed.
The diopter doesn't lock on this model, but it's not going to move unless you try to turn it. The diopter ring has the same grippy rubber texture as the smaller binoculars.
Eye Relief, Field of View, Glare
These binoculars have a huge amount of eye relief. I have to use the eye cups, and my glasses are really, really, really thick. There are 4 settings: up, down, and two intermediates. I use either one or two clicks up. As I said, the eye cups are a bit loose compared with the other binoculars, and I tend to have to look and make sure they're still in position. Honestly, this is easily cured with a piece of tape.
The field of view is listed as being 6.5 degrees- it seems like a really big 6.5 degrees and I think that's because the image is so clear and detailed across the entire field. The 8x56 doesn't have that gigantic 'fill the entire eyepiece' view of the Zen ED3, but the view you do get is not hindered by darkening at the edges, fogginess, blur or anything like that. The sweet spot is, well, pretty much the entire image. There is a tiny bit of darkening right at the very, very edge of the image- a couple of thin, dark rings. I can catch them under the right conditions out of the corner of my eye.
The glare in these binoculars aren't as pronounced as in the Eden 8x42, which is really nice. However, there is a little bit, but it is certainly not blinding like in it's little sister.
Conclusion
Considering that we are starting to shift into autumn here in Europe, I think that the 8x56 has arrived just in time. Overall, I have a very favorable opinion of the Eden Quality XP 8x56. Actually, not favorable- I think they are great, at least when using them in the crummy weather we've had all week. But unless they totally fail in sunny weather, and I have no reason to expect them to, then my opinion will remain that I think these are great.
I think that one thing that the 8x56 really has going for it is versatility- and perhaps that is influencing my opinion a bit. But here's a pair of binoculars that can be easily used sunrise until dark, can be used for astronomy, has a relaxed view, has great detail, steadies my jitters and smells good. In conditions which the limitations of the smaller aperture binoculars that I have start to show, the view quality through the 8x56 is as good as mid day. Really, the view doesn't relent- even at night there isn't a time where part of the image becomes blurred or darker; it stays clear across the field.
I'm not sure of how much I've observed is the nature of the 8x56 beast, and how much is because Eden has made a good pair of binoculars here, but I don't think it matters because the overall package is great.