Theo, this is a very timely review, as I have started having a few "stiction" issues with my 8x32 Mojave's focuser as well. Would you rate the BX4 as superior optically? Is the focus mechanism faster on the new BX4 or about the same as the previous version? Thanks for the help.
JG,
The new replacement BX-4 Pro Guide HD 8X32 Mojave Is an overall optically better instrument than the Mojave BX-3 it replaced (sent in due to stickion issues). As per my review in post #15, "the new BX-4 presents a sweet spot clarity, resolution and color fidelity that is closer in performance to my superb EL8X32SV's".
However, these past 2 weeks I had received the Nikon 8X30 EII porro and started glassing with it...Nice (but just not waterproof). I then performed about a 3-hour direct optical comparative between the EII and the other five 8X binoculars I have (
Swarovski EL 8X32 SV, Swarovski Habicht 8X30 W GA porros, Leupold Yosemite BX-1 8X30 porros, close-out Cabela Leupold Mojave BX-3 8X32 and of course, the new Leupold Pro Guide HD BX-4 8X32).
My viewing venue (simply my neighborhood <150 yd views), offered challenging lighting conditions that day, with bright sunshine, intermittent cloud cover and deep landscape shaded shadows. It was during this time that I noticed the new BX-4 appeared to present a soft dark blue color cast to the auto license plate fonts, of which was presented by all other optics (and confirmed by my own walk-up close-up viewing), as a flat black color scheme. I would have called it "purple fringing", but it wasn't just the edges of the large fonts, but the whole black font #'s and letters!? Not sure why I saw this off color "issue", but I could not induce true purple fringing issues with the BX-4 in any high contrast views (branches silhouetted by bright blue skies). Overall, find the BX-4 colors are accurate and pop, similar to a Leica UVHD+ I had spent a brief time with.
The new BX-4 is MIJ, built solidly and the focus speed is
FAST! The
BX-3 has 1.5 turns (540 degrees) to go from 2 yds close focus to 100 yds, then another .5 turns (180 deg) to infinity (total 2 turns=720 deg). The new
BX-4 has .5 turns (180 deg.) to get from a CF of 2 yds. to 100 yds., then another .75 turns to get to infinity (total 1.25 turns=450 deg)! If you like FAST (great for birding), the BX-4 is faster then anything I own or have tried. However, the slower BX-3 Mojave (my 2nd and with perfect focus smoothness) is easier to sneak up on and nail a perfect focus of the subject!
Hope this helps. I like the BX-4, but would look around and compare for a $500 optical investment! :t:
Ted