Sightron Blue Sky 8x32 never ceases to amaze . . . (1 Viewer)

[tpcollins]

Last week I had my Zeiss T* FL 8x32 bins at the night time Michigan - Notre Game game, man they were awesome to look thru. But taking them to the games makes me nervous so today I took my Sightron Blue Sky 8x32 bins - these dang things have to be one of the best low priced bargains there is. I wear glasses so I'm always looking thru the top of the progressive lenses but I took them off, rotated the eye cups up two notches and the clarity of the view just makes you shake your head. The only issue is since they are rather light, there is some shake if I'm not careful.

But if for a low cost bin that I keep in the console of my truck, these bins are one heck of a bargain. I just can't say enough about them.

 

[marinemaster]

Agree, mine are great too I like them from day one. Enjoy them a lot. No issues on mine they work great.

 

[CSG]

Man, I never even heard of these until this thread. They look pretty cool and if they're as good as said here, another binocular bargain.

 

[FrankD]

Two years with my pair now. It's gonna cause a stir but after comparing them to the Zeiss Terra ED I have to say I prefer the Sightron optically.

CSG,

Check out the 700+ post thread on them here in the main forum.

 

[brocknroller]

Man, I never even heard of these until this thread. They look pretty cool and if they're as good as said here, another binocular bargain.

Here's over 800 posts on the Sightron 8x32 Blue Sky II: Not sure how you could have missed it since the thread lasted for 9 months!

Frank's record breaking 818- post Blue Sky thread

They'll beat the pants off those old 501 8x32 SEs.

Brock

 

[CSG]

Because I wasn't here when that thread was running. Ever notice I registered in 2006 and have under 160 posts? I drift in and out of here based on my hobby of the week . Recently, it's been optics again.

I did look at it a little earlier after responding to this thread but didn't read all 40 pages.

 

[ceasar]

Two years with my pair now. It's gonna cause a stir but after comparing them to the Zeiss Terra ED I have to say I prefer the Sightron optically.

CSG,

Check out the 700+ post thread on them here in the main forum.

Frank,

Did you do a review of the Sightron Blue Sky 8 x 42? I must have missed it.

Bob

 

[FrankD]

Bob,

I never did a separate thread for the 8x42 but rather included comments about it within one of the posts in the 8x32 mega-thread.

If you were sort of pointing out that I was comparing an 8x32 to an 8x42 then I concede your point. My only response to that is that I compare every binocular I get my hands on to the Sightron as the Sightron serves as my reference standard for relatively inexpensive binoculars. Since the Zeiss is twice the cost and 10 mm larger in aperture I expected it to better the Sightron even if just subtly.

It didn't. In fact I actually found the Sightron to outperform the Zeiss in a few areas. I will comment more specifically in both the Sightron and your Zeiss thread shortly.

 

[marinemaster]

Maybe just........maybe......... these binos are so good because they are made in Philippines.

 

[paul2013]

Is the Sightron Blue Sky 8x32 identical to the Kenko ultraVIEW EX OP 8x32DH II, or does the Kenko offer other features?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[FrankD]

It appears that way Paul as the two appear very close to identical externally and on paper. From some tidbits inside the Sightron thread it appears Kenko manufactures Sightron's binoculars at their plant in the Phillipines. Keep in mind that Pentax also has a model that bears a striking resemblance to both these models though it is a 9x32.

 

[ceasar]

Frank,

Does Sightron offer other binoculars as good as the 8 x 32 Blue Sky? I didn't read all 800+ posts over the last 9 months but I wonder if any of the other 22 binoculars they have are as good as this one? For instance they have about 5 Porro Prisms that look good. Their SIIWP 8x 42 has ER of 17.1mm and a 470'FOV @ 1000 yards and it costs $106.53. They also have some expensive roof prisms in the $600.00 range which have magnesium bodies and reticles in their objectives.

Has anyone tried any of these?

I note that Eagle Optics carries Kenko binoculars (which are all currently on sale there) and some comments above seem to indicate that Kenko may have manufactured the 8 x 32 Blue Sky for Sightron in their Philippines plant.

Eagle Optics sells a Kenko DH MS 8 x 42 binocular that has very similar specs as the Sightron SII Blue Sky Series SIIBL842. But the Kenko sells for $200.00 more.

http://info.sightron.com/Binoculars/SII-Blue-Sky-Series-/SIIBL842/

http://www.eagleoptics.com/binoculars/kenko/kenko-8x42-dh-ms-binocular

Eagle Optics does not offer any binocular from Kenko that is similar to the Sightron 8 x 32 Blue Sky but as was noted above, the Pentax 9 x 32, which they do sell, bears a striking resemblance to the 8 x 32 Blue Sky. Even the price is competitive with it. It has received a couple of good reviews on Eagle Optics site.

Bob

 

[eitanaltman]

A few points:

Eagle Optics does not offer any binocular from Kenko that is similar to the Sightron 8 x 32 Blue Sky

They don't CURRENTLY but for a long time they did have the Kenko 8x32 OP DH II which is obviously identical with the Sightron. That model seems like it has disappeared from the internet though. The 1st Gen 8x32 OP DH looks to be more similar to the Theron Wapiti LI, Vixen New Foresta, et al: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/726578-REG/Kenko_BN_100278_Ultra_View_EX_OP.html

Eagle Optics sells a Kenko DH MS 8 x 42 binocular that has very similar specs as the Sightron SII Blue Sky Series SIIBL842. But the Kenko sells for $200.00 more.

You found the wrong twin

That Kenko MS advertises the magnesium body, it is actually a twin of the higher end Sightron SIII level magnesium body binocular which retails for around $500: http://swfa.com/Sightron-8x42-SIII-Binocular-P45640.aspx


On a side note, opticsreviewer.com (based largely upon the groundswell of positive feedback from this forum) has reviewed the SII BL 8x42 and also published a comparison to the Nikon Monarch 3: http://www.opticsreviewer.com/sightron-sii-blue-sky.html

 

[eitanaltman]

If someone wanted to give one of Sightron's higher end bins a shot, that SIII 8x32 MS magnesium body series is available for only $349 from the SWFA Sample List: http://www.samplelist.com/Sightron-8x42-SIII-Binocular-DEMO-B-P64668.aspx

Interestingly they also have a Sightron SII 63mm spotting scope for only $399: http://www.samplelist.com/Sightron-20-60x63-SII-Spotting-Scope-DEMO-B-P65352.aspx

I can find virtually NOTHING on the internet about this scope, although it seems like it's a kit that comes with both zoom eyepiece and 25x wide, plus a stay-on case. I'm almost tempted to try it just based on the positive reputation that Sightron has built up.

 

[ceasar]

:-O

A few points:



They don't CURRENTLY but for a long time they did have the Kenko 8x32 OP DH II which is obviously identical with the Sightron. That model seems like it has disappeared from the internet though. The 1st Gen 8x32 OP DH looks to be more similar to the Theron Wapiti LI, Vixen New Foresta, et al: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/726578-REG/Kenko_BN_100278_Ultra_View_EX_OP.html




You found the wrong twin

That Kenko MS advertises the magnesium body, it is actually a twin of the higher end Sightron SIII level magnesium body binocular which retails for around $500: http://swfa.com/Sightron-8x42-SIII-Binocular-P45640.aspx


On a side note, opticsreviewer.com (based largely upon the groundswell of positive feedback from this forum) has reviewed the SII BL 8x42 and also published a comparison to the Nikon Monarch 3: http://www.opticsreviewer.com/sightron-sii-blue-sky.html

Thanks for the information! :t: It answers a lot of questions. There was an aura of mystery around this binocular and this helped out.

Sightron does seem to have a different method of marketing it's optics though. They seem to have focused on smaller dealers in the USA if you click on their Sightron Dealers link.

Bob

 

[BruceH]

..........

Does Sightron offer other binoculars as good as the 8 x 32 Blue Sky? ..........

Has anyone tried any of these?

........................

Bob

Bob .... I own a Sightron II Blue Sky II 8X42 and have tried the Blue Sky 8X32 and a Blue Sky 10X42. I think the Blue Sky 8X42 is the closest match in the product line to to the Blue Sky 8X32, since it is a roof and is close in price. I have commented on it in a couple of posts. The first one compares it to the Zen-Ray ZRSHD 8X42.

http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2697543&postcount=9
http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2745175&postcount=4

I think the Blue Sky 8X42 is almost as good as the 8X32, except that the 8X32 I tried had a more neutral color balance.


As far as Sightron's Marketing, I think they view their primary customers to be hunters and their primary product to be rifle and pistol scopes. I got the impression from a couple of conversations with them that binoculars are not a big part of their sales.

 

[Stet]

Stopped, on a whim, on my way home from work to see if I could see any migrants today and was greeted with a plethora of black throated greens, magnolias and chestnut sided warblers. My truck bins are my Sightron blue sky 8x32's and they did not disappoint. I really enjoyed using them today and did not feel wanting at all. These are one of the few low cost bins that I have not sold off and for good reason.

I did have the Sightron SIIILR 8x42 Binocular a few years ago and thought it was a great binocular. It was very well built and solid, although a little on the heavy side. It's image had great contrast and it's sharpness and CA control was in line with other ED binoculars in the $400-$500 range. i.e. Zen Ray, Vortex. It wasn't the standout that the Blue Sky is in it's price range but it was an excellent choice none the less. I ended up returning it because the focuser had more tension in one direction than in the other in the sample I had and it ended up bothering me. Not sure if it was just this sample or they are all like that.

 

[brocknroller]

As far as Sightron's Marketing, I think they view their primary customers to be hunters and their primary product to be rifle and pistol scopes. I got the impression from a couple of conversations with them that binoculars are not a big part of their sales.

That was before Frank became a Sightron sales rep, now 818 birders also own their binoculars.

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