A couple of years ago I bought an Orion Savanna 8x42 roof prism binocular. It cost about $350 USD. The image quality isn't hugely different from my Leica 8x42BN or new Zeiss 10x42 FL. Yes, I can see a difference, but not so much that I would really miss a significant amount of detail on a bird. I could take them on a briding field hike and enjoy the view.
The Leica 8x42BN and Zeiss 10x42 FL give more of a feeling of looking out a large window. The image is brighter and certainly the Zeiss 10x42 FL has better resolution and contrast but the extra magnification makes the comparison a little more difficult. However, the image in the Savannah isn't bad. I don't think you would miss identify a bird using the Savannah that you would have gotten using the Leica BN.
The apparent field of view is smaller in the less expensive Savannah compared to my Leica but it isn't as bad as looking down a long narrow pipe either.
I guess the Savannah is much like some of the other "store brand" medium priced roofs.
I wouldn't be surprised if my Leica BN would take more of a beating and keep working than the Savannah. OTOH, I'm pretty careful with all my binoculars.
There is more CA with the Savannah but still not so bad that I hate to look through it. It really does make me think I'm a little nuts for buying the high end binoculars. :bounce:
Rich
The Leica 8x42BN and Zeiss 10x42 FL give more of a feeling of looking out a large window. The image is brighter and certainly the Zeiss 10x42 FL has better resolution and contrast but the extra magnification makes the comparison a little more difficult. However, the image in the Savannah isn't bad. I don't think you would miss identify a bird using the Savannah that you would have gotten using the Leica BN.
The apparent field of view is smaller in the less expensive Savannah compared to my Leica but it isn't as bad as looking down a long narrow pipe either.
I guess the Savannah is much like some of the other "store brand" medium priced roofs.
I wouldn't be surprised if my Leica BN would take more of a beating and keep working than the Savannah. OTOH, I'm pretty careful with all my binoculars.
There is more CA with the Savannah but still not so bad that I hate to look through it. It really does make me think I'm a little nuts for buying the high end binoculars. :bounce:
Rich
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