jaymoynihan
Corvus brachyrhynchos watcher
Vortex Talon 8x42 HD
This is my user report on the Vortex 8x42 HD binocular.
This binocular is probably exactly the same under the armor as the Eagle Optics 8x42 ED. The differences being cosmetic (color and brand identification.) This would make sense since ER, Vortex, and Atlas are all part of the same little corporate family. the ER Ranger ED and the Vortex Talon HD specs are exactly the same
My review of its full size sister, the Eagle Optics 10x42 ED can be found here; http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=227954
I imagine these are made at the same Chinese factory as model x of brand y, etc. In practice that may not tell you much though, since each brand company will spec the manufacturing to different tolerances and quality levels.
Ergonomics
I am an obligate eyeglass wearer, with medium size hands, small nose, and face more flat than simian. For me the feel, hold and finger placements are very good. The open bridge design is about 6.7" long. Eye relief (stated as 18mm) is for me, almost too much. But after careful adjustment of the bridge, with the cup in the down position, it was a very picture window 8.1 deg. FOV.
View.
No blackouts, no rolling ball. Stated FOV (8.1 degrees) is visible. Resolution is very good, and contrast is high, more like German glass contrast than Japanese glass contrast, if you know what I mean.
CA
The CA is very well controlled over the inside 80% of the field, when focused for the center of the field. CA first appears outside the inner 65% of the field and gradually increases as you move towards the edge of the field. I would call it slight until you hit the outer 5% when it is noticeable (Low).
I have 4 other "ED" binos.
Swift Audubon 8.5x44 ED (about 10 years old)
Leupold GR 8x32 HD
Vortex 8x32 Viper HD
Eagle Optics 10x42 ED
The Swift has the best CA correction, in fact I consider them to be an APO. I rank them, re CA control, as listed above.
I would place this model just above its 10x sister.
Field Flatness & "Sweet spot"
Field curvature first can be seen by me, about 60% out from center. When focused via the center of the field, the sweet spot stretches to about 75% out from center.
CA and softening outside their respective "sweet spots", when focused on center of the field, can be "eliminated" by refocusing.
On the 8x32 SE optical quality (resolution & contrast) scale, the SE being “10”, I would rate this bino at about 7.5+, similar to its 10x sister.
Summary:
Like them. A good, wide-field general purpose workhorse glass.
This is my user report on the Vortex 8x42 HD binocular.
This binocular is probably exactly the same under the armor as the Eagle Optics 8x42 ED. The differences being cosmetic (color and brand identification.) This would make sense since ER, Vortex, and Atlas are all part of the same little corporate family. the ER Ranger ED and the Vortex Talon HD specs are exactly the same
My review of its full size sister, the Eagle Optics 10x42 ED can be found here; http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=227954
I imagine these are made at the same Chinese factory as model x of brand y, etc. In practice that may not tell you much though, since each brand company will spec the manufacturing to different tolerances and quality levels.
Ergonomics
I am an obligate eyeglass wearer, with medium size hands, small nose, and face more flat than simian. For me the feel, hold and finger placements are very good. The open bridge design is about 6.7" long. Eye relief (stated as 18mm) is for me, almost too much. But after careful adjustment of the bridge, with the cup in the down position, it was a very picture window 8.1 deg. FOV.
View.
No blackouts, no rolling ball. Stated FOV (8.1 degrees) is visible. Resolution is very good, and contrast is high, more like German glass contrast than Japanese glass contrast, if you know what I mean.
CA
The CA is very well controlled over the inside 80% of the field, when focused for the center of the field. CA first appears outside the inner 65% of the field and gradually increases as you move towards the edge of the field. I would call it slight until you hit the outer 5% when it is noticeable (Low).
I have 4 other "ED" binos.
Swift Audubon 8.5x44 ED (about 10 years old)
Leupold GR 8x32 HD
Vortex 8x32 Viper HD
Eagle Optics 10x42 ED
The Swift has the best CA correction, in fact I consider them to be an APO. I rank them, re CA control, as listed above.
I would place this model just above its 10x sister.
Field Flatness & "Sweet spot"
Field curvature first can be seen by me, about 60% out from center. When focused via the center of the field, the sweet spot stretches to about 75% out from center.
CA and softening outside their respective "sweet spots", when focused on center of the field, can be "eliminated" by refocusing.
On the 8x32 SE optical quality (resolution & contrast) scale, the SE being “10”, I would rate this bino at about 7.5+, similar to its 10x sister.
Summary:
Like them. A good, wide-field general purpose workhorse glass.
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