Eyecup size (3 Viewers)

[Martin Fagg]

Hi all,

How important is eyecup size to you? It has recently become an issue for me because I have started using contact lenses while birding instead of glasses.

I am selling my Opticron BGA SE 8x42s because the eyecups are too big. They have 43mm wide eyecups. They are great to use with glasses on but not without them.



So I am looking for bins that are comfortable for me with or without glasses.
I was thinking of trying ZR ED2 7x36s but have just been told that they also have 43mm eyecups.

I do have quite deep set eyes so this is important to me. Is anyone else in the same situation? If so what bins have you found that have narrow eyecups?

My best fits are Meopta Meostar 8x32s. They are the perfect size.



Why do so many manufacturers use such wide rubber around the oculars? Is there a good reason for this.
Are Meopta the only ones making eyecups that are comfortable with or without glassess i.e. without 5mm of rubber around the outside of the lens making the diameter of the eyecup huge?

Old fashioned porros are good too like Opticron Minervas



Anyone got a particular favourite bin with narrow eyecups?

 

[sf01457]

Hi Martin

If it helps at all, the only reason that I didn't buy a pair of BGA SE was the eyecups. The square edges touched the bridge of my nose also. I much liked the handling and view so emailed Opticron to see if they had an alternative eyecup available. They replied, promptly, but could not offer any.

I have tested the Hawke ED 8x43 and 8x36 which are similar to the Zen-Ray and did not have any problem with the eyecups. I think there is a post here somewhere with pictures of Zen 7x36 and Hawke 8x43 + 36. I think it was by Dennis Waugh?

Cheers

Steve

 

[NDhunter]

Hi all,

eyecups?


View attachment 236914

Anyone got a particular favourite bin with narrow eyecups?

Martin:
Have you tried the Nikon SE 8x32, narrow rubber eyecup, better optically than anything else that has been mentioned here. Give them a try.

Jerry

 

[Martin Fagg]

Hi Martin

If it helps at all, the only reason that I didn't buy a pair of BGA SE was the eyecups. The square edges touched the bridge of my nose also. I much liked the handling and view so emailed Opticron to see if they had an alternative eyecup available. They replied, promptly, but could not offer any.

I have tested the Hawke ED 8x43 and 8x36 which are similar to the Zen-Ray and did not have any problem with the eyecups. I think there is a post here somewhere with pictures of Zen 7x36 and Hawke 8x43 + 36. I think it was by Dennis Waugh?

Cheers

Steve

Hi Steve,

I have the same nose pinch problem actually. Didn't think to mention it in original post. BGAs are better suited to faces with different dimensions than ours it seems. Other than that issue that are really nice bins though.

I have been looking more closely at photos of ZR 7x36s and noticed that the eyecups curve in quite appreciably so I suspect they may be more suited. I have posted about his in the Zr forum nd had good feedback from others.
I'm still considering them ..............................

I'll try to track down the post you mention. Thanks.

All the best,
Martin.

 

[Martin Fagg]

Martin:
Have you tried the Nikon SE 8x32, narrow rubber eyecup, better optically than anything else that has been mentioned here. Give them a try.

Jerry

I have indeed tried the SEs. What a view! Also the EIIs. Again what a view!

But I can't use either with my glasses on. With the EIIs I couldn't even see the entire fov without my glasses on.

Unfortunately they are not for me.

Thanks,
Martin.

 

[sf01457]

Hi Martin

I think the pictures are in here

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=154614

 

[John Russell]

Martin,

I measured the eyecups on my wife's 7x42 Meostars as 42mm dia. reducing to 40mm at the rim (same as your 8x32s?). Ditto my Swarovski 7x42 SLCs. Zeiss 10x42 Victory FLs were 42mm dia. and 39mm at the rim.
I assume the eyecups from different configurations within the same line of bins would have identical diameters, although in some cases varying degrees of extendability to match eye relief.
I found the 44mm Kowa Prominars to have uncomfortably large eyecups though the bins are otherwise excellent.

John

 

[Martin Fagg]

Hi Martin

I think the pictures are in here

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=154614

Yes, I found them with a search of Denis's posts. Very useful and he did a great comparatative review of the 3 bins as well.

 

[Martin Fagg]

Martin,

I measured the eyecups on my wife's 7x42 Meostars as 42mm dia. reducing to 40mm at the rim (same as your 8x32s?). Ditto my Swarovski 7x42 SLCs. Zeiss 10x42 Victory FLs were 42mm dia. and 39mm at the rim.
I assume the eyecups from different configurations within the same line of bins would have identical diameters, although in some cases varying degrees of extendability to match eye relief.
I found the 44mm Kowa Prominars to have uncomfortably large eyecups though the bins are otherwise excellent.

John

Thanks John,

You're larger Meoptas have larger eyecups then. The 8x32 Meostars eyecups are only 34mm wide at the narrowest part nearest the eye.
I would expect them to be the same. I won't make that assumption again.

Best wishes,
Martin.

 

[pete_gamby]

Hi Martin - we do now have a different, non-square edged eyecup for the Imagic BGA SE. We can fit them here free of charge if you send the bins in to us (edit - have just been told we can send the parts out for you to fit yourself if you're confident to try). You can call the office and ask to speak to Sarah or Stuart for the details of the exact differences.

Cheers, Pete @ Opticron

 

[NWBirder]

I have the revised 7x36 ED2. The eyecups have relatively low profile and comfortable to use. The ocular lens is enormous in size for a 36mm objective. Maybe that's why the 7x36 is so sharp.

 

[sf01457]

Hi Martin - we do now have a different, non-square edged eyecup for the Imagic BGA SE. We can fit them here free of charge if you send the bins in to us (edit - have just been told we can send the parts out for you to fit yourself if you're confident to try). You can call the office and ask to speak to Sarah or Stuart for the details of the exact differences.

Cheers, Pete @ Opticron

Hi Pete

I'm no longer after any new binoculars but it is great to hear that Opticron continue to support their reputation of offering great service and obviously reacting to customer/potential customer input. If these had been available when I enquired I would have purchased a pair of BGA SE for certain.

Cheers

Steve

 

[Fireform]

The non-Lotutec Zeiss FLs have smaller eyecups than the later Lotutec versions.