Focal "Siam Cat". (1 Viewer)

[rdnzl]

No laughing.

In my search to accumulate a pretty good sized variety of vin bins, I am getting a couple of the so called "Siam Cats" from focal. Made in Japan. I am sure I will get a few expected chuckles over K-Mart binoculars, but I remember owning a non Siam Cat Focal when I was in high school, and it had pretty acceptable views. They were a very small investment, so my expectations aren't super high. But a guy cannot own too many binoculars. B

Siam Cat Optics. I would imagine they darkened the baffles and claimed "night vision" or something like that? Maybe some proprietary coatings?

One is a 8x35 "Extra Power", whatever that's supposed to mean, wide angle 10 degree, and the other is a 7x50 wide angle 8 degree. 420ft/1000yds. The eyecups aren't disintegrated, and they are pretty clean. So if nothing else, they will display well. B

 

[PeterPS]

The 8x with a FoV=10* is what's called a super wide angle bino, if the spec of 10* is true but usually the FoV of these old binos is overestimated by 1* or more. Anyway you got some nice clean Siam Cat Focal binos. I have recently read some comments on Siam Cat on the CN Forum, you should be able to find them easily.

 

[rdnzl]

I got them both today. My overall impressions are pretty favorable.

The 8x35 extra wide ten degree is fairly light, and the views outside a little while ago were pretty bright, and focus seems to be pretty sharp. The eyecups are surprisingly soft and pliable. I roll them down for the best view for me as I do not wear glasses. All in all, a pretty nice inexpensive bin.



The 7x50 is 8 degrees, 420ft/1000yds. The views are real nice and wide without huge amounts of distortion. I am really surprised at these. Very bright, and sharp. They have a nice heft to them, but not overly heavy. They balance very nicely in my hands are are easy to hold still. The eyecups on these are also in perfect condition. Eye relief requires that I use the cups, as when I roll them down I start getting blackouts around the edge.

I like them both, especially consider my minimal investment of what amounts to dinner for two at McDonalds, but the 7x50 WA is a pretty nice piece. I like the combination of 7x with the wide field. I can see it being a go to bin when there is a risk of damage or loss out in the boonies, or when handing it to someone else, like a kid, or somebody who has had a few beers.



If you see these anywhere and they in good shape, you won't be wasting your change if you snag them. Especially the 7x50 WA.

As far as the "Siam Cat" business, I can't tell any difference yet, as I haven't had them out after dark.

 

[gcole]

No laughing.

In my search to accumulate a pretty good sized variety of vin bins, I am getting a couple of the so called "Siam Cats" from focal. Made in Japan. I am sure I will get a few expected chuckles over K-Mart binoculars, but I remember owning a non Siam Cat Focal when I was in high school, and it had pretty acceptable views. They were a very small investment, so my expectations aren't super high. But a guy cannot own too many binoculars. B

Siam Cat Optics. I would imagine they darkened the baffles and claimed "night vision" or something like that? Maybe some proprietary coatings?

One is a 8x35 "Extra Power", whatever that's supposed to mean, wide angle 10 degree, and the other is a 7x50 wide angle 8 degree. 420ft/1000yds. The eyecups aren't disintegrated, and they are pretty clean. So if nothing else, they will display well. B

I also remember well back in the sixties walking by that long counter of Focal Brand Binoculars at our local K-Mart store when I was a teenager. I was in awe, never imagining over fifty years later what the difference in optical quality would improve to be today. The Focal Brand Optical Quality when compared to today’s standard certainly would be far less superior but they were definitely built like a tank.