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Where premium quality meets exceptional value. ZEISS Conquest HDX.

Sightron "Blue Sky" II 8x32 (3 Viewers)

I think so too!

Maybe a commission is a little overboard but it would be interesting to see how many members of this forum ordered a pair these as a result of your comparison - I did.

He probably already got one! How do you think he can afford all those vintage porro's. JUST KIDDING FRANK! Just a little bit of humor.
 
I don't know whether they'll answer you or not but my cynicism suggests that the answer to your question is that Sightron doesn't pay them to do reviews...or send them freebies to review...or whatever the other guys do, they're not doing it.
 
Hi Frank

I didn't mean to imply that you receive anything from manufacturers for your reviews. I was just trying to make the point that your thread has undoubtedly been responsible for a few extra sales. I didn't actually think that Sightron was going to cut you a check. Keep those reviews coming.

Bruce


Lets not get carried away now.

:)
 
I just emailed this website http://www.bestbinocularsreviews.com/ and asked him why the sightron brand never gets mentioned and I linked him to this thread.

What's the chance I'll get a response? My guess is 5%

I actually think the chances are quite good. Binocular review sites are pretty "niche" and it's unlikely to be some monolithic corporate entity, rather it's probably a small operation with one or a few dedicated enthusiasts.

In my experience these folks are happy to chat about binoculars and answer questions. I have always gotten responses when emailing reviews, e.g. Diane Porter of birdwatching.com and the folks at opticsreviewer.com
 
That would be nice but I'm not going to hold my breath. Still it would be really great to have someone else reviewing them and see what they say.
 
I'm new to birding. Backpacking and a little hunting were my game. But why not? Look how many here are casting about? And there are birders here who also hunt by the sound of it. You'd think optics "Pros" would be looking under all the rocks.
 
I knew about Sightron years ago from the high quality 36X bench rest scopes they had. They were used to win many matches and cost much less than the competition.

Bruce
 
Sightron Blue Sky 10x32 mini review

I just spent a couple of hours comparing the 10x32s to the 8x32s and to the Zeiss FL T* 10x32. I used a Monostat monopod and Stoney Point Binocular Rest to eliminate steadiness issues.

The short version is that the Sightron 10x32 are excellent. Pretty much the same as the 8x32, but at 10x32. The 8x32 has a slightly more comfortable view and more depth of focus. This is mostly just the difference between any 10x32 and 8x32, though. An 8x32 has a larger exit pupil and more depth of field. The Sightron 10x32 has a little more resolving power than the 8x32, judged by reading distant signs.

The big surprise was the comparison to the Zeiss. There wasn't nearly as much difference as I expected. The Zeiss have a larger AFOV, but the image quality wasn't dramatically different. I'm sure a good technical review would show considerable difference, but it doesn't really jump out at you.

I came away pretty impressed with the Sightrons. I think they are a great value for the dollar, if you want a 10x32. The general consensus is that 10x32s are hard to do well. The high end ones like the Zeiss are great, but cheaper ones usually aren't. I don't see much to complain about with these.

I wish someone would do a thorough review to confirm all this. I'm not set up to do a detailed technical review.

Mark
 
Mark,
Try them together over a period of time under different light conditions. I did it with mine for several months at my leisure, mostly off my deck where I have a yard, a variety of trees, woods, undergrowth and neighboring fields to look at.

For instance: On bright mornings look in the general direction of the sun to see how they handle glare. In twilight conditions check brightness by trying to see how much detail you can see on small birds. On bright, overcast days look at flying crows, vultures etc to check for CA. Telephone poles often have small letters etc on them to compare sharpness. Look into evergreens for contrast and color impressions. Compare edge sharpness although Zeiss is not known for this popular attribute.

Bob
 
Mark,
Try them together over a period of time under different light conditions. I did it with mine for several months at my leisure, mostly off my deck where I have a yard, a variety of trees, woods, undergrowth and neighboring fields to look at.

For instance: On bright mornings look in the general direction of the sun to see how they handle glare. In twilight conditions check brightness by trying to see how much detail you can see on small birds. On bright, overcast days look at flying crows, vultures etc to check for CA. Telephone poles often have small letters etc on them to compare sharpness. Look into evergreens for contrast and color impressions. Compare edge sharpness although Zeiss is not known for this popular attribute.

Bob

I agree. The Sightron's are very good. The more I use them the more the focus is loosening up. I am impressed with how they handle glare. I was looking at a flock of geese at sunset in a cornfield and was amazed how sharp they were. Best binoculars I have ever seen for the price. They even beat a Nikon 8x30 EII for value because I can use them anywhere because they are waterproof and fogproof. Not quite the optics but pretty darn close. They are my car and knockaround binoculars. The Nikon 8x32 EDG's are my "Top Guns" for serious birding and I don't think they can be beat right now and I am not sure the new Swarovision's 8x32 or new Zeiss FL 8x32's will beat them either. I REALLY like the Nikon focus. So smooth and for me just the right speed for chasing fast moving birds. No Ca either. The Sightrons have a little CA I noticed looking at Crows the other day. No CA in the EDG's.
 
I just spent a couple of hours comparing the 10x32s to the 8x32s and to the Zeiss FL T* 10x32. I used a Monostat monopod and Stoney Point Binocular Rest to eliminate steadiness issues.

The short version is that the Sightron 10x32 are excellent. Pretty much the same as the 8x32, but at 10x32. The 8x32 has a slightly more comfortable view and more depth of focus. This is mostly just the difference between any 10x32 and 8x32, though. An 8x32 has a larger exit pupil and more depth of field. The Sightron 10x32 has a little more resolving power than the 8x32, judged by reading distant signs.

The big surprise was the comparison to the Zeiss. There wasn't nearly as much difference as I expected. The Zeiss have a larger AFOV, but the image quality wasn't dramatically different. I'm sure a good technical review would show considerable difference, but it doesn't really jump out at you.

I came away pretty impressed with the Sightrons. I think they are a great value for the dollar, if you want a 10x32. The general consensus is that 10x32s are hard to do well. The high end ones like the Zeiss are great, but cheaper ones usually aren't. I don't see much to complain about with these.

I wish someone would do a thorough review to confirm all this. I'm not set up to do a detailed technical review.

Mark

That's what I wanted to hear. I'm about an inch away from ordering a pair. Did you notice much difference in brightness in the 10x vs 8x?
 
In the house at night, there might be a slight difference. I'm 54, so my pupils don't open up as much as a younger person's might. I think that there have been threads in the past discussing this issue.
 
Spent some more time comparing the Sightron 10x32s and the Zeiss FL T* today. The Zeiss are brighter and produce cleaner whites, probably a result of the cooler color bias and the FL glass.

The big surprise is that the resolving power appears to be almost the same. Judging by reading distant street and parking signs, they are almost identical. Hard to believe.

The sweet spot on the Sightrons is large. About the same as the 8x32. Flare appears to be well controlled.

The more I use the Sightron 10x32s, the more impressed with them I am.

Highly recommended.

Mark
 
That's terrific. I called Optics Planet today and asked if there was any optical difference in the 10x42s. Same same according to them. Different body style and about 5 ounces heavier, larger exit pupil and a little brighter maybe and slightly more FOV. Funny thing is that the 42mm are about $10 bucks less. Now I have to make a decision. Any thoughts anyone??
 
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That's terrific. I called Optics Planet today and asked if there was any optical difference in the 10x42s. Same same according to them. Different body style and about 5 ounces heavier, larger exit pupil and a little brighter maybe and slightly more FOV. Funny thing is that the 42mm are about $10 bucks less. Now I have to make a decision. Any thoughts anyone??
Did you ask Optics Planet about the difference between the 10x42's and the 8x42's or the 8x32's? Just making sure I understand. The Sightron SII 8x32's were the original object of this thread but a number of other Sightron models have been mentioned in here.
 
I asked if there was any optical quality difference between the 42s and 32s as I'm considering the 10x in a 42mm rater than the 32mm. According to OP the coatings are the same so they should be the same quality.
 
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