Eagle
Optics Ranger
Platinum Class
by
Michael and Diane Porter
 
We
reviewed this binocular in the summer of 2004 as part of a Binocular
Roundup for the November, 2004, issue of Birdwatcher's Digest.
The Platinum Class Ranger was one of the favorite low-price binoculars
of our judges. Below is our report on this binocular.
 Compact
and lightweight (under 23 oz.), the Platinum Class Ranger has
a lot going for it. It focuses fast and as close as 5.2 ft., making
it a good candidate for butterfly watching as well as birding.
Smooth-turning
focus knob, hand-friendly rubber armoring, and a central hinge
with just the right amount of resistance for quick adjustment
make this binocular a pleasure to handle. We find that when we're
using binoculars up close for watching butterflies, we move the
two barrels slightly closer together for close views, and then
farther apart again for distance. The nice engineering on the
central hinge makes this process so easy that we do it almost
unconsciously. (Many binoculars have a hinge that is too stiff
to move comfortably. What's worse that that some have a hinge
so loose and floppy it won't hold its setting. No problem like
that with the Ranger!)
The
eyecups twist up. The resolution is good—remarkably good
for such an inexpensive binocular.
 One
of the nice details on this binocular is the way the objective
lens caps attach to the barrels, ready to snap shut when you want
to drop the binocular in your backpack. With the Ranger, you won't
lose the lens caps the first time out of the box! But if you prefer,
you can remove the lens covers completely.
Considering
the very moderate
price, we recommend this binocular.
The Eagle Optics Ranger comes in 12x50, 10x50, 10x42, 6x32, 8x42,
10x32, and 8x32. We looked at the 10x42 and the 8x42.
|
